East Africa

Overall physical geography East Africa, though on the same degree of latitude is cooler and drier than West Africa. Deserts are common in East Africa and droughts are frequent. The Great Rift Valley runs through East Africa and is its dominant landform.

East Africa Political Geography Farming and fishing are common occupations, with very little industry or manufacturing Islam is the dominant religion along the coast Probably the most unstable region in Africa with civil wars, poor governments, terrorist cells and piracy in the Gulf of Aden

Three countries to focus on ✗ Sudan ✗ Ethiopia ✗ Somalia

Sudan Physical Geography Third largest country in Africa, and 12th largest in the world. Sudan is mostly flat plains Desert dominates the North while the South is mostly rainforest and swamps The White Nile and Blue Nile have their confluence in Sudan at Khartoum, the capital.

Sudan Political Geography Oh my, is Sudan a mess! Nearly 600 ethnicities in Sudan who speak over 400 languages and dialects in the country of about 40 million (best guess due to the last census being in 1993) 70 percent of the population is Muslim, 5 percent Christian

Sudan Political Geography continued Sudan is becoming a major oil exporter, with much of it going to China in exchange for small arms. 80% of Sudanese workers are in agriculture, most along the Nile. Various civil wars and regional disputes have devastated Sudan since the early 1980's. Sudan is one of only FOUR countries in the world that the US government calls “State Sponsors of Terrorism.”

State Sponsor of Terrorism explanation "defined in this report as ungoverned, under-governed, or ill-governed areas of a country and non-physical areas where terrorists that constitute a threat to U.S. national security interests are able to organize, plan, raise funds, communicate, recruit, train, and operate in relative security because of inadequate governance capacity, political will, or both. Physical safe havens provide security for terrorist leaders, allowing them to plan acts of terrorism around the world."

Sudan Political Geography continued Current leader of Sudan came to power in 1989 through an overthrow of the former prime minister and has done everything possible since then to make himself a supreme autocratic dictator in complete power for life. Many of Sudan's neighbors have poor relations with them

Sudan Political Geography continued Genocide in Darfur region. This song by Mattafix was dedicated to the Darfur refugees (click to black box and click again) July 9 th of last year, South Sudan became an independent country, breaking away from Sudan.

Ethiopia Physical Geography Ethiopia is mountainous in West, semi-desert lowlands in the East. Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile. Because of its high elevations, Ethiopia is cooler than most parts of the world at a similar line of latitude. Deforestation is a major concern in Ethiopia.

Political Geography Coffee was first grown in Ethiopia and is its largest export today. 10 th largest producer of livestock in the world. Ethiopia is making efforts to become one of the world's largest flower and plant exporters in the world. Ethiopia's water resources are described as its “white oil” and its coffee production as its “black gold.”

Ethiopia Political Geography continued Ethiopia's population has more than doubled in the last 25 years or so, going from about 33 million in the mid 80's to over 75 million today. Ethiopia was one of the first countries in the world to officially adopt Christianity, doing so in the 4 th century. It remains the majority religion today, but Islam is fast growing there.

Ethiopia Political Geography Continued Life expectancy is only about 45 in Ethiopia. High infant mortality rate due to few trained doctors. There are more Ethiopian doctors in Chicago, Illinois than there are in ALL of Ethiopia, a country of over 75 million!

Somalia Did I say Sudan was a mess?? Somalia makes Sudan look like Disneyland!

Somalia Physical Geography Somalia has the longest coastline of any African country. Somalia is plains, plateaus, highlands and semi-desert. Like some parts of West Africa, it has rainy and dry seasons, but is much hotter on average.

Somalia Political Geography ● Somalia is one of the poorest and most violent countries in the world. ● Somalia has not had a truly functioning government since ● Crippling poverty and lack of governmental intervention has led to widespread criminal activity making Mogadishu one of the most dangerous places on Earth.

Somali Pirates When the government broke down in the early 1990’s, there was no authority to protect the waters in the Indian Ocean belonging to Somalia. The first pirates may have been attempting to stop illegal fishing and dumping off the coast of their country. Now, there are powerful groups that are heavily armed taking advantage of the situation to enrich themselves.

Key things to know about East Africa  Cooler and wetter than the West  Islam still dominant, but not as much in North  Nile River is the major water source  Great Rift Valley is the major landform  Most unstable of the five regions  Darfur region of Sudan is experiencing genocide  South Sudan will gained independence last July.  Somali pirates are a result of no government The End!