The bulk of Angola is semiarid elevated savannah. Only two regions, both located in western Angola, have sufficient water for abundant agriculture. Naturally, these regions, the Kwanza River Valley and the central highlands, or "planalto" (Portuguese for "plateau") region, are home to Angola's two dominant ethnicities: the Mbundu and Ovimbundu, respectively. The Kwanza River, which meets the Atlantic Ocean roughly 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Luanda, is Angola's only notable river. Its river valley offers the only easy access to the country's interior. The planalto is the country's breadbasket. With an average elevation of 1,000-1,700 meters (3,300-5,600 feet) above sea level, the planalto is high enough to capture rainfall and mitigate southern Africa's heat. Eventually, the topography transitions into some of the continent's most distinct and effective geographic barriers. The jungles of the Congo Basin lie to Angola's north. The Namib Desert lies to the south. The eastern border is less distinct, but the land becomes steadily more rugged and arid the farther east one ventures. The vast majority of Angolans live in the western half of the country. A steep escarpment rising out of the country's coastal plain separates most of Angola's territory from the sea, sharply dividing the interior. To the south, the plain rapidly narrows and ultimately disappears into desert near the city of Lobito. Luanda, the most developed part of the country, has a shallow, small and crowded port. Lobito, home to the country's only potential deep-water port, lies at the desert's edge and has little in the way of hinterland to leverage for commerce. The southern town of Namibe also has a port, but it too is surrounded by desert and is far from Luanda. Angola has an additional noteworthy piece of territory: the exclave of Cabinda, located north of the Congo River and the Democratic Republic of the Congo's thin coastal strip. Cabinda is not a core Angolan territory. Its people are not among Angola's largest or ruling ethnicities. However, in addition to its natural resources, the exclave provides Luanda a base for intimidating neighboring states. Despite its maritime disadvantages, Angola is geographically blessed compared to most African states. As mentioned, most of Angola's geographic barriers — such as the Congolese jungle and the Namib Desert — are external. So unlike most African states, Angola has the potential to unify under a single banner. And while Angola will never be able to generate enough capital to become a wealthy state, its ability to unite is already allowing it to become a major regional power in the future.
