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AFRICA FROM A TO Z

Africa is the second largest continent in the world and has 5 different regions.
Many countries belong toInternational Organizations.

Information about Africa for each letter of the alphabet
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• Africa has several different types of AGRICULTURE and a variety of irrrigated crops are produced. Palm oil is native to West Africa. The coffee tree probably originated in Africa and in Ethiopia many people depend on coffee for their entire income. Cotton is a major source of income for several countries. Promoting small-scale irrigation in Africa is important because only a small percentage of farmland gets enough water. A program known as Agricultural Education helps improve effective teaching, and research in the field of agriculture. Breadmaking is believed to have developed in Egypt in 8000 B.C. Each area of Africa has its own special food.

• Africa has many ARCHAEOLOGY sites. The continent has the longest record of human activities of any place in the world. The earliest evidence of Arcological activity comes from the Rift Valley sites. Archaeology sites in Ethiopia include ancient cities and centuries-old churches carved into solid rock. There are also many museums in Africa that have a variety of archaeology exhibits.

• The ARCHITECTURE of Africa includes a wide variety of structures. Many of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• After has several thousand species of BIRDS. Over 1,500 species of birds are found in East Africa alone. The World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa provides a home for many birds. The world's largest colony of African penguins, an endangered species, is on Dassen Island. The coastal and interior waterways of the Sahara Desert attract many species of birds including ostriches, raptors, and Nubian buzzards. The Umgeni River Bird Park in South Africa has a unique free-flight bird show. Africa is home of the largest flightless bird in the world - the ostrich. The African Bird Club encourages an interest in the conservation of birds in Africa. Some countries have a National Bird

• CAVES are located throughout Africa. The Ambonio Caves in Northern Tanzania are a vast maze of limestone, stalactites, and stagmites. The caves in the cliffs surrounding Lake Bogoria in the Rift Valley are of geological value. The Inanke Caves in the Matobos Hills in Central Africa have not changed since the first people lived here 30,000 years ago. There is a vast labirinth of caves beneath the island of Madagascar. In Kenya there are Lava Tube Caves. In Tunisia some people live in caves to keep cool from the Sahara sun. The Cango Caves in South Africa are among the biggest stalagmite formations in the world.

• CENTRAL AFRICA has a huge saucer-like area drained by the Zaire/Congo River and its tributaries. It has many cities and the Central Africa Republic is located here. The area is famous for its elephants and chimpanzees, and a new breeding ground of one of the world's largest mammals, the humpback whale has been located off the coast.

• There are about 50 countries in Africa. The largest country is the Republic of Sudan and the smallest is Seychelles. Algeria is the second largest country in Africa and Cairo is the largest city. Both are located in Egypt.

• Africa has DAMS, wetlands, and ramsar sites. Over a thousand large dams are used for irrigation, and many dams are the source of hydroelectric power. The Aswan High Dam is one of the Modern Wonders of the World. The Kariba and Cabora Bassa Dams are among the largest hydroelectric dams in the world. South Africa has the most dams, and more dams are under construction primarily for hydropower. Construction of a dam on the Black Volta River in Bui National Park might effect the population of hippos. The World Commission on Dams is in South Africa. This country also has a nuclear power plant and nearly 300,000 windmills. A variety are underway in Africa including Solar Power.

• The Sahara DESERT is the largest desert in the world and expanding south. Vegetation is generally sparse, with scattered concentrations of grasses, shrubs, and trees in the highlands, in oasis depressions, and along the wadis. Between the Sahara desert and the rain forests lie the Sahel and the Savanna. The Kalahari Desert covers about two-thirds of Botswana. It has 4 national parks and one of the longest unbroken stretches of sand in the world. The Namibia Desert in South Africa is called "the gem of Africa" and is the oldest desert in the world. It is the only desert in Africa inhabited by elephant, rhino, giraffe, and lion.

E IS FOR EAST AFRICA, EDUCATION, & EGYPT

• EAST AFRICA ranges from the mountains of central Ethiopia to coastal plains and offshore islands. It has about 5 major cities. There are vast open savannas, and the plains have some of the richest variety of game on earth and much of the area is protected. The East African Rift System is one of the largest and best examples of continental rifting in the world. The Horn of Africa in East Africa is named for its shape.

• EDUCATION in Africa has made great strides. The Education Africa association was established to access quality education. The Association for the Development of Education in Africa promotes education policies. Schoolnet Africa provides information about education across the continent.

