Geographic map of Africa. Africa political map

The mainland occupies 1/5 of the land the globe and smaller in size. The population is over 600 million people. There are currently more than 50 sovereign states, most of which were colonies until the middle of the 20th century.

European colonization began in this region from the 16th century. Ceuta and Melilla - rich cities in (in the territory), the end points of the trans-Saharan trade route - were the first Spanish colonies. Further colonized mainly West Coast Africa. By the beginning of the XX century. the "dark continent" had already been divided by the imperialist powers into dozens of colonies (see atlases of New and recent history 9,10,11 cells. middle school).

Almost all African states are typologically assigned to the group. The exception is the only economically developed state on the continent - the Republic of South Africa.

The success of the African states' struggle to strengthen their political and economic independence depends to a very large extent on which political forces are in power.

In 1963, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was established. Its goals are to help strengthen the unity and cooperation of the states of the continent, to defend their sovereignty, and to fight against all forms of neo-colonialism.

Another influential organization is the League of Arab States (LAS), formed in 1945. It includes the Arab countries of North Africa and countries. The League is in favor of strengthening the economic and political cooperation of the Arab peoples.

Most African countries from the era of wars of independence fell into the era of civil wars and ethnic conflicts. In many African states over the years of independent development general rule became a privileged position of the ethnic group whose representatives were in power. Hence the many inter-ethnic conflicts in the countries of this region.

For about 20 years, civil wars continued in Angola and Mozambique; For many years, war, devastation and famine have reigned in Somalia. For more than 10 years, the inter-ethnic inter-confessional conflict has not stopped in Sudan (between the Muslim North and adherents of Christianity and traditional beliefs in the south of the country). In 1993 there was a military coup in Burundi, civil war in Burundi and Rwanda. The conflict spilled over to neighboring states. Civil wars are not uncommon in (the first of the countries of "black Africa", which gained independence back in 1847).

Democracy does not take root in - 23 years out of 30 extra years after independence, the country lived under a military regime. In June 1993, democratic elections were held and immediately after that - another military coup, all democratic institutions of power were again dissolved, political organizations, rallies and gatherings.

Examples of the struggle for political power can be continued.

Nevertheless, there are practically no places left on the map of Africa where the problem of state independence has not been solved. The exception is Western, which has not yet acquired the status of an independent state, despite the 20-year struggle for liberation waged by the Polisario front. In the near future, the UN intends to hold a referendum in the country - independence or accession to Morocco?

The situation in Republic of South Africa, where there is a transition from "minority democracy" to non-racial principles of local and central government: the elimination of apartheid and the creation of a unified, democratic and non-racial South Africa. For the first time, non-racial presidential elections were held. Elected Mandela - the first black president of South Africa. Ex-president- Frederick de Klerk joined the coalition cabinet. South Africa is restored (after 20 years of absence) as a member of the UN.

In conclusion, we note that for many African countries the transition to political pluralism and multi-party system has become a big test. However, it is the stability political processes in African countries is the main condition for their further economic development.

There are 55 countries on the African continent. Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, the Republic of South Africa have long been open to tourism, but many countries still remain a mystery to tourists. Travelers to Africa are attracted wild nature, rich flora and fauna, unusual traditions and customs of the peoples of the black continent. Not all corners of Africa are easy to get to, but the choice of countries for recreation is quite wide.


In North Africa, there are a number of countries popular among tourists. First of all, these are Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco. All these countries have access to the seas, many resort areas and a huge number of historical monuments that have survived to this day. A mixture of cultures, oriental flavor, exotic landscapes - this is not all that attracts tourists to North Africa.


Of the features of recreation in North Africa, it can be noted that it is very dry and hot climate, Strict Muslim Rules. When leaving the hotel zone, it is better not to walk alone, do not take expensive equipment and large sums of money with you, and inquire about prices in advance.


Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya - countries East Africa gaining popularity among tourists. Unique nature: Lake Victoria, the waterfall of the same name, wild jungle, unusual plants and animals national parks is the pride of the East African countries. In the cities you can find interesting architectural and historical monuments that appeared thanks to the colonizers and European missionaries.


