Africa is the second largest continent in the world (after Eurasia). Its subregions (their economy, population, nature and states) will be discussed in this article.
Options for dividing the territory of the continent
Africa is the largest geographic region our planet. Therefore, the desire to divide it into parts is quite natural. The following two large areas stand out: Tropical and North Africa (or Africa north of the Sahara). Between these parts there are quite large natural, ethnic, historical and socio-economic differences.
Tropical Africa is the most backward region of the developing world. And in our time, the share of agriculture in its GDP is higher than the share of industrial production. 28 of the 47 least developed countries in the world are located in Tropical Africa. Also here is the maximum number of countries that do not have access to the sea (there are 15 such states in this region).
There is another option for dividing Africa into regions. According to him, its parts are South, Tropical and North Africa.
Let us now turn to the consideration of regionalization itself, that is, the allocation of large macroregions (subregions) of the continent of interest to us. Currently, it is considered that there are only five of them. Africa sub-regions has the following: South, East, Central, West and North Africa (on the map above). At the same time, each of them has specific features of the economy, population and nature.
North Africa
North Africa borders the Red and Mediterranean Seas, as well as the Atlantic Ocean. Thanks to this, its ties with Western Asia and Europe have been established since ancient times. Its total area is approximately 10 million km 2, on which about 170 million people live. The Mediterranean "façade" defines the position of this sub-region. Thanks to him, North Africa neighbors Southwest Asia and has access to the main sea route that runs from Europe to Asia.
Cradle of civilization, Arab colonization
The sparsely inhabited spaces of the Sahara desert form the "rear" of the region. North Africa is the cradle of the civilization of Ancient Egypt, which made a great contribution to culture. The Mediterranean part of the continent in ancient times was considered the granary of Rome. To this day, among the lifeless sea of stone and sand, you can find the remains of underground drainage galleries, as well as other ancient structures. Many cities located on the coast trace their roots back to Carthaginian and Roman settlements.
Arab colonization, which took place in the 7th-12th centuries, had a huge impact on the culture of the population, its ethnic composition and way of life. And in our time, the northern part of Africa is considered Arab: almost the entire local population professes Islam and speaks Arabic.
Economic life and population of North Africa
The economic life of this subregion is concentrated in the coastal strip. Here are the main manufacturing enterprises, as well as the main areas of agriculture. Naturally, almost the entire population of this subregion lives here. Mud houses with earthen floors and flat roofs predominate in rural areas. Cities also have a very characteristic appearance. Therefore, ethnographers and geographers single out the Arabic type of city as a separate variety. It is characterized by division into old and new part. North Africa is sometimes referred to as the Maghreb, but this is not entirely accurate.
Economy
There are currently 15 independent states in this subregion. Republics are 13 of them. Most states North America are underdeveloped. In Libya and Algeria, the economy is somewhat better developed. These countries have a significant supply of natural gas and oil, which are today a hot commodity on the world market. Morocco mines phosphorites used in the production of fertilizers. Niger is a major producer of uranium, but remains one of the poorest countries in North Africa.
The southern part of this subregion is very poorly populated. The agricultural population lives in oases, where the main commercial and consumer crop is the date palm. Only nomadic camel breeders can be found in the rest of the region, and even then not everywhere. There are gas and oil fields in the Libyan and Algerian parts of the Sahara.
A narrow "band of life" only along the Nile valley wedged into the desert far to the south. For development Upper Egypt The construction of the Aswan hydroelectric complex on the Nile with the technical and economic assistance of the USSR was of great importance.
West Africa
The sub-regions of the continent we are interested in is a rather extensive topic, so we will limit ourselves to their brief description. Let's move on to the next sub-region - West Africa.
Here are the zones of savannahs, tropical deserts and humid equatorial forests, which are located between and the Sahara desert. It is the largest sub-region of the continent by population and one of the largest by area. The natural conditions here are very diverse, and the ethnic composition of the local population is the most complex - various peoples of Africa are represented. This sub-region was in the past the main region of the slave trade. At present, agriculture is developed here, represented by the production of various plantation consumer and cash crops. There is also industry in the subregion. Its most developed industry is mining.
Population of West Africa
According to 2006 data, the population of West Africa is 280 million people. It is multi-ethnic in composition. The largest ethnic groups are the Wolof, Mande, Serer, Mossi, Songhai, Fulani and Hausa. The indigenous population is divided by language into 3 metagroups - Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo and Afro-Asiatic. Of the European languages in this subregion, English and French are common. The main religious groups of the population are Muslims, Christians and animists.
Economy of West Africa
All the states here are developing countries. As we have said, the sub-regions of Africa differ considerably economically. The table presented above characterizes such an important economic indicator of the countries of the continent we are interested in as gold reserves (2015 data). The West African states in this table include Nigeria, Ghana, Mauritania and Cameroon.
Agriculture plays a leading role in the creation of GDP in this subregion, as well as the mining industry. The minerals available in West Africa are petroleum, iron gold, manganese, phosphates and diamonds.
Central Africa
From the very name of this subregion it is clear that it occupies the central part of the mainland (equatorial). The total area of the region is 6613 thousand km2. A total of 9 countries are located in Central Africa: Gabon, Angola, Cameroon, Congo and Democratic (these are two different states), Sao Tome and Principe, Chad, the Central African Republic and Also here is the island of St. Helena, which is a British Overseas Territory.
They are located in the zones of savannahs and humid equatorial forests, which greatly influenced their economic development. This sub-region is one of the richest regions, not only in Africa, but also in the world. The ethnic composition of the local population, unlike the previous region, is homogeneous. Nine-tenths of it consists of the Bantu peoples of Africa, who are related to each other.
Economy of the subregion
All states of this subregion, according to the UN classification, are developing. Agriculture plays the main role in the creation of GDP, as well as the mining industry. In this respect, West and Central Africa are similar. The minerals mined here are cobalt, manganese, copper, diamonds, gold, natural gas, oil. The sub-region has a good hydropower potential. In addition, significant reserves of forest resources are located here.
These are the main central.
East Africa
It is located in the tropical and subequatorial climate zones. East Africa goes to the Indian Ocean, so it has long maintained trade relations with the Arab countries and India. The mineral wealth of this subregion is less significant, but the diversity of natural resources is generally very high. This is what largely determines the various options for their economic use.
East African population
East Africa is a highly mosaic sub-region ethnically. The borders of many countries were set arbitrarily by former colonial powers. At the same time, the cultural and ethnic differences that the population of East Africa has were not taken into account. Due to significant social and cultural differences, there is significant conflict potential in this sub-region. Often there were wars, including civil ones.
