The extremes of life in African Angola, where the rich and the poor divide

Africa will always remain a little unknown to us, no matter how well we know it. In many countries of the Black Continent, between ordinary people and those in power, there is a gigantic abyss that can be measured with money. Some have millions, others live in poverty. On the shores of the Atlantic Ocean is the capital of Angola, Luanda. And here you can see this abyss with your own eyes.

Surprisingly, it was Luanda that was recognized several times (in 2008 and 2017) as the most expensive city on the planet. Prices for everything here are incredibly high. So, you can rent a two-room apartment here on average for 7 thousand dollars a month. Yes, even a liter of milk in the city costs about $ 3. But most Angolans are below the poverty line.

Ask how the African city was ahead of Tokyo, New York, Hong Kong? Yes, everything is very simple: oil and diamonds are mined in the country. And for almost three decades, there has been a civil war that has shaken the already fragile position of ordinary people.

A few years ago, cranes that were engaged in large construction projects dominated the Luanda skyline. Preliminarily destroying hundreds of frail houses of local residents, Chinese companies built here elite housing, restaurants, nightclubs. Now the oil boom has passed, but life as it was expensive, and remained.

One of the best hotels in Luanda, Epic Sana is a local attraction. It is located in the center of the business district, and during the boom it was completely full of employees of oil companies.

Slums in one of the areas of Zango, where an elite residential complex is being built. Once upon a time there were agricultural land and locals lived. But the Luandans were evicted, and now they are housed in temporary housing near new high-rises.

Mangais Golf Resort, where Angola's elite spends the weekend.

Another slum on the river bank. Fishermen were evicted here, and their houses were demolished for construction.

Residential complex built by Chinese developers. For a long time it was empty and it was already turned into a ghost area, but recently residents have begun to appear in some apartments. These are mainly specialists working for the government. Renting an apartment here is four times higher than the average monthly salary.

Poor Luandans usually relax in small bars, often in the open. Recently, kizomba, sensual African music, has been popular in the country.

An elite night club, where they also dance to kizomba. The institution suffered from the fact that the oil boom has declined.

The city's beach is the real heart of Luanda, where all the differences blur. Here rest Luanda of all stripes, rich, poor, homeless.

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