Following independence from Portugal in 1975, Angola fell into a 27-year civil war that had destroyed much of the country’s economy and infrastructure.  Since the end of the civil war in 2002, Angola has been facing the daunting task of rebuilding the country. For the first time in 16 years, a parliamentary election in Angola was held in September 2008. Bordering the South Atlantic Ocean between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola is one of Africa’s major oil producers and exporters, behind only Nigeria in the region.