2.  Slightly larger than the state of Texas, Zambia is one of the world’s largest producers of copper. This copper comes from numerous areas of copper mines known as the copper belt.  Due to Zambia’s heavy reliance on copper, when copper prices go down, Zambia’s economy is negatively impacted. With copper reserves dwindling, the government has encouraged its city dwellers to return to farming.  Zambia imports much of its food from other countries.

3.  Zambia gained its independence in 1964 after being under the control of Great Britain for over 70 years.  Although English is the official language, the people of Zambia come from more than 70 different ethnic groups and speak many languages.  Those who work in urban areas (cities) work in the mining and service industries.

4.  One of the least developed countries in Africa, Malawi’s economy relies heavily on agriculture.  Malawi exports tobacco, tea, and sugar. Malawi relies on economic assistance.  Like Zambia, Malawi was a British colony that gained its independence in 1964.  Malawi returned to democratic rule in 1994 after a long period of rule under dictator Hastings Banda.

5.  Malawi is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa (255 people per square mile).  With jobs being scarce, people in Malawi seek work in South Africa and Zambia.

6.  With a similar terrain as the western United States, Zimbabwe relies on the mining of gold, copper, iron ore, and asbestos to provide most of the country’s income.  Like South Africa, whites own most of the land while black Zimbabweans only own small plots.  Since the 1980s, the government of Zimbabwe has tried to redistribute, (legally taking something that belongs to one group and giving it to another group) to black Zimbabweans, but this has led to violence and chaos.

7.  Sadly nearly 34 percent of Zimbabwe’s population has AIDS. Unfortunately the government of Zimbabwe lacks the resources to deal with the crisis effectively.  Zimbabwe is named after the ancient African city and trading center, Great Zimbabwe.  Zimbabwe would gain its independence in 1980 from Great Britain.

8.  Located in the heart of Southern Africa, the Kalahari Desert spreads over southwestern Botswana.  Rich in mineral resources, Diamonds account for more than 75 percent of the Botswana’s export income. Due to its climate, farming is difficult and the country is only capable of growing 50 percent of the food its people need.  Like many countries in the region, Botswana was a British colony that would gain its independence in 1966 and is one of the strongest democracies in Africa today.

9.  Twice the size of Texas, Angola also includes a tiny exclave called Cabinda. An exclave is a small part of a country that is separated from the main part.  Although 85 percent of people are subsistence farmers, Angola’s main source of income is oil. Other important industries include diamond mining, fish processing, and textiles.  Angola was a Portuguese colony until 1975. The official language of Angola is still Portuguese and Portugal remains an important trading partner.

10.  One of Africa’s newest countries, Namibia became independent in 1990 after 75 years of rule by the Republic of South Africa.  With exception of a large plateau that runs through the center of the country, Namibia is made up of deserts.  Although Namibia has rich deposits of diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, silver, and lead, most of the people in Namibia live in poverty. Money from mining the above resources goes to a small group of Namibian investors and foreign companies that have invested in the country’s resources.

11.  The majority of the population are farmers. Some practice a method called Slash-and- burn farming which is a method of clearing land by cutting and burning forests.  Slash-and-burn farming along with commercial logging has led to deforestation.  Mozambique has suffered from deadly cyclones (intense storm system with heavy rain and high circular winds).  The main source of income comes from its seaports.

12.  Originally part of Africa, Madagascar broke away from the African mainland 160 million years ago. As a result, many of its plants and animals that are not found elsewhere.  Madagascar produces most of the world’s vanilla beans.  Unfortunately about 80 percent of the island has been slashed and burned. The government has taken steps to protect the remaining forests.

13.  The island of Mauritius was formed by volcanoes.  Due to 70 percent of the population being made up of settlers originally from India, Mauritius is the only African country where the majority of its population practices Hinduism.  With the rest of the population coming from an African, European, or Chinese ancestry, the food of Mauritius have a variety of different ingredients.