Africa

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Africa; the word alone conjures up images of exotic animals, hunters in their khaki clothes and pith helmets, trekking out across the desert on the adventure of a lifetime.

Contents

[edit] Introduction

[edit] Current Events

[edit] History

[edit] A people steeped in culture

Art, music, architecture, etc. all have roots in the richness of the African people. African art tends to be three-dimensional, colorful, and abstract. Many art pieces convey normal functions of everyday life indicating cultural values. The art favors abstraction because it represents rather portrays objects or ideas.

Even ages ago, African architecture amazed the world. This is apparent in the Great Pyramid of Giza, in Egypt. It was the world’s tallest structure for 4000 years. The Monolithic Churches at Lalibela in Ethiopia represent another engineering marvel.

[edit] Economy

Africa is the world’s poorest inhabited continent. According to a United Nations report in 2003, the 25 bottom ranking countries are in Africa. Progress is being made, however, with government corruption and tyranny waning.

South Africa has an abundance of natural resources like gold and diamonds. It also has a well-established legal system and one the continents first countrywide infrastructures. Evidence of this is proven in the recently opened Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Botswana, also a major diamond producer, is concentrating on the development of an infrastructure in the capital city of Gaborone. It is considered to be one of the world’s fastest growing cities.

Nigeria, considered to be a fast growing nation, sits upon one of the world’s proven oil reserves, and has the largest population of any African country. Comparable success is seen in other countries like Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon and Egypt.

Zimbabwe is the only African country producing negative growth.

[edit] The Land

Africa is the second largest continent by land mass, and also second largest by population. The continent covers 6% of the world’s total surface, and 20.4% of its landmass. As of 2005, over 900 million people in 61 territories represent 14% of the world’s population.

Africa’s largest country is Sudan, and the smallest is a cluster of islands off the east coast, Seychelles. Gambia, however is the smallest on the mainland. With land stretching far above and far below the equator, Africa is a land of many climates, from arid deserts in the north, dense rainforests in the south, and separated by vast savanna plains in the middle.

The Portuguese started trading Gold, ivory, spices and slaves in 1482, along the coast of Ghana. In the mid to late 1800s legitimate commerce started in West Africa. Palm oil, timber, gold and cocoa trade became the basis for today’s export trade.


[edit] Regions

Africa is broken down into five sections: North Africa, East Africa, West Africa, Central Africa and Southern Africa.

  • Highly influenced by the Egyptians, the people of North Africa reside in the Nile River valley, bordering the great Sahara desert.
  • Southern Africa is known for diamond mining. It is also home to the largest industrial and commercial area in Africa.
  • East Africa is home to the world’s largest lake, Lake Victoria, as well as Mount Kilimanjaro.
  • West Africa covers one fifth of the continent, including the Sahara Desert. Muslim is the main religion of the area, with Christianity practiced along the coastal region.
  • Central Africa holds the Congo River Basin, the second largest freshwater basin and second largest rainforest.

[edit] Countries

[edit] Transport

[edit] Get There

[edit] Get Around

Although it is advised to never travel alone in any part of Africa, some regions, such as South Africa have adequate means of transportation.

  • South Africa has a very extensive rail system. Trains connect with all major towns, but must be booked 24 hours in advance.
  • Minibus taxis are available, but not suggested for safety reasons. Precautions should be taken when driving a personal or rented automobile, but it can be a great way to see the sights.
  • Driving is on the left, and all signs are in English. As long as a home license has a picture and has been held for five years, it will suffice for driving in Africa. To rent a car, one must be at least 23 years, and no older than 70 years.

Safari simply means to travel in Swahili. Combined with a-phrike from the Greek, meaning free of cold and horror, you naturally envision traveling across a warm, friendly land.

[edit] See

[edit] Highlights

Kenya is the most popular safari destination in the world. The country is known for exceptional national parks, including the Maasai Mara, which marks the beginning of the great Serengeti Desert.

Morocco, situated on Africa’s northwestern tip, seems more like the Mediterranean than Africa. Separated from the home continent by the towering Atlas Mountains, Morocco has white sandy beaches and lush highlands. The climate and history parallel that of the Mediterranean, but move south toward Kasbah, and that feeling fades as the expanse of the Sahara Desert takes the forefront.

The Sinai has brought Biblical scholars, and religious pilgrimages to its sites for 2000 years. Today, however, while people still come to this holy ground, scuba divers are exploring the majestic coral reefs of the Red Sea.

South Africa is the most geographically diverse country in Africa. From rolling, fertile plains and vast savannas, to the expansive Kalahari Desert and the summits of Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa is rich with areas for adventure. Nothing denotes South Africa’s riches, however, like the Safari. Boasting two of the world’s most renowned wildlife reserves, The Kruger National Park, and Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, the area also has an abundance of farmland, vineyards and luxurious accommodations.

[edit] Itineraries

[edit] Stay Safe

[edit] Health

All standard vaccinations should be updated at least four weeks before any travel to Africa. The Center for Disease Control has also issued warnings concerning yellow fever and malaria, especially in low regions. Malaria is a threat all year, but the high season exists from October until May. It is spread by mosquitoes, and care should be given to keeping protective clothing over exposed skin areas, and the liberal use of bug repellants, particularly those containing the main ingredient of either DEET or Picaridin.

[edit] Trouble Spots

Due to political unrest, rebel forces are targeting many foreigners in Central Africa. Travel to Central Africa is highly discouraged. Precautions should also be taken in other areas of Africa, particularly, Chad, Timor and the Sudan where certain factions are targeting foreigners, robbing, beating and molesting them.

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