1. Africa
Unit 6

2. Cultural Geography
of Africa
Ch 19

3. At the same time, the region is incredibly diverse.
The countries that make up this region share a common past shaped by ancient civilizations, European colonization, and the drive for independence.
At the same time, the region is incredibly diverse.
More than 3,000 African ethnic groups reside in this region.
Other groups include Europeans, Asians, Arabs, and people of mixed backgrounds.

4. Rapid Population Growth
Africa south of the Sahara experiences both the world's highest birth rate and its highest death rate. AIDS and other diseases, along with famine and poor nutrition, threaten this population.
Population Density & Distribution
Most people live in densely populated areas along the coastal belt of West Africa, along the Gulf of Guinea, and along the eastern coast of southern Africa
Population & Food Production
Population growth & economic challenge has made it difficult for Africa to feed its people
Climate & intensive farming have depleted much of the farmland
Population & Health Care
Famine, unclean water, lack of sanitation & AIDS are leading causes of death
Governments cannot afford aid to their people
High death rate means shortage of workers which could hurt industry

7. Diverse Population People Without Borders Growing Cities
Southern Africa is home to more than 3,000 African ethnic groups. Other groups in the region include Europeans, Asians, Arabs, & people of mixed backgrounds
People Without Borders
Borders do not affect daily life
People within an ethnic group share a common culture
Loyalty to ethnicity is more important to loyalty to country
Growing Cities
30% of population live in cities
Urban areas are growing fast
Most of the cities lie on the coast, along major rivers, or near natural resources
African cities have big buildings and shopping centers, but do have traffic congestion, overcrowded neighborhoods, inadequate infa-structure, and slums

10. African Roots First Civilizations Empires in the West Bantu Migrations
Ancient civilizations developed powerful kingdoms that dominated patterns of trade throughout the region.
In northeast Africa, the Kush kingdom and later the Axum empire thrived.
Empires in the West
On the West Coast of the region, the empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai traded their abundant gold for scarce salt resources from the Sahara.
Bantu Migrations
Bantu peoples spread across central & southern Africa.
Established states in present day Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, & Zimbabwe
60,000,000 Bantu speakers in Africa today

11. European Colonization
Europeans began colonizing this region in the 1800s. Their boundaries cut across ethnic homelands; replaced traditional, small-scale farming with plantations; and generally promoted European culture over African ways.
Slave Trade in Africa
Slave trade greatly increased when Europeans started shipping slaves to the Americas to work
Europeans made huge profits
Millions of Africans died
The loss of so many young men was a huge setback to the societies they left behind
Europe Divides & Rules
By 1914 all of Africa except for Ethiopia & Liberia were under European control
Colonizers established colonial borders that cut across ethnic homelands
Missionaries promoted Christianity & European culture
Colonists established plantations in place of the village based African economies

13. From Colonies to Countries
After gaining independence in the 1900s, the new countries struggled to set up economies to meet their own needs. Ethnic and religious rivalries continue to trouble the region.
Nigeria: A Colonial Legacy
Several different ethnic & religious groups within its borders
1960 Nigeria became independent & religious & ethnic differences caused a civil war
Today differences still plague Nigeria
South Africa: Road to Freedom
Until the 1990s South Africa existed under a system of apartheid
Internal unrest & protest helped to end it
1994 South Africa held its 1st open election
Nelson Mandela was elected 1st black president

15. Languages Languages: Language Diversity
More than 2,000 languages are spoken in Africa today, including African dialects such as Swahili and Zulu.
Language Diversity
The Sudanic peoples of the NW & the NE corners of the region speak afro-asiatic languages
English and French serve as a lingua franca
The Dutch brought their language with them which has developed in to a dialect known as Afrikaans
The people of Madagascar speak Malayo-Polynesian languages

16. Religions
Most Africans in this region are either Christians or Muslims or follow one of the many traditional religions
Traditional African religions display a reverence for ancestors & belief in a supreme creator
West Africa has a large Muslim population
Religious faith is central to everyday life
Conflict arises from competing religious groups

18. Education Educational Advances New Ways of Learning
Before the colonial era most children were apprenticed
Europeans brought formal schooling to the region
Literacy rate today is about 60%
In rural areas most people are too poor to send their children to school
New Ways of Learning
Computers & the internet may eventually help to educate people in the region
Computer access is limited

20. The Arts African traditions often are transmitted through the arts.
One art form flourishing today is textiles with patterns that reflect distinct ethnic groups.
Music, dance, and oral literature also have strong traditions

22. Varied Lifestyles Extended family households are common in the region
Traditional dress & western dress can be seen in Africa’s large cities
People tend to marry into their ethnic groups

24. THE END!