About Algeria
- Capital City: Algiers (Alger, Algier) (pop.) 3 000 000
- Principal Towns: Oran, Constantine, Annaba, Blida, Setif, Sidi be Abbes
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 5 July 1962 (from France) Geography
- Location: Northern Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea on the north, Morocco, Western Sahara and Mauritania on the west, Mali and Niger on the south,
and Libya and Tunisia on the east
- Area: 2.38 million km²
- Terrain: Algeria consists of four regions:
1. the coastal mountainous chain
2. plains and high plateaus
3. the mountainous chain of the interior
4. the area of the Grand Sud with its mountainous solid masses Climate
- Mediterranean in the north, mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast
- drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau
- dry or desert climate for the extreme south of the country
- sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer People
- Nationality: Algerian(s)
- Population: 40.4 million (2016)
- Ethnic groups: ~ Arab 83%, Berber 17%, Touareg, European less than 1%
- Religions: Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
- Languages: Arabic (official), French, Tamazight and other Berber dialects
- Literacy: total population, 70%; male 78.8%, female 61% (2003 est.)
- Natural resources: rich deposits of iron ore, phosphates, lead, zinc and antimony; deposits of petroleum and natural gas
- Agriculture products: wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle
- Industries: petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing
Tamrit, Tassili plateau
Angola
About Angola
- Capital: Luanda (pop. 3.8 million)
- Government: Republic
- Independence: 11 November 1975 (from Portugal) Geography
- Location: Southern Africa, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Area: 1,246,700 km² (481 400 sq. mi)
- Terrain: A narrow, dry coastal strip extending from Luanda to Namibia; well-watered agricultural highlands; savanna in the far east and south;
rain forest in the north and Cabinda
- Major Cities: Huambo (750 000); Benguela (600 000)
- Climate: Semiarid in south and along the coast; north has a cool, dry season (May - October) and a hot, rainy season (November - April) People
- Nationality: Angolan(s)
- Population: 24,4 million (2014) GNI per capita PPP: $6,484 (year)
- Ethnic groups: Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mixed racial 2%
- Religions: Christians 88%, indigenous beliefs
- Languages: Portuguese (official), Ovimbundu, Kimbundu, Bakongo, and others
- Literacy 70% (male 82%, female 58%)
- Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium
- Agriculture products: bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
- Industries: petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing;
food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar; textiles
Kalandula waterfalls
Benin
About Benin
- Capital City: Porto-Novo (pop. 295 000)
- Largest city and economic capital is Cotonou (pop. 2 million)
- Other Cities: Abomey, Gavié, Kandi, Ouidah
- Government: Type: Republic under multiparty democratic rule
- Independence: 1 August 1960 (fom France)
- Constitution: 10 December 1990 Geography
- Location: Western Africa
- Area: 112,622 km² (43,483 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Mostly flat plains of 200 meters average elevation, but the Atacora Mountains with the highest points being Mont Sokbaro 658 m, Mont Tanekas 641 m.
- Climate: Tropical, average temperatures between 24 and 31 C. Humid in south; semiarid in north People
- Nationality: Beninese
- Population: 10 million (2013)
- Ethnic groups: 42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, and Bariba
- Religions: Indigenous beliefs (animist) 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
- Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba in the south; Nagot, Bariba and Dendi in the north
- Literacy: Total population 39%; men 53%, women 25%
- Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
- Agriculture products: cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, livestock (2001)
- Industries: textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement (2001)
Benin landscape
Botswana
About Botswana
- Capital City: Gaborone (pronounced ha-bo-ro-neh), pop. 213,000
- Other Cities: Francistown (101,805 ), Selebi-Phikwe (49,017), Molepolole (47,094), Kanye (36,877), Serowe (33,335), Mahalapye (32,407), Lobatse (32,075),
Maun (31,260), Mochudi (30,671)
- Government: Type: Republic, parliamentary democracy
- Independence: 30 September 1966 (from UK)
- Geography: Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa
- Area: 582,000 km² (224,710 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Desert and savanna, predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest
- Climate: Mostly subtropical, warm winters and hot summers People
- Nationality: Motswana (sing.), Batswana (pl.)
- Population: 2.2 million (2016) GNI per capita PPP: $ 10 866 (year)
- Ethnic groups: Tswana (or Setswana) 79%; Kalanga 11%; Kgalagadi, Herero, Bayeyi, Himbukush, Basarwa ("Bushmen"), Khoi ("Hottentots"), whites 10%
- Religions: Christianity 60%, indigenous beliefs 40%
- Languages: English (official), Setswana, Ikalanga
- Literacy: 68.9%
- Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver
- Agriculture products: livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts
- Industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles
Botswana: wild nature and breathtaking views
Burkina Faso
About Burkina Faso
- Capital City: Ouagadougou (pop.1 million)
- Other Cities: Bobo-Dioulasso (450,000), Koudougou (90,000), Banfora, Dori, Fada N'Gourma, Ouahigouy
- Government: Type: Parliamentary Republic
- Independence: 5 August 1960 (from France)
- Constitution: 11 June 1991 formally adopted; amended April 2000 Geography
- Location: Western Africa, north of Ghana
- Area: 274,200 km² (106,000 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Savanna; brushy plains and scattered hills
- Climate: Sahelian; pronounced wet and dry seasons People
- Nationality: Burkinabe (accent on last e)
- Population: 19 million (2016)
- Ethnic groups: 63 ethnic groups among which are Mossi (almost half of the total population), Bobo, Mande, Lobi, Fulani, Gourounsi, and Sénoufo
- Religions: Muslim 55%, Christian 25%, Traditional beliefs 20%
- Languages: French, Mooré, Dioula, Fulfuldé, others
- Literacy: 30%
- Natural resources: manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt
- Agriculture products: cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock
- Industries: Cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold
Burkina Faso, animist peoples and mud architectures
Burundi
About Burundi
- Capital City: Bujumbura (pop 300 000)
- Other Cities: Cibitoke, Muyinga, Ngozi, Bubanza, Gitega, Bururi
- Government: Type: Republic; democratically elected, post-transition government established 26 August 2005
- Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium) Geography
- Location: East-central Africa south of the Equator
- Area: 27,834 km² (10,746 sq mi)
- Terrain: Hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains
- Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m. highest point: Heha 2,670 m
- Climate: Tropical equatorial, with wet and dry seasons, temperature varies with altitude People
- Nationality: Burundian(s)
- Population: 10.11 million (2016)
- Ethnic groups (estimated): Hutu 85%; Tutsi 14%; Twa 1.0%
- Religions (estimated): Roman Catholic 60%-65%; Protestant 10%-15%; traditional beliefs 15%-20%; Muslim 5%
- Languages: Rundi (Kirundi), and French (offiocial), Swahili (trade and governmental language)
- Literacy: 37%
- Natural resources: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum (not yet exploited), vanadium, arable land, hydropower
- Agriculture products: coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides
- Industries: light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components
Burundi, Katawi park
Cameroon
About Cameroon
- Capital City: Yaounde (pop. 1.1 million)
- Other Cities: Douala, major seaport and commercial capital (1.3 million), Garoua (424,312), Maroua (409,546), Bafoussam (319,457), Bamenda (321,490),
Nkongsamba (166,262), and Ngaoundere (216,300)
- Government: Republic; with a strong central government dominated by president
- Independence: 1 January 1960 (for areas formerly ruled by France) and 1 October 1961 (for territory formerly ruled by Britain)
- Constitution: 2 June 1972, last amended in January 1996 Geography
- Location: Central West Africa bordering the Bight of Biafra (part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean)
- Area: 475,650 km² (183,650) sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Northern plains, central and western highlands, southern and coastal tropical forests. Highest peak: Mt. Cameroon (13,353 ft.)