• Each country in Africa has its own FLAG. Many African countries have a tree on their flag and coat of arms. The Baobab is the National Tree of Senegal. The Real Yellowwood is the National Tree of South Africa. Tanzania has a National Tree Seeds Program

• FORESTS play an important economic role in many African countries. They make up more than 17% of the forests in the world but many have been converted to other land use. The trunk of the African Baobab Tree is sometimes as wide as it is tall.

• Research of places in Africa where FOSSILS have been found showing that the continent must have been the home of the earliest humans. The most famous fossil site is Olduvai Gorge. The Sterkfontein Cavesin South Africa are one of the richest sites of early hominid fossils in Africa and is a World Heritage Site. The Fossil Forest of Mzamba has the preserved remains of giant trees and marine animals. The fossils of dinosaurs have been found throughout Africa. Fossils found in 2004 may give a clue to dinosaur evolution.

• The GEOLOGY of Africa includes a wide variety of features. Most of the continent is a series of stable plateau surfaces, low in the north and west and higher in the south and east. The plateau is composed mainly of metamorphic rock that has been overlaid in places by sedimentary rock. The escarpment of the plateau is often in close proximity to the coast, leaving the continent with a generally narrow coastal plain. The escarpment forms barriers of falls and rapids in the lower courses of rivers that impede their use as transportation routes into the interior. Northern Africa is underlain by folded sedimentary rock and is geologically more closely related to Europe than to the rest of the continent of Africa. The Atlas Mts. are a part of the Alpine mountain system of southern Europe. The entire African continent is surrounded by a narrow continental shelf.

• The coast of GHANAwas called the Gold Coast" because of the gold or goods trade with Europe. South Africa is the world and Africa's leading producer of gold.

• The GLOBAL POSITION of Africa ranges from 37 degrees north to 38 degrees south and 53 degrees west to 19 degrees east. The continent is bordered on the north by the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea, on the east by the Indian Ocean, on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, and the equator lies almost across the center. The northernmost tip is Cape Blanc in Tunisia and the southernmost tip is Cape Agulhas in South Africa. The lowest point on the continent is below sea level in Lake Assal in Djibouti. The highest point is Mt. Uhuru a peak of Kilimanjaro in NE Tanzania.

• HOUSES of Africa reflect the environment and there are many styles and shapes. The growth of colonial towns encouraged European style houses. Decorating houses is known throughout Africa. The nomads often use the traditional Bedouin tent.

• Africa has a large variety of INSECTS and many are among the largest in the world. Twelve insects are considered "giants". The Dwarf Blue Butterfly is found in South Africa and is the smallest butterfly in the world. The largest and heaviest beetle, the Goliath Beetle, is found in tropical Africa. Termites play a vital role in the African ecosystem. West African ants are unique. Many insects are eaten by people and there is a Congo Cookbook.

• Africa has hundreds of ISLANDS some are also countries. The Canary Islands are called the Fortunate Islands. South Africa has 98 islands. The fossilized remains of a long-necked saurapod have been found on the island of Madagascar.

• The IVORY COAST is located on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. Explorers called it this because of the ivory carvings made there. The oil, chemical, and mineral industries are important to the economy. The Ivory Coast is among the world's largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm oil.

• JUNGLE is a commonly used term for rain forest. Africa has several types of rain forests; equatorial, monsoon, and high altitude. Much of the jungle regions of Africa have been destroyed by lumbering and slash-burn agriculture. The basin rain forest in Cameroon is Africa's largest remaining rain forest. Efforts are being made to protect the dwindling rain forests which is an environmental concern. The tropical forest in the Congo is the 2nd most extensive rainforest in the world. Many animals live in the rain forest.

• Many aspects of life in Africa focus on KIDS. The PBS has an Africa for Kids page. Africa Kids Page has fun and games. History for Kids has information about ancient Africa. DLTK has African activities for kids. Enchanted Learning has maps and activities about Africa

• The history of Africa is marked by the rise of KINGDOMS, chiefdoms, and states. The first kingdom began around 2,500 B.C. in Ancient Egypt and the courts were the center of political life. There were many other ancient kingdoms including the Forest kingdoms, the Songhay kingdom, and the Swahili kingdoms. Much of what is known about early Kingdoms comes from manuscripts written in Timbuktu. Morocco is considered a kingdom because it is ruled by a king. The Kuba Kingdom is comprised of several smaller ethnic groups

L IS FOR LAKES, LANGUAGE, LIBRARIES, & LIGHTHOUSES

• Africa has many LAKES. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. Lake Tanganyika is the deepest lake in Africa and the second deepest freshwater lake in the world. Lake Malawi contains the largest number of fish species of any lake in the world. Lake Assal is the lowest on the continent. The Great Lakes of Africa include some of the largest and most ecologically diverse freshwater systems in the world. Uganda is often called A Land of Lakes because almost one-third of the country is covered by water.

