African countries. Map of Africa in Russian Administrative map of Africa in Russian

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Africa- a part of the world that includes the continent of Africa and numerous islands. In terms of area, Africa is the second continent after. Africa is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In total, there are 55 states in Africa, 5 unrecognized countries and the same number of dependent island countries. According to scientists, Africa is the cradle of humanity, because it was on the territory of this continent that the remains of hominids, the ancient ancestors of modern man, were discovered.

The climate in Africa is varied. This is the only continent that includes climatic zones ranging from southern subtropical to northern subtropical. Since Africa is crossed by the equator and many areas receive little to no rainfall, Africa has no natural climate regulation.

In terms of nature and wildlife, Africa is the most exotic continent with great diversity, contrasts and beautiful unique landscapes and landscapes that can hardly be seen anywhere else.

Africa– a real treasure trove of various attractions that relate to different civilizations and peoples. The most popular and visited African attractions are Egyptian pyramids, Serengeti reserves, Victoria Falls. In Africa, the modernity of large states and the identity of small, few peoples and tribes are harmoniously combined.

The African world is not just beautiful, unique and inimitable. It is this exoticism that attracts tourists. Africa is a fairly hospitable country, and any traveler will find entertainment to suit his taste. In Africa, you can go surfing, diving, ecotourism, or prefer a calm and measured holiday on lakes or on the ocean or seashore. Africa is also famous for its desert safaris and national parks.

Africa is the second largest continent in the world, followed by Eurasia.

Interesting facts about African countries:

