Using Table 3, give a quantitative description of the urban explosion in Africa, what conclusions can be drawn based on these calculations. Block of obtaining knowledge and skills

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Theme 8. AFRICA

BJIOK KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Exercise 1. Using table 1 in the "Appendices", apply to contour map African countries that gained political independence after World War II. Indicate the dates of independence and compare in this respect the countries of North and Tropical Africa.

Add- Using the "business card" on the flyleaf of the textbook, select the appropriate

body for- the emerging “pairs” of African countries and foreign Europe, approximately equal in

giving (for pleasure). by the size of the territory.

Task 2. Using the maps of the atlas and tables 3-5 of the "Appendices", classify the countries of Africa according to the degree of their wealth in minerals. Make a table in the following form:

Draw conclusions about the provision of these countries with raw materials and fuel for the development of heavy industry.

Add- Using the same sources, determine the main territorial combinations

body for- mineral. Describe the composition of fossils in each of them; given (us- try to connect it with the tectonic structure of the territory. Apply false). combinations of minerals on a contour map.

Task 3. Using figures 7, 8 and 9, tables 6, 7 and 8 in the "Appendices" and maps of the atlas, specify and complete the characteristics of land, water and agroclimatic resources Africa contained in the text of the textbook.

Task 4. Using Table 3, quantify the "urban explosion" in Africa. What conclusions can be drawn from these calculations?

Add- Prepare a summary of the report on the topic: "Population of Africa." Use

body for- text and drawings of topics 3 and 8 of the textbook, maps of the atlas, tables of "Appendices", given (complicated). additional literature.

Task 5. Analyze figure 77. Using the economic map of Africa in the atlas, indicate specifically which ore, non-metallic minerals, food products and types of agricultural raw materials determine the monocultural specialization of each of the countries indicated in the graph.

Task 6. Based on the physical and economic maps of Africa in the atlas, determine: 1) the main areas of the mining industry in Africa and their specialization, 2) the main areas of commercial agriculture and their specialization, 3) the trans-African transport routes. Also use the drawings of topic 5 of the textbook.

Add- Using the maps of the atlas, make a table in your notebook "Zonal special-

body for- zation of export and consumer crops in

giving (creative!) Africa" in the following form:

Draw all possible conclusions from the analysis of this table.

Task 7. Using the text of the textbook and the plan of Cairo in the atlas, prepare a message

(creative on the theme "Cairo - the Arab city of North Africa." Use also

something!). additional sources of information.

Add- Imagine that you have taken a journey down the Nile from Aswan to

body for- mouth. Describe your trip in a letter to a friend. try to do dacha (for so that a colorful image of this territory arises.

pleasure).

Task 8. What do you think should be done to prevent future

(creative!). a repeat of the "Sahel tragedy"? Give a rationale for your "project".

Add- In his novel Five Weeks hot-air balloon» Jules Verne spoke about

body for- travel in Africa in a hot air balloon. "Repeat" the route of this dacha (for trips. In which countries are they located and what are they pleasure). areas of Africa described by the writer today?

Final 1. (Work in a notebook.) Compare the countries of North, Tropical Africa and

task 9. South Africa according to some indicators characterizing their population and economy. Determine the similarities and differences. Arrange the necessary data in the form of a table.

2. Compare the major extractive industries in North Africa and Southwest Asia. What conclusion can be drawn from this comparison?

3. Compare the main export crops of Tropical Africa and South Asia. What conclusion can be drawn from this comparison?

4. For class demonstration, prepare a small album called Geography of Africa on Postage Stamps.

Answer the questions:

1. Why is the shift of the population to the coasts of the oceans and seas in Africa less pronounced than in overseas Asia?

2. Why is the Congo River not used for the export of industrial products from the Copper Belt?

3. Why is Cairo called "the diamond button that fastens the delta"?

4. Why is Senegal called the "Peanut Republic"?

Are the following statements correct: W

1. Most African countries achieved independence in the second half of the 20th century.

2. Africa is the region with the highest birth rate and the highest death rate in the world.

3. African countries are characterized by high rates of urbanization.

4. Nigeria's main mineral is bauxite.

Choose the correct answer:

2. The most important types of minerals in North Africa are ... (coal, iron ore, bauxite, oil, natural gas, phosphorites).

3. The least developed countries in Africa include ... (Algeria, Ethiopia, Chad, Niger, Somalia, South Africa).

4. The main export crops of Tropical Africa are ... (wheat, millet, cotton, citrus fruits, peanuts, coffee, cocoa, natural rubber, sisal).

Can you:

1. Put the following countries mentioned in the text and on text maps on the contour map of the world from memory: Libya, Algeria, Sudan, Ghana, Congo, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Madagascar?

2. Show on the map the following cities mentioned in the text and on maps: Cairo, Kinshasa, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Lagos, Dakar, Luanda, Johannesburg?

3. Explain the meaning of the following concepts and terms: monoculture, subsistence economy, apartheid?

4. Indicate which of the following countries are the main producers and exporters of cocoa: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Angola?

Identify the countries to which the following statements apply:

1. A country located on an island with an area of 1,600 thousand km 2.

2. Countries located "inside" the territory of South Africa.

3. A country lying on the middle course of the Niger River and not having access to the seas.

4. Country whose capital is the city of Nairobi.

5. A country where 98% of the population is concentrated in a territory that occupies less than 4% of its total area.

1. The copper belt stretches from Zambia to the southeastern part of ... .

2. ... - the largest producer and exporter of oil in Africa, a member of OPEC.

3. South Africa produces... all of Africa's manufacturing products.

METHODOLOGICAL KEYS TO TOPIC 8

What needs to be remembered

1. The political map and the peoples of Africa. (Geography, grade 7.) 2. Features of the physical and geographical position, relief, minerals, climate, waters, soils and vegetation of Africa, natural areas within it. (Geography, grade 7.) 3. Ancient Egypt. (History, grade 5.) 4. The main content of the national liberation struggle of the peoples of Africa in the late XIX - early XX century. (History, grade 8.) 5. The material of part I of this textbook. 6. Concepts and terms: colony, bantustan, platform, desert, savannah, equatorial forest, kimberlite pipe, national park.

