Africa is the second largest continent after Eurasia. It is washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Indian oceans, the Red and Mediterranean seas. Together with the islands, the mainland occupies about 30.3 million square kilometers, which is about 6% of the total area sushi on the planet. This is the hottest continent, its entire territory is located exclusively in hot zones and is crossed by the equator line.
East africa
This part of the continent includes countries located east of the river Nile. There are 4 linguistic groups in the region and there are about 200 nationalities. That is why there are huge cultural and social differences and frequent conflicts, reaching the point of true civil wars. The borders of the currently existing states are in most cases established by colonial countries, without taking into account any cultural interests of the people living here. Which negatively affected the economic development of the region. Especially a difficult situation from countries that do not have access to the world's oceans. East Africa, like the entire continent in general, is also called the "cradle of humanity." Many anthropologists are fully convinced that it was here that man appeared and the development of civilization began.
Countries of East Africa
To date, there are 22 countries located in the eastern part of the continent (UN classifier), of which 18 are completely independent. The remaining 4 countries are located on islands or a group of islands, are controlled territories of one or sometimes a state located outside the continent.
Independent states
Burundi is the capital of Bujumbura. The country is home to about 11 million people. The state gained independence from Belgium in 1962. The country's territory is predominantly a mountainous plateau located at an altitude of 1.4 to 1.8 thousand meters above sea level.
Zambia. It is a medium-sized country with a population of 14.2 million and is landlocked. The capital is Lusaka. The state was liberated from the oppression of Great Britain in 1964.
Zimbabwe. It is also home to about 14 million people, the capital is Harare. She gained independence in 1980, in fact, from that date, the country was ruled by Roberto Mugabe, who was ousted as a result of a military coup last year.
Kenya. A small country located in South East Africa with a population of 44 million, the capital is Nairobi. Received freedom from Great Britain in 1963. The country is famous for its national parks, where every effort is trying to preserve the virgin nature.
Madagascar. One of the largest states in the eastern part of Africa, with a population of 24.23 million people. The capital is Antananarivo. It is also an island state, with magnificent nature and good tourist infrastructure.
Malawi. The country is home to 16.77 million people, the capital is Lilongwe. This country is also called "the warm heart of Africa" due to the fact that very friendly people live here. However, there are problems with obtaining a visa, therefore, in terms of tourism, the country is not so attractive for Russian citizens.
Mozambique. More than 25 million people live here. The capital is Maputo. It is a former Portuguese colony. There is still a rather serious criminal situation in the country, so bars are even placed on the 15th floor. By the way, it was here that the famous architect of the Eiffel Tower erected an iron structure, in which no one could live - it is too hot.
Rwanda. The population is over 12 million people, the capital is Kigali. In terms of the pace of development, the country has already outstripped even Luxembourg. 4G internet has been working in this East African country for a long time, and children are taught using interactive information technologies... But back in 1994, it happened here mass kill local population, then more than 800 thousand people died.
Tanzania. Population - 48.6 million people. The capital is Dodoma. First of all, the country is unique with 2 interesting facts:
- here is the largest concentration of representatives of the wild animal world;
- on the territory there is the highest African peak - Kilimanjaro, 5895 meters high.
Uganda. Also a fairly large country, population 34 million, the capital is Kampala. The country managed to survive the civil war and the economic "abyss". Today, peace has reigned here and even stability is observed.
Ethiopia. A large state with a population of 90 million people, the capital is Addis Ababa. Enough attractive country in terms of tourism. Interesting fact that in Ethiopia the calendar is divided into 13 months.
South Sudan. Population - 12.34 million people. The capital is Juba. A rather poor country, and only 30 kilometers of roads are covered with asphalt. Most of the population works in quarries. It is very dirty here, because no one even knows about the word garbage, garbage is simply thrown out on the road, there is no water supply, as well as gas.
Eritrea, with a population of 6 million, the capital is Asmara. The state does not have its own outlet to the sea, but the people have achieved complete freedom words and actions. There is no theft here, no one attaches bicycles with chains, and forgotten things are brought to the police.
Small states in terms of population
Djibouti. The country liberated itself from France in 1977. The territory is home to 818 thousand people, the capital is Djibouti. The state is famous for its magnificent nature, it is here that unique natural monuments are concentrated: the Mabla and Goda mountain ranges, the Boura ridge, the Garbi and Hemed mountains, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Lake Assal. Especially unique place East Africa is the Boin fumarole field. These are holes and cracks in the ground at the foot of the volcano, which is 300 meters high. Hot gases are constantly emitted from these funnels, and their depth reaches 7 meters.