- Climate: Northern plains, the Sahel region--semiarid and hot (7-month dry season);
Central and western highlands where Yaounde is located--cooler, shorter dry season;
southern tropical forest--warm, 4-month dry season;
Coastal tropical forest, where Douala is located--warm, humid year-round People
- Nationality: Cameroonian(s); French noun and adjective--Camerounais(e)
- Population (2016): 24 million
- Ethnic groups: About 250
- Religions: Christian 53%, Muslim 22%, indigenous African 25%
- Languages: French and English (both official) and about 270 African languages and dialects, including pidgin, Fulfulde, and Ewondo
- Literacy: 75%
- Natural resources: oil, timber, hydroelectric power, natural gas, cobalt, nickel
- Agriculture products: timber, coffee, tea, bananas, cocoa, rubber, palm oil, pineapples, cotton
- Industries: petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair
The lively and colorful Yaoundè
Cape Verde
About Cape Verde
- Capital City: Praia (pop. 100 000) on the island Sao Tiago (Santiago)
- Other Cities: Mindelo (pop. 68 000)
- Government: Republic
- Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
- Constitution: 1982; revised 1992, 1995, and 1999 Geography
- Location: Group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean some 500 km from the west coast of Africa (Senegal)
- Area: 4,033 km² (1,557 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Rugged volcanic islands
- Highest point: Mt. Fogo 2 829 m (a volcano on Fogo Island)
- Climate: Tropical dry, with two seasons. Dry season: November to July, tempered by trade winds. Rainy season: August to October People
- Nationality: Cape Verdean(s)
- Population: 525,000 (2015 census)
- Ethnic groups: Creole (mixed African and Portuguese), African, European
- Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant
- Languages: Portuguese (official); Crioulo (a blend of Creole Portuguese and West African)
- Literacy: 76%
- Natural resources: salt, pozzolana (tuff), limestone
- Agriculture products: bananas, corn, beans, sugarcane, coffee, fruits, vegetables, livestock products
- Industries: fish and fish products, food and beverages, ship repair, furniture, metal products, tourism
Dry forest in Cape Verde
Republic of Chad
About the Republic of Chad
- Capital City: N'Djamena (pop. 1 million est.)
- Other Cities: Sarh, Moundou, Abéché, Faya-Largeau, Doba
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France) Geography
- Location: North central Africa, south of Libya
- Area: 1,284,000 km² (496,000 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Chad has of three distinct zones:
1. In the South, a tropical zone with wooded savannas and large equatorial forest
2. The Center, is dominated by the Sahel zone with steppes, thorn-bushes and baobab trees
3. The North, the Saharan desert zone
- Climate: The Northern desert is very dry throughout the year; the central plain is hot and dry, with brief rainy season mid-June to mid-Sept.;
southern lowlands are warm and more humid with seasonal rains from late May to early October People
- Nationality: Chadian(s)
- Population: 13.7 million (2015 census)
- Ethnic groups: 200 distinct groups
- In the north and center: Gorane (Toubou, Daza, Kreda), Zaghawa, Kanembou, Ouaddai, Arabs, Baguirmi, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Boulala, and Maba, most of
whom are Muslim
- In the south: Sara (Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye), Moudang, Moussei, Massa, most of whom are Christian or animist
- Religions: Muslim 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other indigenous beliefs 7%
- Languages: French and Arabic (official); Sara (in the south), more than 120 indigenous Chadian languages and dialects
- Literacy: 48%
- Natural resources: petroleum, natron (sodium carbonate), kaolin, gold, bauxite, tin, tungsten, titanium, iron ore
- Agriculture products: Cotton, gum arabic, livestock, fish, peanuts, millet, sorghum, rice, sweet potatoes, cassava, dates, manioc
- Industries: meat-packing, beer brewing, soap, cigarettes, construction materials, natron mining, soft-drink bottling
- Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine Franc CFA (XAF)
Chad, the circus of the Archaea
Comoros
About Comoros
- Capital City: Moroni (pop. 60,000)
- Other Cities: Mutsamudu (pop. 20,000) Fomboni, Mamoutzou
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France, Mayotte remains under French administration)
- Constitution: Adopted by referendum on 23 December 2001 Geography
- Location: Southern east Africa, group of islands at the Mozambique Channel which separates Madagascar from the African continent.
- Area: 2,171 km² (838 sq. mi.)
- Major islands: Grande Comore, Anjouan, Mayotte (administered by France), and Moheli
- Terrain: Volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
- Highest point: Le Kartala (an active volcano; 2360 m)
- Climate: Tropical marine People
- Nationality: Comorian(s)
- Population: 770,000 (2015)
- Ethnic groups: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
- Religions: Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
- Languages: Shikomor (Comorian, a Swahili-Arabic blend), Arabic, French, Swahili
- Literacy: 57%
- Natural resources: Few natural resources
- Agriculture products: Vanilla, ylang-ylang, jasmine, cassis, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)
- Industries: Tourism, perfume distillation
Comoros, an unknown paradise
Côte d'Ivoire
About Côte d'Ivoire
- Capital City: Yamoussoukro, Abidjan (the economic capital and de facto political capital)
- Other Cities: Bouaké, Daloa, Gagnoa, Korhogo, Man, San Pedro
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 7 August 1960 Geography
- Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
- Area: 322,500 km² (124 500 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Forested, undulating, hilly in the west
- Climate: Tropical, semiarid in far north People
- Nationality: Ivoirian(s)
- Population: 22.7 million (2015)
- Ethnic groups: More than 60; main groups are Akan 40%, Voltaiques (Gur) 18%, Northern Mandes 17%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 3%
- Religions: Indigenous 10%-20%, Muslim 35%-40%, Christian 25%-35%
- Languages: French (official); five principal language groups, the main ones are Diula (Dioula), Baule (Baoulé), Dan, Anyin and Senari
- Literacy: 50%
- Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa beans,
coffee, palm oil, hydropower
Agriculture products: main export goods are coffee and cocoa beans,other products are: bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes,
sugar, cotton, rubber and timber
- Industries: foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity,
ship construction and repair
Abidjan, saint Paul Cathedral
Egypt
About Egypt
- Capital City: Cairo (al-Qa hirah) (pop. estimated 19 million in metropolitan area)
- Other Cities: Alexandria (6 million), Aswan, Asyut, Port Said, Suez, Ismailia
- Government:Type: Republic run by a Military junta
- Independence: 1922 (from the UK)
- Constitution: 1971 Geograph
- Location:Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip
- Area: 1 million sq. km (386 000 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: mostly Desert, except the Nile valley and delta
- Climate: Dry, hot summers; moderate winters People
- Nationality: Egyptian(s)
- Population: 92.4 million (2017)
- Ethnic groups: Egyptian, Bedouin Arab, Nubian
- Religions: Sunni Muslim 90%, Coptic Christian
- Languages: Arabic (official), English, French
- Literacy--total adult: 55.2%, male: 66.6%, female: 43.6%.
- Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc
- Agriculture products: cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats
- Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals
The three fourth dynasty (2600-2480 a.C.) pyramids : Cheops, Chefren and Mycerinus
Eritrea
About Eritrea
- Capital City: Asmara (2,300 meters (7,500 ft.) above sea level; pop. 435 000)
- Other Cities: Keren (57,000); Assab (28,000); Massawa (25,000); Afabet (25,000); Tessenie (25,000); Mendefera (25,000); Dekemhare (20,000);
Adekeieh (15,000); Barentu (15,000); Ghinda (15,000)
- Government: Single-party presidential republic
- In 2004 the U.S. State Department declared Eritrea a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its alleged record of religious persecution
- Independence: Eritrea officially celebrated its independence on May 24, 1993 (from Ethiopia)
- Constitution: Ratified 24 May 1997, but not yet implemented Geography
- Location: Eastern Africa, in the Horn of Africa bordering the Red Sea in northeast
- Area: 117,600 km². (45,405 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Central highlands straddle escarpment associated with Rift Valley, dry coastal plains, and western lowlands
- Climate: Temperate in the mountains and hot in the lowlands, hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast People
- Nationality: Noun and adjective--Eritrean(s)
- Population: 6 million (about 1 million Eritreans in exile)
- Ethnic Groups: Tigrinya 50%, Tigre 31.4%, Saho 5%, Afar 5%, Beja 2.5%, Bilen 2.1%, Kunama 2%, Nara 1.5%, and Rashaida .5%
- Religions: Christian 50% (mostly Orthodox), Muslim 48%, indigenous beliefs 2%
- Languages: Tigrinya (Tigrigna), Arabic, English, Tigré (second major language) and other Cushitic languages
- Literacy: 53%
- Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish
- Agriculture products: sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sisal; livestock, goats; fish
- Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles
Eritrea, the small African Italy
Swaziland (Eswatini)
About Swaziland (Eswatini)
- Capital City: Mbabane (capital, pop. 60 000) Lobamba (the royal and legislative capital)
- Other Cities: Manzini (principal commercial city)
- Government: Type: Monarchy
- Independence: 6 September 1968 (from UK)
- Constitution: the first constitution was signed into law in July 2005 and is scheduled to be implemented in January 2006 Geography
- Location: Landlocked, in East Southern Africa, almost completely surrounded by South Africa
- Area: 17,364 km² (6,704 sq. miles)
- Terrain: Mountainous plateau to savanna
- Highest point: Emlembe 1 862 m
- Climate: Wet summers, dry winters, from near temperate to sub-tropical and tropical (the seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere) People
- Nationality: Swazi(s)
- Population: 1.4 million (2015)
- Ethnic Groups: Swazis 97%, European 3%
- Religion (est:): 35% Protestant, 30% Zionist (indigenous), 25% Roman Catholic, 1% Islamic, with the remaining 9% divided among other beliefs
- Official Languages: siSwazi and English
- Literacy: 76.7%
- Natural resources: Asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
- Agriculture products: Sugarcane, cotton, maize, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts, cattle
- Industries: Mining (coal, raw asbestos), textiles, wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates
Swaziland, real grass
Ethiopia
About Ethiopia
- Capital: Addis Ababa (pop. 3 million)
- Largest Cities: Bahir Dar (800,000), Gondar (750,000), Mekelle (444,000), Dessie (400,000), Adama (Nazret, 340,000), Hawassa (Awassa, 320,000),
Dire Dawa (290,000)
- Government: Federal parliamentary democracy
- A new constitution was adopted in 1995 Geography
- Location: Horn of Africa bordered by Sudan on the west, Somalia and Djibouti on the east, Eritrea on the north and Kenya on the south
- Area: 1.1 million km² (440 000 sq. mi.), about twice the size of Kenya, France, or Texas
- Terrain: Rugged mountains, flat-topped high plateaus, deep river canyons, rolling plains, and dry low lands
- Climate: Temperate in the highlands; tropical in the lowlands; dry season from October through May; wet season from June to September People
- Nationality: Noun and adjective: Ethiopian(s)
- Population: 114 million (2020)
- Ethnic groups (est.): comprised of seventy-eight nations of which the Amhara and the Oromo constitute the majority, Oromo 35%, Amhara 30%, Tigre 6%-8%,
Somali 6%
- Religions: Ethiopian Orthodox Christian 45%-50%, Muslim 40%, Protestant 5%, Animic
- Languages: Amharic (official), Afan Oromo, Tigrinya, Gurage, Somali, Arabic, and about 80 other local languages
- English (primary foreign language taught in schools)
- Ethiopian alphabet: Geèz
- Natural resources: Small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower
- Agriculture - products: Cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, sugarcane, potatoes, qat; hides, cattle, sheep, goats
- Industries: Food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing, cement
Ethiopia, the cradle of humanity
Gabon
About Gabon
- Capital City: Libreville (pop. 700,000)
- Other Cities: Port-Gentil (136,000), Masuku-Franceville (110,000), Lambaréné (25,000), Mouila, Tchibanga, Makokou, Koulamoutou, Port-Gentil, Oyem
- Government: Type: Republic; multiparty presidential regime
- Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France) Geography
- Location: Western central Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea
- Area: 267,667 km² (103,347 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Narrow coastal plain; hilly and heavily forested interior (about 80% forested); some savanna regions in east and south
- Climate: Hot and humid with two rainy (February - May main rainy season) and two dry seasons (May - September main dry season) People
- Nationality: Gabonese
- Population: 1.5 million (2010 UN estimate)
- Ethnic groups: Over 40 ethnic groups: Fang (34%), Bapounou (22%), M'Bete (14%), Bandjabi (11%), Bakota (6%), and Myene (5%)
- Religions: Christianity, Muslim, animist
- Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
- Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower
- Agriculture products: Cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish
- Industries: Petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, and gold mining; chemicals; ship repair; food and beverage; textile
The lakes region
Gambia
About Gambia
- Capital City: Banjul (pop. 35 000, with suburbs 500 000)
- Other Cities: Serrekunda (pop. 200 000), Basse Santa Su, Georgetown (Jangjang-bureh), Juffureh
- Government: Type: Civilian
- Independence: 18 February 1965 (from the UK)
- Constitution:16 January 1997 Geography
- Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean surrounded by Senegal
- Area: 11,300 sq. km. (4 360 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by low hills
- Climate: Tropical; hot rainy season (June to Nov.); cooler, dry season (Nov. to May) People
- Nationality: Gambian(s)
- Population: 1.9 million (2015 UN estimate)
- Ethnic groups: Mandinka 40%, Fula 18%, Wolof 14%, Jola 10%, Serahule 9%, Serere 8%, Krio/Aku Marabout, Manjago, Bambara
- Non-Gambians 13% of the population
- Religions: Muslim 95%, Christian 4%, animists
- Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula (Pulaar), Jola, other indigenous languages
- Literacy: 38%
- Natural resources: Fish, titanium, tin, zircon, silica sand
- Agriculture products: Peanuts, rice, millet, sorghum, fish, palm kernels, vegetables, livestock, forestry
- Industries: Peanut products, construction, telecommunications, brewing; tourism
Banjul
Ghana
About Ghana
- Capital City: Accra
- Other Cities: Kumasi (1 million est.), Tema (500,000 est.), Sekondi-Takoradi (370,000 est.)
- Government: Type: Multiparty Democracy
- Independence: 6 March 1957
- Constitution: Entered into force 7 January 1993 Geography
- Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
- Area: 238,391 km² (92,100 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Plains and scrubland, rainforest, savanna
- Climate: Tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north People
- Nationality: Ghanaian(s)
- Population: 28.3 million (2016)
- Ethnic groups: Akan, Ewe, Ga, Moshi-Dagomba
- Religions: Christian 69%, Muslim 15%, traditional and indigenous beliefs 9%
- Languages: English (official), Akan (which includes Asante Twi, Akwapim Twi, Akyem, and Fanti) 49%, Mole-Dagbani 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga-Adangbe 8%, Guan 4%, others 10%
- Literacy: 70%
- Natural resources: Gold, timber, diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish
- Agriculture products: Cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber
- Industries: Mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building
Environment and climate in Ghana
Djibouti
About Djibouti
- Capital City: Djibouti (City)
- Other Cities: Dikhil, Arta, Ali-Sabieh, Obock, Tadjoura
- Government: Type: Republic
- Constitution: Ratified September 1992 by referendum
- Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France) Geography
- Location: Northeast coast of the Horn of Africa on the Strait of Mandeb, which separates the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea
- Area: 23,200 km² (8,880 sq mi)
- Terrain: Coastal desert and plateau separated by central mountains
- Climate: Torrid and semi-arid, fresh season, from October to April (average 25°) People
- Nationality: Djiboutian(s)
- Population: 850,000 (2016 est.)