• Each country has its own LANGUAGE. There are four main languages and over a thousand different languages are spoken. The majority of Africans in the north use Arabic. Zulu, Swahili and Hausa are spoken in much of Africa. Contact between the Portugueseand Africans influenced the Swahili language used along the east coast of Africa and it is the official language in Mozambique. English and French are spoken in many areas. Afrikanns is the home language of most of the people in South Africa and Nambia. Each ethnic group has its own distinct language. Somali is the only country in the world where all the citizens speak one language. The Berbers of North Africa do not have a written form of their language. The Bushmen make a click sound when they talk.

• LIBRARIES can be found in the countries and Universities in Africa. The African Digital Library allows free access to any living in Africa. The Timbuktu Libraries Project promotes the conservation of African literary heritage. The National Library of Nigeria assemble, preserves, and makes available books, journals, and other forms of information.

• Africa has over two dozen lighthouses. Thirteen of them are in South Africa. Cape Agulhas lighthouse is at the southern most tip of Africa and marks the deviding line between the Atlantic and Indian oceans.

• Africa produces many MINERALS including more than 60 metal and mineral products and is a major producer of several of the most important commodities in the world. The mining industry is one of Africa's major industries and almost all countries have some mineral resources. Africa has almost all the world reserves of platinum, and Morocco has over half of the world reserves of phosphate. Most Diamonds come from Central & Southern Africa. Leone is famous for its diamonds and Zaire leads in world production of industrial diamonds. The largest diamond in the world, the Cullinan, was found in South Africa. Uranium is found but largely unmined.

• Each country in Africa has its own MONEY. The U.S. dollar is the most common.

• MOUNTAINS are located throughout Africa. From north to south the principal mountain ranges of Africa are the Atlas Mts., the Ethiopian Highlands, the Ruwenzori Mts., and the Drakensberg Range. Mt.Kilimanjaro, is one of the Natural Wonders of the World. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest freestanding mountain in the world. The High Atlas mountains stretch along the northwest part of North Africa. The Ruwenzori Mountains are know as the Mountains of the Moon. Other mountains include Cameroon, and Emi Koussi.

• Africa has many styles of MUSIC and music is a part of daily life by singing, dancing, and musical instruments. The sanza is the unique invention of Africa and forms of sanza music are numerous. The jembe, a type of drum, became of international interest after the world tours of Les Ballets Africans. Some music can only be performed by men, and some music is for women only. Coded messages are sent over vast distances by blowing into a flute. While performing a healing ceremony traditional healers often chant, sing, and dance. Degwa is an Ethiopian chant. Music is played as part of village competitions. The Ndere Cultural Troupe has performed songs, dances and poetry in many places throughout the world. Most of the countries in Africa have a national anthem. Most of the countries in Africa have a National Anthem.

• There are 2 theories on how Africa acquired its NAME. One is that it was named after Ifriqos bin Qais bin Saifi, one of the Kings of Yemen. Another is the name came into Western use through the Romans.

• NORTH AFRICA is made up of several countries. In Egypt the Pyramids at Giza are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Abu Simbel is one of the Forgotten Wonders of the world, and the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval Mind Algeria is one of the wealthiest countries of Africa. Tunisia has several substantial petroleum deposits. Libya is one of the largest countries in Africa. Mauritania is building a road along the Atlantic coast that is part of a highway linking Moracco to Nigeria.

• Africa is surrounded by OCEANS and has a very long and beautiful coastline. The Atlantic Ocean is to the West and Southwest, and the Indian Ocean is to the East and Southeast. The ocean is vulnerable to human influences such as overfishing, pollution from run-off, and dumping of waste. The USGS provides information about why the ocean is Salty. Some fun ocean facts.

• Africa is a major producer of OIL and gas. Sudan is building the longest pipeline of its kind in Africa. Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer. Nearly all regions of Africa are crude oil exporters with South Africa being the largest. Libya is the largest oil producer in North Africa, and North Africa has the continent's largest natural gas. West Africa is the second largest oil and gas producing region and the third largest in terms of oil consumption. East Africa also has natural gas reserves. Several oil producers are developing projects to utilize natural gas.