Comoros or Comoros. With a population of 806 thousand people. The capital is Moroni.
Mauritius. Population 1.2 million, capital - Port Louis. Today it is real tourist mecca... The state itself is located on several islands and the Carcados-Carajos archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Here unique nature, very contrasting, with woodlands and steep rocks, lakes and waterfalls.
Somalia. The capital is Mogadishu, the total population of the state is 10.2 million people. This is the easternmost state of East Africa itself. Modern history countries are inextricably linked civil war, which has been here since 1988. Other countries, the United States and UN peacekeepers have already been drawn into the military conflict.
Seychelles. The capital of the state is the city of Victoria. The country is home to just over 90 thousand people. It is kind
Countries dependent on France
One of the overseas regions is Mayotte. The disputes between France and the Comoros are still going on about belonging. More than 500 thousand people live here, the capital is the city of Mamudzu. It is a large island of Mayotte and several nearby smaller islands.
Reunion. Another island in East Africa, which is part of the Mascarene archipelago, where more than 800 thousand people live. The administrative center is the city of Saint-Denis. Here is the Piton de la Fournaise volcano, which periodically wakes up, but it is absolutely safe to watch it.
On the southern lands there are no permanent residents, only scientific expeditions come here.
Some historians believe that it is East africa became the birthplace of human civilization. The borders of the subcontinent run mainly by water - it stretches along the coast Indian Ocean, where the easternmost point of Africa is located - Cape Ras Khafun in Somalia. In the north it has access to the Red Sea, and in the west it is limited by the current of the Nile. Today, seventeen states are located in this region, which also includes one of the largest island states - Madagascar and the Seychelles.
Weather and nature - local variations
Talk about some kind of uniformity, evaluating weather features this region is not necessary - different East African countries are located in radically different climatic zones... The Seychelles are humid marine tropics that depend on the power of the monsoons, on the continent something similar can be found in Ethiopia or Tanzania. Somalia for the most part - hot desert and Uganda has more rainy days than dry days.
This variation affects the local flora. East Africa is savannah and tropical jungle, sub equatorial forests and practically dead sands (although the latter are relatively few here). Animal world extremely rich, the region is home to many large and small mammals(including primates), birds, amphibians. On the territory there are large lakes (Tanganyika and Victoria), here originates the Congo, the deep-water Nile and the Zambezi.
Economic advantages of the subcontinent
The abundance of land suitable for pasture has made the countries of East Africa the leaders of the continent in terms of animal husbandry. In general, agriculture brings most of the income to the budget of these countries. Kenya exports fruit and tea, Madagascar - spices, Mozambique - citrus fruits, cashews and cotton, Ethiopia - olives and coffee. Where there is access to the sea, industrial fishing is developed.
The natural resources of the countries of the subcontinent are less rich than those of their neighbors, but there are also important minerals here. Rubies, diamonds and gold, fluorite and iron ore, cobalt and tungsten. The processing and textile industries are actively developing. The most important industry that brings significant income to most countries (primarily the island ones) is tourism.
The poorest country in the region is Somalia - mineral resources there is little, the amount fertile soils limited. In addition, constant armed conflicts and civil unrest make this state downright unattractive to investors.
List of countries in East Africa
Article contains general information about the region East Africa. Forms an idea of the socio-economic situation in this part of the continent. Indicates the reasons that hinder the development and growth of the territory from an economic point of view.
East africa
The area of the region is 7.7 million square meters. km. The population of the region is close to 200 million.
Rice. 1. Map of the region.
The list of countries in East Africa includes:
- Sudan;
- Ethiopia;
- Eritrea;
- Djibouti;
- Somalia;
- Kenya;
- Rwanda;
- Uganda;
- Burundi;
- Tanzania;
- Malawi;
- Zambia.
East Africa is not included in the list of regions with a wealth of natural resources.
The states of this part of the continent act rather as large producers and suppliers of coffee to the world market. Tea is also grown here, sisal and cotton are produced. The tanning industry and the extraction of raw materials are well developed here. Somalia and Djibouti have 1/4 of all pastures. To provide the domestic market in the region, they grow:
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- millet,
- sorghum,
- corn,
- legumes,
- sweet potato,
- cassava.
Rice. 2. Pastures of East Africa.