In the western and central Africa travelers are ready to meet Congo, Nigeria, Cameroon. On the territory of these states there are tropical reserves, unique landscapes, as well as huge metropolitan areas. But a feature of recreation in these countries will be restrictions on independent movement around the country, all of them must be planned in advance, since the territories have low socio-economic development and are very high level crime.


Going on vacation to Madagascar, South Africa and other countries of southern Africa, you can choose for yourself an interesting program with visits to natural attractions, mountains, caves, where humanity originated. You can go on a tour of the historical sites of the era of colonization and visit modern big cities. The choice of tours is not limited to relaxing on the beach. Extreme types of tourism, fishing, hunting are developed here, long sea cruises and various excursions are possible.


When visiting African countries, it is worth learning in advance about the customs and customs of the country, about the rules of conduct in in public places. Plants can be unsafe here, wild animals, various insects. A well-thought-out vacation will bring more pleasure and protect you from troubles, and acquaintance with unusual, exotic cultures, beautiful nature reserves, many-sided cities will leave only the best impressions and memories.

Africa map in Russian

African countries

Algeria | Egypt | Kenya | Morocco | Seychelles| Tunisia | South Africa


Africa is the second largest continent in the world, while Eurasia holds the lead.

In the territory African continent there are 55 countries that are washed by:

  1. Mediterranean sea.
  2. by the Red Sea.
  3. Indian Ocean.
  4. Atlantic Ocean.

The area of ​​the African continent is 29.3 million square kilometers. If we take into account the islands near Africa, then the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthis continent increases to 30.3 million square kilometers.

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

most big 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:

  1. Nigeria - 166,629,390 people. In 2017, it was the most populated country in Africa.
  2. Egypt - 82,530,000 people.
  3. Ethiopia - 82,101,999 people.
  4. Republic of the Congo. The population of this African country is 69,575,394 inhabitants.
  5. Republic of South Africa. In 2017, 50,586,760 people lived in South Africa.
  6. Tanzania. 47,656,370 people live in this African country.
  7. Kenya. This African country has a population of 42,749,420.
  8. Algeria. In this country tropical Africa 36,485,830 people live.
  9. Uganda - 35,620,980 people.
  10. Morocco - 32,668,000 people.

African development and economy

If we take the corresponding maps of Africa, then the countries differ not only in their diverse weather conditions but also an abundance of land resources and minerals.

The African continent ranks 1st in the world in terms of reserves of such breeds:

  • manganese;
  • chromite;
  • gold;
  • platinoid;
  • cobalt;
  • phosphorite.

The industry of African countries is developed very well. This is especially true for the mining industry. So, last year, 96% of the total volume of diamonds was mined on the African continent. The resources of African countries make it possible to extract a large number of gold and cobalt ores. On average, about 76% of gold and 68% of cobalt ores from the entire world volume are mined on the continent.

Chromites are mined in the amount of 67% of the total, and the share of manganese ore mining is 57% of the total.

35% of the world's uranium ores and 24% of copper are located and mined in Africa. The African continent is an exporter of 31% of the world's phosphate rock and 11% of oil and gas.

Despite the small volumes of oil and gas supplies, 6 African countries are members of OPEC, an international organization of oil exporting countries.

If we take the most developing countries Africa in the field of mining, these will be:


Intensively developing and rich in the mining industry is South Africa. This country has deposits of all kinds of resources, except for oil, gas and bauxite. According to statistics, it is in South Africa that about 40% of the total export volume of the continent is produced.

South Africa is recognized not only on the African continent. This republic ranks first in the world in gold mining and second in diamond mining.

The manufacturing industry is in its infancy, but it is most developed in South Africa.

Industry Agriculture ranks second in African economies. The sphere of agriculture is represented by tropical and subtropical agriculture. Most of the products are exported. Thus, the African continent is an exporter of 60% of the total cocoa beans. And also Africa exports peanuts in the amount of 27% of the total world volume, coffee - 22% and olives - 16% of the total.

Peanut cultivation is concentrated in Senegal, the largest number coffee is grown in Ethiopia, and the Republic of Ghana is popular for large volumes of growing and harvesting cocoa beans.

Animal husbandry in the countries of the African continent is very poorly developed due to water shortages and the spread of a disease that is dangerous for livestock, spread by tsetse flies.

