The geographical region, extending in the western part of Africa in the equatorial and subequatorial strip, includes the huge Congo depression, in the west it is adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea, in the north it includes the Azande plateau, in the south - the Lunda plateau and the Angolan plateaus that continue it.
In almost all countries Central Africa state language is French. It is not surprising, since they were under French rule for a long time. In addition, the languages of the most common nationalities are also in use, such as Bantu, Fang, Teke, Congo, Hausa and Masa. The economy rests not only on the rich mineral resources of these lands and agriculture, but also on the export of timber.
Central Africa is home to thousands and thousands of animal species. Reptiles, mammals, birds. National parks: Virunga, Upemba, Garamba, Zakouma and Manza are considered one of the best reserves in the world for the richness of flora and fauna.
Characterized by hot humid climate, and this region is also called the country of rivers. The most big river region - Congo. The weather has its own characteristics; there are two main cycles: the so-called dry season and the rainy season, which replace each other every few months. Moreover, if you follow from north to south, then climatic conditions change noticeably.
Ethnic composition population
Ethnic composition modern population Africa is very complex. The continent is inhabited by several hundred large and small ethnic groups, 107 of which number more than 1 million people each, and 24 exceed 5 million people. The largest of them are: Egyptian, Algerian, Moroccan, Sudanese Arabs, Hausa, Yoruba, Fulani, Igbo, Amhara.
Population distribution
The average population density of the continent is low - about 30 people/km/sq. population distribution is influenced not only natural conditions, but also historical factors, primarily the consequences of the slave trade and colonial rule.
Nature
The Congo Basin has a flat, swampy bottom at an altitude of 300-500 m. The most high mountains- Adamawa in Cameroon (up to 3008 m) and the Cameroon volcanic massif (up to 4070 m). However, Central Africa is generally characterized by a calm topography, without much fluctuation.
Subequatorial Africa, surrounded by the Congo Basin, is distinguished by the densest network of deep rivers in Africa, the largest of which is the Congo River (Zaire). The rivers Ogowe, Kwanza and others also flow into the Gulf of Guinea. Vast areas are occupied by swamps.
In the equatorial climate belt, dense multi-tiered wet rainforests. On Saturday equatorial belt- gallery forests, savannas are common in watershed areas different types. Mangroves are common at the mouths of rivers flowing into the Gulf of Guinea.
Composition of the region. Economic and geographical location.
In terms of area, which covers almost 1/4 of the continent, the region is second only to North Africa. However, only 1/7 of its population lives here. The region includes 9 states. Central Africa, occupying central position on the mainland, bordering all other African regions: North, West, East and South Africa.
The countries of the region freed themselves from colonial dependence in 1950-1974. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was a possession of Belgium, Equatorial Guinea - of Spain, Sao Tome and Principe - of Portugal, other countries were colonies of France, almost all belonged to the former French Equatorial Africa.
Most Central African countries are located on the coast Atlantic Ocean or have access to it, which contributes to their economic development. The uniqueness of the region lies in the location of the industrial area in its southeast " Copper belt", which in its economic importance far exceeds the coastal strip. Ugar and the Central African Republic (CAR) do not have access to the ocean, which is one of the most important reasons for their economic backwardness.
Transit transportation of inland countries through coastal states significantly influences the formation of an economic community of states in the region.
All countries in the region are members of the UN, and Gabon is a member of OPEC.
Natural conditions. Central Africa occupies the western part of the continent in equatorial and subequatorial latitudes, covers the large flat depression of the Congo, which in the west is adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea (the length of the coastal strip is 3099 km), in the north - to the Azande plateau, in the west - to the North Guinea Highlands , in the south - to the Luanda Plateau, in the east the region is limited by the Western branch of the East African Plateau.
Stand out in relief for the most part flat areas. The Congo Basin has a flat, heavily swampy bottom at altitudes of 300-500 m, the height of the hills that limit it reaches 500-1000 m in the north and west, 1500-1700 m and more in the rest of the territory. Only the Cameroon mountain range reaches a height of 4070 m. The relief of the region does not have sharp changes in elevation. Flat accumulative and layered plains are found in the Congo Basin and in the coastal zone. Slightly mountainous intersections with island mountains predominate in places where crystalline rocks emerge; table and table-stepped plateaus predominate in rocks of the sedimentary cover.