In this part of the continent there are enterprises for the primary processing of agricultural and livestock products, as well as food and light industry.
Interesting: East Africa is recognized by anthropologists of the world as the cradle of all mankind.
States of East Africa
In the past, the territorial boundaries of the bulk of East African states were once imposed by colonial powers in an arbitrary order. Natural ethnic and cultural boundaries were not taken into account. Because of this, it became significantly complicated general development the whole region.
In many states, civil armed conflicts have been raging for decades. The reason for this is religious and ideological differences.
Interesting: A number of East African countries in 1967 formed Customs Union, which was named "East African Community".
Rice. 3. Economic map region.
East Africa contains 17 sovereign states.
There are four language groups.
East Africa is ranked among the most problematic regions of the continent. Here, common occurrences are: infectious diseases, hunger, low socio-economic level of development of the population.
Most of the states in the region are former colonies of European powers. They gained sovereignty only in the 60s. of the past century... Aloofness developed countries regarding the issue of investing in the economic sector of East Africa, it significantly slows down the progress in the economy of the entire region.
What have we learned?
From the article we found out the features economic development region. Established what factors have greatest influence on the dynamics of the functioning of certain industries characteristic of East Africa. They learned when the eastern region of the continent gained independence from the colonial influence on the main spheres of life.
The group of East African states demonstrates an even greater degree of differences, even contrast, and here individual countries stand out noticeably against the background of the rest, as it were, out of the general row. This also applies to Ethiopia, and Somalia, and Tanzania, and some other countries. In general, the countries of the East African region deserve special attention in this sense.
1. Ethiopia- the largest and oldest of them. Its history goes back centuries and it has already been discussed more than once in the previous parts of the work. In the 60s of our century, Ethiopia was an independent and highly respected state in Africa, headed by the revered monarch Emperor Haile Selassie I. True, this populous (over 50 million people) and scarce resources country was constantly harassed by natural disasters, especially droughts. almost regularly brought her economy to a catastrophic state. Droughts, famines, failures with the agrarian reform led the country in 1973 to an acute political crisis, which resulted in the dethronement of the emperor. In 1974, power passed to the Provisional Military Administrative Council, whose leaders annihilated each other in a bitter internecine struggle until M. Haile Mariam came to power in 1977, who firmly set a course for development according to the Marxist-socialist model.
Nationalization of industry and land, strict control of the government over the population led the country's economy to complete degradation over a decade and a half. Droughts became more frequent and their consequences became more and more severe. Millions of people were dying of elementary hunger and disorder in the country, while the ruling bureaucracy was mired in lawlessness and corruption. A decisive blow to the ruling party and its leadership was struck by events in our country associated with perestroika and a general change in ideological and political orientation, as well as suspended the flow of supplies from the USSR. The weakening of the government's position, exacerbated by defeats in the fight against separatists and insurgents in the north, led to the collapse of the regime in 1991. The dictator fled, and his successors inherited a difficult legacy. There was no more talk of the Marxist-socialist model. Ethiopia is now facing the difficult task of finding its new face, a way out to normal life.
2. Somalia, located to the east of Ethiopia, on the coast, in the Horn of Africa, is a relatively small state (population approx. 6 million). The inhabitants of British Somalia gained independence in 1960; was established a democratic parliamentary republic on a multi-party basis, one of the first of its kind in Africa. But multiparty democracy has weakened the political structure, undermined by tribalism and clan patronage and client ties. The coup of 1969 brought S. Barre to power with his dreams of a Greater Somalia and with an orientation towards the Marxist-socialist model of development. In 1977-1978. In the war with Ethiopia for Ogaden, Somalia was defeated, and this affected a change in orientation: the Somali authorities abandoned their previous stake on the USSR, whose leadership preferred to take the side of Ethiopia, and began to seek support in the West. In 1984, Somalia was forced to abandon its claims to the part of Kenya inhabited by Somalis. The idea of a Great Somalia collapsed. The era of an acute internal crisis has come, caused by military spending, unbearable for a small country, devastation, and inflation. The rebels began to protest against the regime of S. Barre. In 1989, he tried to soften his regime, took a course towards economic liberalization and privatization, promised a multi-party system and democracy, and even introduced a new constitution in October. But it was too late. In early 1991, the Barre regime fell under insurgent attacks. In 1992, a bloody civil strife began in the country. The instability of power in the course of the struggle for the political domination of various ethnopolitical groups created a situation of dangerous instability in Somalia and led the country to starvation.