South Africa
It is located in the southern part of the continent, which is the most remote from Asia, America and Europe, but it goes to the sea route that goes around the southern tip of Africa. This subregion is located in the subtropical and tropical latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. There is a significant amount of natural resources, of which mineral resources stand out especially. The Republic of South Africa (South Africa) is the main "core" of this subregion. This is the only economically developed state on the continent.
Population and Economy of South Africa
A significant number are of European origin. Bantu peoples make up the vast majority of the inhabitants of this subregion. The local population is generally poor, but South Africa has a well-established road network, efficient air traffic, and good tourism infrastructure. Mining, as well as deposits of gold, platinum, diamonds and other minerals form the basis of the economy. In addition, southern Africa is increasingly developing technology, tourism and manufacturing industries.
Finally
As you can see, in general, the mainland is not very developed economically. Its population is unevenly distributed. Currently, about a billion people live on a continent like Africa. Its subregions were briefly characterized by us. In conclusion, I would like to note that this continent is considered the ancestral home of mankind: the oldest remains of early hominids, as well as their probable ancestors, were found here. There is a special science of African studies, which studies the cultural, political, economic and social problems of Africa.
Lesson topic: Sub-regions of Africa.
Grade 11
The purpose of the lesson: Consolidate the studied material on Africa.
Tasks: 1. Give an idea about the features of North, Tropical Africa and South Africa.
2. Continue the formation of skills to independently obtain the necessary knowledge, compare, draw conclusions and generalizations.
3. Expand the knowledge of students and teach how to create an "image of the territory."
Equipment: 1. Atlases, contour maps.
2. Additional material: - plan for the characteristics of sub-regions;
Task for vocabulary work;
Text to select data.
During the classes.
Organizational moment. Declaring the purpose of the lesson.
Today we will learn about the features of individual parts of Africa - its sub-regions, we will learn how to create an "image of the territory".
Repetition and reinforcement.
Answer the questions:
How many countries are in Africa?
What groups are African countries divided into by socio-economic development?
According to the features of the EGP?
What sub-regions are Africa divided into in § 2 of the textbook?
Why South Africa can define a special place?
Learning new material.
Work with the textbook atlas map.
Open the item "Sub-regions" of the textbook.
Draw conclusions in comparison with the division in the textbook: according to natural conditions and characteristics of the population, 5 subregions are distinguished.
2. Practical work on a contour map: divide Africa into sub-regions
3. Independent work in groups to the textbook: acquaintance with one subregion. As you work, complete the table for your subregion.
4. Vocabulary work using text to select data and a list of words by subregion.
5. Performance of work in groups.
Consolidation: work with the “Practice” item - task 1 difficulty.
Knowledge check: completing the task "Test".
Summing up the lesson. Grading.
vocabulary work
Annex 1
Comparative characteristics of subregions of Africa
Indicators
Northern
Africa
West Africa
Central Africa
East Africa
South Africa
1. Territory (composition)
2. EGP of the subregion
3. Population: number
ethnic composition
big cities
4. Natural conditions and resources
5. Economy: industry
Agriculture
transport
6. Problems and prospects
Application 2. Text for data selection
The most accepted in domestic science is the five-member structure of Africa zoning, distinguishing North, West, Central, East and South Africa.
The peculiarity of North Africa lies in the fact that it, going to the Mediterranean Sea, is closest to Europe. The region is located for the most part in subtropical and tropical latitudes, which determines the agricultural specialization in the cultivation of cotton, olives, citrus fruits, and grapes. Often North Africa is called the Maghreb, which is still not entirely accurate, since Egypt is not included in the Maghreb itself (from the Arabic word for “west”).
Western Africa covers the zones of tropical deserts, savannas, tropical rainforests, located between the Sahara and the Gulf of Guinea. This region has the most complex ethnic composition. The current position of the region is determined both by agriculture, which is represented by both the production of both plantation cash crops and consumer crops, and by a relatively developed industry, primarily mining.
Central Africa occupies the middle part of the mainland. It is located in the zones of humid tropical and equatorial forests and savannas, which largely predetermined its economic development. It is one of the richest mineral resources region not only in Africa, but throughout the world. Unlike West Africa, Central Africa has a relatively homogeneous ethnic composition of the population. About 90% of all inhabitants are Bantu peoples.
East Africa is located in the subequatorial and tropical zones. It has access to the Indian Ocean and has long maintained trade relations with India and the Arab countries. This is the second, after North Africa, region of the continent in terms of the degree of Islamization. The mineral wealth of East Africa is less significant, but the overall diversity of natural resources is great, which predetermines the variety of types of their economic use.
South Africa, in comparison with other regions, is the most remote from Europe, America and Asia. The economic core of the region is South Africa, the most developed country on the continent. South Africa is located in the tropical and subtropical latitudes of the southern hemisphere. Minerals stand out first of all from a wide range of natural resources. The vast majority of the population of the region are Bantu peoples.
Annex 3
vocabulary work
North Africa: Bedouin, zebu, yam.
West Africa: colony, mother country, protectorate, tribalism.
Central Africa: Animism, Sahel, Tsetse.
East Africa: sorghum, swahili, monoculture specialization.
South Africa: apartheid, Bantu, segregation.
References
1. Maksakovskiy V.P. "Geography" grade 10. Education. M., 2008
2. Maksakovskiy V.P. Toolkit on economic and social geography of the world. Grade 10. - M.: Enlightenment, 2004. 2nd edition
3. Atlas ""Economic and social geography of the world" grade 10. Federal Service of Geodesy and Cartography of Russia. M., 2008.
4. Contour map in geography, grade 10.
5. Electronic textbook "Economic and social geography of the world". M., 2004.
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Introduction…………………………………………………………………… 3
1 General economic and geographical characteristics of African countries ... 4
2 Colonization of Africa……………………………………………………… 6
3 Natural conditions and resources of Africa………………………………. 9
4 Mining regions of Africa………………………………… 11
5 Economy: sectoral and territorial structure, place
Africa in the world………………………………………………………………………. 12
6 Problems and difficulties of African states…………………… 16
7 Integration processes……………………………………………. 16
8 External economic relations…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
9 Sub-regions of Africa…………………………………………………… 18
9.1.1 North Africa…………………………………………………… 18
9.1.2 Economic assessment of Egypt………………………………… 18
9.2.1 Tropical Africa…………………………………………… 20
9.2.2 Economic assessment of Angola………………………………… 21
9.3.1 Republic of South Africa……………………………… 24
9.3.2 Economic Assessment of South Africa…………………………………. 24
Conclusion……………………………………………………………… 30
List of used sources…………………………………. 31
Introduction
Africa covers an area of 29.2 million km². The length from north to south is 8 thousand km, from west to east in the northern part - 7.5 thousand km. A feature of the EGP of many countries in the region is the lack of access to the sea. At the same time, in countries facing the ocean, the coastline is slightly indented, which is unfavorable for the construction of large ports. There are 55 states on the territory of Africa, of which three are monarchies, one (Nigeria) is a federal republic, the rest are republics. All countries, with the exception of South Africa, are developing, most of them are the poorest in the world (70% of the population lives below the poverty line).