- Ethnic groups: Somalis (Issaks, Issas, and Gadaboursis) 60%, Afars 35%, Ethiopians,Arab, French, and Italian
- Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 6%
- Languages: French and Arabic (official); Somali and Afar widely used
- Literacy: 65%
- Natural resources: Gold, clay, granite, marble, minerals (salt, perlite, gypsum, limestone), petroleum, geothermal areas
- Agriculture products: livestock, fishing, fruits, vegetables
- Industries: Banking and insurance (12.5% of GDP), transportation (Djibouti harbour), tourism, construction, agricultural processing, salt
Assal lake
Guinea
About Guinea
- Capital City: Conakry (pop. 1.5 million)
- Other Cities: Guéckédou (pop. 350 000), Boké (pop. 300 000), Kindia (pop. 280 000), N'Zérékoré (pop. 300 000), Macenta (pop. 280 000), Mamou, Kankan (270 000),
Labe (250 000)
- Government: Type: Military regime
- Independence: 2 October 1958. Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April 1984
- In December 2008 following President CONTE's death, Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup to seiz power
- He suspended the constitution as well as political and union activity Geography
- Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
- Area: 245,860 sq. km. (95,000 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Generally flat along the coast and mountainous in the interior
- The country's four geographic regions include:
1. a narrow coastal belt
2. pastoral highlands (the source of West Africa's major rivers)
3. the northern savanna
4. and the southeastern rain forest
- Climate: Tropical. Generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with a
northeasterly Harmattan, a dry and dusty West African trade wind People
- Nationality: Noun and adjective--Guinean(s)
- Population: 10.6 million (2015)
- Ethnic groups: Fulani 40.3%; Malinke 25.8%; Susu 11.0%; Kissi 6.5%; Kpelle 4.8%, other ethnic groups 11.6%
- Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian, traditional beliefs
- Languages: French (official); Eight national languages, Soussou (Susu, in coastal Guinea), Peulh (Fulani, in Northrn Guinea), Maninka (Upper Guinea),
Kissi (Kissidougou Region), Toma and Guerze (Kpelle) in rain forest Guinea; plus various ethnic groups with their own language
- Literacy: 28% to 35%
- Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, water power, uranium, fisheries
- Agriculture products: rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber
- Industries: bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries
Papua, the big down-under island
Guinea Bissau
About Guinea Bissau
- Capital City: Bissau
- Other Cities: Bolama (former capital of Portuguese Guinea until 1941) Bafata, Gabu, Canchungo, Farim, Cacheu
- Government: Type: Republic, multi-party since 1991
- Independence: 24 September 1973 (proclaimed unilaterally); 10 September 1974 (de jure from Portugal) Geography
- Location: Western Africa, between Guinea and Senegal, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean
- Area: (including Bijagós Archipelago): 36,000 km² (14,000 sq. mi)
- Regions: Oio, Tombali, Cacheu, Bolama, Quinara, Biombo, Bafata, Gabu
- Terrain: Almost all of Guinea-Bissau is low-lying and bathed daily by tidal waters that reach as much as 62 miles (100 kilometres) inland; savanna in the east
- Climate: Tropical; generally hot and humid; rainy season (Jun - Nov) People
- Nationality: Bissau-Guinean(s)
- Population: 1.54 million (2016)
- Ethnic groups: Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%, others 16%
- Religions: Indigenous beliefs 50%, Muslim 45%, Christian 5%
- Languages: Portuguese (official), Crioulo, French, many indigenous languages: Balanta-Kentohe 26%; Pulaar 18%; Mandjak 12%; Mandinka 11%; Pepel 9%;
Biafada; Mancanha; Bidyogo; Ejamat; Mansoanka; Bainoukgunyuno; Nalu; Soninke; Badjara; Bayote%; Kobiana; Cassanga, Basary
- Literacy: 40%
- Natural resources: fish and timber. Deposits of bauxite and phosphate are not exploited; offshore petroleum
- Agriculture products: cashews, tropical fruits, rice, peanuts, cotton, palm oil
- Industries: very little industrial capacity
termite mounds in Guinea Bissau
Equatorial Guinea
About Equatorial Guinea
- Capital City: Malabo (on the island Bioko) Bata (the economícal capital)
- Other Cities: Luba (also on Bioko) and Bata and Ebebiyín in Río Muni, the mainland
- Government: Nominally multi-party Republic with strong domination by the executive branch
- Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain) Geography
- Location: West central Africa bordering the Bight of Biafra
- Area: 28,000 km² (10,800 sq. miles
- Terrain: Varies. Annobón and Bioko Island are of volcanic origin, Río Muni the mainland stretches from coastal plain to hilly
- Climate: Tropical; always hot and humid People
- Nationality: Equatorial Guinean, Equatoguinean
- Population: 1.2 million people (Census 2015)
- Ethnic groups: The mainland ethnic group of the Fang constitutes the great majority of the population and dominates political life and business
- The Bubi people (50 000) of Bioko Island; other--Annobonese, Ndowe, Kombe, and Bujebas
- The pygmy populations have long been integrated into the dominant Bantu-speaking cultures
- Languages: Spanish, French (both official); other--pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo
- Religion: Christianity (about 90%); pagan practices
- Literacy: 84%
- Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum
- Agriculture products: Main--cocoa, timber; other: coffee, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock
- Industries: petroleum, natural gas, fishing, sawmilling
Equatorial Guinea, a secret paradise
Kenya
About Kenya
- Capital City: Nairobi (pop. 2.1 million)
- Other Cities: Mombasa (665 000), Kisumu (504 000), Nakuru (1.2 million)
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 12 December 1963 (from UK) Geography
- Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
- Area: 580,000 km² (225,000 sq mi.)
- Terrain: From a low coastal plain on the Indian Ocean in a series of mountain ridges and plateaus which stand above 3 000 meters (9 000 ft.) in the
center of the country
- The Rift Valley bisects the country above Nairobi, opening up to a broad arid plain in the north
- Mountain plains cover the south before descending to the shores of Lake Victoria in the west
- Highest elevation: Mount Kenya (Kirinyaga, 5199 m)
- Climate: Varies from the tropical south, west, and central regions to arid and semi-arid in the north and the northeast People
- Nationality: Kenyan(s)
- Population: 46 million (2015)
- Ethnic groups: African--Kikuyu 21%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 11%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 5%. Non-African--Asian, European, Arab 1%
- Religions: Protestant 40%, Roman Catholic 30%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 10%
- Languages: English, Swahili, more than 40 local ethnic languages
- Literacy (in English): 59%
- Natural resources: wildlife, land
- Agriculture Products: tea, coffee, sugarcane, horticultural products
- Industries: small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products processing;
oil refining, cement; tourism
The boundless landscapes of Kenya
Lesotho
About Lesotho
- Capital City: Maseru (1997 pop. est. 386 000)
- Other Cities: Teyateyaneng (pop. est. 240 754), Leribe (300 160), Mafeteng (211 970), Mohale's Hoek (184 034)
- Government: Type: Modified constitutional monarchy
- Independence: 4 October 1966. (from 1868 until independence Lesotho was placed under British protection) Geography
- Location: South Africa
- Area: 30,355 sq. km. (11 718 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: High veld, plateau and mountains
- Climate: Temperate; summers hot, winters cool to cold; humidity generally low and evenings cool year round. Rainy season in summer, winters dry
- Southern hemisphere seasons are reversed People
- Nationality: Noun--Mosotho (sing.); Basotho (pl.) Adjective--Basotho
- Population: 2.2 million (2010, UN estimate)
- Ethnic groups: Basotho 99.7%; Europeans 1,600; Asians 3,000
- Religions: 80% Christian, including Roman Catholic (majority), Lesotho Evangelical, Anglican, other denominations
- Languages: Official--Sesotho and English. Others--Zulu, Xhosa
- Literacy: (1998) 70%
- Natural resources: Water, agricultural and grazing land, some diamonds and other minerals. Lesotho is an exporter of excess labor
- Agriculture products: Corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock
- Industries: Food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts; construction; tourism
Lesotho, journey among the highest mountains of southern Africa
Liberia
About Liberia
- Capital City: Monrovia (pop. 600 000)
- Other Cities: Buchanan (est. 300 000), Ganta (est. 290 000), Gbarnga (est. 150 000), Kakata (est. 100 000), Harbel (est. 136 000)
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 26 July 1847 (from American Colonization Society)
- Constitution: 6 January 1986 Geography
- Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
- Area: 111,369 km² (43,000 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Three areas--Mangrove swamps and beaches along the coast, wooded hills and semideciduous shrublands along the immediate interior,