3. Kenya, located south of Ethiopia and south-west of Somalia, in the past an English colony, gained quite wide popularity in the early post-war years, when a broad national movement headed by D. Kenyatta developed here. This movement was closely associated with the terrorist actions of the Mau Mau society, which terrified the British. In 1953, the Mau Mau movement was defeated, and Kenyatta was behind bars. In 1960, the country gained independence, and Kenyatta became its president. In 1978 after his death the country was headed by D. Moi. The one-party presidential system has seriously faltered under this president: corruption has become noticeable, the opposition has become more active, demanding a multi-party system. In 1990 Moi made concessions and at the end of 1991 announced the introduction of a multiparty system. The country's economy is still in a difficult situation, the standard of living of the population (about 25 million people) is low, but in the recent elections (1993) Moi was re-elected as president.
4. Uganda- a state to the west of Kenya with a population of 16-17 million people. In 1962 it gained independence and became a republic with former king Buganda Mutesoy II as president and M. Obote as prime minister. In 1966, Obote took full power, and the 1967 constitution abolished the monarchy in the country. In 1971, as a result of a military coup, the bloody dictator Idi Amin came to power. Amin's regime was overthrown in 1979 with the support of Tanzania, and in 1980, Obote, who won the elections, became president again. The 1985 military coup deposed Obote; since 1986 the country has been led by I. Museveni. Uganda is one of the few African states where for quite a long time, albeit with re ^ by leaps and bounds, a multi-party system has operated and is still operating. The economy of the country is undeveloped, the standard of living of the population is very low. The liberalization of the economy at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s, however, began to yield positive results (6–7% growth per year).
5. Tanzania, located south of Kenya and Lake Victoria, was created in 1964 as a result of the unification of the independent Tanganyika since 1961 with the island of Zanzibar, which gained independence in 1963. This is almost the only time when such a union has proved to be viable. Population approx. 25 million people Tanzania is a presidential republic with a very stable political system. For many years the president of the country was D. Nyerere, who undertook experiments related to the orientation towards the Marxist-socialist model (nationalization, cooperation in the style of "ujamaa", etc.). Having replaced Nyerere at the end of the 1980s, President A.Kh. Mwigny is inclined to support the program of economic revival, adopted in 1986, associated with the liberalization of the economy and a departure from socialist experiments.
6-7 Rwanda(about 7 million) and Burundi(about 5 million people) in 1908-1912. were included in the German East Africa, from 1923 they became a mandate territory of Belgium, and in 1962 - respectively, an independent republic and monarchy. The republican structure of Rwandi has proven to be stable. Burundi, having experienced a number of military coups, also became a republic. In both states, there is a one-party system, the economy is underdeveloped, and the living standard is low.
8-12. Djibouti(0.5 million population), as well as a number of island states - Reunion(0.6 million), Seychelles(0.07 million), Comoros(0.5 million), Mauritius(1.1 million) - are small independent countries of East Africa, which gained their independence relatively late, in 1968-1977. (Reunion remains an overseas department in France). Mauritius is a multi-party parliamentary republic that formally recognizes the Queen of England as the head of state. Djibouti is a one-party presidential republic. In the Seychelles, the 1979 coup brought to power a party based on the Marxist-socialist model. In the Comoros, a similar coup in 1975 had a different fate: another coup in 1978 brought the government of A. Abdallah back to power, which then steadily ruled the country. long years... What all these small states have in common are their comparative youth as independent structures (this does not apply to Reunion), a fairly noticeable degree of political stability and, apart from Djibouti, remoteness from the mainland, which in no small measure affects their destinies. It is significant to note that Arabs predominate in Comoros, Indo-Pakistanis in Mauritius, and Christian Creoles in the Seychelles and Reunion.
13. Madagascar, a large island east of Africa, gained its independence in 1960. Population - over 11 million people. Initially, the leader of the state and government was the leader of the Social Democrats F. Tsiranana. The coup of 1972 brought the military to power, in 1975 the Supreme Revolutionary Council headed by D. Ratsiraka took a course towards development according to the Marxist-socialist model. The National Front for the Defense of the Revolution, created by the council, united 7 political parties, banning the activities of the rest. The economy has been nationalized, the public sector absolutely prevails. In the early 1990s, Ratsiraki's power and political course collapsed. A powerful opposition movement has developed in the country.
