Africa
Africa is the world’s second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth’s total surface area and 20% of its land area. With 1.4 billion people as of 2021, it accounts for about 18% of the world’s human population. Africa’s population is the youngest amongst all the continents; the median age in 2012 was 19.7, when the worldwide median age was 30.4. Despite a wide range of natural resources, Africa is the least wealthy continent per capita and second-least wealthy by total wealth, behind Oceania. Scholars have attributed this to different factors including geography, climate, tribalism, colonialism, the Cold War, neocolonialism, lack of democracy, and corruption. Despite this low concentration of wealth, recent economic expansion and the large and young population make Africa an important economic market in the broader global context.
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Brazzaville
Brazzaville, situated on the north bank of the Congo River below Malebo (Stanley) Pool, is the capital city, commune, and river port of the Republic of Congo. It also served as the former capital of French Equatorial Africa. Established in 1883, Brazzaville began as the village of Ntamo, which was “purchased” by the French and transformed into a European administrative and residential hub. Until the early 1960s, the city’s centre…
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African Countries
Cameroon
Cameroon is a country located in Central Africa and its capital city is Yaoundé. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west, Chad to the northeast, the Central African Republic to the east, Gabon and the Republic of Congo to the south, and Equatorial Guinea to the southwest. The country has a population of over 26 million people and its official languages are English and French. The country is divided…
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Cape Coast
Cape Coast, situated at the heart of Ghana’s coastline, extends from a low promontory into the Gulf of Guinea within the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 75 miles (120 km) southwest of the Ghanaian capital, Accra. During the 15th century, the Portuguese established a post at this location, and later in the 16th century, the British arrived. The town, among the oldest in the country, developed around Cape Coast Castle, initially constructed…
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Cape Town
Cape Town, located in South Africa, is a city with a rich history and unique geography. Nestled between Table Mountain and Table Bay, the first settlement of Cape Town was bounded by Lion’s Head and Lion’s Rump to the northwest, Devil’s Peak to the south, and marshlands and the sandy Cape Flats to the east. These natural features played a significant role in shaping the direction of Cape Town’s growth…
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African Countries
Chad
Chad, situated in north-central Africa, is a landlocked country characterized by a gently sloping basin that ascends from the Lake Chad region in the west, surrounded by mountain ranges to the north, east, and south. Natural irrigation is primarily reliant on the Chari and Logone rivers, along with their tributaries, flowing from the southeast into Lake Chad. N’Djamena (formerly Fort-Lamy), the capital, is approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) distant from…
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Chlef
Chlef (pronounced [ʃlɛf]) (in Arabic: الشلف, in Berber: ⵛⵛⵍⴼ), formerly known as Castellum Tingitanum in Roman times, then El Asnam (which means “the idols” in Arabic) and renamed Orléansville during the French colonial period, is an Algerian municipality located in the northern part of Algeria, in the wilaya (province) of the same name, where it serves as the capital. Chlef is situated halfway between Algiers, the capital, and Oran, the…
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Cotonou
Learn more about Cotonou, a large port city in Benin. It is situated along the Gulf of Guinea. Once a part of the Dahomey Kingdom, this region serves as the origin of the Benin-Niger Railway. The railway stretches northward for 273 miles (439 km) into the interior but concludes in the middle of Benin at Parakou. Beyond Parakou, goods can be transported an additional 200 miles (322 km) by road to…
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Dakar
Dakar, the capital and largest city of Senegal, is a bustling metropolis located on the Cape Verde Peninsula in West Africa. Known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and strategic location, Dakar has emerged as a major economic and political hub in the region. Continue reading this article to explore the fascinating story of Dakar, from its early settlements to its present-day prominence. Join us on this journey as we…
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African Countries
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a country located in Central Africa. It is the largest country in sub-Saharan Africa and is known for its vast size, rich natural resources, and diverse cultural heritage. The Prime Minister is the head of government. The capital of the country is Kinshasa, and the estimated population as of 2023 is 111,860,000. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country situated…
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Djelfa
Djelfa is a city in the Ouled Nail Range in northern Algeria. It is the capital of Djelfa Province and is located in the Tell Atlas mountain range. The city is known for its historical and cultural significance, as well as its economic activities.