An independent small state located. Mali (country)

Details Category: Western African countries Published 03/17/2015 10:48 Views: 1994

The name "Liberia" means "Land of Freedom". After all, Liberia was founded as an independent state free-born and released by American blacks.

The official name of the state - Republic of Liberia.. It borders with Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d "Ivoire. In the West is washed by the Atlantic Ocean.

State symbolism

Flag - It is a rectangular cloth with the aspect ratio of 10:19. The flag of this country resembles the USA flag: It consists of 11 bands (6 red and 5 white) and a blue field with a white star. Eleven lanes denote eleven signatures on the independence declaration. Red color symbolizes courage, and white - moral edges. White star symbolizes the release of slaves, and blue square is an African continent. The flag is approved on July 16, 1847
The Liberia Flag is the most common flag of the World Trade Fleet (about 1600 vessels of other countries go under this flag). This fact is explained by the cheap duties for using the flag compared to other countries.

Coat of arms - It is a shield on which the XIX century ship is depicted., Arriving in Liberia. The ship symbolizes vessels that brought liberated slaves from the United States to Liberia. Over the shield is a deployed scroll with the National Motor of Liberia: "The love of freedom led us here." Under the shield of a scroll with an indication of the official name of the country: "Republic of Liberia".
Plow and shovel - symbols of dignity and hard work, with which the nation will flourish. Rising sun on the background symbolizes the birth of a nation. Palm tree is the most universal power supply for the Liberians. White pigeon with scroll symbolizes the breath of the world.

State device

Form of government - presidential republic.
Head of State and Government - The president, who is elected by universal direct elections (with secret ballot) for a 6-year term. There is a post of vice president.

The current president since 2006 Helen Johnson-Serlif. She is the first president of the African country. He graduated from Harvard University.
Capital and largest city - Monrovia.
Official language - English who own about 20% of the population. The rest speak on aboriginal languages, mainly not writing.
Territory - 111 369 km².
Administrative division - 15 counties (districts), which are divided into 53 districts (district).
Population - 4,294,000 people. Ethnicity: negri-aborigines 95%, descendants of blacks from the US 2.5%, descendants of blacks from the Caribbean countries 2.5%. The urban population is 60%.

Religion - Christian 85%, Muslims 12%, Aboriginal cults 1.5%, Bahaisists, Hindus, Sikhi, Buddhists.
Currency - Liberian dollar.
Economy - The country is one of the poorest states of the world. About 80% of the population live below the poverty level.
One of the largest articles of income are duties for the use of the Liberian flag by trading ships of other states.

Grinding sugarcane
Large mineral resources: large stocks of iron ore, there are gold, diamonds, rare-earth elements. Agricultural, forestry, hydropower resources are not bad. But the main export goods of Liberia are still raw wood and rubber, iron ore. Export: Coffee, cocoa, diamonds, forest, iron ore. Import: Fuel, Chemicals, Machines, Transport Equipment, Food. Transport: automotive, railway, water, air.
Education - Officially, the 9-year primary education is obligatory, which children get aged 7-16 years. Training in primary and high school is free (except for making an annual entrance fee of 10 thousand Liberian dollars). During the Civil War, many schools were destroyed. In the country, one university is the University of Liberia (opened in Monrovia in 1951 on the basis of the Liberian College). The university is under government control, learning in English.
Sport - Popular football. The country participated in the 11-year-old Olympics since 1956 in the Winter Olympics did not participate. Liberia athletes have never conquered the Olympic medals.
Military establishment - Ground troops, IUD, Air Force. Internal order protection provides the police.

Nature

Liberia coastline is partially cut by lagunis, mangrove swamps, estuaries (the mouth of the river, expanding towards the sea). There is a fairly branched network of rivers. The largest rivers: Mano, Saint-Paul, Loffe, St. John, Sess and Cavalli. Shipping is only the Saint-Paul River in the Lower Turn.
Forests occupy 18% of the territory. Basically, these are palm trees, valuable tropical breeds. Liberia has considerable stocks of the valuable wood.

Acacia, baobabs and other trees are growing in Savannama. On the coast grow mangrove forests.
On the coast of beautiful sandy beaches, but many of them are in the launched state.

SpoP National Park Created in 1983. It is an island of pristine nature of 1800 km², occupied by wet forests of tropics. Park Animals: Dwarf Hippos and Antelope, Forest Elephants, Large Forest Pig, Pangolines. There are more than 100 kinds of mammals and about 600 species of birds.

Dwarf hippo
In Liberia, there are more than 140 types of mammals. In the forests there are many different insects (from termites to Tsetse Fly), birds, amphibians and reptiles. Wild animals are mainly preserved in the east and northwest of Liberia: elephants, leopards, antelopes, cystic pig, African (black) buffalo.

Cysthemai pig
Climate Tropical: High temperature and large humidity.

Culture

The most common type of folk dwelling is a hut, put on the frame of the jelia. The walls are from the stakes bonded by the stakes or bamboo mating, they are plastered with white clay outside. The walls and sometimes doors are covered with a carvings or a color painting of a geometric nature. The roof of a conical shape is laid out of raffia palm leaves or grass. Often on the roof the spire is decorated, decorated with a faience plate.