There is no other continent in the world that would suffer as much from colonial oppression and the slave trade as Africa.
The continent is crossed almost in the middle by the equator and lies completely between the subtropical belts of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The peculiarity of its shape - the northern part is 2.5 times wider than the southern one - determined the difference in their natural conditions. At the base of most of the continent lies the Precambrian platform, 2/3 covered by sedimentary rocks (at the base in the north). The relief of Africa is characterized by stepped plateaus, plateaus, and plains. The highest uplifts are confined to the outskirts of the mainland. Africa is exceptionally rich in minerals, although they are still poorly understood. Among other continents, it ranks first in reserves of ores of manganese, chromite, bauxite, gold, platinum, cobalt, diamonds, and phosphorites. The resources of oil, natural gas, graphite, and asbestos are also great.
1 General economic and geographical characteristics of African countries
The mainland occupies 1/5 of the earth's land mass. In size (30.3 million square kilometers with islands) of all parts of the world it is second only to Asia. The region includes 55 countries.
There are several options for dividing Africa into regions. In the scientific literature, the five-term division of Africa is most accepted, including the North (the Maghreb countries, the Mediterranean coast), the West (the northern part of the Atlantic coast and the coast of the Gulf of Guinea), the Central (Chad, Tsar, Zaire, the Congo, etc.), the East (located east of the Great African Rifts), the South.
Almost all African countries are republics (with the exception of Lesotho, Morocco and Sutherland, which are still constitutional monarchies). The administrative-territorial structure of states, with the exception of Nigeria and South Africa, is unitary.
Different criteria can be used to evaluate the GWP of African countries. One of the main criteria that separate countries by the presence or absence of access to the sea. Due to the fact that Africa is the most massive continent, no other of them has so many countries located far from the seas. Most of the inland countries are the most backward.
Africa's minerals are unevenly distributed. There are countries in which the lack of a raw material base hinders their development. African land resources are significant. However, extensive farming and rapid population growth have led to catastrophic soil erosion, which reduces crop yields. This, in turn, exacerbates the problem of hunger, which is very relevant for Africa.
The agro-climatic resources of Africa are determined by the fact that it is the hottest continent, lies entirely within the average annual isotherms + 20 "C.
In terms of water resources, Africa is significantly inferior to Asia and South America. The hydrographic network is distributed extremely unevenly.
Africa's forest resources are second only to those of Latin America and Russia. But its average forest cover is much lower, moreover, as a result of deforestation, which exceeds natural growth, deforestation has assumed alarming proportions.
Africa stands out worldwide with the highest rates of population reproduction. In 1960, 275 million people lived on the continent, in 1980-475 million people, in 1990-648 million people, and in 2000, according to forecasts, there will be 872 million.
In terms of growth rates, Kenya-4, 1% (first place in the world), Tanzania, Zambia, and Uganda are especially distinguished. Such a high birth rate is explained by centuries-old traditions of early marriages and large families, religious traditions, as well as an increased level of healthcare. Most countries of the continent do not pursue an active demographic policy.
The change in the age structure of the population as a result of the demographic explosion also entails great consequences: in Africa, the share of children's ages is high and still growing (40-50%). This increases the "demographic burden" on the able-bodied population. The population explosion in Africa exacerbates many of the problems of the regions, the most important of which is the food problem. Many problems are connected with the ethnic composition of the population of Africa, which is very diverse. 300-500 ethnic groups stand out. According to the linguistic principle, 1/2 of the population belongs to the Niger-Kordofan family, 1/3 to the Afro-Asiatic family, and only 1% are residents of European origin. An important feature of African countries is the mismatch of political and ethnic boundaries as a result of the colonial era of the development of the continent. The legacy of the past is that the official languages of most African countries are still the languages of the former metropolises - English, French, Portuguese.
In terms of urbanization, Africa still lags far behind other regions. However, the rate of urbanization here is the highest in the world. Like many other developing countries, Africa is experiencing "false urbanization".
After gaining independence, African countries began to make efforts to overcome centuries of backwardness. Of particular importance were the nationalization of natural resources, the implementation of agrarian reform, economic planning, and the training of national personnel. As a result, the pace of development in the region accelerated. The restructuring of the sectoral and territorial structure of the economy began. The greatest success along this path has been achieved in the mining industry, which now accounts for 1/4 of the world's output in terms of production. In the extraction of many types of minerals, Africa has an important, and sometimes monopoly place in the foreign world. It is the extractive industry that primarily determines Africa's place in the MGRT. The manufacturing industry is poorly developed or non-existent. But some countries in the region have a higher level of manufacturing - South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco.
The second branch of the economy, which determines the place of agriculture in the world economy, is tropical and subtropical agriculture. It also has a pronounced export orientation. But in general, Africa lags behind in its development. It ranks last among the regions of the world in terms of the level of industrialization and crop productivity.
2 Colonization of Africa
The colonies of Africa at the end of the 19th century: the possessions of Great Britain were the most extensive and richest. The colonial empire of France was not inferior in size to the British, but the population of its colonies was several times smaller, and the natural resources were poorer. Most of the French possessions were in West and Equatorial Africa, and a considerable part of their territory fell on the Sahara, the adjacent semi-desert Sahel region and tropical forests. Belgium owned the Belgian Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in 1971-1997 - Zaire), Italy - Eritrea and Italian Somalia, Spain - Spanish Sahara (Western Sahara), Germany - German East Africa (now - the continental part of Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi), Cameroon, Togo and German Southwest Africa (Namibia).
The main incentives that led to the heated battle between the European powers for Africa are considered to be economic ones. Indeed, the desire to exploit the natural wealth and population of Africa was of paramount importance. But it cannot be said that these hopes were immediately justified. The south of the continent, where the world's largest deposits of gold and diamonds were discovered, began to give huge profits. But before generating income, large investments were first needed to explore natural resources, create communications, adapt the local economy to the needs of the metropolis, to suppress the protests of the indigenous people and find effective ways to make them work for the colonial system. All this took time.