So, among the 13 large and small countries of the region in four large (Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Madagascar) and at least two others (Seychelles, Comoros), attempts were made to develop according to the Marxist-socialist model, and in three cases (Ethiopia, Tanzania and Madagascar) these were long-term experiments, calculated for decades. The experiment could have turned out to be just as long in Somalia if the political situation had not prompted S. Barre to change his earlier orientation. And only in Uganda, and even then intermittently, did the multiparty system function. All large countries in the region are poorly developed and have a low standard of living. Only a few of the islands (Mauritius, Reunion and tiny Seychelles) stand out against the general bleak background in better side... With reservations, the same can be said about Djibouti. Slightly higher than others large countries region, the standard of living in a politically relatively prosperous Kenya.
Africa is a part of the world with an area with islands of 30.3 million km 2, this is the second place after Eurasia, 6% of the entire surface of our planet and 20% of the land.
Geographical position
Africa is located in the Northern and Eastern Hemisphere ( most of), small part in the South and West. Like all large shards ancient continent Gondwana has massive outlines, large peninsulas and deep bays are absent. The length of the continent from north to south is 8 thousand km, from west to east - 7.5 thousand km. In the north, washed by the waters Mediterranean Sea, in the northeast by the Red Sea, in the southeast by the Indian Ocean, in the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Africa is separated from Asia by the Suez Canal, and from Europe by the Strait of Gibraltar.
Main geographic characteristics
Africa lies on an ancient platform, which causes it flat surface, which in some places is cut by deep river valleys. On the coast of the mainland there are few lowlands, the north-west is the location of the Atlas Mountains, Northern part, almost entirely occupied by the Sahara Desert, - the Ahaggar and Tibetsi highlands, the east - the Ethiopian Highlands, the southeast - the East African Plateau, the extreme south - the Cape and Drakensi Mountains. The highest point in Africa is Kilimanjaro Volcano (5895 m, Masai Plateau), the lowest is 157 meters below sea level in Lake Assal. The world's largest rift stretches along the Red Sea, in the Ethiopian Highlands and to the mouth of the Zambezi River crust, which is characterized by frequent seismic activity.
Rivers flow through Africa: Congo (Central Africa), Niger ( West africa), Limpopo, Orange, Zambezi ( South Africa), as well as one of the deepest and longest rivers in the world - the Nile (6,852 km), flowing from south to north (its sources are in the East African Plateau, and it flows into the Mediterranean Sea, forming a delta). Rivers are rich in water only in equatorial belt, thanks to falling out there a large number precipitation, most of them have a high flow rate, have many rapids and waterfalls. In lithospheric faults filled with water, lakes formed - Nyasa, Tanganyika, the largest freshwater lake in Africa and the second largest lake after Lake Superior ( North America) - Victoria (its area is 68.8 thousand km 2, length 337 km, max depth - 83 m), the largest saline closed lake - Chad (its area is 1.35 thousand km 2, located on the southern edge of the greatest Sahara desert in the world).
Due to the location of Africa between the two tropical belts, it is characterized by high total indicators solar radiation, which gives the right to call Africa the hottest continent of the Earth (the most heat on our planet was registered in 1922 in El-Aziziya (Libya) - +58 С 0 in the shadow).
On the territory of Africa, such natural zones are distinguished as evergreen equatorial forests (the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, the Congo depression), in the north and south, turning into mixed deciduous-evergreen forests, then there is a natural zone of savannas and woodlands, extending to Sudan, East and South Africa, to Sevres and southern Africa, savannas are replaced by semi-deserts and deserts (Sahara, Kalahari. Namib). In the southeastern part of Africa, there is a small zone of mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, on the slopes of the Atlas Mountains - a zone of hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs. Natural areas mountains and plateaus are subject to the laws of altitudinal zonality.
African countries
The territory of Africa is divided between 62 countries, 54 are independent, sovereign states, 10 dependent territories belonging to Spain, Portugal, Great Britain and France, the rest are unrecognized, self-proclaimed states - Galmudug, Puntland, Somaliland, Saharan Arab Democratic Republic(SADR). For a long time Asian countries were foreign colonies of various European states and only by the middle of the last century they gained independence. Depending on the geographic location Africa is divided into five regions such as North, Central, West, East and South Africa.
