CENTRAL AFRICA

COUNTRIES Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo,

Important People Wangari Maathai: A famous environmentalist from Kenya, Wangari is the first woman from the under privileged region of east and Central Africa to have attained a doctorate. Nelson Mandela: One of the greatest leaders of the 20 th century, Mandela demonstrated immense courage, patience and determination to free his nation from the shackies of apartheid. Mr. Mandela became the President of south Africa in Before becoming president, he had to spend 27 years in prison. Mr. Mandela is also known by the honorary title Madiba in South Africa. Kofi Annan: The former Secretary-General of the United Nations

Physical Features The D.R.C. have four larges lakes: Lake Albert, Lake Edward, Lake Kivu, and Lake Tanganyka, this one is the longest freshwater lake in the world. One of the largest rain forest covers the center of the Republic of the Congo. The mighty Congo River is so strong that carries water about 100 miles into the ocean.

Humans and the physical environment Democratic Republic of Congo: After years of civil war, life in the country is still unsettled. The economy has nearly collapsed, and many people in the cities are without work. In rural areas people follow traditional ways of life, the plants seeds, tend fields, and harvest crops. Cameroon and the Central Africa Republic: Here most of the people farm for living, a few large plantations raise cacao,cotoon, tobacco, and rubber for export. Congo: Here the Congo river supports most of the country’s farmlands and industries, to the north a large swampy area along the Ubangi River supports dense vine thickets and tropical trees. Both the Ubangi and Congo rivers provide Congo with Hydroelectric power. They also make Congo the door to the Atlantic Ocean for trade and transport.

Culture Religion: Christianity, and Islam Ethnic groups: There are more the 80 ethnic groups, but the most known are:Arabs,Ashanti,Bantu,Moors,Semites,Xhosa and Yoruba Language: French, and natives languages. Traditions: Different types of dances, like religious and initiation dances. Even ritual dance where the spectator participate. Music: Type of music using instrumented like single reeded flutes, various kind of horns, five string kinde Holidays: New year-----Jan 1, Anniversary of the death of Barthelemy Boandu----Mar-29, Easter Monday—April -25, Assumption—Aug-15, All Saint’s Day—Nov-1, National Day—Dec-1, Christmas—Dec-25 Food: Africa use a combination of locally available fruits, cereal grains and vegetables. Government: Republic

Important historical facts In the 2000 Olympic Summer Games, the gold medal in men’s soccer went to Cameroon’s team, the indomitable Lions. The streets of Cameroon’s capital, Yaounde, and other cities were jammed with wildly excited fans screaming with joy. Cameroon’s president even declared the following Monday a national holiday to celebrate the victory.