Features of the African continent

Features of African countries:


The richest states of the African continent

The development of a country is determined by two criteria:

  1. The presence of minerals.
  2. Gross domestic product (GDP).

richest countries in africa:

  1. These islands are part of Africa, although they are indirectly located 1600 kilometers from the coast of the continent. Seychelles is a very popular place among tourists, so the main income of the country is tourism.

The level of GDP per capita is 24,837 USD.

GDP - 18 387 USD.

  1. Botswana is located in the southern part of the mainland. Despite the fact that more than 70% of the country's area is occupied by the Kalahari Desert, Botswana is distinguished by large deposits of many mineral resources.

The main part of the GDP is formed precisely from the export of diamonds. GDP level - 15 450 USD.

  1. Gabon. This country is known in Africa for the extraction of oil, gas, manganese and uranium.

GDP is 14,860 USD.

  1. Tourism is very well developed on this island. But this is not the only income of the country. GDP is provided by the production of sugar and textiles.

The level of GDP is 13,214 USD.

  1. SOUTH AFRICA. This republic is the only African state recognized as developed. The remaining countries of this continent are classified as developing countries. South Africa has established itself as an exporter of food, equipment and vehicles. South Africa also exports large quantities of oil, gas, diamonds, platinum, gold and chemical products.

South Africa is the only one on the continent that is not part of the third world countries.

GDP - 10 505 USD.

  1. - one of the few countries that managed to enter the world market and take a leading position in the agricultural sector. In addition to agricultural products, Tunisia exports oil. Half of the GDP is generated by the tourism industry.

GDP level - 9488 USD.

  1. - country in North Africa, better known as the world's oil and gas exporter.

The GDP indicator is 7103 USD.

  1. . This state is known for its development of copper, gold, lead and tin.

GDP level - 6945 USD.


Africa
Option I
1. The state had the most possessions in Africa at the beginning of the 20th century:

2. Most African countries state structure are:
3.



4. The largest deposits oil and gas are available in:
1) Libya, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt 2) Libya, Nigeria, Zaire, Zambia 3) Algeria, Libya, Congo, Namibia
5.



6. The population in Africa (for 2004) was:
1) More than 600 million 2) More than 400 million 3) More than 800 million
7. Malagasy live in the territory:

8.



9. In the world market, Africa stands out for its industry:

10 In terms of gold mining, 1st place in the world is occupied by:
1) Congo 2) Egypt 3) South Africa
11.

The leading branch of agriculture is:

12. The main area of ​​drought and desertification in Africa:
1) hylaea 2) Sahel 3) selva
13. The state that occupies the 1st place in the world in terms of maritime cargo turnover:

Africa
Option II

2. In the world market, Africa stands out for its industry:
1) mining 2) mechanical engineering 3) chemical
4.

Over 70% of Africa is occupied by:
1) mountains 2) lowlands 3) plateaus, plateaus, highlands
5. The state had the most possessions in Africa at the beginning of the 20th century:
1) UK 2) France 3) Germany
6. Most African countries in terms of government are:
1) federal 2) monarchies 3) unitary
7. Federal countries include:
1) Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria 2) Nigeria, South Africa.

Ethiopia 3) Ethiopia, South Africa, Egypt
8. Monarchies of Africa:
1) Lessoto, Morocco, Swaziland 2) Morocco, Swaziland, Zambia 3) Swaziland, Lessoto, Liberia
9.

The "Copper Belt" is located on the territory of the states:
1) Zaire (Congo), South Africa 2) South Africa, Zambia 3) Zaire (Congo), Zambia
11. Most national parks are located on:
1) south and east 2) south and west 3) north and east
12.

The population in Africa (for 2004) was:
1) more than 600 million 2) more than 400 million 3) more than 800 million
13. Malagasy live in the territory:
1) South Africa 2) Nigeria 3) Madagascar
14. The largest oil and gas fields are available in:
1) Libya, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt 2) Libya, Nigeria, Zaire, Zambia
3) Algeria, Libya, Congo, Namibia
15.

