Africa has the lowest life expectancy in the world. Defining Africa's northern bulge, the Sahara makes up 25 percent of the continent.The Sahara has a number of distinct physical features, including ergs, regs, hamadas, and oases. The former French colony to the west side of the Congo River has survived with fewer conflicts than its eastern neighbor but has not escaped civil war. 4 29.25. Highlands can be found in both the western and eastern regions of Central Africa. Regs are the remains of prehistoric seabeds and riverbeds but are now nearly waterless.Hamadas are elevated plateaus of rock and stone that reach heights of 3,353 meters (11,000 feet). Elevations can reach as high as 16,761 feet. The rugged interior geography of Africa prevented further movement. The country of Rwanda was left divided and devastated. Mt. The southernmost point off the mainland is Cocos Island, a Costa Rican island. By 1999, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Chad, Rwanda, and Uganda all had troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and were competing for its territory and resources. Food and drink differ with location, but most African countries brew some type of beer or alcoholic beverage. in what is now southeastern Nigeria, the Bantu people moved southward throughout Africa. What is the relationship between family size and womens issues? Military coups and transitional governments are frequent. Kabila declared himself president and changed the official title of the country from Zaire back to Democratic Republic of the Congo. 4.9. During colonization, Europeans installed more centralized governments that destroyed the organizing principle of stateless societies. Many rural and urban women in the Central African Republic transform food crops into beverages for sale in the informal economy. However, invasive species like the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) have begun to take over entire shorelines, endangering animals and plants.Southern AfricaThe region of southern Africa is dominated by the Kaapvaal craton, a shelf of bedrock that is more than 2.6 billion years old. Here are a few interesting geography facts related to Africa. It includes 5 separate student worksheets, a teacher resource with very basic information on wildlife, geography and language, and a map of the region. Central Africa Geography The Central African region is a very complex region with a lot of countries and different land forms. 2 days ago. The civil war formally ended in 2003 when rebel groups and the government worked out a shared political arrangement. The DRC, the Republic of the Congo, and Cameroon bound CAR to the south, southwest, and west respectively. Still, they are not without political issues. History of Central African Republic. The treatment of women reflects the attitudes and traditions of a society. is one of Africa's most aggressive rainforest species. Africa has an array of diverse ecosystems, from sandy deserts to lush rainforests. Victims were herded into schools and churches, where they were massacred and the buildings would be burned to the ground. In 1991, Cameroon created two new universities. rclark_91118. BANTU MIGRATIONS The Bantu are a group of peoples and cultures who speak one of the Bantu languages. Geography. Search to see if any news is available where you live about current affairs in Central Africa. The Central African Republic occupies an immense rolling plateau that forms, along a crest that trends southwest to northeast, the major drainage divide between the Lake Chad and Congo River basins. Geography Game Central Africa Capitals Politically, they ranged from large empires to small villages. Location: The Republic of the Congo offers vocational, agricultural, and teacher training courses. 96.98% (2012 est. So from west to east, the region is 2,500 miles. National wealth has been garnered traditionally from the export of food crops such as coffee or tea but more recently from mineral and oil extraction. About one third of the Central African Republic's population do not have access to clean water. Ergs, which cover 20 percent of the Sahara, are sand dunes that stretch for hundreds of kilometers at heights of more than 300 meters (1,000 feet). Even if the legal code of the country does not discriminate against women, traditional practices and the social status of men often keep women from making socioeconomic strides. The countries included in the region vary with different organizations or geographic perspectives; in this textbook, the countries include Cameroon, Congo, Chad, the Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Congo (Zaire), Rwanda, and Burundi. Local resources, customs, and tastes determine the types of beer brewed in a particular region. Important mammals include African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis), gorillas (Gorilla spp. Coffee or tea is a major export product of almost all the Central African countries. In West/Central Africa, mountains such as the Cameroon (4070m), Jos Plateau in Nigeria 5,840 ft (1,780 m), Fouta Djalon highlands in Guinea, the Ahaggar and Tibesti Massifs fall within the same category of highlands. One of the worst cases of violence and discrimination against women exists in the eastern regions of the Congo, where abuse against women, including sexual violence and rape, is listed by UN humanitarian officials as the worst in the world. Deforestation activities have been on the rise in Central Africa and the Congo basin. Farmers slaughter pigs and goats on board, and merchants bargain with each other for a range of products. You cannot download interactives. Those countries hope that better education will slow the spread of AIDS, the Ebola virus, cholera, and other diseases. Central Africa usually only includes portions of Subsaharan Africa south of the African Transition Zone. The merchants traded for guns and other goods. Africa geography facts. Related conflicts erupted in various regions that extended into 2003 before they were finally resolved. Middle Africa contains one island country, Sao Tome and Principe. This transition in political power caused a shift in the militant rebel groups, which created the conditions for the Second Congo War (1998 to 2003), which was even more brutal than the first. Late in the 19th century, Europeans colonized the region. Central African Republic Area 240,535 square mi (622,984 square km) Population 4.709 million (2014) Capital Banqui Highest Point 4,658 ft (1,420 m) Lowest Point 1,099 ft (335 m) GDP $1.783 billion (2014) Primary Natural