The natural contrasts of the region have a clear impact on the climate. On both sides of the equator, an equatorial climate reigns with constant humid air and autumn and spring maximum precipitation, which falls up to 2000 mm per year, average temperatures reach +23...+28 ° C. In the north and south of the equator there is a subequatorial climate zone with rainy summer and dry winter, the amount of precipitation decreases to 1000 mm, during the rainy season the temperature drops to +15 ° C. The least precipitation (200 mm) is on the Atlantic coast.
The equatorial regions and especially the Congo Basin have the densest network of deep rivers in Africa, the largest of which is the Congo (Zaire). The rivers are rapids and have significant hydroelectric potential. Considerable areas are occupied by swamps. Large lakes are Ugar, Mai-Ndombe and Tumba.
Natural resources. The subsoil of the region has not been studied enough. The most developed mineral resources are in the southeast and east of the DRC; exploration and development of the subsoil of Gabon, Cameroon, Angola, and Congo are actively carried out. At the end of the 70s of the XX century. oil and gas fields were discovered almost throughout the shelf zone of the Atlantic coast.
The region is home to the famous “Copper Belt” (DRC), in which, in addition to copper, cobalt, lead, and zinc are also of industrial importance. Gabon has unique manganese reserves on the mainland. The depths of Angola and Gabon are rich in oil. The DRC has huge reserves of diamonds and is one of the main exporters in the world. Central Africa contains significant deposits of rare earth and precious metals (gold, platinum, palladium), ores, aluminum and iron.
Resources for agriculture. South part The Central African Republic, almost all of Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, large areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and part of Angola are occupied by tracts of moist equatorial and shifting moist forests. It has intensive agriculture but very large forests and water resources. In other areas, savannas predominate. The entire equatorial part of the region is the distribution area of the tsetse fly, which causes great damage livestock farming
Hydropower resources. Having the densest and most abundant river network on the continent, Central Africa owns colossal hydropower resources, the total potential of which is up to 500 million kW (according to full use river flow). Only in the lower reaches of the river. Congo (the first among rivers in hydropower reserves), it is possible to build a cascade of power plants with a capacity of 25-30 million kW.
The use of the natural resource potential of the region is associated with some problems, especially in agriculture (the need for irrigation in dry areas and the implementation of reclamation measures in areas with excessive moisture, which require significant funds). There is also a significant threat of rapid degradation of natural landscapes due to the use of outdated management methods, for example, the destruction of tracts of equatorial forest due to the logging method of agriculture.
Multi-tiered wetlands grow in the equatorial belt equatorial forests(hylaea) with a variety of trees and tree ferns, mostly secondary. The average forest cover of the region is 47%, the maximum is in Gabon (71%), Equatorial Guinea (65%), Sao Tome and Principe (61%), the minimum is in Chad (9%).
Population size. The countries of Central Africa vary greatly in population size. The most populated is the DRC, where the population is 10 times higher than in the Central African Republic, and 12 times higher than in the Congo.
Demographic features. The region, as throughout Africa, has high annual natural population growth - an average of 2.9%. Average duration life below the all-African indicator. High infant mortality, especially in dry areas in the north, in the equatorial forest zone. Despite this, the countries of the region are experiencing a “demographic explosion”. The number of children under 15 years of age is quite large (43%) and the number of elderly people is small (4%). The number of men and women in the region is approximately the same (49.5 and 50.5%, respectively)
Racial composition. The majority of the region's population belongs to the Negroid race. Some peoples (Tubu, Kanuri) of the northern regions have noticeable features of Caucasians.
In the equatorial forests of many countries live representatives of the so-called Negril small race - pygmies, whose height is 141-142 cm. They have light skin with a yellowish or reddish tint, narrow lips, and in men, a thick beard. In the south of the region live representatives of the Khoisan race - the Bushmen (curly hair, wide nose with a low bridge, yellowish skin, very thin lips, often missing earlobe, average height - up to 150 cm).