In modern cities, of course, modern houses are erected - from bricks, reinforced concrete and glass.
Wooden masks are used in rituals, especially in secret societies Poro, Bunda and Sanda.

Mende Masks are narrow faces framed by high hairstyle, the head is carved together with the neck, which is decorated with a few rings. Population scrap masks are called Landa - these are images of long flat people with convex forehead and small horns.

Professional visual art began to develop after World War II. One of the most famous artists and sculptors of Liberia - Laron Brown.
Crafts and art crafts are developed: wood carving, ivory carving, pottery, metal processing, baskets and straw bags and vegetable fibers.
Modern literature develops in English and local languages.

Professional musicians and singers appeared in the middle of the XX century. Popular musician Otto Brown, ensemble of traditional music "Loffa-30". Passed popular music in High-Life styles, Al-Jad.

Sights of Liberia

Monrovia

The capital of Liberia. Located in an artificial bay at the mouth of the St. Paul River. Population 1 010 970 people.
Tourists in Monrovia may be interested in the National Museum of Liberia, the Masonic Palace of Monrovia, the coastal market and several beaches, the Antoinette Stadium Tuban for 10,000 people, the Sumyuel Sports Complex Canyon Dow for 40,000 seats and being one of the largest in Africa.

Masonic palace

Sports Complex named after Samuel Canyon Dow

The National Multipurpose Complex, built in 1986, was destroyed during the first and second civil wars in 1980-2003. Reconstructed in 2007
Mainly used for football matches, has an athletics track.
Herbal stadium coating. Plasma video screens demonstrate the course of the competition.

Lake Pisovo

Salted lake area of \u200b\u200babout 100 km², one of the largest in Liberia.
There are several islands on it, the lake is connected to the Atlantic Ocean with narrow ducts. In 1999, the lake was announced by the protected area, work is underway to study and preserve the unique flora and fauna of this region.
In the past, the lake was a rather major resort, which came to the launch during the first and second civil wars. Lake Pisovo attracts fans of fishing, water sports and ethnotourism.

Pavilion century

The symbol of Liberian statehood, here are held significant for the country ceremony and holidays. It was built in 1947 in honor of the 100-year anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Liberia.
In the pavilion century, inaugurations and farewells with dead statesmen are held.

Story

Archaeological studies show that the territory of Liberia was settled around the XII century.
From the middle of the XVV. And until the end of the XVII century. On the territory of modern Liberia, the trade factors of Portuguese, Dutch and British traders had. Portuguese called this region of Costa Da Pimenta (pepper shore) due to the abundance of the enegieth pepper.
In 1822, on the coast of modern Liberia, the Americans founded the colony of "free colored people." It operated under the auspices of the American Colonization Society. By agreement with the leaders of local tribes, immigrants acquired areas of more than 13 thousand km² for goods with a total value of 50 US dollars.
In 1824, this colony was named Liberia, its constitution was adopted. By 1828, the immigrants seized the entire coast of modern Liberia, as well as parts of the coast of modern Sierra Leone and Côte d "Ivoire.
The independence of the Republic of Liberia was proclaimed on July 26, 1847. The settlers perceived the African continent, from where their ancestors were taken into slavery as "the underwent" land. But they behaved peculiarly: Arriving in Africa, they called themselves Americans. So they were perceived by residents of neighboring Sierra Leone. The symbols of their state (flag, motto and printing), selected form of government reflected the American past of America-Liberians.
Mutual distrust and enmity between the "Americans" from the coast and "indirect" from the depths gave rise to the attempts continued throughout the history of the country (rather successful) American-Liberian minority to dominate the local blacks whom they considered the barbarians and the people of the lower variety.
In front of the Liberia authorities, three serious problems arose: territorial conflicts with neighboring colonial powers (Britain and France), military actions between settlers and local residents and the threat of financial insolvency.

XX century

At the beginning of World War I, Liberia announced her neutrality. She counted preserved trading relations with Germany, which accounted for more than half of the foreign trade turnover of Liberia. But the countries of the Entente established the blockade of marine trade routes, which deprived Liberia of the most important trading partner.
At the beginning of World War II, Liberia again proclaimed neutrality, but its territory was used to transfer the American troops to North Africa. In 1944, Liberia officially declared war in Germany.
After World War II, Liberia, thanks to US loans, became a major exporter of rubber and iron ore.

Commander Samuel Dow 1980

On April 12, 1980, a coup in Liberia occurred. The President of the Republic of William Tolbert was killed, his comrades were executed, the authorities in the country seized Sergeant Samuel Dow, a representative of the tribe, who assigned to himself the general title.
Samuel Canyon Dou, President of Liberia from 1980 to 1990.

