1. 21st Century in Africa Problems after Independence
By 1980 most of Africa was free from European rule.
However, many of the newly independent countries are facing many problems.

2. Key Vocabulary
Civil War: A war between groups or regions of the same country in order to gain political power.
Genocide: systematic and planned extermination of an entire national, racial, political, or ethnic group.
HIV/AIDS: human immunodeficiency virus- virus that causes AIDS; AIDS-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a disease of the immune system caused by HIV which makes the infected person vulnerable to other diseases and which can result in death.
Malaria-a tropical disease spread by mosquitoes.
Famine- widespread food shortage that causes malnutrition and starvation.
Refugees-people who flee a country, often to escape war or persecution.
Epidemic-extremely prevalent; widespread.
Epidemic diseases-are diseases which spread quickly and become widely prevalent throughout a given region.

3. Problems in 21st Century Africa
Disease
Poverty
Drought
Poor Education
Civil War
Ethnic Conflict
Genocide
Famine

4. Major Developments Since African Independence

5. Issues facing Africa Today
Independence brought freedom but it also ushered in a new era of tribulations.
One of the biggest issues facing Africa today is famine.
Large portions of Africa are dealing with droughts that cause mass starvation.
The population of Africa grows at a faster rate than many countries can industrialize, therefore leaving many countries unable to feed all of their people.
In Ethiopia, Somalia, and the Sudan starvation is common place.

6. Famine

7. Disease HIV/AIDS is one of the leading causes of death in Africa.
Populations growth has been slow in sub-Saharan Africa because of AIDS and Malaria.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
No known cure for the disease, the rate of infection is due largely to poverty and poor education. Education and prevention is the only way to stop the spread of this disease!
Malaria is a tropical disease spreading throughout the region carried by mosquitoes.
Each year more than 1 million die from malaria. Children in Sub-Saharan Africa are most at risk.
For instance malaria is the leading cause of death in children under five in Uganda.
Insecticides and mosquito nets can drastically lower the number of infections.

8. Malaria Endemic Malaria
Endemic: belonging exclusively or confined to a particular place.
Endemic Malaria

9. HIV/AIDS
AIDS in South Africa

10. Literacy Rate
The Literacy rate in Africa is 50%. Meaning that half of the population cannot read or write.
Sudan and Egypt both have a literacy rate of 51%.
South Africa, the most developed has an 83% literacy rate.