Representatives of the Caucasian race have lived in Central Africa for several centuries (most of them are in Angola), and there are also many “colored”, mestizo people here.
Ethnic composition. The population is ethnically diverse. Negroid peoples predominate, who speak Bantu languages and belong to the Niger-Kordaphanian language family (DRC, Congo, Angola, Cameroon). On the periphery, the number of peoples of the adjacent regions is increasing - the Hausa and Fulani in the west (Cameroon), the Tubu in the north (Ugar). Several tens of thousands of pygmies live in Cameroon, Congo and the DRC, some of whom speak Bantu languages, and some speak languages of the Nilo-Saharan family. In all countries of the region, the official languages of the former metropolises are French, Portuguese, Spanish.
Religious composition. Most nationalities retain their local traditional beliefs,; Belief in nature spirits, ancestor worship, fetishism, magic and witchcraft are widespread. Representatives of local traditional cults live in all countries, most of all in the Central African Republic (up to 50%).
Islam is practiced in the north, extreme east, and southeast. In Chad alone, almost 60% of the population is Muslim, and over 35% in Cameroon. Christianity is also widespread. In many countries, Catholics constitute the overwhelming majority of the population (in Equatorial Guinea- 90%, in Gabon and Congo - 80% each, Cameroon and Angola - 55% each).
Population distribution. The region is unevenly populated. The northern and southern regions, which border deserts, and especially the center of the region, covered with equatorial forest, are sparsely populated. Deep in the equatorial forests average density The population is 2-3 people/km2, in the industrial southeast of the DRC - 160 people/km2.
The level of urbanization is low. On average, urban residents make up 38%, with the smallest number in Chad - 21%. In certain areas there is a significant concentration of cities and towns, for example in the Copper Belt in the DRC. Almost everywhere except the DRC, the urban population is concentrated in one or two cities, including the capital. Most cities arose relatively recently. The millionaire cities are Kinshasa (4.2 million people), Luanda (2.1 million), Douala (1.3 million), Yaounde (1.1 million), Brazzaville (1 million).
Labor resources. The population is predominantly employed in agriculture - over 80% (more than the African average). The migration of young men to areas of intensive development of the mining industry is high.
The socio-economic and cultural level of the population of Central Africa is very low. Majority rural residents live in conditions of a patriarchal-communal structure, engage in heavy labor handmade, do not have basic living conditions.
Peculiarities economic development and general characteristics of the economy
Countries in the region differ significantly in their level of economic development. The main source of livelihood for 80% of the population is agriculture and cattle breeding. The remoteness of large inland regions from the ocean and main transport routes is the reason for their economic isolation, complicates trade relations and involvement in the system of territorial division of labor.
The collapse of the colonial system was accompanied by the formation in most countries of a large-scale public sector of the economy. In Angola, numerous industrial enterprises, transport, communications, banking, land and its resources were nationalized or taken under state control. The state controls finance, the credit system, insurance, and foreign trade. In the DRC the state owns mineral, forest and land resources, leading industrial enterprises, banks, and insurance institutions have been nationalized here. In Cameroon, the public sector occupies major positions in the fields of transport (in railway transport the state owns 100% of the capital of companies, in air transport - 70, in maritime transport - 66, in urban transport - 65%), communications, energy and water supply; its position in agriculture strengthened. In the CAR, river transport and electricity production have been nationalized. The economic policy of Chad and other countries is aimed at encouraging private entrepreneurship and attracting foreign capital. Private foreign capital is concentrated mainly in the mining and manufacturing industries, and the production of consumer goods.
One of the largest total GNP levels in the region is in Gabon (over $7.7 billion in 2000), per capita accounting for almost $6,000 (the highest figure in the region). The basis of the country's economy is the extractive industry (oil and mining). Up to 70% of gross domestic investment comes from abroad. Foreign capital of most companies is French, American, South African.
The countries of the region are represented by areas of the extractive industry (oil, mining - copper, manganese, rare earth metals, diamond mining). Agricultural areas oriented for export are: growing oil palm, cotton, cocoa, bananas, sisal, coffee, rubber. Harvesting and export of tropical wood is widespread.
The natural resource potential and agricultural features of the region determined the predominant development of the mining industry, food and timber processing areas. A lot of industrial enterprises regions were created during the colonial period and are in need of radical modernization.
