Africa

          Few regions of the world are as varied as Africa. On this vast continent there are 54 independent nations and many times this number of people and ancient cultures. There are mountains, valleys, plains, and swamps on a scale not seen elsewhere. The northern coast is rich and fertile; below it lies the dry Sahara Desert. South of the Sahara, lush rain forest grows. Most of southern and eastern Africa is savanna, or scrub, a form of dry plain dotted with trees and bushes. The nation's of Africa are generally poor, though some, such as Nigeria, have rich natural resources. Many governments are unstable, and rebellions and civil wars are common. There are very few large cities; most are near the coast. The rest of the continent is open countryside where people follow traditional life styles.

People: In the African countryside many people live in tribal villages. Some, such as the Kikuyu of East Africa, are descended from tribes which have lived in the same place for many centuries. Others, such as the North African Arabs, are recent immigrants from other parts of Africa or from other continents. Borders between countries take little account of these varied cultures. People of one culture may live in two different countries, and in one nation may be found more than a dozen different tribal groupings.

War and famine: Civil wars and famines are common in Africa. Although many are caused by political disagreements, some are the result of tribal conflicts. In Chad a civil war lasting many years was fought between the desert Tuaregs, backed by Libya, and the farmers of the wetter areas. In Zimbabwe fighting between the Matabele and the Shona tribes has led to thousands of deaths. Other misery is caused by famine. Food production has not kept pace with Africa's growing population. Traditionally, most people have grown just enough food each year to last until the next harvest. If crops do not grow properly thousands of people may starve to death within a few months.

Rural Life: Most Africans live in the countryside. They grow their own food and only rarely have a surplus to sell or exchange for other goods. Most tribes have farmed the same land for generations, living in simple villages with all of their relatives. Sometimes the young men go to live in cities for a few years to earn money in mines or factories. Then they return to the village to marry and settle down. The types of crops grown vary widely. Yams, cassava, and bananas are produced in the lush tropical regions; farmers in drier areas concentrate on cattle and corn.

Music and culture: Africa has a rich and varied culture. North Africa shares the Islamic traditions of the Middle East, producing beautiful mosques and palaces. West African music has a strong rhythm, and there are many interesting dances. The area is also home to a flourishing wood-carving industry. Eastern and southern Africa have become famous for beautiful beadwork and colourful festive costumes.

Development: A lack of basic resources such as roads, railways, and a reliable electricity supply holds back the growth of many African nations. A few countries sell enough goods abroad to pay for these vital facilities. But many more rely on gifts and loans from Western governments to pay for their development programmes.

Kilimanjaro: The tallest and the most beautiful mountain in Africa is Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. It's highest peak, which rises 5,895 m (19,340 ft), is an extinct volcano. Although the mountain is only a few kilometres from the equator, the top is always covered in snow. A footpath leads to the top, which can be reached in three days from the nearest road. Many people live on the lower slopes, where they farm tropical fruit.

Sahara Desert: The Sahara is the largest desert in the world and covers nearly one-third of Africa. In recent years the desert has spread, destroying farmland and causing famine. In some areas irrigation has stopped the spread of the desert, but long-term irrigation can make the soil salty and infertile.

Cape Verde: The independent republic of the Cape Verde islands lies 620 km (385 miles) off the coast of Senegal, in the Atlantic Ocean. The islands have a population of 400,000, but twice this number of Cape Verdeans live abroad.

Horn of Africa: Because of its shape, the easternmost point of the African continent is called the Horn of Africa. It is one of the poorest regions on earth, with few natural resources, and recent droughts and civil wars have killed thousands of people and made many more homeless.

Victoria Falls: On the River Zambezi, between Zimbabwe and Zambia, the Victoria Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. At their highest point the falls rise to about 108 m (355 ft).

Cairo: Cairo, the capital city of Egypt, is the largest city in Africa, with a population of nearly 9 million. It sits on the River Nile near the head of the river's delta. The older part of the city contains narrow, winding streets. The new city has wider streets and many modern office buildings and flats. The people of Cairo come from all over North Africa, as well as from Europe and the Middle East.

Republic of South Africa: Vast mineral deposits, including gold, platinum, and diamonds, have enabled South Africans to develop an advanced industrial society, the richest in the continent. South Africa produces 40% of the world's gold. But wealth is divided unevenly. The past "apartheid" laws have, however, left most of the wealth in the hands of the minority whites.

Kenya: In 1963, after several years of struggle, Kenya, East Africa, gained it's independence from Britain. African nationalist Jomo Kenyatta (1894-1978) was Kenya's first president. Today his statue stands in the centre of the country's capital, Nairobi.

Statistics:
Area: 30,370,000 sq km (11,730,000 sq miles)
Population: 1,225,080,510
Number of independent countries: 54
Languages: 1250 - 3000 native languages
Highest point: Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) 5,895 m (19,340 ft)
Longest river: Nile 6,695 km (4,160 miles)
Largest lake: Victoria 69,484 sq km (26,828 sq miles)
Main occupation: Agriculture

African countries:

1. Algeria
2. Angola
3. Benin
4. Botswana
5. Burkina Faso
6. Burundi
7. Cabo Verde
8. Cameroon
9. Central African Republic (CAR)
10. Chad
11. Comoros
12. Democratic Republic of the Congo
13. Republic of the Congo
14. Conte d'Ivoire
15. Djibouti
16. Egypt
17. Equatorial Guinea
18. Eritrea
19. Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
20. Ethiopia
21. Gabon
22. Gambia
23. Ghana
24. Guinea
25. Guinea-Bissau
26. Kenya
27. Lesotho
28. Liberia
29. Libya
30. Madagascar
31. Malawi
32. Mali
33. Mauritania
34. Mauritius
35. Morocco
36. Mozambique
37. Namibia
38. Niger
39. Nigeria
40. Rwanda
41. Sao Tome and Principe
42. Senegal
43. Seychelles
44. Sierra Leone
45. Somalia
46. South Africa
47. South Sudan
48. Sudan
49. Tanzania
50. Togo
51. Tunisia
52. Uganda
53. Zambia
54. Zimbabwe

Deserts and mountains:

1. Sahara Desert
2. Libyan Desert
3. Nubian Desert
4. Namib Desert
5. Kalahari Desery
6. Atlas Mts
7. Tibesti Mts
8. Mount Kenya
9. Mt Kilimanjaro

Lakes, rivers, dams and swamps:

1. River Nile
2. River Blue Nile
3. River White Nile
4. River Shabele
5. River Congo (Zaire)
6. River Lomami
7. River Lualaba
8. River Zambezi
9. River Limpopo
10. River Benue
11. Sudd (swamp)
12. Aswan dam
13. Lake Turkana
14. Lake Albert
15. Lake Victoria
16. Lake Tanganyika
17. Lake Nyasa
18. Lake Kariba
19. Lake Chad
20. Lake Volta

Find out more:

History of Africa

African wildlife
Arabs
Desert wildlife
Ancient Egypt