At first, the change of power was perceived by citizens positively, but then the ongoing economic recession entailed the fall in its popularity and a whole series of unsuccessful attempts of military coup. Dow was killed by the Poles commander Prince Johnson, and brutally killed, which was recorded by video.
And after all this, Johnson in 2007 received the post of Senator in the government of Ellen Johnson-Serlif, and in 2011 even ran for the presidency of the country.

Civil Wars 1989-2003.

In large-scale conflict, several fractions divided by ethnic principle participated. At the first stage of war, the grouping of Charles Taylor was supported by the neighboring states that were involved in conflict: Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Côte d "Ivoire. Military actions were carried out with great cruelty, torture was used. War was used to transition more than half a million refugees in neighboring countries. The result was the signing of a peace agreement and the election of the President of the Republic in 1997, they won them Charles Taylor.

Charles Taylor
Opponents of Charles Taylor organized a rebel war, several times invaded the territory of Liberia from neighboring countries. In 2002, in active assistance and support for the Guinean President Lansana, the major opposition movement of Lourdes was created, which managed to deploy Taylor and expel it from the country.
In 2003, Interpol issued an order for the arrest of Charles Taylor on charges of crimes against humanity and violation of the Geneva Convention of 1949. Nigeria agreed to convey his Liberia, but Taylor disappeared from the Calabar Marine Villa (Nigeria), where he was kept in exile. Soon he was caught and transferred to the Hague tribunal, which in 2012 recognized Charles Taylor guilty of 11 charges of accusations, which included crimes against humanity, violations of the Geneva Convention and other international laws. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
November 23, 2005 Former Finance Minister of Liberia Ellen Johnson-Serlif Winning the presidential elections.

Living in large countries, not everyone and can not always drive all the corners of their homeland. However, there are states in the world, all attractions and the interests of which can be viewed for the day or different. So, we present the top 10 of the youngest states in the world.

1. Vatican
The Vatican is a closed city-state. It is located in one of the districts of Rome and covers an area of \u200b\u200b44 hectares. It was founded in 1929 by the Roman Catholic Church, managed by the Pope Roman and the Cardinalov Cardinals, has the status of an independent state and even its army. True, despite such a small territory, it is unlikely to examine him in one day, so much architectural, sculptural and picturesque masterpieces are collected in it. Sicstinskaya Capella, St. Peter's Cathedral, the residence of Pope - the Apostolic Palace, etc. - not a complete list of masterpieces. Half of the country is occupied by Vatican gardens. The official citizens of the Vatican are about 800 people, and several thousand Italians go here to work every day.

2. Monaco
Monaco - the second smallest country. Over the past 20 years, due to the drainage of the sea, the country area has increased and now it is 20.2 square meters. kilometer. Monaco -Monarchical state, is one of the most populated countries of the world and has 30 thousand inhabitants. Main income inhabitants brings tourism.

3. Nauru
Nauru is located in the south of the Pacific Ocean in Micronesia. The area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 21.3 square meters. kilometer. The Republic of Nauru is the smallest island state in the world. She gained independence in 1968, although the island for Aboriginal was the island for 3 thousand years. To date, the population of the country is about 9 thousand people. The state of Nauru has no armed forces.

4. Tuvalu
Tuvalu is located in the south of the Pacific Ocean, its area is 26 square meters. kilometers. The country also includes several coral islands. Previously, these islands belonged to the British crown and called the Islands of Ellis, but in 1978 they received independence from the British. The population of the country is 10.5 thousand people. Due to the lack of natural resources, Tuvalu has to live at the expense of the help of other countries.

5. San Marino
The Republic of San Marino covers an area of \u200b\u200b61 square meters. Kilometer and has the smallest population among European Council member countries. Located in Southern Europe, from all sides is surrounded by the territory of Italy. This is the oldest independent country in the world, it was founded on September 3, 301. In addition, San Marino is one of the richest countries in the world, its income exceeds costs.

6. Lichtensshtain
Area of \u200b\u200bthe country 160.4 square meters. kilometer. Liechtenstein borders with Switzerland and Austria, does not have access to the sea. Is one of the richest states. More companies are registered here than residents.

7. Marshal Islands
This state is located in the center of the Pacific Ocean and consists mainly of coral islands. The area of \u200b\u200bthe country is 181 square meters. kilometer, population 62 thousand. In 1986, the islands received independence from the United States, but the country does not have natural resources and the import of goods is much higher than exports, so still only the help of America helps them "hold on the way".

8. Seychelles
Paradise on Earth, Seychelles occupy an area of \u200b\u200b455 square kilometers, a population of 84 thousand people. The archipelago is located in Indian Ocean, north of Madagascar and consists of 115 islands. The islands managed to develop thanks to the export of coconut, vanilla and cinnamon. But since independence in 1976, tourism was the main source of income.

9. Maldives
Maldives - island country. It is located in the Indian Ocean and in Square is the smallest Asian country. Area of \u200b\u200b298 square meters. km., Number of population - 396 thousand. In the capital of the country - Male lives two thirds of the inhabitants. Previously, the country developed thanks to the export of dried tuna, mollusks Kauri and coconut cables, now the main income brings tourism.

10. Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Located in West Indies - between North and South America on the Islands of the Atlantic Ocean. The state consists of two islands with a total area of \u200b\u200b261 square meters. km. These were the first islands populated by Europeans. The main source of income is tourism, agriculture and offshore banking are also developed.

Beautiful and bright Africa - the second on its scale continent in the world. More than 1 billion people live on her expanses. And its lands are conditionally divided into 5 regions. According to the tradition of Africa, the list of which consists of 62 points, refer to the following regions:

• Southern.
• Western.
• Northern.
• Eastern.
• And central.

Such division is due to various geographic and climatic conditions, the differences of cultures and the forms of the government of states.

Africa has dependent and independent territories. There are 37 countries with access to the seas and oceans. Present (10 units). And 16 countries in the depths of the continent.

African countries: list of states of the southern region

South Africa stores memories of the colonial period in its memory. The nuclear weapon was developed on its territory, from which the government was then refused. It includes countries such as:

• Zimbabwe;
• Mozambique;
• Comoros;
• Seychelles;
• Mauritius Island;
• Reunion;
• Madagascar;
• Lesotho;
• Botswana;
• Swaziland;
• Namibia.

The largest country on this land is the South Africa Republic (South Africa). There lives and almost all the population of the southern region lives. On this territory, 11 languages \u200b\u200bare officially adopted. The ethnic composition of South Africa is a varied group of numerous religious associations.

The proximity of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean makes south africa attractive for tourism. In the southern part of the continent, the whole year is warm and wet. But the climate prevails moderate, so the heat is pretty easy.

African countries: List of West Region

Western Africa's wet and windy climate directly depends on the capricious trade winds. This territory consists of the following countries:

• Sierra Leone;
• Senegal;
• Benin;
• Burkina Faso;
• Gambia;
• Ghana;
• Togo;
• Guinea;
• Guinea-Bissau;
• Cape Verde;
• Cameroon;
• Mauritania;
• Nigeria;
• Niger;
• Mali;
• Liberia;
• Côte d "Ivoire;
• Islands of St. Helena.

Western region is the birthplace of many African languages. On its territory and today the oral folklore is valued. And ceremonial dances are included in the program of every significant holiday.

The natural border of this land in the east are Cameroon Mountains. The legendary Sahara desert begins in the south of the region itself. And in the West, the natural border forms the Atlantic Ocean.

Federal Republic of Nigeria Several years ago received the status of the largest oil producer. Most of the population owns several adverbs. In this country, 527 languages \u200b\u200bare officially recognized. Among them are 11 "dead" by law, in the schools of the states teach English and several more languages \u200b\u200bof the local ethnos.

Abuja is the Nigerian capital chosen by the government as the most ethnically neutral place of the Western region. After the completion of the main stages of construction in 1976, Abuja received the status of the main city of Nigeria instead of a crowded logo.

African countries: list of states of the Northern Region

A significant part of the Northern Region is engaged in the sands of the Sahara desert. The largest states of the entire African continent bordered with the endless sandy sea:

• Sudan;
• Tunisia;
• Algeria;
• Morocco;
• Libya;
• SAD;
• Egypt.

The Mediterranean natural zone is considered very comfortable for living. Therefore, there are large tourist objects of the African continent, which are known all over the world.

The economy of this region is in good condition than in other parts of Africa. The proximity of Europe affects not only the development of the region, but also on its cultural heritage.

Tunisia is a country that has the most competitive economy among all African countries. About 10 million people live in Tunisia, most of which speak Arabic. Almost the entire population of the Northern State confesses Islam. The Mediterranean climate makes Tunisia an important tourist sector. The country's culture contains many diverse trends that are organically woven into the daily life of the Tunisian people.

African countries: List of states of the Eastern Region

East of the mysterious Nile is several countries that are part of the Eastern Region. Among them can be called such states as:

• Ethiopia;
• Eritrea;
• Uganda;
• Tanzania;
• Somalia;
• Mayotte;
• Kenya;
• Djibouti;
• Zambia;
• Comorors;
• Malawi.

The climate of the eastern part of Africa is arid in the central regions. But on the coast, it quickly changes on tropical. Former colonists set the borders of states quite arbitrarily. Due to the fact that the cultural and religious directions were not taken into account, the development of the eastern region occurs at a very slow pace.

Kenya is not only a corner fabricated by tourists, but also a place that has an amazing flora and fauna. On the territory of Kenya there is a large number of reserves who are protected by the International Organization of UNESCO.

In Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, people speak English and local atoms of Swahili. For a long time, this country was the colony of Great Britain.

African countries: list of states of the central region

In the very heart of Africa there are the following states:

• Angola;
• Congo;
• Sao Tome;
• Equatorial Guinea.

These countries are endowed with a subequatorial climate. Thanks to the extensive river system, it is possible to see the endless forests consisting of evergreen and leaf fall trees.

The Republic of Congo is extremely rich in minerals. This circumstance several centuries ago contributed to the origin of the African "golden" fever in the country.