Mining areas. Leading place in industry belongs to mining areas and partial processing different types natural raw materials. Oil production in the region reaches 58 million tons (Gabon, Angola, Cameroon), all of it is exported. Oil refineries operate in Gabon, DRC and Angola.
Gabon is one of the world's main suppliers of manganese, uranium and iron ores. Congo supplies the world market with potassium salt, non-ferrous ores and rare metals, CAR - uranium, DRC - one of the largest suppliers in the world (3rd place) of industrial diamonds (13.5 million carats) and cobalt (70% of world production), gold, kyanite, limestone, and marble are mined in Cameroon.
Energy. The basis of the region's electric power industry is hydroelectric power stations. The largest of them were built in the DRC, Angola, Cameroon, etc. In the DRC, one of the largest hydroelectric power stations in the world, Inga, is being built. The most significant thermal power plants operate near big cities. The only geothermal power plant in Africa was built in Shabi (DRC). Widely used (mainly on river and railway transport, some industrial enterprises) wood fuel. Every year, the countries of the region generate 17,661 million kW/h of electricity. Over 2/3 of it is consumed by the mining industry.
Metallurgy. The presence of a powerful mineral resource base led to the development of a complete metallurgical cycle in the region, primarily in non-ferrous metallurgy. In Angola, the DRC and Cameroon, there are not only mining enterprises, but also factories for the smelting of high-quality metals.
Mechanical engineering. Mechanical engineering enterprises are represented by small factories for the assembly of bicycles, motorcycles and cars in the DRC, radio equipment and electrical devices, and agricultural implements in Cameroon. There are small shipbuilding and ship repair yards in Angola and the DRC.
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Africa is a part of the world with an area of 30.3 million km 2 with islands, 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 North and Eastern Hemisphere(most), a small part in the South and West. Like all large fragments ancient continent Gondwana has a massive outline, large peninsulas and there are no deep bays. The length of the continent from north to south is 8 thousand km, from west to east - 7.5 thousand km. In the north it is washed by 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 geographical characteristics
Africa lies on ancient platform, which determines its flat surface, which in some places is dissected by deep river valleys. On the coast of the mainland there are small lowlands, the northwest is the location of the Atlas Mountains, the northern part, almost entirely occupied by the Sahara Desert, is the Ahaggar and Tibetsi highlands, the east is the Ethiopian Highlands, the southeast is the East African Plateau, the extreme south is the Cape and Drakensberg mountains The highest point in Africa is the Kilimanjaro volcano (5895 m, Masai plateau), the lowest is 157 meters below ocean level in Lake Assal. Along the Red Sea, in the Ethiopian Highlands and to the mouth of the Zambezi River, the largest fault in the world stretches earth's crust, which is characterized by frequent seismic activity.
The following 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 (6852 km), flowing from south to north (its sources are on the East African Plateau, and it flows, forming a delta, into the Mediterranean Sea). Rivers are characterized by high water content exclusively in the equatorial belt, due to the large amount of precipitation there; most of them are characterized by high flow rates and have many rapids and waterfalls. IN lithospheric faults filled with water, lakes were formed - Nyasa, Tanganyika, the largest freshwater lake in Africa and the second largest lake in area after Lake Superior (North America) - Victoria (its area is 68.8 thousand km 2, length 337 km, maximum depth - 83 m), the largest salty closed lake is Chad (its area is 1.35 thousand km 2, located on southern outskirts the world's greatest desert, the Sahara).
Due to Africa's location between two tropical zones, it is characterized by high summary indicators solar radiation, which gives the right to call Africa the hottest continent on Earth (the hottest heat on our planet was registered in 1922 in Al-Aziziya (Libya) - +58 C 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 basin), 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 In northern and southern Africa, savannas give way to 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 there is a zone of hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs. Natural areas mountains and plateaus are subject to the laws of altitudinal zonation.
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, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic(SADR). For a long time Asian countries were foreign colonies of various European countries and only by the middle of the last century gained independence. Depending on the geographical location Africa is divided into five regions: Northern, Central, Western, Eastern and Southern Africa.
