Africa's Geography presents a comprehensive exploration of the world’s second largest and most culturally diverse continent. Author Benjamin Ofori-Amoah challenges common misconceptions and misrepresentations of Africa from a geographical perspective, harnessing the power of modern geographic mapping technology to explore this unique continent. This text provides thorough coverage of the historical, cultural, economic, and political forces that continue to shape Africa, applying geographic context to relevant past and contemporary issues. Coverage of economic development, climate and biogeography, transportation and communication, manufacturing and commerce, and mining and agriculture provides foundational knowledge of this vast and complex continent.
Ideally suited for multiple areas of classroom study, this text offers an effective and flexible pedagogical framework. Coverage of the entirety of Africa enables students to develop a cohesive portrait of the continent as a whole and identify the dynamism of its nations, cultures, and economies. Engaging and accessible narrative strengthens comprehension, while examples of historical and contemporary events increase student interest. Innovative and unique, Africa’s Geography is an essential resource for cross-disciplinary investigation of this fascinating part of the world.
Table of Contents
Preface v
Acknowledgments vii
1 This is Africa 1
Africa - The One Small Country Continent 2
Africa, the Uniform Region 2
Africa, the Epitome of Poverty, Backwardness, and the State of being a “Third World” 8
Do You See Lions and Cheetahs in the Streets and on the Way to School? 10
You Must Have Studied Outside Africa! 10
Ethnocentrism and the Role of Early European Visitors to Africa 11
The Nature of News and the Media 11
The Nature of Academic Research Enterprise 13
Nongovernmental Organizations and the Aid Industry 14
The Demonstration Effect of Past and Current Behavior of Vested Interest Groups in Africa 14
Postreading Assignment 16
Web Resources 16
References 17
2 From Empires in the Sand and Civilizations in the Jungle to Colonies and Freedom 18
The Origins of the African People 19
Evolution and Development of Early Cultures 20
Transformation through Agriculture, Metallurgy, and Expansion 21
North and East Africa 23
West Africa 27
Central and Southern Africa 32
North Africa and the Outside World 34
The Swahili Coast 36
The Trans-Saharan Trade 36
The Coming of (Western) Europeans and Early Colonies 38
The Slave Trades 39
Christian Missionaries, “Legitimate” Trade, and the Mapping of Africa 41
Colonial Africa 43
Reasons for the Independence Movement 50
The March to Independence 51
Summary 56
Postreading Assignment 57
References 57
3 The Struggle for a Better Standard of Living 59
Capitalist Ideology and Modernization Theories 60
Marxist or Socialist Ideology and Dependency Theories 61
The 1950s-1960s: From the Modernization Project to Mixed Development Strategies 63
The 1970s: From Mixed Development Experiments to Economic Insolvency 66
The 1980s: From Economic Insolvency to Structural Adjustment Programs 71
The 1990s: Poststructural Adjustment Era 73
Postreading Assignments 79
References 80
4 Geology, Relief, and Drainage Basins 82
The Precambrian Time (4.6 b to 570 m years ago) 82
The Paleozoic Era (570 m to 245 m years ago) 83
The Mesozoic Era (245 m to 66.4 m years ago) 84
The Cenozoic Era (About 66.4 m to the Most Recent) 84
The Coastal Plains 87
The Interior Plateaus and Highlands 88
River Basins 99
Lakes 108
Summary 112
Postreading Assignment 112
References 113
5 Climate, Biogeography, and Soils 115
Factors Affecting Africa’s Climate 116
Temperature and Rainfall Conditions 119
Climatic Types 121
Tropical Rain Forest 128
Warm Temperate (Mediterranean) Forest 129
Tropical Woodland 130
Dry or Sudan Savanna 130
Semi-Desert or Sahel 130
Desert 131
Temperate Grassland 131
Mountain Vegetation 131
Oxisols 132
Utisols 132
Alfisols 133
Aridisols 133
Vertisols 133
Other Soils 133
Nature’s Opportunities 134
Nature’s Challenges 135
Summary 143
Postreading Assignments 143
References 144
6 Population 146
Distribution by Density 147
Factors Affecting Population Distribution 150
Age and Sex Composition 153
Income, Education Attainment, and Life Expectancy at Birth 155
Population Growth 158
Population Growth (Natural Increase) and Economic Development 174