low mountains in northeast, dense tropical forests and plateaus in the interior
- Liberia has 40% of West Africa's rain forest
- Climate: tropical; hot, humid; in winter: dry with hot days and cool to cold nights; dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)
in summer: wet, cloudy with frequent heavy showers People
- Nationality: Liberian(s)
- Population: 4.5 million (2015)
- Ethnic groups: Kpelle 20%, Bassa 16%, Gio 8%, Kru 7%, 49% spread over 12 other ethnic groups
- Religions: Christian 40%, Animist 40%, Muslim 20%
- Languages: English (official). There are 16 indigenous languages
- Literacy: 20-40% (est)
- Natural resources: Deposits of iron ore, rubber, timber, diamonds, gold and tin, hydropower; crude oil along Atlantic Coast
- Agriculture products: Coffee, cocoa, sugarcane, rice, cassava, palm oil, bananas, plantains, citrus, pineapple, sweet potatoes, corn, and vegetables
- Industries: Iron ore, rubber, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds, gold, beverages, construction
Monrovia flight view
Libya
About Libya
- Capital City: Tripoli (pop. est. 1.68 million)
- Other Cities: Benghazi (pop. est. 640 000)
- Government:Provisional government
- The National Transitional Council of Libya was formed by anti-Gaddafi forces to represent Libya in the 2011 Libyan uprising
- Independence: 24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship)
- Revolution: 1 September 1969
- Constitution: 11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977--established popular congresses and people's committees Geography
- Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia
- Area: 1,759,540 km² (679,362 sq. mi., more than three times the size of France)
- Terrain: Mediterranean coastline, highlands and deserts (90% of Libya) in interior
- Climate: Mediterranean along the coast; dry and extreme hot in desert interior People
- Nationality: Libyan(s)
- Population: 6.3 million (includes 0.6 million non-nationals of sub-Saharan Africans living in Libya)
- Ethnic groups: Berber and Arab 97%; Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians
- Religion: Sunni Muslim 97%
- Languages: Arabic is the primary language. English, French, and Italian are understood in major cities
- Literacy: 82.6%
- Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, gypsum
- Agriculture products: Wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans; cattle
- Industries: Petroleum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement
- Currency: Libyan Dinar (LYD)
Sahara, le oasi del deserto libico
Madagascar
About Madagascar
- Capital City: Antananarivo (Tananarive)
- Other Cities: Antsirabé (about 500 000), Mahajanga (about 400 000), Toamasina (about 450 000)
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France)
- Constitution: 19 August 1992 by national referendum Geography
- Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
- Area: 587,040 km² (226,658 sq mil.) about the size of Texas or France
- Terrain: Mountainous central plateau, coastal plain
- Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south, periodic cyclones People
- Nationality: Malagasy
- Population: 21 million (est. 2014)
- Ethnic Groups: 18 separate tribal groups of Malayo-Indonesian, mixed African and Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry, French, Indian, Creole, Comoran
- Religions: Indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%
- Languages: Malagasy (of Malayo-Polynesian origin), French, (both official), English
- Literacy: 70%
- Natural resources: Graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower
- Agriculture products: Coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
- Industries: Meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism
Madagascar, in the heart of nature
Malawi
About Malawi
- Capital City: Lilongwe (pop. 600 000)
- Other Cities: Blantyre (the country's commercial capital), Zomba, Mzuzu
- Government: Type: multi-party democracy
- Independence: July 6, 1964
- Constitution: May 18, 1995 Geography
- Location: Southeastern Africa
- Area: 118,484 sq. km. (45,747 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Plateaus, highlands, and valleys. Lake Malawi (formerly referred to as Lake Nyasa) comprises about 20% of total area
- Climate: Predominately sub-tropical; two main seasons, cold-dry and hot-wet. The hot-wet season is from November to April People
- Nationality: Malawian(s)
- Population: 15.8 million (2014) GNI per capita PPP: $ 596 (year)
- Ethnic groups: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European
- Religions: Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 3%, other 2%
- Languages: English (official), Chichewa (official), regional dialects, i.e., Chitumbuka, Chiyao, Chilomwe
- Literacy: total population 58%
- Natural resources: limestone, uranium (potential), coal, bauxite, phosphates, graphite, granite, black granite, aquamarine, tourmaline, rubies,
sapphires, rare earths
- Agriculture products: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats
- Industries: tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods
Malawi, traveling on the primitive lake
Mali
About Mali
- Capital City: Bamako (pop. 1 million)
- Other Cities: Segou (200 000), Sikasso (120 000),Mopti (90 000), Gao (65 000), Kayes (65 000), Timbuktu (38 000)
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France) Geography
- Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
- Area: 1,240,000 km² (474,764 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Savannah and desert
- Climate: Semitropical in the south; arid in the north People
- Nationality: Malian(s)
- Population: 16,3 million (2012) GNI per capita PPP: $ 1,084 (year)
- Ethnic groups: Manding, Mande (Bambara or Bamana, Malinke, Sarakole, Soninke) 50%, Fulani, Songhai, Voltaic, Tuareg and Maur
- Religions: Islam 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%
- Languages: French (official) and Bambara (spoken by about 80% of the population)
- Literacy: 30-45%. (est.)
- Natural resources: Gold, phosphate, kaolin, salt, and limestone
- Agriculture Products, (42% of GDP): millet, sorghum, corn, rice, livestock, sugar, cotton, Groundnuts (peanuts), and tobacco
- Agriculture products: Cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats
- Industries: Food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining
The big Djennè mosque
Morocco
About Morocco
- Capital City: Rabat
- Other Cities: Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, Meknes, Tangier (Tanger), Tetouan
- Government:Type: Constitutional Monarchy
- Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France) Geography
- Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea
- Area: 446,550 km² (172,413 sq. mi.)(The disputed territory of Western Sahara comprises another 267,000 km² or 102,700 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Coastal plains, mountains, desert
- Climate: Mediterranean, more extreme in the interior People
- Nationality: Moroccan(s)
- Population: 34.8 million (2017) GNI per capita PPP: $ 4 444 (year)
- Ethnic groups: Arab, Berber, mixed Arab-Berber
- Religions: Muslim
- Languages: Arabic (official), several Berber dialects; French, usually the language of business, government, and diplomacy
- Literacy: 52%
- Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
- Agriculture products: barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock
- Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism
- Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
Empire cities in Morocco
Mauritania
About Mauritania
- Capital City: Nouakchott (pop. 800,000)
- Other Cities: Nouadhibou (113,000), Selibaby (107,000), Kaedi (91,000), Kiffa (77,000), Rosso (63,000), Zouerate (36,000)
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: November 28, 1960 (from Fance)
- Constitution: Approved 1991. Military rule 1978-1992. Original constitution promulgated 1961 Geography
- Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
- Area: 1,030,000 km² (398,000 sq. mi.), almost 2 times the area of France
- Terrain: Northern four-fifths barren desert; southern 20% mainly Sahelian with small scale irrigated and rainfed agriculture in the Senegal River basin
- Climate: Predominantly hot and dry People
- Nationality: Mauritanian(s)
- Population: 3.4 million (2014)
- Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber (White Moor or Beydane), Arab-Berber-Negroid (Black Moor or Haritine), Haalpulaar, Soninke, Wolof
- Religion: Islam
- Languages: Arabic (official), French, Pulaar, Wolof, and Soninke. Literacy: 42%
- Natural resources: fish, copper, iron ore, gypsum
- Agriculture products: dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, cattle, sheep
- Industries: fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Mauritania, the salt caravans
Mauritius
About Mauritius
- Capital City: Port Louis (pop. 148 000)
- Other Cities: Beau Bassin and Rose Hill (105,000), Vacoas-Phoenix (100,000), Curepipe (80,000), Quatre Bornes (80,000)
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 12 March 1968 (from the UK). Mauritius became a republic in 1992
- Constitution: 12 March 1968 Geography
- Location: East South Africa, an island in the Indian Ocean, 900 km (550 mi) east of Madagascar
- Area: 2,040 km² (770 sq. mi.)
