1. African Bloc (Sub-Saharan Africa)

3. Regions
West Africa
East Africa
Central Africa
Southern Africa

4. 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

5. Geographical Features
Lake Victoria
Savanna
Jungle
Mt. Kilimanjaro
Savanna
Kalahari

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

7. Characteristics: Economic
Developing Countries

8. Characteristics: Languages

9. Characteristics: Religions

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

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

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

13. Social Problems
Poverty

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

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

17. 3. Corruption
Scarce resources were spent on luxury or military

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

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

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

21. 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.

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

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

24. Values Independence Economic Development Attracting foreign investment
Industrialization

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

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