What you need to know

Topic Leading Ideas 8.

The transformation of the socio-economic structure of Africa requires great efforts on the part of both the African peoples and the entire world community.

Main scientific knowledge of topic 8:

1. Character traits economic and geographical position, geography of natural conditions and resources, population, industry, Agriculture, environmental problems in Africa. 2. The concept of monoculture. 3. The image of the territory of North Africa. 4. The image of the territory of Tropical Africa. 5. Brief overview of South Africa. 6. Keywords of the theme: 1) colonial type of sectoral structure of the economy, 2) monoculture, 3) Arab city type.

What you need to know

1. Using a textbook and an atlas, independently obtain the necessary knowledge for characterization. 2. Exercise comparative characteristic industries, regions and cities. 3. Prepare a summary of the report on a given topic.

Topic 9. NORTH AMERICA

BLOCK OF OBTAINING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Exercise 1. Using the text of the textbook and maps of the atlas, describe the US EGP. Is it really beneficial? Why do you think so? Apply the standard plan for characterizing the country's (region's) EGP on p. 222.

Task 2 Using the text of the textbook and figures 83-86, describe the largest

(creative most urban agglomerations and metropolitan areas of the United States. Calculate the proportion of three

something!). megalopolises in the area and population of the country, compare the population density in megalopolises with the national average, draw conclusions. Choose from the text and figures of topic 3 those provisions and figures that are appropriate to use when characterizing urbanization in the United States.

Additional Make a crossword "States and cities of the USA".

task (for pleasure).

Task 3. Using the data from the tables and figures of topic 5 and the tables of the "Appendices", make the necessary calculations, draw up a bar (bar) or pie chart in your notebook showing the US share in world industrial and agricultural production for certain types of products. Analyze them.

Task 4. Using the text from your textbook and a map of US mineral resources in an atlas, prove that US mineral resources contribute to the development of a diversified industry. Illustrate the following phrase of the textbook: "The main wealth of the eastern part is fuel minerals, the western one is ore." Apply standard plan characteristics of natural prerequisites for the development of the industry of the country (region) on p. 222.

Add- Using data on reserves and production of coal, oil, natural gas, iron

body for- ore in the USA, calculate the availability of them (in years). Taking advantage given (us- data in the text of the textbook and in table 1, calculate the share of the United States in the world false). explored reserves of coal, oil, natural gas, iron ore. What conclusions can be drawn from this analysis?

Task 5. Using Figure 87, name the top five oil states in the United States. Determine in which of them oil production is also carried out on the continental shelf. Try to explain the configuration of the existing system of oil pipelines, the reasons for the construction of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline, which was built in the 70s. From Figure 25, determine where the United States imports oil and petroleum products from. What explains this? Apply a typical plan for the characteristics of the industry of the country (region).

Task 6. Using Figure 88, compile in your notebook a concise and reference table "The main areas of the US steel industry" in the following form:

Task 7. From Figure 28, determine from which countries the United States imports iron ore. What caused it?

Use the economic map of the United States and the world engineering map in the atlas to specify the characteristics of engineering contained in the text of the textbook. Determine by them the largest centers of this industry. Illustrate the textbook's position that the main engineering regions coincide with the US metropolitan areas.

Add- Using the same cards, make a summary and reference in your notebook

body for- table "Structure of mechanical engineering in major centers this industry given (complicated). in USA".

Task 8. Using the text, figure 89 and other drawings of the textbook, as well as the economic map of the United States in the atlas, compile a concise and reference table "US Industrial Belts" in the notebook in the following form:

Formulate and record conclusions.

Task 9. Using Figure 90, describe the location of US crop production. By overlaying Figure 90 and the US political division map in the atlas, determine: 1) the two main "wheat" states (one for spring, the other for winter wheat), 2) the main "corn" state.

Task 10. Using the plans of downtown New York and Washington in the atlas and

(creative additional sources of information, prepare a report on cultural

something!).-historical and architectural sights of one of these cities. As a "guide" take a short "tour" around the city.

Task 11. Based on the text and drawings of the textbook and maps of the atlas, give a brief

(creative a written description of one of the US macrodistricts (according to one's own

something!) choice).

Add- Imagine that you have taken "journeys" around the USA - along

body for- parallels 40° N sh. and along the meridian 100° W. e. Describe the routes.

giving (for pleasure). Use additional literature.

Task 12 Carefully review the text and figures of part I of the textbook and tables

(creative"Applications". Choose from them all related to Canada. Use

something!). Atlas maps for Canada. Based on these materials, complete the brief socio-economic description of this country given in the textbook. Apply the sample country profile plan on p. 329.

Task 13 1. (Work in a notebook.) Using the materials of topic 9, name the main

(final). typological features of the population and economy of the USA and Canada. Present them in the form of the following table:

Work with this table, make a generalization.

2. (Working on the contour map.) Draw on the contour map North America(optional): 1) the largest cities, 2) the main seaports, 3) transcontinental railways. You can expand this list at your own discretion.

3. Determine what types of thematic maps in the textbook and atlas you used when studying this topic. Which of them are new to you?

4. Based on the text of the textbook and figure 81, describe the Central Business District of an American city.

SELF-CONTROL AND MUTUAL CONTROL UNIT

Explain why:

1. The Northeast of the United States was called the "workshop of the nation."

2. A significant part of the heavy industry of the USA and Canada is concentrated in the Great Lakes region.

3. US aluminum smelters are located in the Tennessee and Columbia river valleys.

4. The specialization of agriculture in the US and Canada changes as you move from east to west.

5. Florida, California and Hawaii attract the most tourists.

6. In the United States and Canada, in recent decades, interest in the development of the regions of the North has increased.