List of countries in Africa
Nature
Mountains and plains of Africa
Most of African continent is a plain. There are mountain systems, highlands and plateaus. They are presented:
- The Atlas Mountains in the northwestern part of the continent;
- the highlands of Tibesti and Ahaggar in the Sahara desert;
- The Ethiopian Highlands in the eastern part of the mainland;
- Drakensberg mountains in the south.
The most high point the country is the volcano Kilimanjaro, 5,895 m high, belonging to the East African Plateau in the southeastern part of the mainland ...
Deserts and savannahs
The largest desert zone of the African continent is located in the northern part. This is the Sahara Desert. On the southwestern side of the continent is another smaller desert, the Namib, and from it inland to the east is the Kalahari Desert.
The territory of the savannah occupies the main part Central Africa... In area, it is much larger than the northern and southern parts of the mainland. The territory is characterized by the presence of pastures typical of savannahs, low shrubs and trees. The height of herbaceous vegetation varies depending on the amount of precipitation. These can be practically desert savannas or tall-grass, with a grass cover from 1 to 5 m in height ...
The rivers
The longest river in the world, the Nile, is located on the territory of the African continent. The direction of its flow is from south to north.
In the list of large water systems of the mainland, Limpopo, Zambezi and the Orange River, as well as the Congo, flowing through the territory of Central Africa.
On the Zambezi River there is famous waterfall Victoria, 120 m high and 1,800 meters wide ...
Lakes
In the list large lakes the African continent has Lake Victoria, which is the world's second largest freshwater body of water. Its depth reaches 80 m, and its area is 68,000 square kilometers. Two more large lakes continent: Tanganyika and Nyasa. They are located in the fractures of lithospheric plates.
There is Lake Chad on the territory of Africa, which is one of the world's largest closed relict lakes that have no connection with the world's oceans ...
Seas and oceans
The African continent is washed by the waters of two oceans at once: the Indian and the Atlantic. Also on its shores are the Red and Mediterranean Seas. From the side Atlantic Ocean in the southwestern part of the water they form the deep Gulf of Guinea.
Despite the location of the African continent coastal waters cool. This is influenced by the cold currents of the Atlantic Ocean: the Canary in the north and the Bengal in the southwest. The currents from the Indian Ocean are warm. The largest is Mozambique, in northern waters, and Igolnoye - in the southern ...
Forests of africa
Forests from the entire territory of the African continent make up a little more than a quarter. Here are located subtropical forests growing on the slopes of the Atlas Mountains and ridge valleys. Here you can meet stone oak, pistachio, strawberry tree, etc. Grow high in the mountains conifers represented by Aleppo pine, Atlas cedar, juniper and other types of trees.
Closer to the coast there are cork oak forests; evergreens are common in the tropical region. equatorial plants such as mahogany, sandalwood, ebony, etc.
Nature, plants and animals of Africa
Vegetation equatorial forests it is diverse, about 1000 species grow here various types trees: ficus, ceiba, wine tree, oil palm, wine palm, banana palm, tree ferns, sandalwood, mahogany, rubber trees, Liberian a coffee tree etc. It is home to many species of animals, rodents, birds and insects that live right in the trees. Live on earth: brush-eared pigs, leopards, African deer - a relative of the okapi giraffe, large great apes- gorillas ...
40% of Africa's territory is occupied by savannas, which are huge steppe areas covered with forbs, low, thorny bushes, milkweed, and separately standing trees(tree-like acacias, baobabs).
There is the largest concentration of such large animals as: rhino, giraffe, elephant, hippo, zebra, buffalo, hyena, lion, leopard, cheetah, jackal, crocodile, hyena dog. The most numerous animals of the savannah are such herbivores as: bubal (antelope family), giraffe, impala or black-heeled antelope, different kinds gazelles (Thomson, Grant), blue wildebeest, in some places there are still rare springbok antelopes.
The vegetation of deserts and semi-deserts is characterized by poverty and unpretentiousness, these are small thorny shrubs, separately growing bunches of grasses. The oases are home to a unique date palm Erg Chebbi, as well as drought and salt tolerant plants. Grow in the Namib Desert unique plants velvichchia and bun, which are fed by porcupines, elephants and other animals of the desert.
Of the animals, various species of antelopes and gazelles live here, adapted to the hot climate and able to travel great distances in search of food, many species of rodents, snakes, turtles. Lizards. Among mammals: spotted hyena, common jackal, maned ram, Cape hare, Ethiopian hedgehog, Dorcas gazelle, saber-horned antelope, Anubis baboon, wild Nubian donkey, cheetah, jackal, fox, mouflon, there are constantly living and migratory birds.