Rapid Population Growth and Africa’s Economic Development 175
Migration and Development 176
Summary 178
Postreading Assignment 179
References 180
7 Unity in Diversity 184
Ethnocentrism 184
Christianity and Islam 185
Colonialism 185
Race and Ethnicity 187
Religions and Worldviews 191
Languages 200
Literature 203
Visual Art and Symbolism 205
Family and Kinship 211
Age, Sex, and Gender 214
Cuisines 217
Dress and Adornment 219
Social Relations and Lifestyle 220
Language and Development 222
Oral Literature and Corruption 222
Ethnicity and Conflicts 223
Religious Fundamentalism and Extremism 223
Summary 224
Postreading Assignments 225
References 225
8 Cities, Towns, and Villages 228
Evolution and Development of Africa’s Urban System 230
The Internal Structure of Africa’s Cities 241
Problems and Issues of Africa’s Postcolonial City 248
Evolution and Development of Rural Settlements 254
Internal Structure of Rural Settlements 255
Social Linkages and Interaction 256
Economic Linkages and Interactions 257
Political Linkages and Interactions 258
Summary 258
Postreading Assignments 259
References 259
9 Politics and Governance 263
Precolonial Africa 264
Colonial Africa 265
Postcolonial Africa 266
Boundary Disputes 280
The Land Question 281
Democratic Multiparty Elections 284
Civil Society, Citizen Representation, and Accountability 287
Rule of Law and Access to Justice 288
Neopatrimonialism, Venality, and Corruption 289
Civil Wars 291
Ethnic and Minority Issues 296
Women Issues 299
The Media and Press Freedom 299
The Problem of Local Government Reforms 300
Regional Groupings and Changing Geopolitics 301
Summary 303
Postreading Assignments 303
References 304
10 Transportation and Communication 308
Road Transportation 309
Water Transportation - Inland Waterways and Ocean Transportation 316
Rail Transportation 327
Air Transportation 333
Telecommunication in Precolonial and Colonial Periods 344
Postcolonial Developments 345
Summary 355
Postreading Assignment 355
References 356
11 Agriculture 358
Precolonial Africa 358
Colonial Africa 360
Postcolonial Africa 365
Crop Production Systems 374
Livestock Production Systems 389
Low Productivity 395
The Problem of Institutions and Markets 396
Disempowered Farmers and Communities 397
A Note on Food Insecurity 398
Policy Options 398
Postreading Assignment 401
References 402
12 Fisheries and Forestry 405
Classification of Fisheries, Fishing Vessels and Methods, and Fisheries Data 406
Evolution and Development of African Fisheries 408
Fisheries Production 415
Problems and Issues in Fisheries 425
Summary 427
Evolution and Development of African Forestry 428
Production of Forest Products 438
Problems and Issues in Africa’s Forestry 442
Summary 445
Postreading Assignment 446
References 446
13 Mineral and Energy Production 449
Evolution and Development of Mineral Production in Africa 451
Mineral Production Operations 459
The Evolution and Development of Energy Production in Africa 471
Distribution of Major Energy Resources and Production 475
Problems and Issues in Mineral and Energy Production 482
Physical and Human Impact of Mineral and Energy Production 482
Mineral Production, Conflict, and Development 484
Summary 487
Postreading Assignment 488
References 488
14 Manufacturing Activities 490
Precolonial Africa 491
Colonial Africa 491
Postcolonial Africa 492
Manufacturing Production Systems (MPS) of Africa 497
Major Manufacturing Industries 499
Problems and Prospects of Industrialization 528
Summary 531
Postreading Assignments 533
References 533
15 Trade and Tourism 535
Evolution and Development of Trade in Africa 535
Types and Organization of Trading Activities 545
Africa’s Trade Issues 556
The Evolution and Development of Tourism in Africa 561
Africa’s Tourist Trade 566
Tourism and Economic Development of Africa 575
Postreading Assignments 577
References 578
16 Education and Health Care 581
Evolution and Development of Education in Africa 582
Africa’s Education System 591
Problems and Issues in Africa’s Education System 601
Summary 604
Evolution and Development of Africa’s Health-Care Systems 605
Disease Ecology, Morbidity, and Mortality in Africa 613
Africa’s Health-Care Delivery System 623
Problems and Issues in Africa’s Health-Care System 629
Summary 638
Postreading Assignment 639
References 639
Index 643
