West and Central Africa
West Africa and Central Africa
West Africa is along the Atlantic Coast, between the Sahara and the Gulf of Guinea. Central Africa is at the heart of the continent. These regions contain a variety of landscapes, from the Sahel to the Congo rainforest. They also contain many different countries with unique cultures. In this interactivity, you will explore some of the major countries of West and Central Africa. Click the player to begin.
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Cultural Influences of West and Central Africa
West Africa and Central Africa are diverse regions. They are home to many different cultures, religions, ethnicities, and customs. There are several hundred languages spoken in this part of the world alone. In this interactivity, you will learn more about the rich cultural influences of West and Central Africa. Click the player to begin.
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European Colonization
European nations began to colonize Africa in the late 1800s. By 1914, only Ethiopia and Liberia were independent. This period of time is called the Scramble for Africa. Before this, there were only a few European settlements along the coast. Difficult terrain and diseases like malaria prevented Europeans from reaching Africa’s interior. However, this changed in the late 1800s. Technology and medicine were more advanced. There was also a greater demand for natural resources.
Europeans established colonies to extract and export raw materials. This was the main focus, and other industries were not developed. As a consequence, many modern African economies remain underdeveloped. Colonial governments also overlooked ethnic and tribal differences. In some cases, these conflicts were made worse. For instance, in Rwanda, there was tension between the Hutus and the Tutsis. Under Belgian rule, the Tutsis were given special treatment, while the Hutus were treated as second-class citizens. These tensions erupted into a civil war and genocide many years later.
Africa was gradually decolonized during the second half of the twentieth century. Today, most of Africa is independent. Despite this, many nations continue to face challenges rooted in colonization.
Economic Characteristics of West and Central Africa
Open pit gold mine in Ghana
Most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa rely on primary economic activities like agriculture and mining. The region is a major exporter of raw materials like rubber, oil, coal, timber, and minerals. Sub-Saharan Africa has a significant amount of mineral wealth. Diamonds, gold, and other valuable metals are mined and exported for profit. However, natural resources are not evenly distributed. Nations with minerals, oil, or fertile soil tend to be wealthier than those without these resources. This has created a wide range in per capita GDPs in the region.
Tapped rubber tree
Despite having natural resources, Sub-Saharan Africa is underdeveloped. Most industries are in the primary sector. Infrastructure is also poorly developed. European colonization forced many countries to focus on exporting raw materials. After countries gained independence from Europe, war and corruption continued to hurt their development. Many countries lack the factories and technology needed to turn resources into finished goods. This equipment must be imported from other nations. Because of these factors, productivity often lags behind the population growth.
Transportation is also an issue for Sub-Saharan Africa. Many countries are landlocked. Waterfalls, rapids, and cataracts limit transportation on rivers. Ships can only travel for a short distance. Then, cargo must be unloaded and transported on land. There are few harbors along Africa’s smooth coastline. These obstacles are only made worse by poor infrastructure.
West and Central Africa Review
Now that you have learned about the major regions, cultural influences, and economic characteristics of West Africa and Central Africa, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player to get started.