Another argument of the ideologues of colonialism was not immediately justified either. They argued that the acquisition of colonies would create many jobs in the metropolises themselves and eliminate unemployment, since Africa would become a capacious market for European products and huge construction of railways, ports, and industrial enterprises would unfold there. If these plans were implemented, then more slowly than expected, and on a smaller scale.
The First World War was in no small measure a struggle for the redivision of Africa, but it did not affect the lives of most African countries particularly strongly. Military operations were conducted only on the territory of the German colonies. They were conquered by the Entente troops and after the war, by decision of the League of Nations, they were transferred to the Entente countries as mandated territories: Togo and Cameroon were divided between Great Britain and France, German South-West Africa went to the Union of South Africa (South Africa), part of German East Africa - Rwanda and Burundi - was transferred to Belgium, the other - Tanganyika - to Great Britain. With the acquisition of Tanganyika, an old dream of the British ruling circles came true: a continuous strip of British possessions arose from Cape Town to Cairo.
After the end of the war, the process of colonial development of Africa accelerated. The colonies were increasingly turning into agricultural and raw material appendages of the metropolises. Agriculture is increasingly export-oriented. An increasing number of colonies became countries of a monocultural economy. On the eve of the Second World War, in many countries from two-thirds to 98% of the value of all exports came from any one crop. In the Gambia and Senegal, the peanut has become such a crop, in Zanzibar - the carnation, in Uganda - cotton. Some countries had two export crops: coffee and cocoa in the Ivory Coast and Togo, coffee and tea in Kenya, and so on. In Gabon and some other countries, valuable forest species have become a monoculture.
In West Africa, as well as in most parts of East and Central Africa, export products were produced mainly on the farms of the Africans themselves. European plantation production did not take root there because of the difficult climatic conditions for Europeans. The main exploiters of the African manufacturer were foreign companies. Export agricultural products were produced on farms owned by Europeans located in the Union of South Africa, Southern Rhodesia, part of Northern Rhodesia, Kenya, South West Africa.
During the Second World War, military operations in Tropical Africa were conducted only in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Italian Somalia. Hundreds of thousands of Africans were mobilized in the metropolitan army. More more people had to serve the troops, work for military needs. Africans fought in North Africa, Western Europe, the Middle East, Burma, Malaya.
1960 went down in history as the Year of Africa. 17 new African states appeared on the world map. Most of them are French colonies and UN Trust Territories.
1960 changed the whole situation on the African continent. The dismantling of the rest of the colonial regimes has already become inevitable.
3 Natural conditions and resources of Africa
Africa is a continent of great economic opportunities, which is characterized by a variety of natural conditions, a wealth of mineral resources, the presence of significant land, water, plant and other resources. Africa is characterized by a slight dissection of the relief, which contributes to economic activity - the development of agriculture, industry, and transport.
The location of most of the continent in the equatorial belt largely determined the presence of huge tracts of humid equatorial forests. Africa accounts for 10% of the world's forest area, accounting for 17% of the world's timber resources - one of the main African exports.
The largest desert in the world - the Sahara - contains huge reserves in its bowels fresh water, and large river systems are characterized by gigantic volumes of runoff and energy resources.
Africa is rich in minerals, which are resources for the development of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, and the chemical industry. Thanks to new discoveries, Africa's share in the proven world reserves of energy raw materials is increasing. There are more reserves of phosphorites, chromites, titanium, tantalum than in any part of the world. The reserves of bauxite, copper, manganese, cobalt, uranium ores, diamonds, rare earth metals, gold, etc. are of world importance. The main areas of concentration of mineral and raw material potential are: the “copper belt” of Africa, extending from the Katanka region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through Zambia to East Africa (deposits of copper, uranium, cobalt, platinum, gold, manganese); Guinean part of West Africa (deposits of bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, oil); the zone of the Atlas Mountains and the coast of Northwest Africa (cobalt, molybdenum, lead, zinc, iron ore, mercury, phosphorites); Northern Africa (oil, gas of the Mediterranean coast and shelf).
Africa is exceptionally rich natural resources. In depressions and coastal areas there is fuel raw material. Oil and gas are produced in North and West Africa (Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Libya). Enormous reserves of cobalt and copper ores are concentrated in Zambia and the People's Republic of the Congo; manganese ores are mined in South Africa and Zimbabwe; platinum, iron ores and gold - in South Africa; diamonds - in Congo, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Ghana; phosphorites - in Morocco, Tunisia; uranium - in Niger, Namibia.
Table 1 - Classification of African countries according to the degree of their wealth in minerals
| Countries rich in diverse mineral resources | Countries rich in one or two types of minerals | Countries poor in minerals |
South Africa - gold, platinum, diamonds, uranium, iron, chromite, manganese ores, coal, asbestos. Zaire - cobalt, manganese, copper, tin, zinc-lead ores. Guinea- gold, diamonds, bauxites, iron ore, oil. | Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Nigeria, Gabon and others - oil and natural gas. Liberia, Mauritania, Algeria- ores of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, uranium, diamonds, iron ore. Ghana- bauxites. Zambia, Morocco- cobalt. Zambia- copper. Nigeria- tin. O. Madagascar- mica and graphite. North African countries- Phosphites, lead and zinc. Botswana- lithium, chromite. Tanzania, Morocco- manganese. | Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan. |
4 African mining regions
Over the past decades, Africa has emerged as one of the largest producers of minerals. Africa's share in the world mining industry is 1/4, but in the production of diamonds, gold, cobalt, manganese ores, chromites, uranium concentrates, and phosphites, it is much larger. It also produces a lot of copper and iron ore, bauxite, oil and natural gas. Africa dominates the market for such "metals of the 20th century" as vanadium, lithium, beryllium, tantalum, niobium, and germanium. Almost all extracted raw materials and fuel are exported from Africa to economically developed countries, which makes its economy more dependent on the world market. In particular, this applies to countries such as Algeria, Libya, Guinea, Zambia, Botswana, where the mining industry provides more than 9/10 of all exports.
Africa has very favorable natural conditions for the development of the mining industry.
In total, seven main mining regions can be distinguished in Africa.
1. The region of the Atlas Mountains stands out for its reserves of iron, manganese, polymetallic ores, phosphorites (the world's largest phosphorite belt).
2. The Egyptian mining region is rich in oil, natural gas, iron, titanium ores, phosphorites, etc.
3. The region of the Algerian and Libyan parts of the Sahara is distinguished by the largest oil and gas reserves.
4. West Guinean region - rich in oil, gas, metal ores.
6. Zaire-Zambian region - on its territory there is a unique "Copper Belt" with deposits of high-quality copper, as well as cobalt, zinc, lead, cadmium, germanium, gold, silver.
