Culture Shock in Angola

Nearly three decades of civil war has left Angola in the midst of a humanitarian crisis with an estimated 68 percent of Angolans living below the poverty line. Despite a booming national economy (based primarily on the oil and diamond industries) and government efforts to develop the country post-conflict, the picture remains bleak for the vast majority of Angolans.

The nation is one of the most unequal countries in the world in terms of income distribution, and expats moving to Angola often have a difficult time adjusting to the clearly contrasting worlds of the "haves" and "have-nots". This glaring inequality can inspire a severe degree of culture shock and guilt for many foreigners first arriving in this African nation.

It's important not to take photographs or use binoculars, GPS equipment or cellphone cameras in or near government buildings, as you could be arrested.

Inequality in Angola

The old Portuguese city was initially built for some 500,000 people, but is now home to over five million, the vast majority of whom live in sprawling slums without access to clean water, electricity, health care or schools.

That said, for the enterprising rich and connected, Luanda is the new El Dorado: the pot-holed streets of Luanda are jammed with an astounding array of expensive cars - Porsche Cayennes, Range Rovers and Prados - all set to take their owners to exquisite restaurants overlooking a marina full of yachts and luxury speed boats straight out of a James Bond film.

In contrast, the streets are also home to bands of scrawny street children willing to wash cars in exchange for something to eat; of woman carrying baskets of avocados on their heads and babies slung across their backs; and of men passed out beside a bottle. Most of them scratching together a meagre income to survive.