Algeria is the largest country in Africa. More than 80% of the territory is occupied by the Sahara Desert.
Angola. The capital of Angola, Luanda, is considered the most expensive city to live in, but 50% of the country's population cannot read and write.
Benin is a small country, famous for the town of Ouidah, which is considered a stronghold of the voodoo religion. Benin is one of the African countries that fully provides itself with all necessary food products.
Botswana is one of the least explored countries in Africa. More than 70% of the territory is desert.
Burkina Faso is a country with a very low standard of living. In the country it is rare to meet a person over 65 years old. The country is visited extremely rarely by tourists.
Burundi is a country without hospitals. There are only about 200 doctors and nurses in the entire state, so the level of medical care is one of the lowest in the world.
Gabon is one of the most stable and richest countries on the African continent. About 80% of the country's territory is occupied by tropical forests.
The Gambia is the smallest country in Africa by area.
Ghana is the first state in West Africa to gain independence from the British people.
Guinea is the leader in bauxite reserves. It is among the 10 poorest countries in the world.
Guinea-Bissau. There is not a single power plant in the country. Electricity is supplied from city generators and is turned on only for 2-3 hours a day.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. The main attraction of the republic is the Congo River, which is one of the deepest in the world.
Djibouti is one of the driest countries in the world.
Egypt is one of the cheapest and most popular resorts in the world. Famous for its developed infrastructure in tourist cities. But outside the tourist area, Egyptians live very poorly. It is in Egypt that one of the seven wonders of the world is located - the Pyramid of Cheops.
One of the wonders of the world is the Pyramid of Cheops. Egypt
Zambia is the first country in Africa to make banknotes from plastic rather than paper. The most visited place by tourists is the village of Mukuni artisans.
Zimbabwe. One of the world's coffee exporters. The country is very high level unemployment in 2020 is about 80%.
Cape Verde is a country of 18 islands. The state is engaged in the production and export of footwear.
Cameroon. Half of the state's territory is occupied by forests, which are home to the largest goliath frogs in the world. The population lives below the poverty line, but despite this, the people of Cameroon are always hospitable and good-natured towards tourists.
Kenya is the country with the largest international airport in East Africa. Kenya is different from other countries. There are no seasons in the country, there are only seasons: dry and rainy.
Comoros Islands. A country where it is impossible to pay with a bank card. There are not even ATMs on the territory of the state.
Congo is famous for the most dangerous dormant volcano in the world - Newiragongo.
Cote d'Ivoire. More than 60 peoples live in the state. It is in this country that the largest church in the world is located.
Lesotho is located in the highlands. There are two diamond mines in the country.
Liberia. The country has not yet fully recovered from the war in 1980. The population lives below the poverty line. The only country in the world where there is not a single traffic light.
Libya. 90% of the area is covered by desert. A state with a very limited number of animals and plants. The lack of flora and fauna is caused by the arid climate.
Mauritius is a tourist resort that ranks second in terms of living standards on the African continent.
Mauritania. All the rivers in this country dry up in the summer, except for one - Senegal. 100% of the Mauritanian population professes Islam.
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. The country is the world's first producer of vanilla.
Malawi is the poorest republic in Africa. The country is famous for its orchids; more than 400 species grow on the territory of the state.
Mali. The country ranks among the world's leading gold exporters.
Morocco is a tourist country, visited by more than 10 million tourists every year. In the country, namely in Casablanca, there is the tallest religious building - the Hassan Mosque 2.
Mozambique. About 25% of the country's population does not consider themselves followers of any faith, although they are not atheists. Meat is rare in Mozambique.
Namibia. On its territory there is the world's largest underground lake. Tourists are attracted to Namibia by the “skeleton coast” - a surf line strewn with whale skeletons.
“Skeleton Coast” is one of the most memorable places
Niger. About 80% of the republic's area is occupied by the Sahara Desert. Niger is first in the world in terms of birth rate.
Nigeria is the republic that ranks first in Africa in terms of population. The country is engaged in the production and export of oil and petroleum products.
Rwanda is the country with the tallest inhabitants on the planet. Not in Rwanda railways and trams. The country is one of the few in Africa that does not experience a shortage of drinking water.
Sao Tome and Principe are islands that are extinct volcanoes. The islands are popular with a local attraction - the Mouth of Hell (a place in the rocks from where a stream of sea water flows).
Swaziland is a country with 2 capitals: Mbabane and Lobamba. The country is ruled by a king, but his power is partially limited by parliament. The republic ranks first in the world in terms of the number of HIV-infected people.
Seychelles is one of the most expensive resorts in the world. The Seychelles includes 115 islands, of which only 33 are inhabited.
Senegal. The national symbol of this country is the baobab. The famous Paris-Dakar rally is held annually in the capital of Senegal.
The Paris-Dakar Rally is a dream for many
Somalia is one of the most armed countries in the world. For local residents Carrying a firearm at all times is considered the norm. Somalia is a country with anarchy.
Sudan is a state where marriages with deceased people are legally permitted. Sudan is the world's largest importer of gum arabic.
Sierra Leone. One of the poorest countries in the world. Half of the republic's population cannot read or write.
Tanzania. A third of the country is occupied by nature reserves. The republic is characterized by a low level of education. According to statistics, only half of Tanzanian children attend school. The country has 2 capitals and the largest crater in the world - Ngorongoro.
Togo is a country known for having the largest traditional market in the world, where you can buy absolutely everything. Togo is a country of contrasts, where monolithic elite high-rise buildings border on the mud huts of the poor.
Tunisia is a popular tourist country, famous not only for its unique culture and nature, but also for the “Rose of the Sahara” attraction. This crystal is formed in the desert from salt and sand. Many tourists buy crystal as a souvenir to decorate aquariums and houses.
The amazing phenomenon “Rose of the Sahara”
Uganda is the youngest republic in the world. Middle age Ugandans are 15 years old. The country is home to one of the deepest lakes in the world - Albertina.
The Central African Republic is a state with incredible reserves of uranium, gold, oil and diamonds. But despite this, the country is among the 30 poorest republics in the world.
Chad. The country is named after Lake Chad, which is located on its territory. The country does not have a complete railway connection. This republic amazes with its dry and arid climate; the maximum temperature in the shade in summer reaches 56 degrees Celsius.
Equatorial Guinea is a country where the land is bright red due to the special composition of the soil. In Equatorial Guinea, gold mining is available to everyone.
Eritrea is one of the poorest countries on the planet. Eritrea has no national language. This country became famous in the world thanks to the 30-year war for independence.
Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country on the planet. Ethiopia is an agricultural country where cereals, sugar cane, potatoes and cotton are grown.
South Africa is the most diverse national republic on the African continent. South Africa is the most developed country in Africa.
South Sudan is one of the least developed republics in Africa. The country doesn't even have running water. South Sudan is famous for constant civil wars and political upheavals.

The area of South Africa is 3.1 million square meters. km. The region is characterized by the development of the mining industry.

Table: Southern African countries

North Africa is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea. Area - about 10,000,000 sq. km. Most of this part of the African continent is occupied by the Sahara Desert.