List of African countries
Nature
Mountains and plains of Africa
Most of African continent is a plain. Available mountain systems, highlands and plateaus. They are presented:
- the Atlas Mountains in the northwestern part of the continent;
- the Tibesti and Ahaggar highlands in the Sahara Desert;
- Ethiopian Highlands in the eastern part of the mainland;
- Drakensberg Mountains in the south.
The most high point country is the Kilimanjaro volcano, 5,895 m high, belonging to the East African Plateau in the southeastern part of the continent...
Deserts and savannas
The largest desert zone of the African continent is located in the northern part. This is the Sahara Desert. On the southwest side of the continent is another smaller desert, the Namib, and from there into the continent to the east there is the Kalahari Desert.
The savannah territory occupies the bulk of 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 savannas, low shrubs and trees. The height of herbaceous vegetation varies depending on the amount of precipitation. These can be practically desert savannas or tall grasses, with a grass cover from 1 to 5 m in height...
Rivers
The longest river in the world, the Nile, is located on the African continent. The direction of its flow is from south to north.
The list of major water systems of the mainland includes the Limpopo, Zambezi and Orange River, as well as the Congo, which flows through Central Africa.
On the Zambezi River is the famous Victoria Falls, 120 meters high and 1,800 meters wide...
Lakes
The list of large lakes on the African continent includes Lake Victoria, which is the second largest freshwater body of water in the world. Its depth reaches 80 m, and its area is 68,000 square km. Two more large lakes continent: Tanganyika and Nyasa. They are located in faults of lithospheric plates.
There is Lake Chad in Africa, which is one of the world's largest endorheic 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: the Indian and the Atlantic. Also off its shores are the Red and Mediterranean Seas. From the Atlantic Ocean in the southwestern part, the waters form the deep Gulf of Guinea.
Despite the location of the African continent, the coastal waters are cool. This is influenced by the cold currents of the Atlantic Ocean: the Canary in the north and the Bengal in the southwest. From the outside Indian Ocean The currents are warm. The largest are Mozambique, in northern waters, and Agulhas, in southern...
Forests of Africa
Forests make up a little more than a quarter of the entire territory of the African continent. Here are subtropical forests growing on the slopes of the Atlas Mountains and the valleys of the ridge. Here you can find holm oak, pistachio, strawberry tree, etc. Coniferous plants grow high in the mountains, represented by Aleppo pine, Atlas cedar, juniper and other types of trees.
Closer to the coast there are cork oak forests; in the tropical region, evergreen equatorial plants are common, for example, mahogany, sandalwood, ebony, etc...
Nature, plants and animals of Africa
The vegetation of the equatorial forests is diverse, with about 1000 species of various types of trees growing here: ficus, ceiba, wine tree, oil palm, wine palm, banana palm, tree ferns, sandalwood, mahogany, rubber trees, Liberian coffee tree, etc. . Many species of animals, rodents, birds and insects live here, living directly on the trees. On the ground live: brush-eared pigs, leopards, African deer - a relative of the okapi giraffe, large apes - gorillas...
40% of Africa's territory is occupied by savannas, which are huge steppe areas covered with forbs, low, thorny bushes, milkweed, and isolated trees (tree-like acacias, baobabs).
Here there is the largest concentration of such large animals as: rhinoceros, giraffe, elephant, hippopotamus, zebra, buffalo, hyena, lion, leopard, cheetah, jackal, crocodile, hyena dog. The most numerous animals of the savannah are herbivores such as: hartebeest (antelope family), giraffe, impala or black-toed antelope, different kinds gazelles (Thomson's, Grant's), blue wildebeest, and in some places rare jumping antelopes - springboks - are also found.
The vegetation of deserts and semi-deserts is characterized by poverty and unpretentiousness; these are small thorny bushes and separately growing tufts of herbs. The oases are home to the unique Erg Chebbi date palm, as well as plants that are resistant to drought conditions and salt formation. In the Namib Desert, unique plants such as Welwitschia and Nara grow, the fruits of which are eaten by porcupines, elephants and other desert animals.