What problems arise:

1. In connection with the accelerated industrialization of the South and West of the USA?

2. Due to the fact that the US economy is becoming increasingly dependent on imports of oil, iron ore and other raw materials and fuels?

Do you agree with the following statements:

1. Megalopolis "Boswash" - the largest urban area in the US?

2. In Lately Alaska has become an important oil production area in the US?

3. Is farming dominant in the US and Canada?

4. The US transportation system is of the same type as transport system foreign Europe?

5. Does the St. Lawrence River connect the Great Lakes to New York?

6. Is Atlanta the largest airport in the world?

7. Is Canada's population 1/2 the size of the US?

Can you:

1. Find on the map the US cities mentioned in the main text of topic 9, and arrange them from east to west from memory?

2. Give examples of "dairy", "corn", "wheat", "orange", "pineapple", "apple", "cotton" US states?

3. Apply to the contour map New England, Far West, California?

4. Say which of the following indicators characterizes the share of the West in the area of the entire country (in%): 20, 36, 49, 64?

5. List the types of minerals for which Canada is a global producer and exporter?

Use the text of the textbook and maps to answer the questions:

1. Which parts of the US are most likely to employment people in: 1) oil production, 2) the aerospace industry, 3) raising broiler chickens?

2. Which transcontinental railroads can be used to cross the US and Canada in a latitudinal direction?

3. What natural, socio-economic and historical reasons contributed to the development of the US Northeast?

Imagine:

1. That you have visited one of the big cities in the USA or Canada. Describe it.

2. That you wanted to get to know the US industry. What cities do you need to visit to visit: 1) an aircraft factory, 2) a large electronics factory, 3) an automobile factory, 4) a petrochemical plant, 5) a steel mill?

3. That you had the opportunity to work at: 1) a cattle ranch, 2) a tobacco plantation, 3) a sawmill. Which states in the US or provinces in Canada would you need to go to?

Fill in the gaps in the following phrases:

1. The economic capital of the United States is considered ..., but it is increasingly competing with it ....

2. Most of of the Midwest extends to... and..., the two main waterways of North America.

3. Among the important crops of the South of the United States is ....

4. In the Canadian province... most of the inhabitants speak French.

METHODOLOGICAL KEYS TO TOPIC 9

What needs to be remembered

1. Political map and peoples of North America. (Geography, grade 7.) 2. Features of the physical and geographical position, relief, minerals, climate, waters, soils and vegetation of North America. (Geography, grade 7.) 3. Features historical development North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. (History, grades 8, 9.) 4. Materials of part I of this textbook. 5. Concepts and terms: reserve, farmer.

What you need to know

Topic 9 Leading Ideas:

1. As a result of the collapse of the world socialist system and Soviet Union the US role in world politics and economics has increased. 2. New relations between Russia, other countries with economies in transition and the United States have become an important factor international stability, have changed for the better the entire world political situation.

The main scientific knowledge of topic 9:

1. Characteristic features of the EGP, the geography of natural resources and the population of the United States. 2. general characteristics US economy. 3. The main features of the geography of industry, agriculture, transport, nature management in the United States, the main industrial and agricultural regions. 4. Macroregionalization of the USA and the appearance of each of the four macroregions. 5. Brief economic and geographical characteristics of Canada. 6. Keywords of the topic: 1) North American type of city, 2) “second economy”, 3) gross national product, 4) stage specialization, 5) North American type of transport network, 6) industrial belt, 7) agricultural belt, 8) focal type of land development.

What you need to know

1. Describe urban agglomerations and megalopolises. 2. Describe the industry of the country. 3. Give a brief economic and geographical description of the country. 4. Compile a written economic and geographical description.

Instructions and plans for mastering the skills of independent study

1. Plan for the characteristics of the industry of the country (region):

1. The importance of the industry and the size of its products. 2. Natural prerequisites for the development of the industry. 3. The structure of the industry. 4. The main factors influencing the location of the industry, and the main features of its geography; sectoral industrial areas. 5. Dependence of the industry on exports and imports. 6. General conclusion; prospects for the development of the industry.

2. Plan for the characteristics of an individual country:

1. The main features of the EGP. 2. Economic assessment of natural conditions and resources. 3. The main features of reproduction, structure and distribution of the population. 4. General characteristics of the economy. 5. The main features of the location of the industry. 6. The main features of the location of agriculture. 7. The main features of the geography of transport. 8. Main economic regions. 9. The role and geography of foreign economic relations. 10. General conclusion; development prospects.

Throughout the history of human civilization in Africa, the so-called traditional type of population reproduction has dominated, characterized by high birth and death rates and, accordingly, a low rate of natural increase. Demographers believe that at the turn of our era, 16-17 million people lived in Africa (according to other sources, 30-40 million), and in 1600 - 55 million people. Over the next 300 years (1600-1900), the population of the continent increased to 110 million people, or doubled, which meant the slowest growth of any major region in the world. As a result, Africa's share of the world's population has declined markedly. Such a slow type of growth was due primarily to the slave trade, the losses from which amounted to tens of millions of people, hard forced labor on the plantations of European colonies, hunger and disease. Only in the first half of the XX century. Africa's population began to grow faster, and by 1950 reached 220 million people.

But real demographic revolution occurred in Africa in the second half of the 20th century. In 1960, its population was 275 million, in 1970 - 356 million, in 1980 - 475 million, in 1990 - 648 million, in 2000 - 784 million, and in 2007 - 965 million Human. This means that in 1950-2007. it increased by almost 4.4 times! No other region of the world knows similar growth rates. It is no coincidence that Africa's share of world population is rapidly increasing. In 2007, it was already 14.6%, which exceeds the total share of foreign Europe and the CIS or Northern and Latin America. Although in the second half of the 1990s The population explosion in Africa has clearly passed its peak indicators, the average annual population growth rate (2.1%) here was still almost twice the world level.