Table: North African countries

West Africa is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Covers the Sahel and Sudan regions. This part of the continent is leader in the number of HIV infections and malaria.

Table: West African countries

State	Square	Population of the state	Capital
Benin	112 620	10 741 458	Porto-Novo, Cotonou
Burkina Faso	274,200	17 692 391	Ouagadougou
Gambia	10 380	1 878 999	Banjul
Ghana	238 540	25 199 609	Accra
Guinea	245 857	11 176 026	Conakry
Guinea-Bissau	36 120	1 647 000	Bissau
Cape Verde	4 033	523 568	Praia
Ivory Coast	322 460	23,740,424	Yamoussoukro
Liberia	111 370	4 294 000	Monrovia
Mauritania	1 030 700	3 359 185	Nouakchott
Mali	1 240 000	15 968 882	Bamako
Niger	1 267 000	23 470 530	Niamey
Nigeria	923 768	186 053 386	Abuja
Senegal	196 722	13 300 410	Dakar
Sierra Leone	71 740	5 363 669	Freetown
Togo	56 785	7 154 237	Lome

Central African states in 2020 have a very good complex natural resources, therefore, countries are not only actively developing the industrial sector, but are also leading subjects foreign trade African continent.

Table: countries of Central Africa

State	Square	Population of the state	Capital
Angola	1 246 700	20 172 332	Luanda
Gabon	267 667	1 738 541	Libreville
Cameroon	475 440	20 549 221	Yaounde
Democratic Republic of the Congo	2 345 410	77 433 744	Kinshasa
Congo	342 000	4 233 063	Brazzaville
Sao Tome and Principe	1001	163 000	Sao Tome
CAR	622 984	5 057 000	Bangui
Chad	1 284 000	11 193 452	N'Djamena
Equatorial Guinea	28 051	740 743	Malabo

East Africa occupies the highest part of the continent. It is in this part that the highest point in Africa is located - Kilimanjaro. Most of the territory is savannah. In East Africa the most large number national and protected parks. East Africa is characterized by frequent civil wars and armed conflicts.

Table: East African countries

State	Square	Population of the state	Capital
Burundi	27 830	11 099 298	Bujumbura
Djibouti	22 000	818 169	Djibouti
Zambia	752 614	14 222 233	Lusaka
Zimbabwe	390 757	14 229 541	Harare
Kenya	582 650	44 037 656	Nairobi
Comoros (Comoros)	2 170	806 153	Moroni
Mauritius	2040	1 295 789	Port Louis
Madagascar	587 041	24 235 390	Antananarivo
Malawi	118 480	16 777 547	Lilongwe
Mozambique	801 590	25 727 911	Maputo
Rwanda	26 338	12 012 589	Kigali
Seychelles	451	90 024	Victoria
Somalia	637 657	10 251 568	Mogadishu
Tanzania	945 090	48 261 942	Dodoma
Uganda	236 040	34 758 809	Kampala
Eritrea	117 600	6 086 495	Asmara
	1 104 300	90 076 012	Addis Ababa
South Sudan	619 745	12 340 000	Juba

On the territory of the African continent there are 55 countries that are bordered by:

Mediterranean Sea.
Red Sea.
Indian Ocean.
Atlantic Ocean.

The area of the African continent is 29.3 million square kilometers. If we take into account the islands near Africa, the area of this continent increases to 30.3 million square kilometers.

The African continent occupies approximately 6% of the total area globe.

The largest country in Africa is Algeria. The area of this state is 2,381,740 square kilometers.

Table. Largest states in Africa:

List of largest cities by population:

Nigeria - 166,629,390 people. In 2017, it was the most populous country in Africa.
Egypt - 82,530,000 people.
Ethiopia - 82,101,999 people.
Republic of the Congo. The population of this African country is 69,575,394 inhabitants.
Republic of South Africa. There were 50,586,760 people living in South Africa in 2017.
Tanzania. This African country has a population of 47,656,370 people.
Kenya. This African country has a population of 42,749,420 people.
Algeria. This tropical African country is home to 36,485,830 people.
Uganda - 35,620,980 people.
Morocco - 32,668,000 people.

The continent of Africa occupies 20% of the land surface of planet Earth. Its map of area and population is in second place after Eurasia. The countries of the continent are developing, many of them are backward. Most people live in capitals and large cities.