Animals here include various species of antelopes and gazelles, adapted to the hot climate and capable of traveling vast distances in search of food, many species of rodents, snakes, and turtles. Lizards. Among the mammals: spotted hyena, common jackal, maned sheep, Cape hare, Ethiopian hedgehog, Dorcas gazelle, sabre-horned antelope, Anubis baboon, wild Nubian ass, cheetah, jackal, fox, mouflon, there are resident and migratory birds.
Climatic conditions
Seasons, weather and climate of African countries
The central part of Africa, through which the equator line passes, is located in the region low pressure and receives sufficient moisture, the territories north and south of the equator are in subequatorial climatic zone, this is a zone of seasonal (monsoon) moisture and arid desert climate. The far north and south are in the subtropical climate zone, the south receives precipitation brought air masses from the Indian Ocean, here is the Kalahari Desert, north - minimal amount precipitation due to the formation of the area high pressure and the characteristics 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 least affluent continents in the world. The average annual volume of water is only sufficient to satisfy primary needs, but this does not apply to all regions.
Land resources are represented by significant areas with fertile lands. Only 20% of all possible lands are cultivated. The reason for this is the lack of adequate water volume, soil erosion, etc.
African forests are a source of timber, including valuable species. The countries in which they grow, export raw materials. Resources are being used unwisely and ecosystems are being destroyed little by little.
In the depths of Africa there are deposits of minerals. Among those sent for export: gold, diamonds, uranium, phosphorus, manganese ores. There are significant reserves of oil and natural gas.
Energy-intensive resources are widely available on the continent, but they are not used due to the lack of proper investment...
Among the developed industrial sectors of the countries of the African continent, the following can be noted:
- the mining industry, which exports minerals and fuels;
- the oil refining industry, distributed mainly in South Africa and North Africa;
- chemical industry, specializing in the production of 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 poorly developed and accounts for only 1-2% of the total agricultural output. Livestock production indicators are also not high and the reason for this is the infection of livestock by tsetse flies...
Culture
Peoples of Africa: culture and traditions
On territory 62 African countries There are about 8,000 peoples and ethnic groups, which totals 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 peoples in Africa can number several thousand people or several hundred living in one or two villages. 90% of the population are representatives of 120 nations, 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) - Arabs , Hausa, Fulbe, Yoruba, Igbo, Amhara, Oromo, Rwanda, Malagasy, Zulu...
There are two historical and ethnographic provinces: North African (the predominance of the Indo-European race) and Tropical African (the majority of the population is Negroid race), it is divided into such areas as:
- West Africa. Peoples speaking the Mande languages (Susu, Maninka, Mende, Wai), Chadian (Hausa), Nilo-Saharan (Songai, Kanuri, Tubu, Zaghawa, Mawa, etc.), Niger-Congo languages (Yoruba, Igbo, Bini, Nupe, Gbari, Igala and Idoma, Ibibio, Efik, Kambari, Birom and Jukun, etc.);
- Equatorial Africa. Inhabited by Buanto-speaking peoples: Duala, Fang, Bubi (Fernandans), Mpongwe, Teke, Mboshi, Ngala, Komo, Mongo, Tetela, Cuba, Kongo, Ambundu, Ovimbundu, Chokwe, Luena, Tonga, Pygmies, etc.;
- South Africa. Rebellious peoples and speakers of Khoisani languages: Bushmen and Hottentots;
- East Africa . Bantu, Nilotes and Sudanese people groups;
- Northeast Africa. Peoples speaking Ethio-Semitic (Amhara, Tigre, Tigra), Cushitic (Oromo, Somali, Sidamo, Agaw, Afar, Konso, etc.) and Omotian languages (Ometo, Gimirra, etc.);
- Madagascar. Malagasy and Creoles.
In the North African province, the main peoples are considered to be Arabs and Berbers belonging to the Southern European small race, mostly professing Sunni Islam. There is also an ethno-religious group of Copts, who are direct descendants of the Ancient Egyptians, they are Monophysite Christians.
Central Africa from A to Z. Population, countries, cities and resorts of Central Africa. Map, photos and videos, descriptions and reviews of tourists.