Zaire is the world's leading producer and exporter of cobalt.
7. The largest mining region in Africa is located within Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. Almost all types of fuel, ore and non-metallic minerals are mined here, with the exception of oil, gases and bauxites.
5 Economy: sectoral and territorial structure, place
Africa in the world
African countries have not yet succeeded in changing the colonial type of sectoral territorial structure of the economy, although the pace of economic growth has somewhat accelerated. The colonial type of the sectoral structure of the economy is distinguished by the predominance of small-scale, consumer agriculture, the weak development of the manufacturing industry, and the lag in the development of transport. African countries have achieved the greatest success in the mining industry. In the extraction of many minerals, Africa holds a leading and sometimes monopoly place in the world (in the extraction of gold, diamonds, platinoids, etc.). The manufacturing industry is represented by light and food industries, other industries are absent, with the exception of a number of areas near the availability of raw materials and on the coast (Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Zambia, Zaire).
The second branch of the economy, which determines Africa's place in the world economy, is tropical and subtropical agriculture. Agricultural products account for 60-80% of GDP. The main cash crops are coffee, cocoa beans, peanuts, dates, tea, natural rubber, sorghum, spices. Recently, grain crops have been grown: corn, rice, wheat. Animal husbandry plays a subordinate role, with the exception of countries with arid climates. Extensive cattle breeding prevails, characterized by a huge number of livestock, but low productivity and low marketability. The continent does not provide itself with agricultural products.
Monocultural specialization and the low level of economic development of African states are manifested in an insignificant share in world trade and in the great importance that foreign trade has for the continent itself. Thus, more than 1/4 of Africa's GDP goes to foreign markets, foreign trade provides up to 4/5 of government revenues to the budget of African countries. About 80% of the trade turnover of the continent falls on the developed countries of the West
The leading role in the foreign economic relations of African countries belongs to foreign trade. Exports are dominated by mining and agricultural raw materials, while imports are dominated by finished products. Oil is exported by Algeria, Nigeria, Libya, iron ores - Liberia, Mauritania, diamonds and gold - South Africa, copper - Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, phosphates - Morocco, uranium - Niger, Gabon, cotton - Egypt, Sudan, Tanzania, coffee - Ethiopia, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Uganda, Angola and others, peanuts - Senegal, Sudan, olive oil - Tunisia, Morocco.
Typical for African countries is a low level of national income, the predominance of commodity-export production in agriculture, and the spread of monoculture. The foreign trade of the continent retains mineral and agrarian raw material specialization.
For the economy of Africa, the following features are typical:
a) versatility;
b) low level of economic development;
c) the agrarian nature of the economy of most countries;
d) a sharp delimitation in agriculture of commodity-export production, subsistence and small-scale farming, serving local needs;
e) the spread of monoculture in agriculture;
f) the predominance of the mining industry in industrial production;
g) preservation of the colonial character in foreign trade.
The essential features of the location of the economy of most African countries are the concentration of economic activity in several centers and a significant gap in the levels of population, development and economic development of individual territories and countries.
Comparatively economically developed in Africa are the territories adjacent to capitals - cities that became important economic centers back in the colonial period, as well as to ports through which raw materials are exported and where they are partially processed (the Casablanca region in Morocco, Lagos in Nigeria, Alexandria in Egypt, Mombasa in Kenya, etc.). Significant industrial and economic centers arose in the zones of extraction of mineral raw materials (the centers of the "copper belt" in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, industrial centers associated with the oil and gas fields in Algeria and Libya, industrial regions of South Africa).
Africa is a world supplier of many types of tropical plant raw materials: cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, spices, etc. At the same time, the agriculture of developing countries does not provide food for the local population due to the lag in most countries in the production of basic food crops from population growth rates. More than 1/3 of the mainland area is used in African agriculture. Under arable land and perennial plantations, about 7% is occupied, and under pastures - 24% of the area of the continent. and oil palm (tropics), olive (subtropics). In some areas, coffee (coffee) and chocolate (cocoa) trees are grown. The plantation economy in Africa is quite developed, but less than in Latin America and Southeast Asia. In the tropical zone, only separate scattered areas of plantations arose.
On the mainland, the network of means of communication is not sufficiently developed, especially in the hinterland. Rail transport is mainly represented by single-track lines connecting ports with hinterland or connecting navigable sections of rivers. Modern highways are available only near metropolitan or industrial cities. Transport retains the colonial type: railroads run from the areas of extraction of raw materials to the port of its export. Relatively developed rail and sea modes of transport. In recent years, other types of transport have also been developed - automobile (a road has been laid across the Sahara), air, and pipeline.
Most states of the mainland are characterized by the presence of "dirty" industries, as well as fuel and communication (construction of communication lines, development of communications) problems.
6 Problems and difficulties of African states
Swollen, unprofessional and inefficient bureaucracies have emerged in most African states. Given the amorphous nature of social structures, the army remained the only organized force. The result is endless military coups. The dictators who came to power appropriated untold wealth. The capital of Mobutu, the President of the Congo, at the time of his overthrow was $ 7 billion. The economy functioned poorly, and this gave room for a "destructive" economy: the production and distribution of drugs, illegal mining of gold and diamonds, even human trafficking. Africa's share in world GDP and its share in world exports were declining, output per capita was declining.
The formation of statehood was extremely complicated by the absolute artificiality of state borders. Africa inherited them from the colonial past. They were established during the division of the continent into spheres of influence and have little in common with ethnic boundaries. The Organization of African Unity, created in 1963, realizing that any attempt to correct this or that border could lead to unpredictable consequences, called for these borders to be considered unshakable, no matter how unfair they may be. But these boundaries nevertheless turned into a source ethnic conflicts and displacement of millions of refugees.
7 Integration processes
A characteristic feature of the integration processes in Africa is the high degree of their institutionalization. At present, there are about 200 economic associations of various levels, scales and directions on the continent. But from the point of view of studying the problem of the formation of subregional identity and its relationship with national and ethnic identity, the functioning of such large organizations as the West African Economic Community (ECOWAS), the South African Development Community (SADC), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), etc., is of interest. Economic cooperation is developing in new - compared to the 1970s - conditions of contradictory interaction between the globalization of the world economy and the increasing marginalization of the positions of African states within its framework and, naturally, in a different coordinate system. Integration is no longer seen as a tool and basis for the formation of a self-sufficient and self-developing economy, relying on its own forces and in opposition to the imperialist West. The approach is different, which, as mentioned above, represents integration as a way and way to include African countries in the globalizing world economy, as well as an impulse and indicator of economic growth and development in general.