Africa is located in all four hemispheres at the same time. The shores of the continent in the west are washed by the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and in the southeast by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The northern part of the coast borders the Mediterranean Sea. The northeastern coastline faces the Red Sea.

Origin of the name

There are several assumptions about the origin of the name of the continent, one of which was voiced by the Arab traveler Leo the African (XVI century). He claimed that the name has Arabic roots, from the word “faraqa” - “to divide”. The interpretation implies the division of Africa and Eurasia (particularly Asia) by the Red Sea.

Another hypothesis is related to the Roman conquests of the lands of modern Tunisia in the 2nd century. B.C. In the occupied territories, a colony was founded called Africa, named after the Afarik tribes living there.

Area of the continent

The total area of Africa is 30,221,53 km2. From north to south the continent extends 7623 km, from west to east 7260 km.

Extreme points on the mainland

The names and locations of the points are summarized in the table:

Cape Agulhas in Africa

extreme point	Name	Location	Peculiarities
South point	Cape Agulhas	South African territory	The place where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet
Northern point	Ben-Sekka	Tunisia	Has sandy white sand beaches
Western point	Cape Almadi	Cap Vert Peninsula, Senegal	Located between the mouths of the Gambia and Senegal rivers
Eastern point	Cape Ras Hafun	Somalia	It is an island 40 km long, connected to the mainland by a strip of land

Relief

Africa is located on an ancient platform, due to which it has a surface consisting mainly of plains and plateaus in the center of the continent and hills along the periphery. Height – 750 m above sea level.

The relief differs in the northwestern and southeastern parts:

The map has a conventional border between the African countries of Angola and Ethiopia. The extinct volcano Kilimanjaro, located 339 km from the capital of Tanzania, Dodoma, is the highest point of the mainland, which is at a level of 5895 m. Lake Assal, which is the lowest point in Africa, is located in the Afar depression. The bottom of the lake is 157 cm below sea level.

Population

The mainland's population is 1.3 billion people. The average density is 25-30 people per km 2.

Accommodation of people (number of people per km 2):

Nile Valley - 1700.
Islands: Mauritius – 667, Comoros – 433, Seychelles – 197.
East Africa, republics of Rwanda, Burundi – 421.
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia - 60-70.
Botswana, Libya, Namibia, Mauritania – 2-4.
Sahara Desert – 0.4.

Racial Distribution:

Representatives of the Caucasian race are dispersed in Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia. In the southern part of the mainland live immigrants from Holland and England.
Representatives of the Negroid race occupy central and southern Africa.

Climate

The formation of the African climate is influenced by the position of the continent in the tropics, flat terrain and the proximity of the Atlantic and Indian oceans.

Climatic conditions in the equatorial zone are represented by high temperatures (on average 26-28C 0) and frequent precipitation of up to 5000 mm per year. Due to this, there is a high level of humidity and the growth of abundant vegetation in the form of impenetrable jungles and tropical forests (Hylea).

In the subequatorial climate zone there is a clear separation of the rainy and dry seasons. During the dry period, the average temperature reaches +30C 0 . Duration from 3 to 10 months. During the rainy season, the annual precipitation does not exceed 1000 mm, the average temperature is +20C 0.

The territory of the tropical zone is exposed to high temperatures, the average is +35-40C 0 . In the Sahara and Kalahari deserts, during the day the temperature can reach +58C 0, and at night drop below 0C 0. Precipitation is scanty, from 0 to 100 mm per year. The tropics are characterized by dry trade winds and sandstorms.

In the subtropical zone on the northern and western sides there are dry summers and wet winters with precipitation of more than 500 mm per season. Average temperature +20C 0 . In the southeast, precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year.

African countries

Africa, a map (with countries and capitals) of which includes 62 states, is divided into 5 regions:

Of these, 54 states are recognized as independent, the rest belong to the territories of France, SADR, Spain, Portugal, and Great Britain.

North Africa

The map of northern Africa covers a vast territory of 10 million km 2. This part of the continent includes the Sahara Desert and the largest countries in Africa with an area of more than 1.5 million km2: Egypt, Algeria, Sudan, Libya. Due to the large influx of tourists to the capital of Egypt (Cairo), Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya, the economy is developing.

Access to the Mediterranean Sea ensures profitable trade relations with Europe and Asia. The extraction of minerals has been established - phosphorites, oil, natural gas. Industry is developed. Agricultural land is occupied by the cultivation of cereals, cotton, citrus fruits, and olives.