The southern part of the mainland is inhabited by:
1) Arabs 2) Bushmen and Hottentots 3) Boers
16. Dutch settlers in Africa are called:
1) Boers 2) Bushmen 3) Creoles
17. The main area of ​​drought and desertification in Africa:
1) hylaea 2) Sahel 3) selva
18.

In terms of gold mining, 1st place in the world is occupied by:
1) Congo 2) Egypt 3) South Africa
19. The leading branch of agriculture is:
1) crop production 2) animal husbandry
20. The state that occupies the 1st place in the world in terms of maritime cargo turnover:
1) Liberia 2) Egypt 3) Senegal

Republic of South Africa / Constitutional foundations, characteristics of the form of government

The country has a constitution of 1996 (came into force in 1997). The procedure for amending it depends on which chapter is being amended.

So, to change ch.

To edit other articles, the majority in the National Assembly must be 2/3 of the votes. Since the adoption of the constitution, 14 amendments have been made to it.

The Constitution guarantees equal voting rights (active and passive), freedom of political association, freedom of speech and press, immunity private property and etc.

According to the constitution, the main document that lists the main principles relating to human rights is the Bill of Rights.

According to him, the rights are divided into several categories: universal rights of a person and a citizen, rights in the sphere of relations between a citizen and the state, environmental rights.

The form of government cannot be characterized unambiguously as either parliamentary or presidential: on the one hand, the president has a real political power, on the other hand, he is elected by parliament and resigns in the event of the latter's self-dissolution, which does not allow us to talk about a certain autonomy of the branches of power, characteristic of a presidential republic.

← Back | Constitutional foundations, characteristics of the form of government | Next →

  • Countries of the world
  • Africa
  • South Africa
    • Year of foundation
    • Geographic location, area, borders
    • Population
    • Human Development Index 1980–2012
    • Language(s)
    • Historical outline of political traditions
    • From the origins of statehood to the end of the Anglobourg War
    • Formation and development of apartheid
    • Dismantling apartheid and transition to democracy
    • Constitutional foundations, characteristics of the form of government
    • Separation and interaction of various branches of government
    • Features of the executive branch
    • Heads of State (Presidents) 1961–2014
    • Heads of government (prime ministers, after the proclamation of the republic) in 1958–1984
    • Features of the legislature
    • Features of the judiciary
    • Territorial-state structure
    • Local government and self-government
    • External influences on the formation and functioning of political institutions
    • Internal conflicts and splits
    • Official ideology, ideological splits and conflicts
    • Religion and the state, the role of religion in politics
    • Features of the party system
    • Representation political parties in the National Assembly following the 2004 general election
    • The political role of the military/power structures
    • NGOs, corporate components political system, interest groups and influence groups
    • The position and role of the media
    • South Africa's position in the Press Freedom Index 2002-2012
    • Gender equality/inequality
    • National economy in the context of the world economy
    • Main indicators of the economy in 1990–2010
    • The structure of the GDP of South Africa, according to the World Bank in 2011
    • Weight in the global economy 1990–2006
    • Resources to influence international environment and international processes
    • Military spending 1990–2010
    • Participation in international organizations and regimes, main foreign counterparts and partners, relations with Russia
    • External and internal threats to the security of the state
    • South Africa's position in the Corruption Perceptions Index 1995-2012
    • Placement of the territory of the country in the zone of increased risk of natural disasters
    • Economic Threats
    • Threats to human security

Union (trade union, trade union) is a form state structure, in which the federal state is public education with legally defined political independence.
Federal device design:

Austria 2. Australia.

3. Argentina. 4. Belgium 5. Bosnia and Herzegovina 6. Germany 7. Russia 8. Switzerland 9. Serbia 10. Canada 11. Mexico 12. USA 13. Argentina 14. Brazil 15. Venezuela 16. Nigeria 17. Nepal. 18. India 19. Malaysia 20. Federated States of Micronesia 21. Myanmar 22. United United Arab Emirates 23. Pakistan 24. Saint Kitts and Nevis 25. Sudan. 26. South Sudan 27. Somalia. 28. Ethiopia.
The rest of the countries are merged.
United country- a form of government in which its parts are administrative-territorial units and do not have the status of a national entity.

Unlike federation, single state, there are the highest powers state power, uniform for the whole country, a single legal system, a single constitution. Most of the countries are united.