Such demographic situation in Africa is explained by the fact that its population continues to be in the second phase of the demographic transition, which is characterized by the preservation of high and very high birth rates with a rather sharp decrease in mortality. Hence, as before, high rates of natural growth, ensuring not just expanded reproduction, but a very rapid increase in population. By mid-2000, Africa came up with the following "formula" for population reproduction: 36% -15% = 21%. Let's take a look at each of its components.

Birth rate in Africa in 1985–1990 was almost 45%, in 1990-1995. - 42%, in 1995-2000. - 40%, and in 2000-2005. - 36%. It exceeds the world average of the last five years (20b) by 1.5 times. Sub-Saharan Africa contains most of the countries in the world with a birth rate that often approaches the physiological maximum. As an example, we can cite countries in which in 2005 the birth rate reached 50% or even exceeded this level: Niger, Eritrea, DR Congo, Liberia. But in most other countries, it was in the range from 40 to 50%.

Accordingly, the fertility rate of women in Africa remains the highest in the world: the average number of children born to one woman is still 4.8 there, and in Uganda, Mali, Niger, Chad, DR Congo, Burundi, Somalia, it reaches six to seven and more.

High level Fertility in African countries due to a number of factors. Among them should be mentioned the centuries-old traditions of early marriages and large families, associated primarily with extreme socio-economic backwardness. The desire of parents to have as many children as possible was a completely natural reaction to the very high infant mortality and, at the same time, a means of providing their own patriarchal economy with a large number of workers. Religious beliefs also had a strong effect, as did the rather widespread polygamous marriages (polygamy). Consideration must also be given to the general improvement in health care achieved in recent decades, which includes the protection of maternal and child health and the reduction of female infertility, one of the consequences of many diseases.

Indicators death rate in the second half of the 20th century, on the contrary, they decreased very significantly. The average for Africa in 2005 was 15%, including 7% in the North and 14–19% in the Tropics. Although the death rate still significantly exceeds the world average (9%), it was its decline, while maintaining a high birth rate, that served, one might say, as the main "detonator" of the population explosion on the continent.

As a result, even while maintaining fairly high mortality rates, Africa has a record for the whole world. natural increase population: on average it is 21% (or 21 people per 1000 inhabitants), which corresponds to an average annual increase of 2.1%. If differentiated by sub-regions, it turns out that in North Africa it is 1.6%, in West - 2.4, in East - 2.5, in Central - 2.2 and in South Africa - 0.3%. .

Figure 147 can serve as a basis for continuing this analysis at the level of individual countries. Looking at it, it is easy to see that more than half of the countries in Africa now have an average annual population growth rate of 1 to 2%. But in 13 countries it is still 2-3%, and in 12 countries it is 3-4%. Most of these countries are in Western, but they are also in Eastern and Central Africa. In addition, recently in Africa there have appeared countries in which there is not an increase, but a decrease in population. This is due to the AIDS epidemic.

This differentiation is explained mainly by differences in the general level of social economic development, including the level of education, health care and other components of a comprehensive concept of the quality of the population. As for demographic policy, then it does not yet have a great impact on the processes of reproduction of the population. Almost all countries in Africa have declared their commitment to such a policy, many have adopted national programs family planning, carry out measures aimed at improving the status of women, expanding access to contraceptives, regulating the intervals between births, etc. However, funding for these programs is insufficient. In addition, they run counter to religious and everyday traditions and encounter resistance from a significant part of the population. More effective demographic policy turned out to be in several more developed countries. As a result of the implementation of government programs aimed at reducing the rate of population growth, such a decrease as early as the 1960s. began in Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Ghana, and later - in Algeria, Zimbabwe, on about. Mauritius.

The population explosion in Africa is significantly deepening many already intractable problems. economic and social problems countries of the continent.

First, this the problem of increasing "pressure" of a rapidly growing population on the environment. Back in 1985, there was 0.4 hectares of land per inhabitant of the countryside, and at the beginning of the 21st century. this figure dropped to 0.3 ha. At the same time, the threat of further desertification and deforestation, the growth of a general ecological crisis, is growing. It can be added that in terms of resource availability fresh water per 1 inhabitant (about 5000 m 3 in 2000) Africa is inferior to most other large regions of the world. Wherein water resources in the region are distributed in such a way that their largest number does not coincide with the most densely populated areas, and as a result in many places, especially in major cities there is a shortage of water.

Secondly, this the problem of increasing the "demographic load", i.e. the ratio of the number of children (and older people) to the number of people of working age. It is known that the main feature of the age structure of the population of Africa has always been a very large proportion of children in it, and recently - as a result of some reduction in infant and child mortality - it has even begun to increase. So, in 2000 age group younger than 15 years old made up 43% of the entire population of the continent. In some countries of Tropical Africa, in particular in Uganda, Niger, Mali (Table 47 in book I), the number of children is actually almost equal to the number of "workers". In addition, due to the very large proportion of people of childhood, the share of the economically active population in Africa is much smaller (38-39%) than in any other major region peace.

Thirdly, this employment problem. In conditions of a population explosion, the economically active population already in 2000 reached 300 million people. African countries are not able to employ such a number of people in social production. According to international organization labor, on average in Africa, unemployment covers 35-40% of able-bodied people.

Fourth, this food problem rapidly growing population. The current food situation in Africa is assessed by most experts as critical. Although 2 / 3 of the population of the continent is employed in agriculture, it is here, especially in Tropical Africa, that the food crisis has become the most protracted and even fairly stable "hunger zones" have formed. In many countries, food production per capita not only does not increase, but even decreases, so that it becomes more and more difficult for the peasant to provide his family with his own food throughout the year. Food imports are on the rise. Far from the only, but still one of the most important reasons for this situation is that the average annual population growth in Africa significantly outpaces the average annual growth in food production.