South Africa

It occupies an area of 3.1 million km2. The population is 48.9 million, of which 79% are Negroid. The main religion is Protestantism and Catholicism.

Largest cities: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth. The southern part of the mainland is rich in gold, diamonds and iron ore. Among agricultural crops, residents prefer corn, wheat, sorghum, and yams.

IN South Africa the number of people infected with HIV is more than 6 million people (18%), which corresponds to the scale of the epidemic.

Central Africa

It is located in the center of the continent in the equatorial and subequatorial belts. Territory – 7.3 million km2. Due to its humid climate, it has large forest areas, which are used by local residents for timber harvesting. They grow cocoa beans, yams, rice, fruits, and sugar cane. Cattle breeding is developed in desert areas. Mainly cattle and sheep are raised.

Central Africa is rich in copper, diamonds, as well as cobalt and lead ores. Industry, in accordance with the rich variety of natural resources, is developed in several directions: woodworking, oil refining, metalworking and textiles.

East Africa

It stretches along the coast of the Indian Ocean, area - 7.7 million km 2. Population - 94 million people, of which 99% are Africans, and 1% are Europeans, Indians and Arabs. The region is distinguished by a rich diversity of soils, vegetation and wildlife.

Livestock farming is thriving and agriculture(coffee, spices, tea, tobacco, grapes). The presence of islands comfortable for relaxation (Seychelles, Madagascar) attracts a large flow of tourists. Prolonged conflicts between ethnic groups and civil wars.

West Africa

The western part of the African continent has an area of 5.1 million km 2 and includes 16 states. In the southwest it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, in the east – the Cameroon Mountains, in the north – the Sahara, with the Sahel serving as its border. The first independent state of Ghana was formed here, throwing off the shackles of colonialism.

West Africa is considered a poor and underdeveloped region, despite rich mineral deposits (oil, uranium, ore, tin, diamonds, gold). The population is engaged in the cultivation of monocultures (cocoa, peanuts, palm oil).

The political situation is unstable: terrorist attacks, coups d'etat, and protests are being recorded.

The main attractions of Africa

Africa (map with countries and capitals) is famous for its attractions. The man-made monuments and amazing nature with its diversity of rare plant and animal species.

The majestic pyramids of Egypt or the pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza consist of a diagonal complex of pyramids of Cheops, Herf, Menkaure and small satellite pyramids that serve as tombs for the wives of the pharaohs. The majestic structures are located on the Giza plateau in the Libyan Desert, not far from the ancient city of the same name. They date back to the first half of the third millennium BC, during the time of the rulers of Egypt of the IV dynasty.

The pyramids served as tombs for the pharaohs. The original height was: Cheops - 146.7 m, Herf - 136.4 m, Menkaure - 66 m. The outside of the pyramids of Cheops and Herf were lined with limestone, and Menkaure with pink granite. Inside the pyramids there are tunnels, a gallery, underground and above-ground chambers with air ducts.

Great Sphinx

The Sphinx sculpture faces east, with the Pyramids of Giza behind it. Made in the form of a mythical creature with the head of a man and the body of a lion. The Sphinx's face is damaged: the nose and ceremonial beard are missing. Between the legs of the sculpture there is a granite slab, installed by order of Thutmose IV. Hidden under the left paw is a secret room with an underground passage leading to Herf's pyramid.

The monument is made of limestone blocks, its length is 72 m, width 20 m. The author and purpose of the sculpture are still unknown.

Valley of the Kings

It is a mountain gorge with tombs of pharaohs and their wives from the 16th – 11th centuries. BC, located on the west bank of the Nile, near Thebes. The internal structure of the tombs is represented by a long tunnel and a burial chamber. The walls are painted with paintings that depict the deeds and great deeds of the deceased. Jewelry, precious stones, and expensive utensils were buried with the deceased.

During the entire period of research, 63 tombs were found. The mummies of the rulers with sarcophagi were transported to the Cairo Museum.

Cairo Museum

Located in the capital of Egypt in Tahrir Square, 650 km from the Valley of the Kings. The credit for founding the museum in 1858 goes to the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariet.

The Cairo Museum is a treasury of more than 160 thousand exhibits of a bygone civilization. The first floor is occupied by voluminous and heavy sarcophagi, statues made of stone and granite, a collection of papyri, as well as fragments of walls with paintings from tombs. On the second floor there were mummies of pharaohs and their wives, jewelry, figurines of gods, and ritual accessories.

