Within the Black Continent there are 60 countries, including unrecognized and self-proclaimed states. The regions of Africa differ from each other in many ways: cultural, economic, demographic, etc. How many of them stand out on the mainland? Which countries are included?
Features of macro-zoning of the mainland: regions of Africa
Each of the African countries is unique and original. However, some common features between these states (natural, historical, social and economic) allow geographers to divide the mainland into several large regions. There are five in total, according to the generally accepted UN classification.
All regions of Africa are listed below:
- North;
- Central or Tropical;
- South;
- Western;
- East Africa.
Each of the listed macro regions covers a number of countries in the corresponding part of the continent. Thus, the leader in the number of states is the Western region. Moreover, most of them boast access to the oceans. And hereNorth and South Africa are the largest regions of the mainland in terms of area.
Most countries in the Eastern region have shown significant growth in GDP per capita in recent years. In turn, the central part of Africa concentrated on its expanses the poorest and most economically and scientifically backward states of the planet.
It should be noted that not everyone accepts the existing zoning scheme proposed by the UN. So, for example, some researchers and travelers single out such a region as Southeast Africa. It includes only four states: Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Next, we will take a closer look and describe all the regions of Africa, indicating their largest countries and cities.
North Africa
The region covers six sovereign states and one partially recognized: Tunisia, Sudan, Morocco, Libya, Western Sahara (SADR), Egypt and Algeria. North Africa, in addition, also includes several overseas territories belonging to Spain and Portugal. The countries of this region are characterized by relatively large areas.
Almost all the states of North Africa have a wide outlet to the Mediterranean Sea. This fact played a significant role in their development, denoting rather close economic ties with European countries. Most of the population of the region is concentrated in a narrow coastal strip of the Mediterranean, as well as in the valley of the Nile River. The waters of the Red Sea wash the shores of two more states in this region: we are talking about Sudanand Egypt. On the map of North Africa, these countries occupy the extreme eastern position.
Average GDP per capita in the region is not so high. However, according to IMF forecasts, in the near future they will only increase. Sudan is the poorest country in the macro-region, and the oil-producing states of Libya, Tunisia and Algeria are the we althiest.
North Africa has a fairly developed (by African standards) agriculture. Citrus fruits, dates, olives and sugar cane are grown here. This region is also popular among travelers. Countries such as Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco are visited annually by millions of tourists from all over the world.
The largest cities in the region: Casablanca, Tunisia, Tripoli, Cairo, Alexandria.
Algeria and Egypt on the map of Africa: interesting facts
Egypt is a state within which one of the world's oldest civilizations arose. This is a country of mysterious pyramids, secret treasures and legends. It is the absolute leader on the entire Black Continent in terms of the development of the recreational and tourist sphere. At least 10 million tourists visit Egypt every year.
Not everyone knows that this country is one of the most industrialized on the mainland. Oil, gas, iron and manganese ores, gold, coal, etc. are actively extracted and processed here. The chemical, cement and textile industries work effectively in the industrial sector.
Algeria is no less interesting state in North Africa. This country is the largest on the continent in terms of size. What is curious is thisshe received the honorary title only in 2011, when Sudan broke up. In addition to this record, Algeria is also interesting for other facts. For example, did you know that:
- about 80% of the territory of Algeria is occupied by the desert;
- one of the lakes of this amazing country is filled with real ink;
- the state has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites;
- There is not a single McDonald's and Orthodox church in Algeria;
- alcohol is sold here exclusively in specialized stores.
In addition, Algeria impresses travelers with the diversity of its natural landscapes. Here you can see everything: mountain ranges, dense forests, hot deserts, and cool lakes.
West Africa
This African region is the absolute leader in the total number of independent states. There are 16 of them here: Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
Most of the countries in the region are underdeveloped states with low GDP. Nigeria is an exception to this list. IMF forecasts for this region are disappointing: GDP per capita indicators will not grow in the short term.
Almost 60% of West Africa's population is employed in agriculture. Cocoa powder, wood, palm oil are produced here on a large scale. The manufacturing industry is sufficiently developed only in Nigeria.
The main problems of the region include the following:
- weak development of the transport network;
- poverty and illiteracy;
- the presence of a large number of language conflicts and hot spots.
The largest cities in the region: Dakar, Freetown, Abidjan, Accra, Lagos, Abuja, Bamako.
Central Africa
Central Africa is eight countries that vary significantly in size (Chad, Cameroon, Gabon, CAR, Republic of the Congo, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and the island nation of Sao Tome and Principe). The poorest country in the region is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a very low GDP of $330 per capita.
The economy of the macro-district is dominated by agriculture and mining, which the countries inherited from colonial times. Gold, cob alt, copper, oil and diamonds are mined here. The economy of Central Africa has been and remains a resource-based one.
A significant problem in the region is the presence of hot spots and periodic military conflicts.
The largest cities in the region: Douala, N'Djamena, Libreville, Kinshasa, Bangui.
East Africa
This region covers ten independent countries (Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, a country with the beautiful name of Rwanda and the newly formed South Sudan), as well as several unrecognized state entities and dependent territories.
EasternAfrica is a region with young states, backward economies and the predominance of monoculture agriculture. Piracy flourishes in some countries (Somalia), and armed conflicts (both internal and between neighboring countries) are not uncommon. In some states, the tourism industry is quite well developed. In particular, tourists come to Kenya or Uganda to visit local national parks and get acquainted with the wildlife of Africa.
The largest cities in the region: Juba, Addis Ababa, Mogadishu, Nairobi, Kampala.
South Africa
The last macro region of the continent includes 10 countries: Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, as well as two enclaves (Lesotho and Swaziland). Madagascar and the Seychelles are also often referred to this region.
South African countries differ from each other in terms of development and GDP. The most economically developed state in the region is the Republic of South Africa. South Africa is an amazing country with three capital cities at once.
Tourism is quite well developed in some states of the region (primarily in South Africa, Botswana and the Seychelles). Swaziland attracts many travelers with its well-preserved culture and colorful traditions.
Largest cities in the region: Luanda, Lusaka, Windhoek, Maputo, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth.
Conclusion
All African countriescontinents are original, extremely interesting and often so different from each other. However, geographers were still able to group them according to historical, socio-economic and cultural criteria, identifying five macro regions: North, West, Central, East and South Africa.