Climatic conditions
Seasons, weather and climate of African countries
The central part of Africa, through which the equator line passes, is in the region low pressure and receives sufficient moisture, territories north and south of the equator are in the subequatorial climatic zone, this is a zone of seasonal (monsoon) moisture and arid desert climate. The extreme north and south are in the subtropical climatic zone, the south receives precipitation brought air masses from the Indian Ocean, here is the Kalahari Desert, north - the minimum amount of precipitation, due to the formation of the area high pressure and the peculiarities of the movement of trade winds, the largest desert in the world is the Sahara, where the amount of precipitation is minimal, in some areas it does not fall at all ...
Resources
Natural resources of Africa
By reserves water resources Africa is considered one of the poorest continents in the world. The average annual volume of water is only enough to meet the priority needs, but this does not apply to all regions.
Land resources are represented by areas of significant area with fertile lands. Only 20% of all possible land is cultivated. The reason for this is the lack of adequate water volume, soil erosion, etc.
The forests of Africa are a source of timber, including valuable species. The countries in which they grow, raw materials are sent for export. Resources are being used unwisely and ecosystems are gradually being destroyed.
There are mineral deposits in the bowels of Africa. Among those exported: gold, diamonds, uranium, phosphorus, manganese ores. There are significant reserves of oil and natural gas.
Energy-intensive resources are widely represented on the continent, but they are not used due to the lack of proper investments ...
Among the developed industrial spheres of the countries of the African continent, one can note:
- the mining industry, which sends mineral raw materials and fuels for export;
- the oil refining industry, distributed mainly in South Africa and North Africa;
- chemical industry specializing in the production mineral fertilizers;
- as well as the metallurgical and engineering industries.
Main products Agriculture are cocoa beans, coffee, corn, rice and wheat. Oil palm is grown in tropical regions of Africa.
Fishing is developed insignificantly and constitutes only 1 - 2% of the total volume of agriculture. Livestock indicators are also not high and the reason for this is the infection of livestock with tsetse flies ...
The culture
The peoples of Africa: culture and traditions
About 8000 peoples and ethnic groups live on the territory of 62 African countries, for a total of about 1.1 billion people. Africa is considered the cradle and ancestral home of human civilization, it was here that the remains of ancient primates (hominids) were found, which, according to scientists, are considered the ancestors of humans.
Most of the peoples in Africa can number as many as several thousand people, and several hundred, living in one or two villages. 90% of the population are representatives of 120 peoples, their number is more than 1 million people, 2/3 of them are peoples with a population of more than 5 million people, 1/3 are peoples with a population of more than 10 million people (this is 50% of the total population of Africa) are Arabs , Hausa, Fulbe, Yoruba, Igbo, Amhara, Oromo, Rwanda, Malagasy, Zulus ...
There are two historical and ethnographic provinces: North African (predominance of the Indo-European race) and Tropical-African (the majority of the population is a Negroid race), it is divided into such areas as:
- West africa... Peoples speaking the languages Mande (Susu, Maninka, Mende, Vai), Chad (Hausa), Nilo-Saharan (Songhai, Kanuri, Tubu, Zagawa, Mawa, etc.), Niger-Congolese languages (Yoruba, Igbo, Bini, nupe, gbari, igala and idoma, ibibio, efik, kambari, birom and jukun, etc.);
- Equatorial africa... Inhabited by Buanto-speaking peoples: Douala, Fang, Bubi (Fernandians), Mpongwe, Teke, Mboshi, Ngala, Como, Mongo, Tetela, Cuba, Congo, Ambundu, Ovimbundu, Chokwe, Luena, Tonga, Pygmies, etc .;
- South Africa... Rebellious peoples, and speaking the Khoisan languages: Bushmen and Hottentots;
- East africa... Bantu, Nilot and Sudanese groups;
- Northeast africa... Peoples speaking Ethiosemitic (Amhara, Tiger, Tiger.), Kushite (Oromo, Somalis, Sidamo, Agau, Afar, Konso, etc.) and Omotic languages (Ometo, Gimirra, etc.);
- Madagascar... Malagasy and Creoles.
In the North African province, the main peoples are the Arabs and Berbers, belonging to the southern European minor race, mainly professing Sunni Islam. There is also an ethno-religious group of Copts who are direct descendants of the Ancient Egyptians, they are Christians-Monophysites.
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