Fifth, it public health issue, associated with degradation environment and the poverty of the majority of the people. (There are 11 countries in Africa where more than half of the total population lives below the poverty line. Including in Zambia, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, this share exceeds 70%, and in Mali, Chad, Niger, Ghana, Rwanda - 60%. ) Both contribute to the spread of such dangerous diseases as malaria, cholera, leprosy, sleeping sickness. Africa has already surpassed all other continents in the number of AIDS cases (Fig. 158 in Book I). It has the highest rate of HIV infection and the highest proportion of HIV-infected and AIDS patients (8.4% of the adult population). In 2006, more than 25 million people living with HIV and AIDS were living in sub-Saharan Africa, representing 70% of the total reported worldwide. In the same year, AIDS claimed the lives of 2.3 million Africans, reducing the number of lives in many countries. medium duration life. It can be added that Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Namibia, Swaziland and Congo are among the top ten countries in terms of the number of AIDS cases, where on average there are from 350 to 450 cases of the disease per 100 thousand inhabitants. The second ten is also dominated by African countries.

Rice. 147. Average annual population growth in African countries

Sixth, it the problem of education. In 2000, only 60% of African adults were literate. In sub-Saharan Africa, the total number of illiterate people over the age of 15 even increased from 125 million in 1980 to 145 million in 2000. Even in 2006, more than 1/2 of men were illiterate in 5 African countries, in 7 - more than 2 / 3 women. With an average proportion of people of childhood, which, as already noted, is 43%, it is not so easy to provide school education growing generation.

More recently, demographic forecasts proceeded from the fact that by 2025 the population of Africa will increase to 1650 million people. According to newer forecasts, it will be about 1300 million people (including 250 million in North Africa, 383 million in West, 426 million in East, 185 million in Central and 56 million in South). This means that Africa will continue to face many of the socio-economic problems generated by the population explosion. Suffice it to say that, according to some estimates, in 2025 the labor force of the continent will reach almost 1 billion people, amounting to 1/5 of the world's labor force. In 1985, the number of young people who joined the mass of workers was 36 million, in 2000 - 57 million, and in 2025 it will reach almost 100 million!

Recently, new information has appeared in the press about the projections of the African population for 2050. Compared to the previous ones, they reflect an upward trend and proceed from the fact that in the middle of the 21st century. the population of the continent will reach almost 2 billion people (21% of the world's population). At the same time, in such countries as Togo, Senegal, Uganda, Mali, Somalia, for the first half of the XXI century. the population should increase by 3.5-4 times, and in the DR Congo, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Liberia, Eritrea, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Madagascar - 3 times. Accordingly, by 2050 the population of Nigeria is expected to reach 258 million people, DR Congo - 177, Ethiopia - 170, Uganda - 127, Egypt - 126 million people. From 50 to 100 million inhabitants will have Sudan, Niger, Kenya and Tanzania.

97. Africa - the region of "urban explosion"

For many centuries, even millennia, Africa remained predominantly a "rural continent". True, cities appeared in North Africa a very long time ago. Suffice it to recall Carthage, the major urban centers of the era of the Roman Empire. But in Africa south of the Sahara, cities began to appear already in the era of the Great geographical discoveries, mainly as military strongholds and trading (including slave) bases. During the colonial division of Africa at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. new urban settlements arose mainly as local administrative centers. Nevertheless, the very term "urbanization" in relation to Africa until the end of modern times can be applied, apparently, only conditionally. After all, back in 1900, there was only one city on the entire continent with a population of more than 100 thousand inhabitants.

In the first half of the XX century. The situation has changed, but not so radically. Back in 1920, the urban population of Africa numbered only 7 million people, in 1940 - already 20 million, and only by 1950 had increased to 51 million people.

But in the second half of the 20th century, especially after such an important milestone as the Year of Africa, a real “ urban explosion. This is illustrated primarily by data on urban population growth rates. Back in the 1960s. in many countries they have reached phenomenally high rates of 10–15, or even 20–25% per year! In 1970–1985 the urban population on average increased by 5–7% per year, which meant doubling it in 10–15 years. Yes, even in the 1980s. these rates remained approximately at the level of 5% and only in the 1990s. began to decline. As a result, the number of city dwellers and the number of cities began to increase rapidly in Africa. The share of the urban population in 1970 reached 22%, in 1980 - 29%, in 1990 - 32%, in 2000 - 36% and in 2005 - 38%. Accordingly, the share of Africa in the urban population of the whole world increased from 4.5% in 1950 to 11.2% in 2005.

As in the rest of the developing world, Africa's "urban explosion" is dominated by the growth of large cities. Their number increased from 80 in 1960 to 170 in 1980 and more than doubled thereafter. The number of cities with a population of 500,000 to 1 million has also noticeably increased.

But this is especially clear distinguishing feature Africa's "urban explosion" can be illustrated by the growth in the number of million-plus cities. The first such city was in the late 1920s. became Cairo. In 1950, there were only two millionaire cities, but already in 1980 there were 8, in 1990 - 27, and the number of inhabitants in them increased from 3.5 million to 16 and 60 million people, respectively. According to the UN, in the late 1990s. in Africa, there were already 33 agglomerations with a population of more than 1 million people, which concentrated 1/3 of the total urban population, and in 2001 there were already 40 millionaire agglomerations. Two of these agglomerations (Lagos and Cairo) with a population of more than 10 million people have already entered the category of super-cities. In 14 agglomerations, the number of inhabitants ranged from 2 million to 5 million people, in the rest - from 1 million to 2 million people (Fig. 148). However, in the next five years, some capitals, for example, Monrovia, Freetown, dropped out of the number of millionaire cities. This is due to the unstable political situation and military operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Considering the process of "urban explosion" in Africa, one must take into account the fact that the industrial and cultural development of countries, the deepening of the processes of ethnic consolidation and other positive phenomena are associated with cities. However, along with this, the urban environment is accompanied by many negative phenomena. This is because Africa is not just urbanizing in breadth(but not in depth, as in developed countries), but the so-called false urbanization, characteristic of those countries and regions where there is virtually no or almost no economic growth. According to the World Bank, in the 1970s-1990s. Africa's urban population has grown by an average of 4.7% per year, while their GDP per capita has decreased by 0.7% annually. As a result, for the most part, African cities have not become engines of economic growth and structural transformation in the economy. On the contrary, in many cases they began to act as the main centers of the socio-economic crisis, becoming the focus of acute social contradictions and contrasts, such as unemployment, housing crisis, crime, etc. The situation is only aggravated by the fact that cities, especially large ones, continue to attract the poorest rural residents, who are constantly replenishing the stratum of the marginalized population. Statistics show that the top ten cities in the world with the lowest quality of life are nine African cities: Brazzaville, Pont-Noire, Khartoum, Bangui, Luanda, Ouagadougou, Kinshasa, Bamako and Niamey.