Ancient city of Carthage

Africa (map with countries and capitals) contains the history of states and cities that were destroyed during conquests and struggles for power. One such place is ancient Carthage, the ruins of which are preserved on Birsa Hill in the territory of modern Tunisia.

The city was founded by the Phoenicians in 814 BC. Subsequently destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC, cleared of rubble and rebuilt to form an administrative center. Today, on the site of old Carthage, foundations with walls of houses and Roman baths, columns, steles, tophet (burial place of sacrificed children and animals) have been preserved. The Museum of Carthage was erected on the top of the hill.

Bandiagara

In Mali, in western Africa, there is a unique natural complex with the Dogon tribe inhabiting it. This is the Bandiagara highlands. The site is an elevated, steep plain with sandstone cliffs located on it that reach 500 m in height and extend for 150 km.

Clay villages of the Dogon, the guardians of ancient traditions and rituals, were built in the rocks and on the plains. The caves housed granaries, chapels, altars, places for public meetings, and burial places of the Tellems (predecessors of the Dogon). Rock paintings (XIV-XV centuries) are a shrine where ten-year-old boys are circumcised every 3 years.

Victoria Falls

It is located on the Zambezi River, between the two southern African states of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The width of the Victoria Falls is 1800 m, the height is 120 m. The visibility of the fog formed when the water falls extends over 50 km. In the language of local residents, the name of the waterfall sounds like “Buzzing Smoke”.

At the edge of the waterfall there is a depression filled with water and called the “Devil's Pool”. During drought periods, the water level decreases, which allows tourists to swim safely in this backwater.

Dallol volcano in Ethiopia

The volcano is located in the Afar basin of the Danakil Desert, 48 m below sea level. This is a dormant volcano, the last activity was recorded in 1926. Then an acid lake formed in its place.

The color of the crater surface changes from yellow to brown. This is due to the leaching of potassium salts, manganese, and iron ions from the depths of the volcano. Salt crystals and fumaroles create an amazing landscape that has led Dallol to be compared to a moon of Jupiter.

Ethiopian Danakil Desert

The Danakil Desert occupies 100,000 km 2 of the area of two countries - Ethiopia in its northern part and Eritrea in the southeast.

It is considered one of the most dangerous places on the planet due to its high volcanic activity. There are 6 volcanoes on the territory of Danakil, 3 of which are dormant, 1 dormant and 2 active. The air in the desert is saturated with toxic sulfur vapors, and the temperature remains within +50C 0 . Along its entire length there are acid and oil lakes.

Sahara Desert

The Sahara is located in the northern part of the African continent and covers an area of 6-8 million km 2. The desert sands stretch across 10 countries. Sahara is unsuitable for life due to high humidity and temperature (+50C 0 during the day, below 0 at night). The exception is oases, where internal waters come to the surface and contribute to the growth of vegetation necessary for feeding livestock.

Animal world represented by 4,000 species, many of which come to the surface only at night. The subsoil of the Sahara is rich in minerals: oil, gas, gold, copper, uranium.

Namib Desert

The Namib is called a place that God created in anger. The southwestern location of the desert on the mainland played a role in its formation due to the Benguela Current off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The Namib goes deep into the mainland and connects with the Kalahari, covering an area of 100,000 km 2.

This is the oldest desert, its age is more than 80 million years. On the territory you can find rare shrubs, herbs and the amazing Velvichia plant.

In the middle of the desert, dried and charred tree trunks that are more than 1000 years old have been preserved. Sand along the periphery of the Namib yellow, and in the center it has a red-brown tint. The barchans and dunes extend up to 20 km in length, and the highest of them reaches 383 m.

Giraffe Center in Kenya

The center, founded in 1970 in a suburb of Nairobi, is home to the rare Rothschild giraffe species (no more than 700 worldwide). A program to prevent the extinction of the subspecies is being implemented here. Individuals breed in the reserve and are subsequently released into the wild.

A hotel for tourists has been built on the territory of the center, which gives them the opportunity to take a closer look at the giraffes and feed them by hand directly from the windows of the rooms.

Valley of the Whales Wadi Al Hitan

Wadi al-Hitan is located in northern Egypt in Fayoum. It is a protected area where the remains and waste products of ancient whales (archaeocetes), sharks, crocodiles, and turtles are collected.