Resources diamonds, uranium, gold. The total number of deaths resulting from the civil wars in the Congo was estimated in 2008 at about 5.4 millionthe majority by the war and the remaining by disease or starvation (CBC). Are there any differences between marriage traditions in the Central African Republic and where you live? Europeans wanted slaves for their plantations in the Americas. Their grazing and trampling of grass allows new grasses to grow, while their waste helps fertilize the soil.Swahili CoastThe Swahili Coast stretches about 1,610 kilometers (1,000 miles) along the Indian Ocean from Somalia to Mozambique. The former French colony became independent in 1960. History, Geography. When they hang out, the Central Africans usually sit closer to each other than we are used to in Sweden. As a predator, the scorpion also absorbs water from the flesh of its prey.Saharan plants survive thanks to root systems that plunge as far as 24 meters (80 feet) underground. History The death rate in 2008 was estimated to be as high as forty-five thousand people per month in the eastern and central regionsmany of them children. In the crater of one of the volcanic peaks is Lake Nyos (Mount Cameroon). Cattle farming is limited to areas free of the tsetse fly, and fish from the rivers are protein sources. There is no standard definition of what constitutes the north, west, central (middle), east and southern regions of Africa. There are a number of volcanoes in Cameroon. Located off the west coast of Central Africa is the small twin island country of So Tom and Prncipe. In Activity One we learned about the geography, cultures, politics and natural resources of Central Africa, discovering that it is an area of great diversity.. Activity Two will focus on the historical evolution of Central Africa from the first occupation of the area more than 2000 years ago, through the development of centralized kingdoms, the colonial experience . A good example of economic problems caused by colonization can be seen in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The volcano last erupted in 2000. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, Mobutu Sese Seko, the country's leader from 1967 until 1997, brought the country's businesses under national control. Biology, Earth Science, Ecology, Geography, Geology, Physical Geography. In 1995 and 2003, two coups were attempted without success. The people of Central Africa find time and energy to celebrate life. Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m, Natural resources: History of Central Africa. hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common, Environment - current issues: The Bantu migrations are a key event in Africa's history. In the north is the African Transition Zone, which runs through Chad. As the African continent separated from the Arabian Peninsula, large, deep cracks formed in Earth's surface. Central Africa is characterized by hot and wet climates on both sides of the Equator. total: Other minerals and ores are also found in abundance in the region. The confusing name situation exemplifies the difficulties and changes in government leadership that have transpired since colonial times in the two countries. arable land: The journey can present a valuable snapshot of life in Central Africa. 1. In addition, Libreville University in Gabon, founded in the 1970s, now has more than 4,000 students. Africa, the second largest continent, is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean. A dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) conserves water by changing its body temperature so it doesn't sweat as the day gets hotter. The wars in the Congo involved military actions by the Tutsis from the Rwandan and Ugandan governments and Hutu militias. The European Anglo factions have gone so far as to threaten to separate the once-British portion and secede from Cameroon. Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices. Chapter 23 Central Africa 2. Today, 80 percent of Africa's rainforest is concentrated in Central Africa, along the Congo River Basin.Africa's rainforests have a rich variety of animal life; a six-kilometer (four-mile) patch could contain up to 400 bird species, 150 butterfly species, and 60 species of amphibians. Rocky features of southern Africa include plateaus and mountains, such as the Drakensberg range.Southern Africa is the epicenter of Africa's well-known reserves, which protect animal species such as lions, elephants, baboons (Papio spp. Central Africa covers a large physical area that can range from desert conditions to the north in Chad to tropical rain forests and mountains in the equatorial region of The Congo. Europeans first began their African colonization in Central Africa. What caused the First and Second Congo Wars? Central America: Countries - Map Quiz Game: For what they lack in size, some of the countries of Central America have surprisingly large populations. Ethnic divisions manipulated by the colonial masters erupted to challenge the countrys stability and future. Conflicts continue in the eastern region. 1. In the Central African Republic, children between the ages of 6 and 14 are required to go to school. Only Belize, with a population of under 400,000, fails to make the three million mark. The assassination of President Kabila in 2001 permitted his adopted son Joseph Kabila to take power and run the country up to the present. The major mining operations for cobalt ore are located in the southeastern Katanga state, where there are also large reserves of copper. Identify the following key places on a map: Crisis caused 5.4 million deaths in Congo, report says, CBC, https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/crisis-caused-5-4-million-deaths-in-congo-report-says-1.730463; DR Congo War Deaths Exaggerated, BBC, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8471147.stm. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. Cities are places where people with diverse backgrounds come together to live and work, which can lead to an increase in mixed marriages. Hutu militias rounded up and killed all Tutsis, moderates, and anyone not supporting the Hutu cause. Cosmopolitan areas are also more likely to have connections with outside cultures through media and communication technology and might be more tolerant of diverse traditions. The aftermath of the genocide and conflict continues to incite civil unrest and political division in Rwanda. What is unique about Lake Chad and Lake Tanganyika? It remained so until after World War I, when it was divided between the British and the French. 