The "urban explosion" in Africa is very typical of the exaggeratedly large role of capital cities both in the population and in the economy. The following figures speak of the degree of such hypertrophy: in Guinea, the capital concentrates 81% of the total urban population of the country, in the Congo - 67, in Angola - 61, in Chad - 55, in Burkina Faso - 52, in several other countries - from 40 to 50 %. The following indicators are also impressive: by the beginning of the 1990s. in the production of industrial products, the capitals accounted for: in Senegal (Dakar) - 80%, in Sudan (Khartoum) - 75%, in Angola (Luanda) - 70%, in Tunisia (Tunisia) - 65%, in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) - 60%.

Despite many common features of the “urban explosion” in Africa, it is also characterized by quite significant regional differences especially between North, Tropical and South Africa.

IN North Africa has already reached a very high (51%) level of urbanization, exceeding the world average, and in Libya it reaches 85%. Egypt already has over 32 million urban dwellers, and Algeria has over 22 million. Since North Africa has been the scene of urban life for a very long time, urban growth here has not been as explosive as in other subregions of the continent. If we keep in mind the material appearance of cities, then in North Africa a long-formed type of Arab city prevails with its traditional medina, kasbah, covered bazaars, which in the 19th-20th centuries. were supplemented by quarters of European buildings.

Rice. 148. Millionaire agglomerations in Africa

IN South Africa the level of urbanization is 56%, and the decisive influence on this indicator, as you might guess, is exerted by the most economically developed and urbanized Republic of South Africa where the number of citizens exceeds 25 million people. Several millionaire agglomerations have also formed in this subregion, the largest of which is Johannesburg (5 million). The material appearance of the cities of South Africa reflects both African and European features, and social contrasts in them - even after the elimination of the apartheid system in South Africa - are still very tangible.

IN Tropical Africa the level of urbanization is lower than in the North: in West Africa it is 42%, in Eastern - 22, in Central - 40%. The average figures for individual countries are approximately the same. It is symptomatic that in the continental part of Tropical Africa (without islands) there are only six countries where the proportion of the urban population exceeds 50%: Gabon, Congo, Liberia, Botswana, Cameroon and Angola. But here are the least urbanized countries such as Rwanda (19%), Burundi (10%), Uganda (13), Burkina Faso (18), Malawi and Niger (17% each). There are also countries in which the capital concentrates 100% of the total urban population: Bujumbura in Burundi, Praia in Cape Verde. And in terms of the total number of citizens (more than 65 million), Nigeria occupies the uncompetitive first place in all of Africa. Many of the cities of Tropical Africa are extremely crowded. The most striking example of this kind is Lagos, which, according to this indicator (about 70 thousand people per 1 km 2), occupies one of the first places in the world. Yu. D. Dmitrevsky once noted that many cities in Tropical Africa are characterized by division into "native", "business" and "European" parts.

Demographic forecasts provide an opportunity to trace the course of the "urban explosion" in Africa to 2010, 2015 and 2025. According to these forecasts, in 2010 the urban population should increase to 470 million people, and its share in the total population - up to 44%. It is estimated that if in 2000-2015. If the urban population growth rate will average 3.5% per year, then the proportion of urban residents in Africa will approach 50%, and the share of this continent in the urban population of the world will increase to 17%. Apparently, in 2015 the number of African agglomerations with millionaires will increase to 70. At the same time, Lagos and Cairo will remain in the group of supercities, but the number of their inhabitants will increase to 24.6 million and 14.4 million, respectively. Seven cities will have from 5 million to 10 million inhabitants (Kinshasa, Addis Ababa, Algeria, Alexandria, Maputo, Abidjan and Luanda). And in 2025, the urban population of Africa will exceed 800 million people, with its share in the total population of 54%. In North and South Africa, this share will increase to 65% and even 70%, and in the now least urbanized East Africa, it will be 47%. By the same time, the number of millionaire agglomerations in Tropical Africa may increase to 110.

97. Africa - the region of "urban explosion"

For many centuries, even millennia, Africa remained predominantly a "rural continent". True, cities appeared in North Africa a very long time ago. Suffice it to recall Carthage, the major urban centers of the era of the Roman Empire. But in Africa south of the Sahara, cities began to appear already in the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, mainly as military strongholds and trading (including slave) bases. During the colonial division of Africa at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. new urban settlements arose mainly as local administrative centers. Nevertheless, the very term "urbanization" in relation to Africa until the end of modern times can be applied, apparently, only conditionally. After all, back in 1900, there was only one city on the entire continent with a population of more than 100 thousand inhabitants.

But this distinctive feature of the African "urban explosion" can be especially clearly demonstrated by the example of the growth in the number of million-plus cities. The first such city was in the late 1920s. became Cairo. In 1950, there were only two millionaire cities, but already in 1980 there were 8, in 1990 - 27, and the number of inhabitants in them increased from 3.5 million to 16 and 60 million people, respectively. According to the UN, in the late 1990s. in Africa, there were already 33 agglomerations with a population of more than 1 million people, which concentrated 1/3 of the total urban population, and in 2001 there were already 40 millionaire agglomerations. Two of these agglomerations (Lagos and Cairo) with a population of more than 10 million people have already entered the category of super-cities. In 14 agglomerations, the number of inhabitants ranged from 2 million to 5 million people, in the rest - from 1 million to 2 million people (Fig. 148). However, in the next five years, some capitals, for example, Monrovia, Freetown, dropped out of the number of millionaire cities. This is due to the unstable political situation and military operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Despite many common features of the “urban explosion” in Africa, it is also characterized by quite significant regional differences especially between North, Tropical and South Africa.

