CENTRAL AFRICA TODAY 23-3

Democratic Republic of the Congo Belgian colony Many professionals left after it gained independence Ethnic groups fought for power

Military dictator – Joseph Mobutu Changed countries name to Zaire Changes his name to Mobutu Sese Seko

1997 – Civil War New government  DRC Lots of minerals  Copper, gold, diamonds, cobalt, timber

Capital – Kinshasa Mostly poor slums

Central African Republic Landlocked After independence – lots of corruption Hard to transport resources Poor farmers

Cameroon Fairy stable Republic Lots of goods and transportation Higher standard of living

Equatorial Guinea Mainland and 5 islands Republic Flawed elections  Same president for 25 years Poor

Sao Tome and Principe Political instability Island country Poor, few resources Import food Oil - recent

Gabon 1 president since 1967 Highest standard of living in region ½ income is from oil

Republic of Congo Oil and forest products Civil War Mostly urban Capital - Brazzaville

Angola Independent from Portugal in 1975 Civil Wars Republic with elected president

Subsistence farmers Left over land mines Inflation – rise in prices that occur when currency loses its buying power High rate

Diamonds and oil Cabinda – separated by DRC

Zambia Lots of copper mines Debt and inflation Farmers

Malawi Poor Relies on aide from foreign countries and religious groups

Malaria Disease spread by mosquitoes  Fever and pain  Death without treatment Most common form of death  1 kid killed every 45 seconds

Insecticide Sleeping nets No money

HIV and AIDS 100,000’s die each year in this region Medicine in too expensive Young  45% of people are under 15 years old

Malnutrition Not getting enough nutrients from food