- Dependencies: Rodrigues Island, the Agalega Islands, and Cargados Carajos Shoals; Mauritius also claims sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago,
2,100 km (1,300 mi) away, which is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory
- The largest island of the Chagos Archipelago is Diego Garcia, a militarized atoll where the U.S. Naval Support Facility is located
- Terrain: Mauritius is a volcanic island with a central plateau rimmed by mountains and surrounded by coral reefs
- Climate: Mauritius has a tropical climate; the cyclone season is from mid-December to April People
- Nationality: Mauritian(s)
- Population: 1.37 million (2020)
- Ethnic groups: Indo-Mauritians (Mauritians who trace their ethnic ancestry from India; about two-thirds of the population) Creoles, Sino-Mauritians,
Franco-Mauritians
- Religions: Hindu 48%, Roman Catholic 26%, Muslim 17%
- Languages: Mauritian Creole (Morisien 85%), French (4%), English (1%), Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bhojpuri
- Literacy: 85-90%
- Natural resources: Arable land, fish, beaches and sea
- Agriculture products: Sugar, sugar derivatives, tea, tobacco, vegetables, fruits, flowers, fishing, small amounts of cannabis
- Industries: Labor-intensive goods for export, including textiles and clothing, watches and clocks, jewelry, optical goods, toys and games, and cut flowers;
tourism
The Mauritius island and its attractions
Mozambico
About Mozambico
- Capital City: Maputo (pop. 1.2 million)
- Other Cities: Beira, Matola, Nampula, Quelimane, Tete, Nacala
- Government: Type: Multi-party democracy
- Independence: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
- Constitution: 30 November 1990 Geography
- Location: South-eastern coast of Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean in west
- Area: 801,590 km² (309,495 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Varies from coastal lowlands to high plateau in northwest, mountains in west
- Climate: Varies from sub-tropical to tropical (south to north) People
- Nationality: Mozambican(s)
- Population (2005 est.): 19.4 million
- Ethnic groups: Makua, Tsonga, Makonde, Shangaan, Shona, Sena, Ndau, and other indigenous groups, and approximately 10,000 Europeans, 35,000 Euro-Africans,
and 15,000 South Asians
- Religions: Christian 30%, Muslim 17%, indigenous African and other beliefs 45%
- Languages: Portuguese (official), various indigenous languages
- Literacy: 50%
- Natural resources: coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite
- Agriculture products: cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers;
beef, poultry
- Industries: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco
Vittoria waterfalls
Namibia
About Namibia
- Capital City: Windhoek (pop. 240 000)
- Other Cities: Grootfontein, Katima Mulilo, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz, Ondangwa, Oranjemund, Oshakati, Otjiwarongo, Swakopmund, Tsumeb, Walvis Bay
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) Geography
- Location: West Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
- Area: 824,292 km² (318,260 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Varies from coastal desert to semiarid mountains and plateau
- Highest point: Konigstein 2 606 m
- Climate: mostly hot, varies from hyper-arid and semi-arid to subtropical; cold desert climate in the southwest People
- Nationality: Namibian(s)
- Population: 2.5 million (2020, estimates)
- Ethnic groups: Black 87%; white 6%; mixed race 7%. About 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo people, and 9% to the Kavango ethnic group
- Other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, San 3%, Baster 2%, and Tswana 0.5%
- Religions: Predominantly Christian; 10% indigenous beliefs
- Languages: English, Ovambo, Khoekhoe, and Afrikaans (lingua franca), German
- Indigenous languages: Setswana, Lozi, Otjiherero, Rukwangali, Damara
- Literacy: 65% of the total population, Female 31% Male 45%
- Natural resources: diamonds, copper, gold, uranium, lead, tin, zinc, salt, vanadium, fisheries, and wildlife; suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore
- Agriculture products: livestock, millet, fish and fish products, grapes, wool
- Industries: meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining
In the crystallized forest of Namibia, where burnt trees create landscapes from another world
Niger
About Niger
- Capital City: Niamey (pop. approx. 675 000)
- Other Cities: Tahoua, Maradi, Zinder, Diffa, Dosso, Arlit, and Agadez
- Government: Type: Republic, multiparty Presidential regime
- Head of State: President
- Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France) Geography
- Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
- Area: 1,267,000 km² (490,000 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: About two-thirds desert and mountains, one-third savanna
- Climate: Hot, dry, and dusty; tropical in extreme south. Rainy season June - September People
- Nationality: Nigerien(s)
- Population 17.8 million (2013)
- Ethnic groups: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanuri) 4.3%; Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%
- Religions: Islam (95%); remainder indigenous beliefs and Christian
- Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma, Fulfulde, Kanuri, Tamachek, Toubou, Gourmantche, Arabic
- Literacy: 15-30%
- Natural resources: Uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, petroleum
- Agriculture products: Millet, sorghum, rice, corn, fruits, vegetables, cotton, peanuts, cassava, cowpeas
- Industries: Uranium mining, cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals
The massif of Aïr - Niger
Nigeria
About Nigeria
- Capital City: Abuja (pop. 1 million)
- Other Cities: Lagos (21 million), Kano (2.5 - 3 million), Ibadan (3.2 million), Abuja (1 million), Port Harcourt (1.4 million), Benin City (1.2 million),
Kaduna (800,000)
- Government: Type: An elected civilian government took office on 29 May 1999, following 15 years of military rule
- Independence: 1 October 1960
- Administrative Divisions: Nigeria is divided into 36 administrative divisions (states) and the federal capital territory Geography
- Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
- Area: 924,000 sq. km. (356,700 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Ranges from southern coastal swamps to tropical forests, open woodlands, grasslands, and semidesert in the far north
- The highest regions are the Jos Plateau 1,200-2,000 meters above sea level and the mountains along the border with Cameroon
- Climate: Nigeria lies within the tropics, it has two seasons, a wet season from April-Oct., and a dry season from Nov.-March
- Its climate range from a warm desert clima in north east to a tropical savanna climate in south People
- Nationality: Noun and adjective--Nigerian(s)
- Population: 192 million (UN estimate 2017)
- Ethnic groups (374 pure ethnic stocks): Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, and Yoruba are the largest
- Religions: Muslim, Christian, indigenous African
- Languages: English (official), Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, others
- Literacy: 39%-51%
- Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc
- Agriculture products: cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish
- Industries: crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials,
food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel
The Jos plateau, Nigeria
Central African Republic
About Central African Republic
- Capital City: Bangui (pop. 700 000)
- Other Cities: Berberati, Bouar, Bambari, Bangassou, Bossangoa, Mbaiki, and Carnot
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France) Geography
- Location: landlocked country in Central Africa, almost the precise center of Africa
- Area: 623,000 km² (242,000 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Rolling plain 600 meters-700 meters (1,980 ft.-2,310 ft.) above sea level; scattered hills in northeast and southwest, mainly savannah in the north
and equatorial forest in the south
- The Oubangui river, which forms the southern border and flows through the capital Bangui and then south to the Congo basin, is an important transport route
- Climate: Tropical, ranging from humid equatorial in the south to Sahelo-Sudanese in the north; hot, dry winters with mild to hot, wet summers People
- Nationality: Central African(s)
- Population: 5 million (2011 UN est.)
- Ethnic groups: More than 80; Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandja 13%, Mboum 7%, M'baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%
- Religions: Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%, indigenous beliefs 35%
- Languages: French (official), Sangho (national)
- Literacy: 50%
- Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil
- Agriculture products: timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco, foodcrops, livestock
- Industries: dQ iamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles
Boali waterfalls
Republic of the Congo
About the of Republic of the Congo
- Capital City: Brazzaville (pop. 1 million)
- Other Cities: Pointe-Noire (450 000), Dolisie (150 000), Djambala, Ewo, Impfondo, Madingou, Ouésso, Owando, Sibiti
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France)
- Constitution: New constitution adopted in nationwide referendum on 20 January 2002 Geography
- Location: Astride the Equator in west-central Africa, west of the Congo and Oubangui (Ubangi) rivers
- Area: 342,000 km² (132,000 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: North-East: two thirds of the country are covered by equatorial forest, savanna in the south, coastal plains, fertile valleys, forested flood plains
- Climate: Tropical. (climate is equatorial with two reversed seasons--half of the country lies above, half below the Equator) People
- Nationality: Congolese
- Population: 4 million (2012 UN est.)
- Ethnic groups: 15 principal Bantu groups: BaCongo, Vili, BaTeke, M'Bochi, and Sangha; more than 70 subgroups
- A small population of Pygmies (less than 100 000), ethnically unrelated to the Bantu majority
- Religions: Traditional beliefs 50%, Christianity 45%, Muslim 2%
- Languages: French (official), Lingala and Munukutuba (national), Kikongo, Sangho, Lari, Vili
- Literacy: male: 89%, female: 78%
- Natural resources: Oil, wood, potash, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphate, natural gas, hydropower
- Agriculture products: Cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products
- Industries: Petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes
Brazzaville
Democratic Republic of the Congo
About the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Capital City: Kinshasa (pop. 6.5 million)
- Other Cities: Bandundu, Bukavu, Goma, Kananga, Kindu, Kisangani, Lubumbashi, Matadi, Mbandaka, Mbuji-Mayi
- Government: Type: Republic; transitional regime highly centralized with executive power vested in the president
- Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium)
- Constitution: 18 February 2006 Geography
- Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola
- Area: 2,344,858 km² (905 000 sq. mi)
- Terrain: Varies from tropical rainforests to mountainous terraces, plateau, savannas, dense grasslands, and mountains
- Highest point: Pic Marguerite 5 110 m on Rwenzori Range's Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley)
- Climate: Equatorial; ranges from tropical rainforest in the Congo River basin, hot and humid in much of the north and west, cooler and drier in the south
central area and the east People
- Nationality: Congolese
- Population: 71 million (2015)
- Ethnic groups: More than 200 African ethnic groups; the Luba, Kongo, and Anamongo are some of the larger groupings of tribes
- Religions: Chrisinity 70%, other sects and traditional beliefs 10%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%
- Languages: French (Official). National languages: Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba
- Literacy: 64%
- Natural resources: cobalt, copper, Columbite-tantalite (coltan) refined, coltan becomes tantalum, niobium, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds,
gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, timber
- Agriculture products: coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products
- Industries: mining (diamonds, copper, zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages),
cement, commercial ship repair
Virunga national park, mountain gorilla house
Rwanda
About Rwanda
- Capital City: Kigali (over 1 million people)
- Other Cities: Gitarama, Butare, Ruhengeri, Gisenyi
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)
- Constitution: 26 May 2003 Geography
- Location: Central Africa, south of the Equator at the Great Lakes region, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Area: 26,338 km² (10,169 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: From Grasslands and rolling hills to areas of rugged mountains that extend southeast from a chain of volcanoes in the northwest
- Highest point: Volcano Karisimbi 4,519 m.