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The very center of the African continent, with one edge stretching towards the equator and the other stretching along the waters of the Atlantic, Central Africa is a land of savannahs and plateaus, heat and humidity, waterfalls and volcanoes. The region includes nine countries and one overseas territory (where British citizens can easily go without visas or formalities - practically like going to a dacha near Moscow... or rather, a dacha near London). Most of the Central African land has never been touched by a tourist, occasionally the local population steps on it, and the hooves, paws and legs of numerous inhabitants of the animal world regularly step on it.
As for the tourism destiny of Central Africa, it cannot yet be considered outstanding. There are several reasons for this: the climate is not very suitable for pale-faced voyages pampered by civilization - constant high temperature and high humidity throughout the year, as well as a large number of wetlands inhabited not only by toothy cold-blooded animals (they can still be avoided), but also by all sorts of bad blood-sucking flies, such as tsetse flies - there is no escape from these (so don’t forget about insurance). Let's add to this a long and expensive flight with a transfer, which takes at least 12 hours.
But the animal diversity is breaking all records - but to enjoy it, you have to be like Gerald Durrell or Nikolai Drozdov, that is, endure all the hardships of the surrounding reality with the fortitude of a born naturalist.
The main objects of tourist interest in Central Africa are natural attractions. Consider there is no historical “excursion” here: the founders of African empires of the past (such as, for example, Mali or Ghana), as well as more modern European sovereigns, considered it unwise to build cities in the tropical jungle - getting to them through swamps would be too difficult . Among the natural wonders that attract tourists to the countries of the region, it is worth mentioning the Congo River basin, whose emerald exotic spaces are home to good half African animals, the “four-thousander” volcano of Cameroon, which spewed out a huge amount of lava and ash just 10 years ago, Lake Chad - one of the great lakes of Africa and many national parks and reserves.
Sao Tome and Principe
Stands apart among the countries of Central Africa Island state Sao Tome and Principe, located 360 km from the continent, in the Gulf of Guinea. There are no swamps or swamps here, but there is a breathtakingly beautiful nature of the volcanic islands, picturesque towns with many Portuguese colonial buildings, ancient forts and mansions of the European nobility, as well as absolutely ridiculous prices. And also this the best place to look at the baobab trees and feel like a planter, walking in a pith helmet through the cocoa fields. Among the items of “souvenir” interest, authentic ritual masks deserve attention, musical instruments, figurines - all carved from wood, as well as nice ceramics in the spirit of African primitivism.
Equatorial or Central Africa mostly extends along the bed of the Congo - the territory of the subcontinent includes a huge valley of this river, as well as several large hills in the north and south. West Side- the Atlantic coast, and the opposite border coincides with the line of the East African continental fault.
Among the nine states of this macroregion, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) is considered the largest and most densely populated, and Sao Tome and Principe, located on the volcanic islands of the Gulf of Guinea, closes the list.
Climatic conditions, flora and fauna
The region is located in the equatorial and subequatorial zones, and has a consistently hot and humid climate. A large number of precipitation is brought by air currents from the Atlantic, and heavy rainfall regularly feeds the extensive river system. The Congo Valley is dominated by tropical forests, with wetlands and mangroves.
Closer to the outer borders of the region are savannas, where a huge number of large mammals, both herbivores and predators, find refuge. Local conditions are not very suitable for human life, so the countries of Central Africa are extremely unevenly populated.
History and modern stage development
Colonization of the region began in the 16th century, but initially affected only the coastal areas. Despite the abundance of mineral resources (diamonds, iron ore, oil, copper, tin), Central Africa was developed very slowly due to high mortality European settlers. In addition, local tribes actively fought against the invaders. The conquest of the Central African Republic was completed only in 1903, with half of the indigenous population killed in a number of areas.
Your independence Central African countries achieved in the 70s of the XX century, but most of them still experience strong influence from the former metropolises. The standard of living, including medicine and healthcare, is extremely low. Carrying out economic reforms hampered by political instability in the region, frequent civil wars and border conflicts.
The bulk of revenues coming to the state budget comes from raw materials exports, although Lately Many countries have begun construction or modernization of processing plants. In addition to minerals, the world market supplies valuable timber, rubber, cotton, fruits (primarily bananas), peanuts, cocoa beans and coffee.
List of Central African countries