African Bloc (Sub-Saharan Africa)

Regions West Africa East Africa Central Africa Southern Africa

Countries Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Gambia, Cote D’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, others Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Madagascar, others Congo, D.R. Congo, Central African Republic, Gabon, Angola, Zambia, others South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, others West Africa East Africa Central Africa Southern Africa

Geographical Features Lake Victoria Savanna Jungle Mt. Kilimanjaro Savanna Kalahari

Characteristics: Political Some democracy (many unsuccessful), many dictatorships

Characteristics: Economic Developing Countries

Characteristics: Languages

Characteristics: Religions

A Brief History of Modern Africa Africans lived in isolated tribes before 1800’s

Imperialism Almost all of Africa was ruled by Europeans from 1800’s to 1960’s

INDEPENDENCE! Ghana in 1957 The rest in the 1960’s

Social Problems Poverty

1. Lack of Industrialization Europeans never allowed industrialization Economies depended on export of natural resources

2. Poor balance of trade Debt More money had to be spent importing technology from developed countries Debt

3. Corruption Scarce resources were spent on luxury or military

4. Overpopulation Modern medicine decrease death rates High population = high unemployment

5. Food Shortage Lack of arable land Drought and war create famines

6. Lack of Education Small government budget and political instability leads to spotty education

Social Problems Ethnic Conflict Apartheid in South Africa Rwandan Genocide 1994 Hutus kill 800,000 Tutsis Darfur, Sudan 2003 – today Arab government supports the Janjaweed’s killing of blacks.

Social Problems Epidemics caused by lack of nutrition, medicine, and clean water AIDS Malaria

Social Problems Women’s rights Women have fewer opportunities Many are kidnapped and “trafficked” to other countries as sex slaves

Values Independence Economic Development Attracting foreign investment Industrialization

Major Organizations The African Union To promote sustainable economic development To secure peace and stability Crisis relief

Influence The African Bloc has the LEAST influence in international affairs Contributes little to world economy Often ignored by wealthier countries WORLD GDP