Fossils have allowed paleontologists to reproduce appearance whales Studies have shown that in the process of evolution, land archaeocetes lost their hind limbs, the shape of the body became streamlined, and the habitat changed to aquatic.

Baobab Sunland

Sunland Baobab is located on a farm of the same name in the Limpopo province of southern Africa. It gained fame due to its age (more than 6000 years) and size: height 22 m, trunk circumference 46 m.

Having freed the baobab from the decayed internal part, the owners of the farm in 1933 set up a beer bar with a cellar there. The capacity was 15 people. The interior consisted of two cavities with partitions, connected by a narrow passage. In 2016 and 2017 Most of the baobab tree split and was destroyed.

Kirstenbosch Garden

Botanical Garden founded in 1913 at the foot of Stem Mountain, 13 km from Cape Town. The total area of green space is 528 hectares and contains more than 7,000 rare plant species.

On the territory of Kirstenbosch there are greenhouses in which plants of endangered species from the savannas, karroos, are bred. Information signs are placed near each type of flower and shrub. Special attention dedicated to the national symbol of South Africa - the evergreen protea. In areas not subject to cultivation, thickets of bushes, flowers and forests of low-growing trees grow.

Congo River

The Congo is a deep river 4370 m long, located in the central part of the African continent. It originates in the southeast of the DRC and flows into the Atlantic Ocean, crossing the equator twice. The Congo is fed by rainwater.

Main attractions of Congo:

The seven-threshold Stanley Falls, with a drop height of 60 m, is included in the Guinness Book of Records.
Livingston Falls are sections of the river with rapids, with a total length of 350 km and a fall of 270 m.

Cape of Good Hope

Located in South Africa, 70 km from Cape Town. It is the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula, which, making a bend to the north, ends at the extreme southwestern point, called Cape Point. It is in this place that there is a lighthouse with a sign “Cape of Good Hope” and an observation deck.

The cape has beaches with white-yellow sand and unique fauna (penguins, cheetahs, rhinoceroses). It is famous for the fact that at this place the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans occurs, which is clearly visible in the color and difference in water temperature.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is located in East Africa in the Republic of Tanzania. It is a dormant cone-shaped stratovolcano with three peaks: Shira, Kibo, Mawenzi. The highest of them - 5895 m (Uhuru Peak of the Kibo volcano) is covered with a glacier. The peaks are extinct volcanoes.

There are 5 climate zones on Kilimanjaro. Up to a level of 3000 m, fruits, forests grow, and meadows bloom. At 4000-5000 m the vegetation gives way to heathland. Above 5000 m, the Arctic zone begins, where there is no flora and fauna.

Drakensberg Mountains

Located in the southeast of the African continent south of Kilimanjaro. The basaltic Drakensberg Mountains range extends 300 km in length, with the highest point reaching 3482 m (Thabana Ntlenyana). Along their length they pass through the territories of South Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho. They are part of the Drakensberg National Park.

The age of the mountains is 400 million years, which is confirmed by the presence of dinosaur remains and their embryos in the rock layers. Nature and fauna are represented by rare endemics.

Serengeti

National Park is located in Tanzania, while its northern part smoothly passes into the Masai Mara reserve (Kenya), and the southeastern part into the Ngorongoro crater. The foundation of the park dates back to 1951. The area of the territory is 14,763 km 2.

The landscape of the park is flat, with alternating safaris, forests and meadows. The unique flora and fauna contains 500 species of birds, 3 million large animals and more than 1000 rare plants.

Limpopo River

The river crosses the southern part of the continent into the territories of South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe and flows into the Indian Ocean. It originates in the Witwatersrand mountains, receiving many tributaries along its path. The total length is 1750 km.

The river is famous for the abundance of crocodiles and hippos in its waters.

Its basin has a developed mining industry (gold, diamonds, uranium) and partly shipping. Part of the river is part of the Kruger National Park.

Table Mountain

Located in the Western Cape Province 7.5 km southwest of Cape Town. The highest point is 1085 m. The mountain is made of sandstone, has steep slopes and a flat top with an area of 3 km, formed due to erosion and weathering.

At the top there is a park with orchids, silver trees and fynbos. For the convenience of tourists, there is a funicular. Through a worldwide vote, Table Mountain was voted one of the 7 Wonders of Nature.