8 Foreign economic relations
Monocultural specialization and the low level of economic development of African states are manifested in an insignificant share in world trade and in the great importance that foreign trade has for the continent itself. Thus, more than 1/4 of Africa's GDP goes to foreign markets, foreign trade provides up to 45 government revenues to the budget of African countries. About 80% of the trade turnover of the continent falls on the developed countries of the West.
9 Sub-regions of Africa
9.1.1 North Africa
North Africa(area - 10 million km2, population - 150 million people). The northern part of this subregion is adjacent to Southern Europe and Southwestern Asia and has access to sea routes, the southern part forms the sparsely populated desert and semi-desert spaces of the Sahara. The main centers of manufacturing industry, the main districts of subtropical agriculture and almost the entire population are concentrated in the coastal strip. Big cities- Cairo, Alexandria, Tunisia, Algiers, Casablanca.
9.1.2 Economic evaluation of Egypt
Nationalization - the basis of the economy of Egypt, according to the constitution of 1971, are the principles of socialism. Major nationalization steps were taken after 1961 with the aim of restricting the private sector and weakening the influence of the capitalists. By the early 1970s, almost all important sectors of the economy were already controlled by the government, including large-scale industry, banking, finance, cotton trading, and foreign trade.
Taxation - The income tax rate is progressive. The goal is to achieve equality in the distribution of income. There is a direct income tax.
Trade unions are mostly government-run. The workers receive a share of the profits earned by the corporations and elect their representatives on the board of directors. Trade unions are also represented in National Assembly.
Investment Policy - In the early 1970s, the Egyptian government began to campaign to increase foreign investment in the country's economy and began to receive financial assistance from wealthy Arab states. Although Arab aid was suspended after the signing of a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, the subsequent return of several Western and Japanese corporations increased the potential for further foreign investment in the country's economy.
Salary and standard of living general level life in Egypt is quite low; and the country's economic resources are limited. The rural population, especially the landless agricultural laborers, have the lowest standard of living in the country. Industrial and urban workers in general have a higher standard of living. The tallest wage- in the oil industry.
Resources - Approximately 96 percent of Egypt's territory is desert. The lack of forests, meadows and pastures increases the pressure on arable land, which makes up approximately 3 percent of the country's territory. There are natural resources. The country produces oil, phosphates, manganese, iron ore. There are also explored reserves of chromium, uranium and gold.
Agriculture - one of the main commodities produced in the country - cotton - occupies more than one-fifth of the arable land (in summer) and is a significant part of exports. Egypt is one of the world's major producers of "long cotton" (2.85 centimeters or more in length), producing approximately one-third of the world's crop. Other major crops include grain (corn), rice, wheat, millet, and beans.
Industry - the priority direction of development after the signing of an agreement with the USSR in 1964 was the development of heavy industry. The main source of electricity is the 12 Aswan Dam hydroelectric turbines, which have a capacity of approximately 2,000,000 kilowatts and are capable of producing 10,000,000,000 kilowatt hours per year. The capacity of thermal stations is approximately 45 percent of the capacity of the Aswan dam.
The country is producing oil (Morgan, Ramadan), there are deposits of natural gas. Egypt has several oil refineries, two of which are located in Suez. The first of the oil pipelines that linked the Gulf of Suez and the Mediterranean in the Alexandria region was opened in 1977. This Suez-Mediterranean pipeline, known as "Sumed", can pass up to 80,000,000 tons of oil per year.
Finance - Egypt's banking system is built around the Central Bank of Egypt. In 1961 all banks operating in Egypt were nationalized and their activities concentrated within five commercial banks established in addition to the Central Bank.
Trade - imports make up about one third, exports about one tenth of the gross national product. Almost two-thirds of imports consist of raw materials, mineral, chemical products and capital goods (machines); more than one quarter are food products. More than half of exports consist of oil and oil products, cotton and cotton products. Agricultural exports include rice, onions, garlic, and citrus fruits. Italy and France are among the largest markets for Egypt. The United States is the main source of Egyptian imports.
9.2.1 Tropical Africa
Tropical Africa- located south of the Sahara (territory - 20 million km2, population - over 500 million). The most backward part of the entire developing world (there are 29 least developed countries). The population belongs to the Negroid race. The most complex ethnic composition in West and East Africa. The only sub-region where agriculture remains the main area of material production. Industry: There is one large region of extractive industry - the copper belt in Zaire and Zambia. Transport is underdeveloped. Desertification, deforestation, depletion of flora and fauna are proceeding rapidly. Main district drought and desertification - the Sahel zone.
The main branch of the economy of most countries in Tropical Africa is agriculture, designed to provide food for the population and serve as a raw material base for the development of the manufacturing industry. It employs the predominant part of the region's able-bodied population and creates the bulk of the total national income. In many states of Tropical Africa, agriculture occupies a leading place in exports, providing a significant part of foreign exchange earnings. In the last decade, an alarming picture has been observed with the growth rates of industrial production, which allows us to speak about the actual deindustrialization of the region. If in 1965-1980 they (on average per year) amounted to 7.5%, then in the 80s only 0.7%, a drop in growth rates took place in the 80s both in the extractive and manufacturing industries. For a number of reasons, a special role in ensuring the socio-economic development of the region belongs to the mining industry, but this production is also declining by 2% annually. Feature development of the countries of Tropical Africa - the weak development of the manufacturing industry. Only in a very small group of countries (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sinegal) does its share in GDP reach or exceed 20%.
9.2.2 Economic evaluation of Angola
Angola is an agrarian country with a relatively developed industry on an African scale, based on the oil and mining industries. GNP in 2000 amounted to 3.079 million dollars (5%).
The country's economy is based on agriculture, oil production (it is estimated that Angola's undeveloped fields contain about 13 billion barrels of oil), gas, diamonds and minerals. The mining industry accounts for up to half of the GNP: oil fields are being developed and diamonds are being mined.
The gross national product remains quite low due to the civil war that has lasted for more than 20 years.
More than 2/3 of the labor force is employed in agriculture. Cassau, sweet potatoes, corn, and beans are grown for the domestic market. Coffee, cotton, tobacco, sisal, sugarcane, and palm oil are grown for export. Animal husbandry is developed throughout the country; cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, and poultry are bred.
The timber industry is developed, in the eastern regions of Angola (the provinces of South Lund and Moxico), as well as in Cabinda, valuable species of wood (black, red and yellow wood) are being harvested, which is exported. In the Benguela region, eucalyptus trees are grown in forest nurseries.