0% average accuracy. Its capital, Bangui, is located on the country's southern border. They left little money to develop roads, railroads, airports, or a productive education system for the people of those countries. Today, artists from a new generation who did not experience colonialism are coming of age. party to: The low-cost sport is accessible to most citizens of each country. The Second Congo War raged through the Congo, bringing destruction to the country and the deaths of millions of people. Founded in the 1300s, it was located near the mouth of the Congo River. Civil unrest between these two groups continues to plague the political and social structures of Burundi. The smell of smoked fish and a variety of live animals, including monkeys, tortoises, and crocodiles, fills the air. For more in-depth learning, check out Miacademy.co (https://www.paren. Human activity has been encroaching on this valuable environmental region filled with extensive biodiversity. Cameroon emitted a cloud of carbon dioxide in 1986, killing more than 1,700 people. A Sunday-afternoon football match takes place in Bujumbura, Burundi. Approximately 30 to 40 percent of women in the Central African Republic are in polygamous unions. Adequate schooling for many of Africa's young people is in short supply. The names of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (a former Belgian colony) and the Republic of the Congo (a former French colony) are confusing. Beginning around 2000 B.C. Most of the region is in the tropics and has a type A climate. The continent includes the islands of Cape Verde, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Comoros. Coffee is grown in the tropics, a climate prevalent in many of the countries in Subsaharan Africa. Juices and soft drinks are available as well as coffee and tea, which are the more traditional beverages of the region. per capita: The average family is large and extended. answer choices Everest Kilimanjaro Central America Geography. The language used in school is often different from the one used at home. For much of the 20th century, some of Central Africa's art has reflected attitudes toward colonialism. In 1971, the name was changed to the Republic of Zaire. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/crisis-caused-5-4-million-deaths-in-congo-report-says-1.730463; DR Congo War Deaths Exaggerated, BBC, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8471147.stm, http://www.volcanolive.com/mtcameroon.html, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. In Cameroon, palm wine or millet beers are the traditional mealtime drinks. Now Tutsi leaders dominate the Rwandan government. They already had been selling slaves to other African rulers and Arabs. Central Africa's economy is still recovering from the effects of colonialism: the loss of resources, the disruption of its political systems, and the cultural and ethnic oppression of its people. The eastern border of the region is Lake Chad. This process is known as desertification.The Sahel's animal communities are constantly scavenging for scarce water and vegetation resources. European colonizers invested little in Central Africa. In the mid-1800s, Central Africa consisted of hundreds of different ethnic groups, which followed traditional religions and spoke hundreds of different languages. Besides political control of the country, a main objective of the combatants was to dominate the resource-rich eastern sector of the country, where valuable reserves of zinc, diamonds, copper, and gold can be found in the eastern region. Fruits and vegetables are popular. It is bordered by Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. Most of the West African region is located on a plateau, so most of the region has a modest elevation. Prior to the 20th century, few people in Europe knew much about African art. Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands The people of the Central African Republic are composed of several groups, mainly the Bwaka, Madjia, Baya, and Banda. It is the deepest river system in the world and has some stretches that run more than seven hundred feet deep, providing habitats for a wide range of organisms and fish species. Hutu attacks in 1972 resulted in a systematic retaliation by the Tutsis that killed approximately 200,000 Hutus and forced another 150,000 to flee the country. The equatorial strip that extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Western Rift Valley is influenced throughout the year by the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), resulting in intense, heavy precipitation. They also carve boxes that contain the skulls and bones of deceased ancestors. The second region is the Great Escarpment. Rwanda, with its civil wars and ethnic divisions, still honors its holidays with ceremonies and celebrations. Sports and entertainment seem to be a universal human activity. Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Land boundaries: Central Africa has several countries that share its name including the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gabon, as well as Central African Republic. Students' education varies in Central Africa. To understand what makes Central African wildlife so remarkable, we'll take a quick look at the geography of the region. The division between the Tutsis and the Hutus has deep historic roots. In Burundi, when close friends gather, they may drink beer from a large container, each with his or her own straw, as a symbol of unity. The core economic players in the global markets are also some of the largest arms manufacturers that sell weapons to the local factions involved in the battle for control of the valuable resources. A number of volcanoes are located in the Congo, not far from the border with Rwanda. After having attained independence in the 1960s, however, these countries wanted to establish their own identities. The gravel can be black, red, or white. Guatemala, for example, has over 16 million people, and Honduras has nine million of its own. Lower average altitudes characterize most of the areas in the North. Germany claimed the region of Burundi as a colony in the European scramble for Africas resources. Lake Chad provides water for local livestock and fishing for millions of people. The killing of hundreds of thousands of people continued from city to city throughout the countryside. Many rebel groups remained engaged in the eastern region of the Congo long after the agreement was reached. 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