- Climate: Mild and temperate, with two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January) People
- Nationality: Rwandan(s)
- Population: 11.5 million (2016; Rwanda's population density is among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa)
- Ethnic groups: Hutu 85%, Tutsi 14%, Twa 1%
- Religions: Christian 93.5%, traditional African 0.1%, Muslim 4.6%, 1.7% claim no religious beliefs
- Languages: French, English, Kinyarwanda
- Literacy: 65%
- Natural resources: Gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land
- Agriculture products: Coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock
- Industries: Cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes
Rwanda hills
São Tomè and Prìncipe
About São Tomè and Prìncipe
- Capital City: São Tomé
- Other Cities: Trinidade, Santana, Angolares, Neves, Santo Antonio (capital of Principe)
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal) Geography
- Location: Western Central Africa; islands straddling the equator in the Gulf of Guinea west of Gabon
- Area: 1 000 sq. km. (386 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Two small, volcanic islands
- Climate: Tropical, with wet and dry seasons, influenced by the mountainous topography People
- Nationality: Sao Tomean(s)
- Population: 178,700 (2016)
- Ethnic groups: Mixed African, Portuguese-African
- Religions: Christian 80%
- Languages: Portuguese (official)
- Literacy: 68%
- Natural resources: Fish, hydropower, petroleum (not yet exploited)
- Agriculture products: Cocoa, coconuts, copra, palm kernels, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, beans, poultry
- Industries: light construction, shirts, soap, beer, fisheries, shrimp processing, palm oil
When reality wonderfully surpasses fantasy
Senegal
About Senegal
- Capital City: Dakar
- Mairie de Dakar - the city of Dakar
- Other Cities: Diourbel, Kolda, Kaolack, Louga, Saint-Louis, Thies, Tambacounda, Ziguinchor
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 4 April 1960 (from France) Geography
- Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania
- Area: 196,722 km² (76,000 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Flat or rising to foothills
- Climate: Tropical Sahelian desert or grasslands in the north, more vegetation in the south and southeast People
- Nationality: Senegalese (sing. and pl.)
- Population: 14.8 million (2016)
- Ethnic groups: Wolof 43%; Pular (Fulani, Peulh) and Toucouleur 23%; Serer 15%; Diola (Jola) 3.7%, Mandingo (Mandinka) 3%, Soninke 1.1%, and others 19%
- Religions: Muslim 95%, Christian 4%, traditional 1%
- Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Serer, Diola, Mandingo, Soninke
- Literacy: 38%
- Natural resources: fish, peanuts, phosphate, iron ore, gold, titanium
- Agriculture products: peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables; cattle, poultry, pigs; fish
- Industries: agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining, construction materials
The Retba beautiful pink lake
Seychelles
About Seychelles
- Capital City: Victoria (pop. 24 500)
- Government: Type: Multiple-party republic
- Independence: June 29, 1976 (from UK) Geography
- Location: Eastern Africa, group of about 115 islands scattered over 1.3 million square kilometers of the western Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
- Area: 455 km² (176 sq km)
- Major Islands: Mahe, Praslin and La Digue
- Terrain: About half of the islands are of granitic origin, with narrow coastal strips and central ranges of hills rising to more than 900 m;
highest point: Morne Seychellois at 905 m.
- The other half are coral atolls, many uninhabitable
- Climate: Tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May) People
- Nationality: Noun and adjective--Seychellois
- Population 92,000 (2015)
- Ethnic groups: Creole (European, Asian, and African)
- Religions: Catholic 86.6%, Anglican Church 6.8%, other Christians 2.5%, other 4.1%
- Languages: Official languages are Seychelles Creole (kreol seselwa), English, and French
- Literacy: between 60-80%
- Natural resources: fish, copra, cinnamon trees
- Agriculture products: coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; broiler chickens; tuna fish
- Industries: fishing; tourism; processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages
Seychelles, unspoiled nature
Sierra Leone
About Sierra Leone
- Capital City: Freetown (1 million)
- Other Cities: Bo, Kenema, Lungi, Makeni, Yengema
- Government: Type: Republic with a democratically elected President and Parliament
- Independence: 27 April 1961 (from Britain)
- Constitution: 1 October 1991 Geography
- Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
- Area: 71,740 km² (27,698 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Three areas are coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hills along the immediate interior, and a mountainous plateau in the interior
- Highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1 948 m
- Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December) People
- Nationality: Sierra Leonean(s)
- Population: 7 million (2015)
- Ethnic groups: Temne 30%, Mende 30%, Krio 1%, small Lebanese community
- Religions: Muslim 60%, Christian 30%, animist 10%
- Languages: English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Krio, Temne, Mende, and 15 other indigenous languages
- Literacy: 15-30%
- Natural resources: diamonds, gold, titanium, bauxite, iron ore, chromite
- Agriculture products: rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish
- Industries: diamonds mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining
Tracks of forgotten Africa
Somalia
About Somalia
- Capital City: Mogadishu
- Other Cities: Baidoa, Beledweyne, Berbera, Bosasso, Gaalkayo, Hargeisa, Jowhar, Kismayo, Merca
- Government: Transitional government, known as the Transitional Federal Government, established in October 2004 with a five-year mandate
- Independence: July 1, 1960 (from a merger between the former Somaliland Protectorate under British rule, and Italian Somaliland, to form the Somali Republic) Geography
- Location: Horn of Africa, Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden on the north, and the Indian Ocean on the east, east of Ethiopia and Kenya
- Area: 637,657 km² (246,200 sq mi)
- Terrain: Mostly flat savanna and semidesert, to undulating plateau rising to hills in the north.
- Climate: Principally desert; hot and dry in the interior and hot and humid in coastal areas
- Two rainy seasons, from April to June and from October to December, each is followed by a dry season, very hot in the south with irregular rainfall in the
coastal zone People
- Nationality: Somali(s)
- Population: (2012) 9.7 million, of which an estimated 2 million live in Somaliland
- Ethnic groups: Somali, with a small non-Somali minority (mostly Bantu and Arabs)
- Religion: 99.9% Muslim
- Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English
- Literacy: total population that can read and write, 38%
- Natural resources: Uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves
- Agriculture products: Bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; cattle, sheep, goats; fish
- Industries: a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, wireless communication
Somalia, where the horn of Africa smells of incense
South Africa
About South Africa
- Capital City: Pretoria (administrative) Bloemfontein (Mangaung) (judicial center) Mangaung Local Municipality; (the city's name in seSotho is Mangaung)
Cape Town (legislative center)
- Other Cities: Johannesburg, Durban (Thekwini), Nelspruit, Polokwane, Port Elizabeth
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 31 May 1910 (from UK); South Africa became a republic in 1961
- Constitution: 1996
- Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Geography
- Location: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the African continent
- Area: 1.2 million km² (470,462 sq. mi). Terrain: plateau, savanna, desert, mountains, coastal plains
- Climate: moderate, mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; similar to southern California
- People: Nationality: South African(s)
- Population: (2016) 55.9 million; black 78%; white 10%; colored 9%; Asian (Indian) 2.5%; other
- Languages: (11 official languages) Sesotho sa Leboa 9.2%, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati (Swazi), Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans 14,4%, English 8.6%, isiNdebele,
isiXhosa 17.9%, isiZulu 22.9%
- Religions: Predominantly Christian; traditional African believes, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish
- Natural resources: South Africa is rich of natural resources: gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium,
gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas
- Agriculture products: corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products
- Industries: mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textile, iron and steel,
chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs
South Africa, nature reserves and coastal landscapes
Sudan
About Sudan
- Capital City: Khartoum (pop. 1.4 million)
- Other Cities: Omdurman (2.1 million), Port Sudan (pop. 450 000), Kassala, Kosti,Juba, the capital of southern region
- Government: Type: Provisional Government established by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in January 2005
- Independence: 1 January 1956 (from the UK) Geography
- Location: North-eastern Africa, south of Egypt, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea
- Area: 2.5 million km² (965,255 sq. mi.); North and South Sudan
- Terrain: Generally flat with mountains in east and west. The southern regions are inundated during the annual floods of the Nile River system
- Climate: Desert and savanna in the north and central regions and tropical in the south People
- Nationality: Sudanese
- Population: 40 million (in 2015)
- Ethnic Groups: Sudanese Arab (approximately 70%), Fur, Beja, Nuba, and Fallata
- Religions: Sunni Islam (official), small Christian minority
- Languages: Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, Fur, English
- Literacy: 76% (est)
- Natural resources: petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower
- Agriculture products: cotton, groundnuts, sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), mangos, papaya, bananas, sweet potatoes, sesame;
sheep, livestock
- Industries: oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments,
automobile/light truck assembly
+
Sudan, the Black Faraons kingdom
South Sudan
About South Sudan
- South Sudan officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in east/central Africa
- It is bordered to the east by Ethiopia, to the north by Sudan, to the west by the Central African Republic, to the southwest by Democratic Republic of the Congo,
to the south by Uganda and to the southeast by Kenya
- It gained independence from the Republic of the Sudan in 2011, making it the most recent sovereign state or country with widespread recognition as of 2021
- Its capital and largest city is Juba
- It includes the vast swamp region of the Sudd, formed by the White Nile and known locally as the Bahr al Jabal meaning "Mountain River"
- Sudan was occupied by Egypt under the Muhammad Ali dynasty and was governed as an Anglo-Egyptian condominium until Sudanese independence in 1956
- Following the First Sudanese Civil War, the Southern Sudan Autonomous Region was formed in 1972 and lasted until 1983
- A second Sudanese civil war soon broke out, ending in 2005 with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
- Later that year, southern autonomy was restored when an Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan was formed
- South Sudan became an independent state on 9 July 2011, following 98.83% support for independence in a January 2011 referendum.