Before gaining independence, Angola had a fairly developed fishing fleet, but during the war the catch gradually began to decline. Stocks of fish in the economic zone of Angola, according to UN estimates, are about 1 million tons. In 1998, the national companies and vessels of Spain, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, China and Russia caught 202 thousand tons. fish, in 1999 - 240 thousand tons. Enterprises of light, food and manufacturing industries operate at 20-30% capacity.
The country's foreign exchange earnings are mainly provided by the export of oil, gas and oil products, the share of which in total exports is more than 90% (3.8 billion dollars). In 1998, diamonds were mined for 800 million dollars. Angola's external debt is $9.5 billion. (1999), including Russia - 2.9 billion, Portugal - 1.2 billion, Brazil - 1 billion, France - 300 million.
Export Composition:
Oil 90%, diamonds, oil products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton. In 2000, the volume of exports amounted to 8 billion dollars.
Export geography:
USA 63%, Benelux 9%, China, Chile, France.
Import composition:
Machinery and electrical equipment, spare parts and components for machines, medicines, food, textiles, weapons and ammunition. In 2000, the volume of imports amounted to 2.5 billion dollars.
Import geography:
Portugal 20%, USA 17%, South Africa 10%, Spain, Brazil, France.
Road length:
72 thousand km, of which about 6 thousand are paved. Railway length: about 3300 km. There are four railways in the country (mainly owned by British and Belgian companies).
Main ports:
Luanda, Lobito, Cabinda, Namibe. There are national and foreign companies that carry out ocean and coastal (only between the ports of Angola) transportation. Airports: international - Luanda, 13 local.
A promising export commodity is granite, especially black (export since 1995 amounted to 5 thousand cubic meters per year). Developments are underway for the extraction of phosphates and uranium.
In 1998, the balance of payments deficit amounted to 600 million dollars. Inflation has exceeded 800%. 60% of the able-bodied population are unemployed. Annual per capita income - $273
In the future, foreign companies, with the support of the Angolan government, plan to invest about $17 billion in the development of the country's industry over the next seven years.
The projects include the development of deep water deposits, the drilling of about 300 mines, the construction of an oil refinery and a natural gas liquefaction plant.
Also, the current government is making efforts to attract potential investors in the development of tourism.
Industrial projects:
The government plans to sell some of the state-owned enterprises into private hands. The newly acquired cement factory has tripled its productivity and output. Industrial development projects include the possibility of acquiring three pharmaceutical plants in Luanda, Benguela and Dondo and the rehabilitation of a fish processing plant in Namibe. In the future, there is also the construction of a steel complex, a shipyard, a seaport in the province of Cabinda, a conveyor for the assembly of military trucks and a brewery.
9.3.1 Republic of South Africa
Republic of South Africa(South Africa) is the only economically developed country on the continent. According to all indicators of economic development, it belongs to the 1st place in Africa. South Africa accounts for 2/5 of industrial production, 4/5 of steel production, 7z of railway length. d., 1/2 car park Africa. The largest industrial region of the continent is the Witwatersrand, in which the capital Pretoria is located.
In accordance with the racist policy of apartheid, 10 "independent black states" or bantustans were created on the site of the former reservations. At the present time apartheid has been officially abolished, but the backwardness of the Bantustans persists.
9.3.2 Economic assessment of South Africa
Today, South Africa is one of the most promising markets among all third world countries. The economy of the Republic of South Africa, this economic giant on the scale of the African continent, contains a unique combination of socio-economic factors inherent in both developed countries and third world countries. The presence of a developed economic infrastructure, a broad technological base, highly qualified managerial and engineering personnel, as well as an extensive market for fairly cheap skilled and unskilled labor have made South Africa extremely attractive and profitable for free business activities and foreign capital investment. The largest international investment companies highlight South Africa as an emerging market with the most favorable conditions for foreign investment.
The recent global financial crisis, which had such a strong impact on a number of third world countries, only underscored the strength and dynamism of the South African economy. Among the fundamental factors that determine the socio-economic situation in the country, first of all, the increased attention of the South African government to the issues of supporting the constant growth of the country's exports, investment in fixed assets, the dynamics of consumption growth and real incomes of the population stands out. The South African government is called upon to provide the most favorable conditions for the external development of the country's economy, maintaining a positive balance of payments and foreign trade of South Africa. This is expressed, first of all, in the creation of a legal framework that in every possible way supports free enterprise and long-term investments.
Thanks to the economic reforms of the GEAR program, the economic situation since the end of 1996 has been characterized by constantly increasing GDP growth (at least 3%), low inflation rates, a stable exchange rate, and a trend towards improving budget indicators at all levels. Favorable domestic market conditions and increasing investment have been factors stimulating economic growth and economic stability in South Africa.
Along with economic transformations, reflected in fiscal and tax reforms, the South African government is encouraging investment and employment through the restructuring and privatization of state-owned enterprises.
Another priority for the government of South Africa is the solution of issues related to unemployment and the redistribution of incomes of the population, which is expressed primarily in the creation of additional jobs for low-skilled workers and the implementation of special subsidy programs.
The main components of the South African economy:
· The richest raw material base;
· In terms of reserves of a number of minerals, such as gold, platinum group metals, manganese, aluminoglucates, South Africa ranks first in the world;
· Most of the South African deposits are unique in terms of conditions and scale of occurrence of resources;
· Availability of the widest range of extracted minerals;
· Large agricultural sector;
· South Africa is not only fully self-sufficient in agricultural products, but is also one of the six countries in the world that are able to export agricultural products on a permanent basis;
· Developed financial market, characterized by clarity and reliability of banking and insurance services;
· The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is one of the 15 largest in the world;
· Widespread use of advanced technologies in the banking sector, such as Internet technologies;
· Presence of an extensive network of well-organized telecommunication services;
· Provision of all types of telecommunication services and Internet services;
· South Africa's mobile services and IP technology market is one of the fastest growing in the world;
· Telcom, a South African telecommunications company with a backbone network, is constantly increasing the share of the fiber-optic component, which allows increasing the speed and quality of telecommunications services;
· Modern transport infrastructure.
The number of railways and roads exceeds the similar averages of other African countries by 15 and 10 times, respectively.
The presence of large commercial ports guaranteeing South Africa access to all maritime destinations: to Asia, Europe, America and other countries African continent.
· The presence of a powerful energy base.
· A constant surplus of electricity produced over consumption guarantees the future supply of an ever-increasing number of consumers.
· Consumption prices for electricity available throughout South Africa are among the lowest in the world.
· Progressive legislation aimed at attracting foreign capital.