• Africa has many PARKS including National Parks and many are on Unesco World Heritage list. They were originally established to protect wildlife but are now seen as areas to be used and managed. Significant elephant populations are now confined to well-protected areas such as Hwange National Park. The Serengeti National Park is probably the best-known wildlife sanctuary in the world. The Udzungwa Mountains National Park is the 12th National Park in Tanzania and the 6th largest. Kakum National Park has a primeval forest with rare animals, including the very rare and endangered Mona-meerkat, pygmy elephants, forest buffalo, zibetkatzen, and 300 species of birds. Game Parks play an increasing part in the national economy of Africa through tourism. They also control fishing, limit grazing and plant new forests. Marine parks were established to protect ecosystem processes and areas of high species and genetic diversity in the sea. South Africa has a variety of parks including National, Provincial, and Private areas.

• Nearly 700 million PEOPLE live in Africa. Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa and the tenth most populus country in the world. People of Africa encompass a diversity of races and economic levels exceeded no where else in the world. Africa has had many great kings and queens. Many wellknown people have called Africa their home including celebreties, politicians, rulers, and Statesmen.

• The QATTARA DEPRESSION is located in Egypt and is made of sand, salt lakes, and marshes. It involves excavating a channel and tunnel from the Mediterranean Sea to the Qattara Depression, letting the sea water into the desert, and a hydropower plant. A hydrosolar power project is being considered here.

• Take a QUIZ about Africa. Take a quiz about the Congo. Take a quiz about Marine Creatures.

• RELIGION plays an important part in the life of all African societies. The most widespread religions are Islam and Christianity. There is also a community of Jews and many different traditional African religions. The independent Christian religions throughout the country are based on the teachings of Jesus. Islam is largely the religion of North Africa and is based on the teaching of the prophet Mohammad. Traditional religions include the belief in many gods, the worship of ancestors, and the belief that kings were gods.

• Africa has a wide variety of REPTILES and they rank amoung the most spectacular in the world. The Nile crocodile is the largest living reptile in the world. The biggest frog in the world is found in Cameroon. Madagascar is the home of the largest as well as the smallest chamelons in the world. Many venomous snakes are found in Africa.

• Africa has ten major RIVERS. The Nile River, is the longest river in the world and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world. It runs north from the highlands of Central Africa to the Mediterranean Sea. The Fish River in Nambia has produced the second largest canyon in the world. The Okavango River flows into the Kalahari desert and forms the largest inland delta in the world. The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world. The rivers of uMngeni and uMlazi catchments are regulated by over one hundred dams.

• SOUTH AFRICA is at the southern tip of Africa and has about seven main cities. It is a major coal producer and exporter and has a synthetic fuels industry and small reserves of oil and natural gas. The best-known arts of this area are the rock paintings and engravings produced by the Bushman/San peoples thousands of years ago. Ancient figures have been incorporated in the new coat of arms for the country.The Zulu are South Africa's largest ethnic tribe. In 2002 Gabon set aside land for 13 new National Parks.

• A wide variety of SEA LIFE lives off the coast of Africa including seals, manatees, whales, porposes, and dolphins. Several species are endangered and alien species tend to distrupt the ecosystem. There is a difference between the sea life West of Cape Point and that to the East due to the markedly differing sea temperatures. Africa has vast oceans for Marine Biologists and Oceanographers to explore and has a very well developed marine science environment.

• A large variety of SPORTS are played in Africa including football, golf, tennis, and boxing. The continents has nearly 200 sports stadiums. Camel, horse, and ostrich racing are popular spectator sports.

• Africa has modern TELECOMMUNICATION services linking all parts of the continent and connecting with the rest of the world. Almost every African country is connected to the internet. Each country has radio stations and television stations. The Union of National Radio and Television of Africa promotes the development of broadcasting in Africa. Radio station XKFM is the only radio station in South Africa that caters to the Bushmen. The use of cell phones in vehicles is prohibited in South Africa. Webcams are located in several places in Africa including the Canary Islands, Zanzibar Island in East Africa, The Pierhead on Ascension Island, and South Africa. There are also webcams of animals.

• Because it has so many different physical features, TRANSPORTATION in Africa can be a challenge. In rural Africa, walking is the primary method of transporting goods. Bicycles are another form of transportation. Trekking, a form of hiking, is also popular. And there is probably no better way to travel through Africa's reserves than by overland truck. Ferries are used to travel to and from the islands.

• The United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization UNESCO protects natural and cultural properties around the world. Africa has many UNESCO National Heritage Sites. There are also many UNESCO Biosphere reserves in Africa.

  

• Africa has hundreds of UNIVERSITIES, colleges, and technical colleges. Several institutions in Africa provide interactive-instructions via telecommunications.