The capital of the country with an unusual name Brazzaville is quite developed in terms of education. Literacy of the population there reaches 82%. The state economy is based on oil production and agriculture. The cultural sector is represented by folk art. The direction of contemporary art is well developed.

All countries of Africa, the list of which is given above are considered officially recognized states. Meanwhile, many territory of the African continent recently stood on the path of international recognition and so far are not real states. But still have conventions of borders on some maps.

Anthropologists refer to Africa with a cradle of civilization. According to research, there for the first time a human culture appeared. Paradoxically, but at the site of the nucleation of all the living still there are corners where the leg of a person did not go. Of the 29 million square meters, only a small part is caught by people. The rest of the space is deserts and tropical forests. African fauna is unique. This continent is no longer found anywhere.

Exploring African countries, the list of which is so diverse, it is difficult to imagine that the Sahara desert occupies a large area than the entire territory of the United States. Also on the territory of the continent is extracted half of the whole gold of the world. And the name of this part of the world comes from one of the oldest tribes "AFRI".

Africa is the largest area (30 million square meters. Km.) Region, including 54 independent states. Some of them are rich and developing, other poor, some have access to the sea, and others - no. So how many countries in Africa and what states are the most developed?

North Africa countries

All mainland can be divided into five zones: North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, South Africa.

Fig. 1. Africa countries.

Almost the entire region of North Africa (10 million square meters. Km.) Lies on the territory of the Sahara desert. For this natural zone, high temperatures are characterized, it is here that the highest temperature in the way in the world is registered - +58 degrees. The largest states of Africa are in this region. This is Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Sudan. All these countries are territories that have access to the sea.

Egypt - Tourist center of Africa. People from all over the world go here to enjoy the warm sea, sandy beaches and infrastructure, fully suitable for a good rest.

State Algeria With the capital of the same name is the largest country in Square in North Africa. Its area is 2382 thousand square meters. km. The largest river in this area is the Shelief River, flowing into the Mediterranean Sea. Its length is 700 km. The rest of the rivers are much smaller and lost among the deserts of the Sahara. In Algeria, oil and gas production is carried out in large volumes.

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Sudan - Country of the North African region, which has access to the Red Sea.

Sudan is sometimes called the "country of the three nips" - white, blue, and the main, which is formed as a result of the merger of the first first.

In Sudan, the thick and rich vegetation of highly harvested savannas grows: the wet season, the grass here reaches 2.5 - 3 m. In the south, there is a Lesosavan with iron, red and black ebony trees.

Fig. 2. Ebenova.

Libya - Country in the central part of North Africa, with an area of \u200b\u200b1760 thousand square meters. km. Most of the territory is a flat plain with altitudes from 200 to 500 meters. As well as other countries of North America, Libya has access to the Mediterranean Sea.

West Africa countries

West Africa is washed by the Atlantic Ocean from the South and from the West. Here are the Guinean forests of the tropical region. These territories are characterized by alternating rains and droughts. West Africa includes many states, including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Cameroon, Liberia. The population of this region is 210 million people. It is in this region that Nigeria is located (195 million people) - the largest population in Africa, and Cape Verde - a very small island state with a population of about 430 thousand people.

Agriculture plays the main role in the economy. Western African countries are leaders on the collection of cocoa beans (Ghana, Nigeria), Peanuts (Senegal, Niger), palm oil (Nigeria).

Central African countries

Central Africa is located in the western part of the mainland and runs out in an equatorial and subequatorial belt. This area is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Guinean Bay. In Central Africa, there are a lot of rivers: Congo, Oche, Kwanza, Quila. The climate is wet and hot. The area includes 9 countries, including Congo, Chad, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola.

According to the presence of natural reserves, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the richest countries of the continent. Here are unique wet forests - Selva Africa, which make up 6% of wet forests of the whole world.

Angola is a major supplier for export. The abroad export coffee, fruit, sugar cane. And in Gabon, copper, oil, manganese, uranium are mined.

East Africa countries

The shores of East Africa is washes the Red Sea, as well as the course of the Nile. The climate in this area in each country is different. For example, Seychelles are characterized as wet marine tropics, where monsoons dominate. At the same time, Somalia, also related to East Africa, is the desert, where there is practically no rainy days. This area includes Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Uganda, Tanzania.

For some countries, East Africa is characterized by exports of specific products, which is not in other countries of Africa. Kenya exports tea and coffee, and Tanzania and Uganda - cotton.

Many people are interested, where is the capital of Africa? Naturally, each country has its own capital, but the heart of Africa is considered the capital of Ethiopia - the city of Addis Ababa. It does not have access to the sea, but it is here that representative offices of all countries are located.

Fig. 3. Adis Ababa.

Countries of South Africa

South Africa includes South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland.

The Republic of South Africa is the most developed in its region, and Swaziland is the smallest. Swaziland borders with South Africa and Mozambique. The population of the country is only 1.3 million people. This region is in a tropical and subtropical climatic belt.

