Georgia's Exploring Our World: Africa, Southwest Asia, and Southern and Eastern Asia © 2012

Chapter 3: Africa Today

Chapter Overviews

The economies of Africa depend more on agriculture and mineral resources than on manufacturing. Today, a number of challenges face the people of this region, including environmental damage, the spread of disease, and various ethnic conflicts.

Egypt has a developing economy and is a powerful country in North Africa. Petroleum is its main export. Most Egyptians live within 20 miles of the Nile River. The crowded conditions create challenges to provide enough services such as hospitals, schools, and houses to support the large number of people. For years, Libya has been controlled by a dictator who supported terrorism. Policies have changed, and Libya's relations with other countries have improved. Other North African countries, such as Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco have relatively stable governments with growing economies.

Nigeria, one of the largest countries in West Africa, is a major producer of oil. Despite this resource, however, most people are farmers. Ethnic, and now religious, conflict has plagued the country. Other countries in West Africa are inland countries like Mali and Chad, which lie on the partly dry grasslands called the Sahel. Populations are smaller in these inland areas because the living conditions are harsh and the lack of good transportation limits development. Coastal and island areas of West Africa include the Cape Verde Islands and countries such as Liberia, Ghana, and Senegal. Civil wars have destroyed the economies of some coastal countries, while others have stable democracies and generally prosperous economies.

Central Africa remains largely undeveloped because of the environment and political conflicts. The large rain forest in the region is rapidly being destroyed as it is cleared for timber and farmland. Some countries in Central Africa are moving toward economic growth, such as Gabon and Cameroon. Others struggle to take full advantage of their resources due to undeveloped transportation.

Southern East Africa attracts people to its beaches and savannas. The area also supports thriving farms. Tanzania and Kenya have stable governments and economies. Both have a fast-growing tourism industry which not only helps the economy but protects the natural habitats of the local wildlife. The highland countries like Uganda and Rwanda receive plentiful rainfall, making the land good for farming. These countries have faced widespread ethnic conflict and tragedy, hindering their economic development. The countries of Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia in the northern part of East Africa endure ethnic conflict and war, which have hurt their economies.

Southern Africa's economies rely on the export of valuable minerals such as gold and diamonds. The country of the Republic of South Africa has experienced major social and political change in recent years and is now a growing democracy and a developed economy. Other southern countries are rich in resources but struggle to provide basics such as food and clean water. They are home to many different ethnic groups. People are primarily farmers or migrant workers.