• Throughout Africa the VEGETATION influences peoples way of life more than anywhere else in the world. The natural vegetation that grows in Africa depends on rainfall, temperature, and type of soil. Vegetation in the Saharan is generally sparse, with scattered concentrations of grasses, shrubs, and trees in the highlands, in oasis depressions, and along the wadis. The vegetation of East Africa includes flowering plants and ferns. In western Kenya the vegetation is more alpine and tropical. Some ancient African plant familes wich evolved some 200 million years ato still have living representatives. A special vegetation called sudd occurs in the great Nile, Niger, and Zembezi drainage systems. Some countries have a National Flower - South Africa (Protea), Zimbabwe (Flame Lily), and Egypt (Lotus). Africa has 5 types of peatlands.

• Africa has VOLCANOS and volcanics. The Nyamuragira Volcano is the most active. In 2002, Mt. Nyirgongon erupted and lava flow destroyed much of the city and business districts. The Tibestic Volcanic Complex is between Lake Chad and Gulf of Syrte.

• Africa has many WATERFALLS. The highest waterfall is Tugela. The Blue Nile Falls is the 2nd largest waterfall in Africa and has a small hydropowerplant. Zambia has seven waterfalls. Victoria Falls is one of the Natural Wonders of the world and part of Victoria Falls National Park. Other waterfalls include Lofi Falls, Ngonye Falls, and Murchison Falls which is a National Park.

• The WEATHER in Africa is largely controlled by the continent's location astride the equator and its almost symmetrical extensions into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The continent is divided into 6 general climate regions. Thunderstorms are frequent especially in the tropical areas which are the most lightning prone spots on earth. Weather information is available for each country. Information is available about the effect of Global Warming on Africa.

• WEST AFRICA is located between the Atlantic ocean, Sahara Desert, and Central Africa rainforest. The area has about 20 separate countries and many cities all with contrasts in geography and lifestyle. Countries along the coast have fertile land and landlocked countries are largely desert. The Niger and Volta rivers flow through West Africa and are important to the economy as are the Niger and Volta River dams. The highest point of West Africa is volcanic Mt. Cameroon. The area is rich in archeological finds, and museums throughout the area have artifacts of the ancient Massi, Asanti, Benin, and Yoruba cultures.

• Africa has an abundance of WILDLIFE and there are two distinct wildlife zones - the North and Northwestern including the Sahara, and the Ethiopian including all of Subsaharan Africa. Four of the five fastest land animals live in Africa including the cheetah, the fastest land animal in the world. Africa has 45 species of Old World monkeys as well as 2 of the world's great apes - the chimpanzee, and the largest ape in the world, the gorilla. The African Wildlife Foundation is helping to conserve the population of Elephants. The Lapalala Wilderness in South Africa is one of the most significant private sanctuaries for rhinos in the world. There are 9 private game reserves in South Africa including the Klaserie Game Reserve which is one of the largest private game reserves in the world.There are nearly 300 mountain gorillas living in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Many places have a video cam to view the animals. Cameroon is home to the largest frog in the world - conraua goliath.

• XMAS is an abbreviation for Christmas which is celebrated in the Christian parts of Africa much as the rest of the world. Christmas in Ethiopia is celebrated on January 7. Egypt also celebrates Christmas on December 7, but because most people in the country are muslims it is not a public event. The Muslims celebrate Ramadan and the birthday of the Prophet. The Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah. The celebration of Kwanzaa in the United States is based on traditional African celebrations. All the countries in Africa have public holidays.

• The YORUBA live in southwestern part of Nigeria and it is one of the largest ethnic groups south of the Sahara. The Yoruba, the Ibo, and the Hausa make up more than half of Nigeria. Their are many different tribes in Africa mainly led by elders. The Sukuma culture is the largest in Tanzania. The Bushmen and Hottentots were the first inhabitants of South Africa. The Xhosa in South Africa consists of several tribes and is 2nd only to the Zulu in numbers.

• More than a dozen countries in Africa have Youth Hostels. A few countries have Elderhostels

• Africa has 5 time ZONES. The continents has a variety of ecological zones. Vegetation in Africa can be classified according to rainfall and climate zones. The largest vegetation zone is tropical grassland known as savanna. East Africa's mountains has 2 zones - the Afro-alpine zone and the Montane zone.

• ZOOS can be found in nearly every counry in Africa. Because of the abundance and diversity of wildlife in Africa, it is sometimes called a living zoo. The Two Ocean Aquarium is in South Africa. The East London Aquarium is also here and is the olded aquarium in the country. African eels heading upstream climb over dams. The world's largest game reserve was created when fences separating South Africa, Mozambique and Simbabwe national parks were removed.