2. All
lands below the Sahara are called
Sub-Saharan Africa.
The
environment and cultures of Saharan
Africa and Western and Central Africa
differ radically.
3. Climate
The
equator runs through the center of the
region.
In the equator region, much like the Amazon
River Basin, there is a continual dump of rain.
A few degrees north and south of the equator
the winds begin to shift creating a rainy and a
dry season.
4. Life in Africa
The
village is the most important concept in
understanding African life.
Tribalism – Strong identification with a tribe
that speaks the same language or dialect
African villages whose inhabitants have a
common ancestor is called a clan.
Polygamy is common in Africa – it is a sign of
wealth.
5. Initiation
rites are ceremonies that many
Africans must go through to mark their official
transition from childhood to adulthood.
A strong tribal chief unites several villages
using headmen as administrators.
The official language of African nations is
usually the language of the most recent
European ruler.
European colonialism has caused many to
have a mixture of traditional ways and
modern Western ways. The cities lean toward
Western ideas and villagers are more
traditional.
6. Fear
of demonic spirits dominates tribal
religions. They follow animism, the worship
of the “souls” of animals, rivers, trees, and
other objects.
Shamans
are called witch doctors. They
communicate with spirits, offer healing
and use sorcery.
The
southern tip of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo is poor, even
though it is rich in resources. Poor
leadership has wasted its wealth.
7. The
greatest benefit to Africa from its
contact with European countries has
been the spread of the gospel.
Europeans
introduced modern economic
and political ideas.
The
struggle for independence has left
parts of Africa politically unstable.
Autocrats
All
rule with an iron fist.
French colonies were independent by
1960.
8. Disease
Causes
and complications of disease in
Western and Central Africa:
Because of poverty, many people are
malnourished and do not receive
adequate medical care.
The number of medical professionals is low
and health care is often only available in
cities.
Disease-carrying insects are common
Ignorance about health risks and the
spread of disease.
Rampant immorality assist the spread of
HIV/AIDS, but many refuse to alter their
behavior.
9. Dense
jungles, wild animals and rough
waters plague Africa, but not as harshly as
disease.
The
tsetse fly is responsible for the spread
of the African sleeping sickness.
Approximately sixty six million people in
Africa have sleeping sickness.
10. Aedes
fever.
Snails
aegypti mosquito carries yellow
carry the disease bilharzia.
Sub-Saharan
Africa has the highest rate of
AIDS in the world. Currently approximately
64% of the people who are infected with
the HIV/AIDS virus live there. It is spread
via sexual contact and sometimes by
drug users who use dirty needles.
11. People
Pygmies
– short people of Africa who
have an intimate knowledge of the
jungle.
Hausa,
Ibo, and Yoruba – three largest
ethnic groups.
Bantu
- Smallest tribal group in Gabon.
Hausa
tribe of Nigeria is predominantly
Muslim
12. Places
Equatorial
Guinea – consists of several islands
and a small region on the African mainland.
Brazzaville
– Largest city in all the countries
formerly known as French West Africa
The
Congo River has a discharge volume
second only to the Amazon River.
It drains all or part of five different countries.
13. Benin
– 2/3 of its people practice voodoo.
Burkina
men”
Faso – Upper Volta – “land of upright
Democratic
Republic of the Congo – Formerly
the Belgian Congo – Lowest per capita calorie
intake.
Equatorial
language.
Gambia
Guinea – Spanish is its official
– Smallest country in Africa
14.
Ghana – Gold Coast
Liberia – Not colonized by Europeans – first
black republic in Africa
Nigeria – Most populous (greatest population
– provides 1/5 of US oil imports – different
because it was an English colony.
Sao Tome and Principe – First inhabitants were
the Portuguese.
Sierra Leone – One of the world’s leading
producers of diamonds – “lion mountains”
15. Monrovia
Monroe.
– city named after James
Togo
– controlled by the United Nations
via a trusteeship from the end of WWII to
1960.
The
Central African Republic – The only
landlocked Central African country.
Kinshasa
Africa.
– Largest city in sub-Saharan
16. Slave
Coast – The region of Western Africa
along the curving eastern portion of the
Gulf of Guinea coast.