Rice. 148. Millionaire agglomerations in Africa

IN South Africa the level of urbanization is 56%, and, as you might guess, the most economically developed and urbanized Republic of South Africa, where the number of city dwellers exceeds 25 million people, has a decisive influence on this indicator. Several millionaire agglomerations have also formed in this subregion, the largest of which is Johannesburg (5 million). The material appearance of the cities of South Africa reflects both African and European features, and social contrasts in them - even after the elimination of the apartheid system in South Africa - are still very tangible.

IN Tropical Africa the level of urbanization is lower than in North: in West Africa it is 42%, in East - 22, in Central - 40%. The average figures for individual countries are approximately the same. It is symptomatic that in the continental part of Tropical Africa (without islands) there are only six countries where the proportion of the urban population exceeds 50%: Gabon, Congo, Liberia, Botswana, Cameroon and Angola. But here are the least urbanized countries such as Rwanda (19%), Burundi (10%), Uganda (13), Burkina Faso (18), Malawi and Niger (17% each). There are also countries in which the capital concentrates 100% of the total urban population: Bujumbura in Burundi, Praia in Cape Verde. And in terms of the total number of citizens (more than 65 million), Nigeria occupies the uncompetitive first place in all of Africa. Many of the cities of Tropical Africa are extremely crowded. The most striking example of this kind is Lagos, which, according to this indicator (about 70 thousand people per 1 km 2), occupies one of the first places in the world. Yu. D. Dmitrevsky once noted that many cities in Tropical Africa are characterized by division into "native", "business" and "European" parts.

Only in 1970-1990. There were 78 coups d'état in Africa that cost the lives of 25 presidents.

According to estimates, various kinds of territorial disputes in Africa concern approximately 1/5 of the entire territory of this continent. In addition, 40% of the entire length of state borders is not demarcated here at all, 44% are drawn mechanically along parallels and meridians, 30% - along arcuate and curved lines, and only 26% - along natural boundaries, partly coinciding with ethnic ones.

The first diamond in South Africa was found in 1869 by a shepherd boy. A year later, the city of Kimberley was founded here, by the name of which the bedrock diamond-bearing rock began to be called kimberlite. The content of diamonds in kimberlites is very low - no more than 0.0000073%, which is equivalent to 0.2 g or 1 carat, for every 3 tons of kimberlites. Now one of the sights of Kimberley is a huge pit 400 m deep dug by diamond miners - the "Big Pit".

Although the Congo River carries five times less water into the ocean than the Amazon, its hydroelectric potential is higher. This is explained by the fact that on the 300-kilometer section of its lower course the fall of the river is 275 m in the presence of 32 waterfalls and rapids. Here it is possible to build hydroelectric power plants with a capacity of 80-90 million kW, which is approximately equal to the entire capacity of US hydroelectric power plants.

The birthplace of AIDS is Tropical Africa, which still remains the epicenter of its spread. If in developed countries it is possible to keep the infection of the adult population with the AIDS virus at a level of less than 1%, then in Botswana this figure is 39%! It is slightly lower in Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Swaziland, and a number of other countries. If the situation does not change, these countries may lose up to 1/5 of their adult population from AIDS in the next decade alone. In 2001 alone, 2.2 million people died from this disease in Africa (out of 3 million worldwide).

In 17 African countries, French remains the official (official) language, in 11 countries - English, in 5 countries - Portuguese. In addition, in a number of countries they are combined with local languages.

Among the objects of cultural heritage are such world-famous as monuments ancient egypt(Large pyramids, Luxor, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings on the site of ancient Thebes, monuments of Nubia), the ruins of Roman cities in North Africa, the Muslims of Cairo, described by many travelers, the city of Timbuktu in Mali, Great Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe. Among the natural heritage sites are the national parks and reserves of the Serengeti, Ngoro-Ngoro, Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, Rwenzori, the Dragon Mountains in South Africa. And the famous Algerian Tassilin-Ajer with rock paintings of the ancient inhabitants of the Sahara is classified as a cultural and natural heritage site.

In the capital of Burundi, Bujumbura, 100% of the urban population of this country is concentrated; in the capital of Guinea, Conakry - 81%, in the capital of Congo, Brazzaville - 67%, in the capital of Angola, Luanda - 61%, in the capital of Chad, N'Djamena - 55%, in the capital of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou - 52%.

Image of many traditional African cultivated plants can be found on the coats of arms of states. So, the image of a coffee tree adorns the coats of arms of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania; cocoa tree - coat of arms of Ghana; oil palm - emblems of Côte d "Ivoire, Liberia, Congo, Rwanda; olives or laurel - emblems of Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Ethiopia; cotton - emblems of Angola, Tanzania, Zimbabwe; sugar cane - emblems of Mauritius, Mozambique; wheat - emblems of Ajira , Zimbabwe, South Africa, rice - emblem of Madagascar, sorghum - emblems of Botswana and Burkina Faso.

[10] B Arabic writing direction from right to left. The alphabet has 28 letters representing consonants and long vowels. Letters can have from two to four styles, depending on their position in the word. from Arabic to European languages many words penetrated, for example: algebra, zenith, shop, admiral, tariff, halva, coffee. In the Middle Ages, Europe borrowed a system of numbers from the Arabs.

After the commissioning of the high-altitude Asyyan dam in 1971, the Nasser reservoir was formed, stretching for 500 km and occupying an area of more than 5 thousand km 2. In terms of volume (157 km 3), it belongs to the fourth place in the world. It made it possible to additionally provide year-round irrigation of almost 800 thousand hectares of land, where two or three crops are obtained per year.