· Attraction of investments and introduction of advanced technologies occurs in all significant sectors of the economy of South Africa.
The average value of return on investment has been steadily increasing since 1992, which became possible thanks to a significant increase in average labor productivity (in 1997, labor productivity growth was 4.32%, in 1998 - 4.56%).
South Africa is one of the top 25 exporters in the world. Incomes from foreign trade reach 50% of GDP, while the volume of exports exceeds the volume of imports.
The main trading partners of South Africa are the USA, Japan, Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy and Canada, and the turnover of foreign trade with these countries is increasing.
South Africa is one of the few countries with a unique dual system of property rights (public and private) for minerals. The restructuring of state enterprises, in which there is a redistribution of property rights from the state to private owners of enterprises, is especially noticeable in the mining industry. Another trend that is most noticeable in this sector of the economy is the merger of the largest companies and the monopolization of the market. Thus, more than 90% of diamond mining in South Africa is controlled by branches of the South African monopoly De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd.
South Africa is the world leader in the production of gold, platinum group metals, and holds the world's leading position in the production of diamonds and hard coal. The share of production of enterprises associated with the direct processing of minerals, including metal production, is approximately 14% of GDP. The share of exports of minerals in the total exports of South Africa, despite a gradual decline, is currently more than 33%.
Mechanical engineering is the largest sector of the South African economy, the main component of which is the automotive and machine tool industries owned by the largest foreign corporations.
Buses, trucks, trailers and semi-trailers, as well as spare parts for them, come off the conveyors of factories owned by leading automobile corporations in the USA, Japan, Western Europe, total number more than 200 items, 159 of which are produced by NAACAM. Component parts are supplied not only to the assembly plants of the country, but also to the US markets, South America, Europe, Far East and Africa.
In addition, in South Africa there are a number of enterprises for the production of sea and river vessels, railway cars and locomotives, aircraft, components and some special devices. This sector of the economy is dominated by a group of companies led by Dorbyl Ltd.
Conclusion
Despite the huge natural and human potential, Africa continues to be the most backward part of the world economy. Therefore, the main task of the current stage is to accelerate socio-economic transformations that contribute to the solution of complex demographic, food and environmental issues.
List of sources used
1Maksakovskiy, V.P. Economic and social geography of the world: textbook. for 10 cells. general education Institutions / V.P. Maksakovskiy. - 16th ed., Rev. – M.: Enlightenment, 2008. – 398 p.
2 Maksakovskiy, V.P. Geographical picture of the world. In 2 books. Book II: Regional characteristics of the world. - 2nd ed., stereotype. – M.: Bustard, 2005. – 480 p.
3 Economic analysis of countries [Electronic resource] - Access mode: http: // www.profishop.lv, free. - Zagl. from the screen.
4 School.LV [Electronic resource] / Lessons / Economic geography - Access mode: http: // www.http ://shkola.lv/index.php?mode=lsntheme&themeid=199&subid=303, free. - Zagl. from the screen.
North Africa
1) Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan.
2) Access to the Mediterranean, Red Sea.
3) The population is concentrated in the cities: Algiers, Tripoli, Rabat, Casablanca. (approximately from 1 to 5 million people.). Mostly Arab peoples.
4) This sub-region is located in the tropical zone. In the zone of semi-deserts and deserts, occasionally hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs. Iron ores, oil, phosphorites, natural gas, polymetallic ores, gold.
5) Pastures with pockets of cultivated land, in the far north - cultivated land and oases. Manufacture of machines, devices, equipment, wood and timber products, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, oil products.
6) a large area of underutilized land, the development of gas and oil fields.
West Africa
1) Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Ghana.
2) access to the Atlantic Ocean
3) The population is concentrated in cities and rural settlements: Dakar, Conakry, Monrovia, Abidjan, Ouagadougou. Mostly peoples: Akan, Yoruba, Hausa, Fulbe and Arab.
4) This region is located in the tropical, subequatorial and equatorial belt. In the zone of deserts, savannahs and woodlands, variable-moist forests. Iron ores, Phosphorites, gold, aluminum ores, manganese ores, diamonds.
5) Pastures with pockets of cultivated land, forests with pockets of cultivated land, cultivated lands and oases. Production of wood and timber products, meat products, cocoa and banana distribution area.
6) a large area of underutilized land, the absence of any large-scale production, the potential for the development of the timber industry.
Central:
1) Nigeria, Niger, Chal, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea.
2) access to the Atlantic Ocean.
3) The population is concentrated in cities and rural settlements: Malabo, Yaounde, Brazzaville, Kinshasa and others. Mostly peoples: Tubu, Azande, Hausa.
4) This region is located in the subequatorial and equatorial belt. In the zone of savannas and light forests, variable-moist forests, areas of altitudinal zonation, permanently humid forests. Oil, Manganese ores, Aluminum ores, Uranium ores.
5) Forests with pockets of cultivated land, pastures. Manufacture of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, oil products, wood and timber products. The area of distribution of rubber-bearing, cotton and bananas.
6) potential for the development of uranium ores and oil production, problems: soil erosion, poaching, undrinkable water.
East Africa
1) Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia.
2) access to the Indian Ocean.
3) The population is concentrated evenly in cities and towns, there is no urbanization. Mostly peoples: Amhara, Somalis.
4) This region is located in the subequatorial zone, the equatorial zone. In the zone of savannahs and light forests, altitudinal zonation, semi-deserts. Gold, Phosphorites, Diamonds, Titanium ores.
5) Pastures with pockets of cultivated land. Leather production. Area of distribution of bananas, coffee, date palm. Breeding of camels and cattle.
6) Problems: overgrazing, desertification, widespread poaching. Potential for breeding camels, cattle and for the production of ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
South
1) South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia.
2) access to the Atlantic, Indian Ocean.
3) The population is concentrated in cities: Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, Lusaka, Harare. Mostly peoples: Bantu, Bushmen, Afrikaners, Gotentots.
4) This region is located in the subequatorial, tropical, subtropical zone. In the zone of savannahs and light forests, altitudinal zonation, semi-deserts and deserts. Manganese ores, Diamonds, Polymatal ores, Gold, Copper ores, Cobalt ores, Chrome ores, Asbestos, Coal, Iron ores.
5) Grassland with pockets of cultivated land, cultivated land and oases. Manufacture of machines, equipment, devices, ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Distribution area: cotton. Breeding: sheep, cattle.
6) Problems: limited supply of drinking water, deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, excessive use of pastures. The potential for the production of meat products, the development of hydroelectric power stations and nuclear power plants (there are deposits of uranium).