List of African countries with capitals

• Algeria (Capital - Algeria)
• Angola (Capital - Luanda)
• Benin (Capital - Porto Novo)
• Botswana (Capital - Gaborone)
• Burkina Faso (Capital - Ouagadougou)
• Burundi (Capital - Bujumbura)
• Gabon (Capital - Libreville)
• Gambia (Capital - Banjul)
• Ghana (Capital - Accra)
• Guinea (Capital - Conakry)
• Guinea-Bissau (Capital - Bissau)
• Democratic Republic of the Congo (Capital - Kinshasa)
• Djibouti (Capital - Djibouti)
• Egypt (Capital - Cairo)
• Zambia (Capital - Lusaka)
• Western Sahara (Capital - El Ayun)
• Zimbabwe (Capital - Harare)
• Cape Verde (Capital - Praia)
• Cameroon (Capital - Yaounde)
• Kenya (Capital - Nairobi)
• Comoros (Capital - Moroni)
• Congo (Capital - Brazzavil)
• Côte d'Ivoire (Table - Yamusukro)
• Lesotho (Capital - Maseru)
• Liberia (Capital - Monrovia)
• Libya (Capital - Tripoli)
• Mauritius (Capital - Port Louis)
• Mauritania (Capital - Nouakchot)
• Madagascar (Capital - Antananarivo)
• Malawi (Capital - Lilongwe)
• Mali (Capital - Bamako)
• Morocco (Capital - Rabat)
• Mozambique (Capital - Maputo)
• Namibia (Capital - Windhoek)
• Niger (Capital - Niamey)
• Nigeria (Capital - Abuja)
• Saint Helena Island (Capital - Jamestown) (United Kingdom)
• Reunion (Capital - Saint-Denis) (France)
• Rwanda (Capital - Kigali)
• Sao Tome and Principe (Capital - Sao Tome)
• Swaziland (Capital - Mbabane)
• Seychelles (Capital - Victoria)
• Senegal (Capital - Dakar)
• Somalia (Capital - Mogadishu)
• Sudan (Capital - Hartum)
• Sierra Leone (Capital - Freetown)
• Tanzania (Capital - Dodoma)
• Togo (Capital - Lome)
• Tunisia (Capital - Tunisia)
• Uganda (Capital - Campala)
• Central African Republic (Capital - Bangui)
• Chad (Capital - Ndjamena)
• Equatorial Guinea (Capital - Malabo)
• Eritrea (Capital - Asmara)
• Ethiopia (Capital - Addis Ababa)
• South Africa Republic (Pretoria Capital)

What did we know?

Africa is the hottest continent of the Earth. In the territory of the mainland there are 54 independent states that relate to one of the five districts: North Africa, East Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, South Africa. African countries and their capital are unique. Each country has its own characteristics and characteristic features.

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Africa is part of the light, which has the area with Islands 30.3 million km 2, is second place after Eurasia, 6% of the entire surface of our planet and 20% sushi.

Geographical position

Located Africa in the northern and eastern hemisphere (most), a small part in southern and western. Like all major fragments of the ancient mainland Gondwan, has massive outlines, large peninsula and deep bays are absent. The length of the continent from the north to the south is 8 thousand km, from the west to the east - 7.5 thousand km. In the north is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, in the northeast of the Red Sea in the south-east of the Indian Ocean, in the West - the Atlantic Ocean. Africa from Asia separates the Suez Canal, from Europe - Gibraltar Strait.

Main geographical characteristics

Africa lies on an ancient platform, which causes its flat surface, which cuts into the deep valleys of rivers. On the coast of the mainland, small lowlands are located, the North-West - the location of the Atlas Mountains, the northern part, almost completely occupied by the desert sugar, - Nagrai Ahaggar and Tibetse, East - Ethiopian Highlands, Southeast - East African Plateau, Last South - Caps and Draconia Mountains The highest point of Africa is Kilimanjaro volcano (5895 m, Masai's plateore), the lowest - 157 meters below the ocean level in Lake Assal. Along the Red Sea, on the territory of Ethiopian Highlands and to the mouth of the River Zambezi, the largest rode in the world of the earth's crust, which is characterized by frequent seismic activity.

Rivers flow around Africa: Congo (Central Africa), Niger (West Africa), Limpopo, Orange, Zambezi (South Africa), as well as one of the most free and extended rivers in the world - Nile (6852 km), current from the south North (its origins are on the East African Plateau, and she flows, forming a delta, in the Mediterranean Sea). The rivers are distinguished by multi-way in the equatorial belt, thanks to the falling out of a large amount of precipitation there, most of them differ in high flow rate, have many thresholds and waterfalls. In lithospheric faults filled with water, lakes were formed - Nyasa, Tanganyik, the largest freshwater lake of Africa and the second in the area after the Lake Upper (North America) - Victoria (its area 68.8 thousand km 2, length 337 km, Max depth - 83 m), the largest salted faceless lake - Chad (its area of \u200b\u200b1.35 thousand km 2, is located on the southern outskirts of the greatest desert peace of Sahara).

Due to the arrangement of Africa between two tropical belts, it is characterized by high total indicators of solar radiation, which gives the right to call Africa the hottest continent of the Earth (the highest temperature on our planet was registered in 1922 in El Azizia (Libya) - +58 C 0 in the shadow).

On the territory of Africa, such natural zones are distinguished as evergative equatorial forests (the coast of the Gulf of Guinean, Wpadina Congo), in the north and south passing into mixed leaf full-time-evergreen forests, then there is a natural zone of Savannan and a parel, spreading to Sudan, Eastern and South Africa, Sevra and South Africa Savannah are replaced by semi-deserts and deserts (sugar, 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 - the zone of severe evergreen forests and shrubs. Natural zones of mountains and flatbed are susceptible to the laws of high resistance.

African countries

The territory of Africa is divided between 62 countries, 54 - independent, sovereign states, 10 dependent territories related to Spain, Portugal, Great Britain and France, the rest are unrecognized, self-proclaimed states - Galmudug, Puntland, Somaliland, Sahakkaya Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). For a long time, Asia countries were foreign colonies of various European states and only by the middle of the last century were independence. Depending on the geographical position, Africa is divided into such five regions as Northern, Central, Western, East and South Africa.

List of African countries

Nature

Mountains and Plains of Africa

Most of the African continent is a plain. There are mountain systems, highlands and a plateau. They are presented:

• Atlas mountains in the north-western part of the continent;
• highlands Tibest and Ahaggar in the Sahara desert;
• Ethiopian highlands in the eastern part of the mainland;
• Dragon Mountains in South.

The highest point of the country is the Kilimanjaro volcano, 5,895 m height, relating to East African plateau in the southeastern part of the mainland ...

Desert and savanna

The largest deserted zone of the African continent is in the northern part. This is a sugar desert. In the south-western side of the continent there is another desert of a smaller area, Namib, and the Kalahari desert is available on the East of the continent.

The Savannah territory occupies the bulk of Central Africa. On the area it is much more than the northern and southern part of the mainland. The territory is characterized by the presence of pastures characteristic of savannah, low shrubs and trees. The height of herbal vegetation varies, depending on the number of drop-down precipitation. It can be practically desert savannahs or high-colored, with herbal cover from 1 to 5 m in height ...

River

On the territory of the African continent there is the most extended river of the world - Nile. Direction of its current from the south to the north.

In the list of large water systems, the mainland, Limpopo, Zambezi and an orange river, as well as the Congo, flowing through the territory of Central Africa.

On the Zambezi River there is a famous Victoria Waterfall, 120 m high and 1,800 meters wide ...

Lakes

In the list of large lakes of the African continent there is a lake Victoria, which is the second in the world in the area of \u200b\u200bfreshwater reservoir. Its depth reaches 80 m, and the area is 68,000 km square. Two more large lakes of the continent: Tanganyika and Nyasa. They are located in the faults of lithospheric plates.

There is a lake of Lake Chad on the territory of Africa, which is one of the world's largest interconnect relic lakes, not having connections with the world ocean ...

Seas and oceans

The African continent is washed by the waters of two oceans at once: Indian and Atlantic. Also, his shores are the Red and Mediterranean Sea. From the side of the Atlantic Ocean in the southwestern part of the water form a deep Guinea Bay.

Despite the location of the African continent, coastal waters are cool. Influence this cold flow of the Atlantic Ocean: Canary in the north and Bengal in the south-west. From the side of the Indian ocean the flow is warm. The largest is Mozambique, in the northern waters, and needle - in the southern ...

Forest Africa

Forest arrays from the entire territory of the African continent make up a little more than a quarter. Here are subtropical forests growing on the slopes of the Atlas Mountains and the Valley Valleys. Here you can meet a stone oak, pistachio, strawberry tree, etc. Highly in the mountains grow coniferous plants, represented by Alepopian pine, atlask cedar, juniper and other types of trees.

Closer to the coast there are forests from cork oak, in a tropical area evergreen equatorial plants are common, for example, a red tree, sandalwood, ebony, etc.

Nature, Plants and Animals Africa

The vegetation of equatorial forests is distinguished by variety, about 1000 species of various types of trees grow here: ficuses, saba, wine tree, oil palm tree, wine palm, banana palm trees, tree fern, sandalwood, red wood, rubberous trees, Liberian coffee tree, etc. . Many species of animals, rodents, birds and insects living right on the trees live here. On Earth lives: cystheuhi pigs, leopards, African deer - relatives Girafa Ogapi, major man-like monkeys - Gorillas ...

40% of the territory of Africa is occupied by savannahs, which are huge steppe spaces covered with disintegration, low, spiny shrubs, rustic, and separately standing trees (tree acacias, baobabs).

It has the most huge cluster of such large animals as: rhino, giraffe, elephant, hippopotamus, zebra, buffalo, hyena, lion, leopard, cheetah, jackal, crocodile, hyena dog. The most numerous animals are savannahs are such herbivores like: Bubal (Antelope family), Giraffe, Impala, or Corropean Antilope, various types of gazelles (Thomson, Grant), Blue GNU, Somewhere else there are rare jumpers - Springboki.

The vegetation of deserts and semi-desert is distinguished by poverty and unpretentiousness, these are small spiky shrubs, separately growing herbs beams. In oases, the unique palm palm trees Erg-Shebbi, as well as plants resistant to the conditions of drought and salting formation conditions. In the desert, Namib grows unique plants of Velvichia and Nara, the fruits of which dickelings, elephants and other wilderness animals feed.

From animals there are various types of antelope and gazelles adapted to hot climate and capable of searching for food to overcome huge distances, many types of rodents, snakes, turtles. Lizards. Among mammals: Spotted hyena, ordinary jacal, grivy ram, capsky hare, Ethiopian hedgehog, Gazelle-Dorcas, Saberloogaya antilope, Babian Anubis, Wild Nubian Donkey, Cheetah, Jackal, Fox, Mouflon, there are constantly living and migratory birds.

Climatic conditions

Seasons, weather and climate of Africa

The central part of Africa, through which the equator line passes, is located in the low pressure area and receives sufficient moisturizing, territory north and south of the equator are located in a sub-screen climatic belt, this is a zone of seasonal (monsoon) moisturizing and arid desert climate. The extreme north and south are in the subtropical climatic belt, the south receives precipitation, brought by the air masses from the Indian Ocean, is the desert of Calahari, the north is the minimum amount of precipitation, due to the formation of the field of high pressure and the peculiarities of the movement of the traffic cops, the largest desert of the world - sugar, where the number precipitation is minimal, in some areas it does not fall out at all ...

Resources

Natural resources of Africa

By the reserves of water resources, Africa is considered one of the least secured continents of the world. The average annual volume of water is enough only to meet the priority needs, but this concerns not all regions.

Land resources are represented by significant territories with fertile land. You are treated with only 20% of all possible land. The reason for this is the absence of due water, soil erosion, etc.

Africa forests are the source of wood, including the breeds of valuable varieties. Countries, in the territory of which they grow, the raw materials goes on export. Resources are used unwise and ecosystems gradually destroyed.

In the depths of Africa there are mineral deposits. Among the export departed: 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 areas of the countries of the African continent can be noted:

• mining industry, departing mineral raw materials and fuel for export;
• the oil refining industry, common in the territory of South Africa and North Africa;
• chemical industry specializing in the production of mineral fertilizers;
• as well as the metallurgical and engineering industry.

The main products of agriculture are cocoa beans, coffee, corn, rice and wheat. In the tropical regions of Africa is grown by oil palm tree.

Fisheries developed slightly and constitute only 1-2% of the total volume of agriculture. Livestocking indicators are also not high and the reason for the infection of livestock Tsetz ...

Culture

Peoples of Africa: Culture and Traditions

About 8,000 nations and ethnic groups live in 62 African countries, which is in general about 1.1 billion people. Africa is considered a cradle and pranodina of human civilization, it was here that the remains of ancient primates (hominids) were found, which according to scientists are considered to be ancestors of people.

Most of the peoples in Africa can have both several thousand people, and a few hundred living in one or two villages. 90% of the population are representatives of 120 peoples, their number of more than 1 million people, 2/3 of them - peoples with more than 5 million people, 1/3 - nations with more than 10 million people (this is 50% of the total population of Africa) - Arabs , House, Fulbe, Yoruba, Igbo, Amhara, Oromo, Rwanda, Malagasy, Zulusi ...

Two historical and ethnographic provinces are distinguished: the North African (the predominance of the Indo-European race) and the tropical African (most population are a Negroid Race), it is divided into such areas as:

• West Africa. Peoples speaking Mande languages \u200b\u200b(Susu, Maninka, Mende, Vai), Chadsky (Haus), Nilo-Sakhai (Songai, Canoruri, Tuba, Zagava, Mava, etc.), Nigero-Congolese languages \u200b\u200b(Yoruba, igboo, Bini, NUPU, GBARY, IHAL AND IDOMA, IBIBIO, EFIC, CAMBARI, BIR AND JUKUN, etc.);
• Equatorial Africa. Inhabited by buano-tasked nations: Douala, Fong, Bubi (Fern Dernants), MPonongwe, Teca, Mboši, Ngala, Como, Mongo, Tetla, Cuba, Congo, Ambund, Ovimbundum, Chokwe, Luen, Tonga, Pigmey, etc.;
• South Africa. Buntery peoples, and speakers in Koysansky languages: Bushmen and Gottentotes;
• East Africa. Groups of nations bowls, nilots and sudanents;
• Northeast Africa. Peoples speaking Ether (Amhara, Tiger, Tiger.), Kushytsky (Oromo, Somalis, Sidamo, Agau, Afar, Konso, etc.) and Omotian languages \u200b\u200b(Otter, Himirra et al.);
• Madagascar. Malagasy and Creoles.

In the North African province, the main peoples are the Arabs and Berbers belonging to the South-European Small Rasse, which are mainly confessing to Islam Sunni. There is also an ethno-religious group of Copts, which are direct descendants of the ancient Egyptians, they are Christian monophysites.