- It has suffered ethnic violence and endured a civil war characterised by rampant human rights abuses, including various ethnic massacres and killings
of journalists by all sides from 2013 until 22 February 2020, when competing combat leaders Salva Kiir Mayardit and Riek Machar struck a unity deal and formed
a coalition government, paving the way for refugees to return home
- South Sudan has a population of 12 million, mostly of the Nilotic peoples, and it is demographically among the youngest nations in the world, with roughly
half under 18 years oldSouth Sudan has a population of 12 million, mostly of the Nilotic peoples, and it is demographically among the youngest nations in the world,
with roughly half under 18 years old
- The majority of inhabitants adhere to Christianity or various Indigenous faiths
- The country is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the East African Community the Intergovernmental Authority on Development
and is a party to the Geneva ConventionsSouth Sudan has a population of 12 million, mostly of the Nilotic peoples, and it is demographically among the youngest
ically among the youngest nations in the world, with roughly half under 18 years old
South Sudan national parks
Tanzania
About Tanzania
- Capital City: Dar es Salaam (executive) Dodoma (legislative)
- Other Cities: Arusha, Mwanza, Mbeya, Mtwara, Stonetown, Zanzibar
- Government: Type: Unitary Republic
- Independence: Tanganyika 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship), Zanzibar 1963 (from UK) Union formed 1964
- Constitution: 1982 Geography
- Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique
- Area: Tanzania mainland: 945 000 km² (378 000 sq. mi.); Zanzibar: 1,658 km² (640 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Coastal plains; a central plateau; highlands in north and south
- Highest point: Kilimanjaro 5 895 m.
- Climate: Varies from tropical to arid to temperate People
- Nationality: Tanzanian(s); Zanzibari(s)
- Population: 50.1 million (2016) includ. Zanzibar
- Ethnic Groups: mainland - native African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab);
Zanzibar - Arab, native African, mixed Arab and native African
- Religions: mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim
- Languages: Kiswahili (Swahili, Kiunguja), and English (both official), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages
- Literacy: male: 85.9%, female: 70.7%
- Natural resources: hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel
- Agriculture products: coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (organic insecticide), cashew nuts, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; livestock
- Industries: agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine); diamond, gold, and iron mining, oil refining
Tanzania, boundless landscapes with the scent of spices
Togo
About Togo
- Capital City: Lomé
- Other Cities: Atakpamé, Kpalimé, Sokodé, Kara
- Government: Type: Republic since years under transition to multiparty democratic rule Geography
- Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana
- Area: 56,785 km² (21,925 sq miles)
- Terrain: Gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes
- Climate: Tropical; hot throughout the year, humid in south; semiarid in north People
- Nationality: Togolese
- Population: 7.1 million (2016)
- Ethnic Groups: native African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%
- Religions: traditional African religions 51%, Christian 30%, Muslim 15%
- Languages: French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye)
and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)
- Literacy: male: 75.4%, female: 46.9%
- Natural resources: phosphates (main source of foreign exchange), limestone, marble, arable land
- Agriculture products: coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish
- Industries: phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement; handicrafts, textiles, beverages
Tata Somba (Togo)
Tunisia
About Tunisia
- Capital City: Tunis
- Other Cities: Sfax
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France) Geography
- Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea
- Area: 163,610 km² (63,170 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Arable land in north and along central coast; south is mostly semiarid or desert
- Climate: Hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters People
- Nationality: Tunisian(s)
- Population: 11.3 million (2016)GNI per capita PPP: $ 8223 (year)
- Ethnic Groups: Arab-Berber 98%, European 1%, other 1%
- Religions: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish less than 1%
- Languages: Arabic (official), French
- Literacy: male 77%; female 55%
- Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt
- Agriculture products: olives, olive oil, grain, dairy products, tomatoes, citrus fruit, beef, sugar beets, dates, almonds
- Industries: petroleum, mining, tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages
Tunis the state capital
Uganda
About Uganda
- Capital City: Kampala (pop. 1.2 million)
- Other Cities: Entebbe, Jinja, Lira, Mbale, Mbarara
- Government: Type: No-party "Movement" system
- Constitution: The new Constitution was ratified on 12 July 1995, and promulgated on 8 October 1995 The Constitution Of The Republic Of Uganda Geography
- Location: Eastern Africa, west of Kenya
- Area: 241,500 km² (93,000 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: 18% inland water and swamp; 12% national parks, forest, and game reserves; 70% forest, woodland, grassland
- Climate: in the northeast, semi-arid--rainfall less than 50 cm. (20 in.); in southwest, rainfall 130 cm. (50 in.) or more
- two dry seasons: Dec.-Feb. and June-July People
- Nationality: Ugandan(s)
- Population: 34.8 million (2014)
- Ethnic groups: African 99%, European, Asian, Arab 1%
- Religions: Christian 66%, Muslim 16%, traditional and other 18%
- Languages: English (official); Luganda and Swahili widely used; other Bantu and Nilotic languages
- Literacy: 62%
- Natural resources: copper, cobalt, limestone
- Agriculture products: coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry, cut flowers
- Industries: sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles, cement
Uganda, the pearl of Africa
Zambia
About Zambia
- Capital City: Lusaka (pop. approx. 1 million)
- Other Cities: Kitwe, Ndola, Livingstone, Kabwe
- Government: Type: Republic
- Independence: 24 October 1964 (from UK)
- Constitution: 1991 (amended in 1996 to establish presidential term limits) Geography
- Location: Southern Africa, landlocked country east of Angola
- Area: 752,618 sq. km. (290,585 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Varies; mostly high plateau savanna with some hills and mountains
- Climate: Generally dry and temperate, tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (Oct. to April) People
- Nationality: Zambian(s)
- Population: 13 million (2010 census)
- Ethnic groups: More than 70 ethnic groups. Main tribes are the Lozi, the Bemba, the Ngoni, the Tonga, the Luda, the Luvale and the Kaonde
- Religions: Christian, indigenous beliefs, Muslim, Hindu
- Languages: English (official), about 70 local languages and dialects, including Bemba, Lozi, Kaonde, Lunda, Luvale, Tonga, and Nyanja
- Literacy: women: 60.6%; men: 81.6%
- Natural resources: copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower
- Agriculture products: corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), coffee;
cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides
- Industries: copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture
Zambia, nature and dream
Zimbabwe
About Zimbabwe
- Capital City: Harare (pop. 1.5 million)
- Other Cities: Bulawayo, Chitungwiza, Mutare, Gweru, Kwekwe, Masvingo, Marondera
- Government: Type: Parliamentary
- Constitution: 21 December 1979
- Independence: 18 April 1980 (from UK) Geography
- Location: Landlocked country in Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia
- Area: 390,757 sq. km. (150,872 sq. mi.)
- Terrain: Desert and savanna, mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east
- Climate: Subtropical and tropical, moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March) People
- Nationality: Zimbabwean
- Population: 14.2 million (2016 est.)
- Ethnic Groups: Shona 71%, Ndebele 16%, other African 11%, white 1%, mixed and Asian 1%
- Religions: Christianity 75%, offshoot Christian sects, animist, and Muslim
- Languages: English (official); Chishona, Sindebele with various dialects
- Literacy: 90%
- Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals
- Agriculture products: corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; sheep, goats, pigs
- Industries: Mining (coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel; wood products, cement, chemicals,
fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages