World Regional Geography

Spring 2005

Chapter 9: Africa South of the Sahara

Africa South is a distinctive major world region characterized by underdevelopment, political instability and ethnic strife. The region is home to one of the world's largest metallic mineral resource extraction areas (bauxite, copper, gold, diamonds, platinum and coltan,) located in southern Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Mineral wealth aside, since the end of the colonial period, Africa South has emerged as the world's poorest region (1/2 population lives on less than 65 cents/day.)

The political geography of Africa is a result of the colonial period. In 1884 the Berlin Conference, attended by the imperial powers of the day divided the whole of the continent in spheres of control and colonialization. Today the former colonial powers of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, have all left an indelible mark on the linguistic, social, political, and economic fabric of Africa.

A Heritage of Resources and History

Pre-contact with Arab and European powers- ancient and developed civilizations

Slavery- spread African people across the globe- results were an African imprint upon culture.

Region- Sahara early trade route and then boundary and transition zone. Coasts become dominant during European period.

The Challenges of the Present-- 1.2% of world trade- most countries are losing, not gaining wealth. Internal problems (civil war, etc.) cause political, economic and social/cultural upheaval. Disease, HIV, slavery and environmental problem persist.

African Cultures

Ethnic Diversity and Shared Cultures

Indigenous beliefs and shared cultural values:

§ Close relationship between humans, nature and spiritual forces

§ Chain of life- humans are part of an ancestral chain. Value large families and the elderly- childlessness is sad

§ Artistic expression- sculpture, music, dance and story-telling

§ Wisdom and strong leadership- respected

§ Agricultural and herding- lifestyle, economy and culture

Over 1,000 languages and dialects are currently spoken in Africa South (trading languages are dominant- Swahili, English and French)

1. Bantu- most common language family.

2. Swahili, a mixture of Arab and Bantu, (national language of Kenya.)

3. Hutu a Bantu speaking people and majority ethnic group of Rwanda and Burundi. The powerful minority Tutsi are a Nilelotic people who invaded and conquered the Hutu in the 17th century AD.

4. The mighty Zulu, a Bantu people who migrated into southern Africa, are still a potent political force in Republic of South Africa.

5. African religions vary with each location or ethnic group throughout Southern Africa.

a. Christianity predominates as one moves south of Moslem-dominated Sahelian region.

b. Many Africans continue to incorporate traditional beliefs with western style Christianity.

African Empires- Mali (1324)- Empire with trade in salt, gold and universities

Muslims in the North and East- Islam connected East and West Africa across the Sahara. Spread down the East African Coast- impacted trade, scholarship and slavery

Colonial Regimes- Portuguese- 1^st European colonists (Angola 1483)

New world slavery- mostly from West and Central Africa- built upon African Empire and Arab trade economy. Around 10 million (6-30 million) slaves transported to the New World. Britain abolished trade in 1808. Most countries abolished slavery by 1880's (but it still exists.) National Geographic on slavery: http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0309/feature1/

Industrial revolution needed Africa's raw materials. Berlin Conference- 1884 (divided Africa.) Settlers- Dutch in South Africa, then British. Portuguese in Angola and Mozambique. British in East Africa. French in West Africa (French policy assimilated Africans into French institutions and culture. Infrastructure development focused upon systems to extract raw materials, not build nations or connect cultures.

Independence and After - Independence movements begin in 1957 (Ghana) and end with Namibia in 1990. Raw materials and dependence upon multinational companies for experts and world market connections keeps Africa poor and hinders African growth. Population growth has exceeded economic growth- a major problem for African development.

Sahel- southern margin of the Sahara desert- danger of drought and uncontrolled development- famine.

Colonial boundaries paid little (no) attention to ethnic (tribal) territories and this continues to cause problems in Africa.

Can Africa Claim the Twenty-First Century?

Development problems-

§ High child mortality

§ Lagging primary school enrollment

§ Endemic disease (malaria, HIV, etc.)

§ Population grows faster than economics

§ Short of basic human resources and infrastructure

Areas for action in Africa (needed to improve national conditions)

§ Improved Governance/Conflict Resolution

§ Investment in People- brain drain and reliance on expatriate expertise

§ Economic Diversification

§ Reduced aid dependency and better debt management

Natural Environments and Resources

Tropical Climates/Changing Climates

sub-Saharan Africa is with few exceptions tropical.

Although equatorial and monsoonal climatic regimes are present, Africa South is dominated by tropical savanna ecosystems.

1. Aridity is a major barrier to development in many countries such as Botswana, Namibia, Mali and Northern Nigeria.

2. Deserts- Sahara, Kalahari and Namib

3. The East African savanna is the world's most productive large mammal ecosystem.

The great rivers of Africa South (Niger, Zambezi, Zaire, Orange, and Nile) are essential catalysts for future economic development of the region's scarce agricultural resources.

1. Africa South is the world's largest subsistence agricultural region.

2. Subsistence agriculture is Africa's largest employment sector.

3. With a rapidly growing population, region is the world's poorest region as measured by density of population relative to arable land.

Sahara used to be a more humid- water rich area- remains of human settlement around dry lake beds. North Africa-

Figure 9.8 – page 374

Ancient Rocks, Plateaus, Rifts, and Volcanoes

Landscapes- plateaus on ancient rock surfaces dominate Africa

Highest mountains- Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) and Mount Kenya (Kenya)- both have glaciers and are on the equator

River geography- flow across plateaus and navigation is difficult due to waterfalls (limits access to interior) and rainfall patterns

Vegetation- see Figure 9.8 (page 374) Follow climatic regimes with equatorial rain forests and savanna grasslands, arid Sahel and desert areas.

Resources: Africa Abounds in Natural Resources

A. Zaire and Zambia - world's largest concentration of cobalt and copper.

B. Republic of South Africa - world's largest exporter of gold and platinum and chromite.

C. Cabinda Enclave (Angola) - largest oil field down coast from Nigeria (currently the United State's chief source of imported oil).

D. Niger - world's largest uranium ore deposits.

E. Guinea - world's largest concentration of bauxite.

F. Wildlife and environmental tourism is a great resource and a growing industry.

G. Commercial crops includes: bananas, cocoa, coffee, tea, palm oil, rubber, cotton, fruits and peanuts. Kenya supplies fresh flowers to European markets.

HIV/AIDS Pandemic

A. TB and AIDS are now the biggest killers followed by malaria and bilharzia.

B. Health care in rural Africa is mostly unavailable. For many of the countries south of the Sahara, the ratio of doctors to population is in excess of 1:20,000. Medical care (which is not free) is normally found only in urban areas.

C. Other diseases include cholera, Malaria, sleeping sickness and Ebola.

D. AIDS- 5^th biggest cause of global death (rise to 3^rd by 2005)

E. Africa (South of the Sahara)- world’s highest and most rapidly increasing concentration of AIDs. (Southern Africa- 40% of population 15-49 yrs is infected.)

F. Demographics/social implications- Numbers of orphans create entire villages without any adults. Migrant workers, prostitutes, wives and military personnel are highest infected populations.

Subregions

Central Africa (lowest population density, least developed and poorest)

Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda.

Countries are among the poorest in the world.

Countries

A. The continent's least accessible and slowest development region.

B. Ethnic conflict commonplace (e.g. Rwanda, Burundi, Chad and Central African Republic).

C. The region's natural resources are commonly shipped via the colonially developed rail and road system through southern Africa.

D. The Transcameroonian railroad is one of the interior's few outlet to the Guinea coast. Infrastructure is the least developed in Africa.

E. Congo River- Transportation corridor for D.R. Congo, C.A.R., Chad, Burundi and Rwanda- interrupted by rapids- treacherous route. River route was closed during DROC civil war. Check out the Congo:

http://www.congorivergolf.com/home.htm

http://www.mongabay.com/0603.htm

F. The region is dominated by politically turbulent Zaire (DROC) which covers 40% of the area, and over one-half of the population (the Zairian Army is mutinous, often requiring French or European intervention to protect foreign nationals). War in the Congo:

Old Zaire	New DROC
Mobuto (Exile)	Kabila
Uganda Rwanda	Zimbabwe Namibia Angola
Tutsi	Hutu

All nations robbed DROC of its mineral wealth while they had troops inside its borders. Kabila- assassinated in 2001, succeeded by his son. 2 million Congolese people have died in this war. Known as Africa’s First World War

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/congo.htm

G. All national economies of Central Africa are natural resources or agriculturally based. Chief trade partners are invariably members of the European Union or former occupying colonial powers.

I. Chad, CAR and Congo all had 30 years of civil war (into the 90’s) after independence from France.

J. Rwanda and Burundi-

Read Rwanda modern history here (on the test):

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rw.html

80% of the inhabitants are Hutu, and the rest Tutsi

(40% of Rwanda's population was either murdered, or fled)

Read Burundi modern history here (on the test):

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/by.html

Rwanda/Burundi:

http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Country_Specific/Rwanda.html

http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr990915.html

People

Although urban growth is rapid, most of the people still live in rural areas. Population growth is very fast. Tribal and ethnic rivalries cause political problems and often lead to conflict.

Conflict in this region is mostly ethnic. Colonial borders did not include ethnic/tribal boundaries.

Muslims people are in north, Christians in south (all African.)

Rural population distribution

Subsistence farming is dominant

Urban populations are growing as people seek safety from civil conflict

People of the Congo:

http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/ipi/eastcong.htm

Explore Congo

http://www.congo-pages.org/

Economic Development

Development is limited. Agriculture is the main economic activity, but not enough food is produced to feed the growing population. Mineral exports are essential, but better transportation is needed. Besides some help from France, the world economy has little interest in this subregion.

Development is limited due to:

· Physical Isolation

· Repressive colonial history

· Continuing civil strife

· Lack of foreign investment

Dense rain forest, interior countries with little infrastructure (few roads/rails.) Potential mineral riches. Life expectancy is 40-55 years. Population growth exceeds agricultural production.

Agriculture- main economic activity (70% of population)- includes coao, cofee and rubber.

Cattle farming- greatly restricted by disease

Mining- Copper (major region in world), diamonds, cobalt and some oil

Gabon- world’s largest unexploited iron ore deposit

D.R.O. Congo (Zaire): President Mobutu Sese Seko (richest man in Africa.) Government known as "kleptocratic." Congo (Zaire) one of poorest countries. 1997 coup by Laurent Kabila resulted in major war with Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe (also Tutsi supported) supporting against Uganda and Rwanda.

Rwanda and Burundi: Tutsi (cattle-herders, government of Burundi) and Hutus (farmers, government of Rwanda)

French Links- former colonies and tie their currency to the French franc.

Western Africa (most populous)

This area is the most populous subregion in Africa South of the Sahara and suffers from numerous development problems. Strong ties and identifies with France. Medieval kingdoms (most active indigenous historic development in region), very active in Sahara slave trade. Ancient economic ties to the Arab world.

Countries (see Figure 9.26, page 392-392 for list of countries)

A. This region was divided during the colonial period between the French (Senegal), British (Ghana), Germans (Togo), Spanish (Western Sahara), and Portuguese (Guinea - Bissau). Each left its own distinctive mark on the cultural and political landscape of the region.

B. The region is dominated by Nigeria, the continent's most populated state. In 2001- 127 million population.)

C. Urbanization is accelerating. Today, West Africa is characterized by some of the continents largest cities and largest regional population.

D. Moslem and non-Moslem flash points are evident throughout the region.

1. Northern (Hausa - Fulani) versus southern dominated (Christian Ibo) region.

2. Moslem-dominated, Libyan supported northern Chad versus French- supported southern Chad.

3. Moslem Senegal versus Anglophone Gambia.

E. Minerals and farming dominate the economies of West African states.

F. Slavery- 10 million slaves from West Africa

G. Liberia- founded by former US slaves (resulted in national problem of former slaves dominating local tribes- result was the recent rebellion against Charles Taylor

People

Birth rates remain high. Cities grow quickly. Muslim trade and colonialism by Britain, France, and Germany had long lasting effects on this subregion.

Timbuktu- one of the oldest African trading centers (Mali)

Economic Development

Development is less limited than in Central Africa, but fluctuations in world prices for export products are major concerns. Agriculture is most important, whereas mining is not so important except for Nigeria's oil. Government management and political leadership remain concerns.

Reasons for hindered growth:

§ Restricted economic base

§ Rapid population growth

§ Drought hazard

§ Political conflict

§ Mismanagement

§ Fluctuating world economic conditions

Nigeria: largest and most populated. Oil (90% of export) and natural gas. Has some manufacturing. One of most promising countries, but not realized. High degree of corruption- listed as the second most corrupt nation. Went from a developing, wealthy country to one of the poorest. North-south issues regarding the Muslim north and the Christian south causes conflict. Islamic states in the country declared that sharia law would become the law of the land (Islamic law)

Miss World in Nigeria:

http://www.africatoday.com/mar02/mar02iwilldonigeria.htm

Plantation Agriculture- Nigeria, Ghana & Cote d'Ivoire (palm oil, cacao, rubber, tropical fruits and coffee)- world leaders

Ghana- Gold mining

Guinea- gold, diamond and iron mining

Niger- Uranium

Sierra Leone- diamonds are controlled by rebel groups that trade for arms from Liberia

Eastern Africa

Rift valleys, dryness, and Ethiopia never being colonized are highlights of this subregion.

Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia

Countries

A. This is largely an agriculturally dominated region with few significant mineral deposits.

B. The colonial history of East Africa was strongly influenced by Britain, which annexed German colonies at the end of World War I. As a result, the empire goal of "Cape to Cairo" was finally realized.

C. The region is home to Africa's newest state, Muslim-dominated Eritrea.

D. Nature tourism is an important foreign exchange earner for many countries of East Africa, especially Kenya and Tanzania.

E. Economically, the region continues a downward slide since the decolonization period of the 1960's.

F. Agricultural products dominate foreign trade and labor force participation. Major products include: coffee, tea, sisal, cotton and vegetables.

G. Population growth and pressure on rural land is a problem throughout the region, especially in Kenya.

H. The Great Rift Valley of East Africa is thought to be the cradle of humankind by many. New discoveries continue to be made in Olduvai gorge in Tanzania.

I. Although ethnic-based conflict in East Africa is rare, political rivalry is commonplace between ideologically and religious based parties.

People

Very fast population growth. Coptic Christians in Ethiopia and Muslims from Southwest Asia competed for influence in northern parts of this subregion. Southern areas had fewer migrations and conflicts. Muslim countries include Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia. Coastal areas of Kenya and Tanzania are Muslim

Economic Development

Like other African areas, this subregion is poor with agriculture the principal activity. Manufacturing and service activities show little development.

Ethiopia: Christian from 300 AD (Coptic.) Dynasty of emperors from 100 AD (Solomon and Sheba) to 1974. Civil war with Eritrea for 30 years. Famine killed over 1/2 million in 1980. Only country not colonized by Europe. Coffee is 90% of export. Controls 80% of Nile water. Ethiopian emperors ruled until Haille Selassie was overthrown by a military coup- bringing a communist government to power. Eritrea and Ethiopia still have border clashes.

Somalia- UN forces could not bring peace to the country after the 1991overthrow of Said Barre. Somaliland (Northern Somalia) declares its independence. UN leaves in 1995 without restoring order.

Check out this article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3619791.stm

Somali News: http://allpuntland.com/news1/in.asp

Uganda: 20 years of civil war wrecked country (jewel of Africa.) Dictator Idi Amin killed many Indians who controlled the local economy.

Kenya: Important railroad links the coastal city of Mombasa with Kampala, Uganda. Kenya and Tanzania had little unrest. Lots of tourism. UNEP in Nairobi.

Tanzania (former states of Tanganyika and Zanzibar)- German colony until after WWI. The borders between Tanzania and Kenya were drawn to give Britain Mount Kenya and Germany Mount Kilimanjaro.

People -Muslims on the coast with Christians inland (mixed with indigenous religious beliefs. Indians are a large part of the local business people. Tribal boundaries do not follow national boundaries- a source of some friction. AIDs is very prevalent here.

Economic Development- Largely agricultural (coffee, tea, fruit, vegetables and fresh flowers, livestock- Ethiopian goats feed the Hajj in Mecca) Most people make a living through farming or herding.

Famine- droughts, civil unrest and some ethnic conflict are the cause.

Kenya has most diversified economy. Tourism is a growth industry. International agency (UN, NGOs, Development organizations, etc.) bring foreign exchange and experts into Nairobi and the region. Decline in large mammal population is a serious environmental and tourism concern. Kenya has an active wildlife service to preserve wildlife and promote tourism.

Southern Africa

Led by the Republic of South Africa, this subregion is the most economically developed. Sell resources cheap and buy back finished goods high. High urban populations.

Countries

Angola, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

A. Southern Africa, especially industrialized South Africa (RSA) is the economic engine which could drive development throughout Africa. It currently produces over 50% of total output by value.

1. The RSA is the only economy in Africa South whose principle exports are manufactured goods.

2. SADC (Southern Africa Development Conference) is the RSA's first foreign policy priority.

3. Southern Africa's infrastructure (road and rail) focuses on the well developed RSA ports of Capetown, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

Potential for development comes from:

§ Best records of economic progress

§ Mineral wealth

§ Diversified agriculture

§ Manufacturing

B. Some of Africa's largest riparian-based development schemes utilize the great rivers of Southern Africa: Limpopo, Orange, Vaal and Zambezi.

C. Powerful ethnic-based political movements continue in many areas of Southern Africa as major change agents:

1. Zulu - InKatha (Party (RSA)

2. Xhosa - African National Congress (RSA)

3. Ovimbundu - UNITA Party (Angola)

4. Ndebele - Zimbabwe

5. Shona - Zimbabwe

6. Afrikaner - National Party (RSA)

D. Some countries of Southern Africa continue to be devastated by political conflict and economic decline:

1. Angolan Civil War.

2. Namibian conflict with RSA ownership of land and resources.

3. Malawi underdevelopment and declining fish stock in Lake Malawi.

4. Civil war aftermath in Mozambique.

5. Land reform in Zimbabwe, Swazi, RSA and Namibia.

6. Post-Apartheid in South Africa

South Africa: 1/3 of southern Africa's population and 3/4 of GDP. Established by Dutch then purchased by British. Boers (Dutch- "farmer") were the settlers- left the Cape Town colony on the "Great Trek" into the Orange and Vaal river valleys. Boers declared the South African Republic, were known as the "Afrikaners" and discovered gold and diamonds in their region. Boers declare war on the British in 1899. Later white Afrikaners rule South Africa and instituted "apartheid" in 1948, which segregated the white and black races. Mandela (27 years in prison and first president after elections in 1994- leader of the African National Congress.) South Africa successfully switched from an all white government to a black majority government.

Zimbabwe- independent in 1984, former Rhodesia. Robert Mugabe has been the nation's only ruler (1980.) Land reform has resulted in land taken from white farmers and given to poor blacks. Result has been a flight of whites from the country and decreasing agricultural output- causing shortages. Mugabe rigged the 2002 elections and rules a repressive region, using the military to subdue the population.

Portuguese colonies- Angola- long civil war with communist government back by Soviet Union and Cuban military on the ground (rebels called- UNITA- backed by illegal diamond sales and South Africa.) Mozambique- another ex-colony with a 25 year civil war that recently ended. Limited development in these colonies.

Lesotho/Swaziland- monarchies

People

Population growth is slowing in some areas. Colonialism had varying impacts throughout the subregion. The Republic of South Africa is the only area with a significant number of white people (14%.) Many Asians fill roles in the business sectors.

Urban- South Africa - 50% urban. Major cities include Cape Town (3 million) and Johannesburg (2.3 million), both in South Africa. Many urban poor live in shantytowns.

Good South African movie: Sarafina

http://www.teachwithmovies.org/guides/sarafina.html

The Gods Must be Crazy (a very funny film from Botswana):

http://www.cat.uc.edu/dave/school/narrative.html

HIV/AIDS- worst infected area of the world (38% of 15-49 year old population of Botswana is infected.) Very high rates in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Economic Development

Mineral exports are very important. Unlike the rest of Africa South of the Sahara, the Republic of South Africa has significant manufacturing, services, and infrastructure. Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe

South Africa: Has 40% of world's gold and 90% of platinum. It also has diamonds, iron ore and strategic metals. De Beers maintains a diamond cartel, controlling the price. Large, diversified manufacturing sector

Namibia- 4^th largest exporter of non-fuel minerals and exports uranium

Botswana: 80% of exports from Diamonds.

Zimbabwe: Destroyed commercial farming with Mugabe's land reforms. Also exports coal, chrome, nickel and platinum

Angola- oil and diamonds

Agriculture- Lesotho, Madagascar, Swaziland, Malawi and Mozambique are mostly subsistence farming.

Future Prospects -- Prospects are poor in the short run.

Legacy -- Based on patterns established during colonial times, this region sells low priced primary products to core countries and buys high priced manufactured products from the core countries. Global warming is potentially a serious problem for Africa South of the Sahara.

Disappointments -- Due to a variety of reasons, development has been limited since these countries have become independent. Conditions have become worse in some areas.

Basic Needs -- Improvements in education have been offset by continuing transportation problems.