Africa (map with countries and capitals) is abundant interesting places that are worth visiting.

Of these, the popular ones are:

Tourists from all over the world flock to Africa, the hallmark of which is the heritage of ancient civilizations, preserved traditions, the culture of countries and capitals, as well as unique flora and fauna.

Article format: Mila Friedan

Video about Africa

African fauna:

It is difficult to argue with the fact that Africa is an outstanding continent in all respects. It is the second largest continent in the world in terms of population and area. At the same time, the political map of Africa confirms that this territory makes up about 20% of the entire earth's landmass.

And nature is definitely unique, because any subregion will have its own unusual attractions, unlike anything else.

The Black Continent is oriented vertically - from north to south, and only hot climate zones are found here. There are coasts of two oceans - the Pacific and the Atlantic. African lands are washed by two famous seas - the Red and the Mediterranean.

The continent itself is divided into subregions by world scientists, usually distinguishing five with different geographical data:

Northern;
Central;
West;
Oriental;
Southern.

In this part of the world there is a significant number of states and other entities, which are reflected by the political map of Africa in Russian. There are 62 of them in total, with 8 of the total being dependent territories.

These countries can be classified according to various parameters; depending on the surrounding water bodies, the following countries have been recorded:

island (10);
inland (15);
with extensive sea and ocean coasts (37).

Many countries are loved by tourists, which is due to:

natural conditions;
historical heritage;
unique wildlife.

Europeans are most likely to come to North Africa since it is the closest region, and the local tourism industry has been expanding and adapting to such visitors for many years.

Many travelers strive to get there, and the local nature is perfectly combined with the civilization inherent in many resorts.

Among the African countries on the political map of Africa, the following are often chosen for vacation:

Egypt (interested in heritage ancient civilization);
Morocco (interesting Arab traditions and culture);
South Africa (an incomparable safari that will be remembered forever);
Zambia and Zimbabwe (amazing Victoria Falls and Lake Chad);
Tanzania (with numerous national parks and Kilimanjaro);
Kenya;
Namibia;
Zanzibar.

Political map of Africa in Russian

Even in the last century, the political map of Africa had a completely different look, different from the modern one. This is due to widespread colonization of the continent by European states, which began in the 16th century.

The middle of the 20th century became a turning point in this process, when the country and its other parts quickly began to gain independence, tortured for centuries.

Formed in 1963, the Organization of African Unity promoted the restoration of indigenous power and defended sovereignty.

The League of Arab States, which appeared in 1945, also played a special role in history, especially for the countries of North Africa cooperating with the Middle East.

The then new political map of Africa in Russian reflected the difficult situation on the continent, because the suddenly established borders in the process of decolonization turned into numerous civil wars between peoples living nearby.

And yet, at the moment, many African countries are breathing not only freely, but also peacefully, although to this day the process of forming a map is not completed, since new states periodically appear that are not yet recognized by the world.

The North African region is the closest to Europe and the Middle East, so their influence is maximum here. These countries are of a significant size within the continent.

On the political map of Africa in Russian there are the following countries of North Africa:

Egypt;
Morocco;
Sudan;
Libya;
Algeria;
Tunisia;
Mauritania;
Western Sahara.

Moreover, in Morocco there are two enclaves belonging to Spain:

Melilla;
Ceuta.

Sub-Saharan Africa is separated from the Eastern subregion by the Cameroon Mountains. Here are the states:

Senegal;
Cape Verde;
Sierra Leone;
Burkina Faso;
Niger, Nigeria;
Cote d'Ivoire;
Mali;
Liberia;
Ghana;
Togo;
Guinea, Guinea-Bissau;
Gambia;
Benin.

The central part of the Dark Continent is amazing for its rich wildlife resources, it is located near the equator, so there is a significant amount of rain forest and water. And the countries are as follows:

Central African Republic;
Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo;
Cameroon;
Angola;
Equatorial Guinea;
Gabon.

Principe and Sao Tome are located on the coastal islands.

The history of the Eastern subregion is complex, which is associated with the incorrect creation of interstate borders by the colonialists. However, modern development processes are still inexorably moving forward in states:

South Africa includes:

Republic of South Africa;
Zimbabwe;
Botswana;
Swaziland;
Namibia;
Lesotho;
Mozambique.

There are also island states:

Madagascar;
Reunion;
Mauritius;
Comoros Islands;
Seychelles.