The identity of the Austronesian languages is also manifested in geographical names. Africanist writer S. Kulik gives such names settlements Madagascar: Ambinanibeanatsindravu, Tratramaramanindrangaronto, Marumiandrahimahavelona.

After the decision in 1983 to move the capital of Côte d'Ivoire from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro, the grandiose Catholic Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Paix (Our Lady of Peace) was built in the new capital, which is believed to be larger than even St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome, despite the fact that Catholics make up only 1/5 of the population of this country.

In the Muslim countries of Tropical Africa, polygamy (polygyny) is still quite widespread. Previously, it often took on monstrous forms: individual leaders of large tribal formations had several hundred wives; the presence of several dozen wives was considered a common occurrence. And today a Muslim according to the Koran can have up to four wives.

The life of 9 out of every 10 inhabitants of the Sahel depends on whether they have firewood for cooking and heating their homes. And although women and children spend 100 to 300 days a year gathering firewood, they cannot meet their minimum needs even through excessive felling. Under these conditions, boiling water becomes an unaffordable luxury, and quickly boiled grains are replaced by more nutritious ones. but for foods that take longer to cook, such as beans.

In Kenya, national parks and reserves occupy 15% of the country's territory. They are inhabited by elephants, rhinos, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, giraffes, lions, leopards, many species of birds. Nevertheless, as a result of poaching, the herd of elephants over the past 20 years has decreased from 65 to 20 thousand heads. The country now celebrates Elephant Day every year; On this day, the President of Kenya personally sets fire to a fire made from elephant tusks captured from poachers.

Gold mining in South Africa began in 1886 until the end of the 19th century. it was at the level of only 20-50 tons per year, but at the beginning of the twentieth century. increased to 200-300 tons, and in the middle of the twentieth century. - up to 600-800 tons (the record year was 1970 - 1 thousand tons). At the beginning of the XXI century. production fell to 295 tons, but South Africa continues to rank first in the world in this indicator.

The production of uranium concentrates in South Africa reached its maximum (6 thousand tons) in the 1950s, but by now it has decreased several times. A feature of South Africa is the extremely low content of uranium in the ore, averaging only 0.017%, which is much lower than in other countries. This is explained by the fact that uranium is obtained here as a by-product during the processing of gold-bearing ores.

Bookshelf
1. Africa. - M.: Thought, 1979-1982. - (Series "Countries and peoples").
2. Africa: Encyclopedic reference book. - M.: Sov. encyclopedia, 1986-1987. - Vol. 1, 2.
3. Maksakovskii V. P. Geographical picture of the world. - M.: Bustard, 2009. - Part 2. - Topic 3.
4. Economic and social geography of the world. Behind the pages of the textbook: Book. for students in grade 10 / Comp. A. P. Kuznetsov. - M.: Enlightenment, 2000.
5. Vasiliev A. M. Egypt and the Egyptians. - M.: Classics plus, 2000.

Block of obtaining knowledge and skills

Exercise 1.

Using Table 1 in the "Appendices", plot the countries of Africa that gained political independence after the Second World War on a contour map. Indicate the dates of independence and compare in this respect the countries of North and Tropical Africa.

Additional task (for fun).

Using the "visiting card" on the flyleaf of the textbook, select the appropriate "pairs" of countries in Africa and foreign Europe, approximately equal in size to the territory.

Task 2.

Using the maps of the atlas and tables 3-5 of the "Appendices", classify the countries of Africa according to the degree of their wealth in minerals. Make a table in the following form:

Draw conclusions about the provision of these countries with raw materials and fuel for the development of heavy industry

Additional task (difficult).

Using the same sources, determine the main territorial combinations of minerals. Oxapacterize the composition of the fossils in each of them; try to connect it with the tectonic structure of the territory. Plot combinations of minerals on a contour map.

Task 3.

Using figures 7, 8 and 9, tables 6, 7 and 8 in the "Appendices" and maps of the atlas, specify and complete the characteristics of the land, water and agro-climatic resources of Africa contained in the text of the textbook.

Task 4.

Using Table 3, quantify the "urban explosion" in Africa. What conclusions can be drawn from these calculations?

Presentation on the topic "General characteristics of Africa" in geography in powerpoint format. Interesting presentation for schoolchildren, which tells about natural conditions, population and economy of Africa. The presentation contains a large number of drawings, diagrams, tables and assignments for students.

Fragments from the presentation

Africa occupies 1/5 of the land (30.3 million km2), on which there are 53 states (with islands).
Half a century ago, all political map Africa was full of colors of the colonial powers: England, France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Italy. The mainland's colonial past largely determined its backwardness. Africa lags far behind other regions of the world in key economic and social indicators of development, and in some countries the gap is even widening.

The composition of the territory of Africa

According to the state system, only three states retain the monarchical form of government, the rest are republics.
By administrative structure- four federal republics, the rest are unitary.
The main criterion for assessing the economic and geographical position of African countries is the presence or absence of access to the sea. 15 countries have no access to the sea, no continent has so many inland countries, most of these countries are among the most backward.
Young African states have not yet fully formed politically, therefore, cruel inter-clan and inter-ethnic struggle, political conflicts are common here. The borders inherited by these countries from the colonial past have become a hotbed of territorial disputes and border conflicts. Acute conflicts of this kind exist between Morocco and Western Sahara, Ethiopia and Somalia, etc.
In order to strengthen the unity and cooperation of the states of the African continent, to preserve their integrity and independence, the Organization of African Unity was created in 1963. It includes 53 states. The headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

African Natural Resources

Africa has an exceptionally diverse range of natural resources. Mineral raw materials are of high quality and are often mined in an open pit.

The extraction of minerals is mainly carried out within seven mining regions:

Algerian-Libyan;
Atlas;
Egyptian;
West Guinean;
Eastern Guinean;
Copper belt;
South African.

Racial and ethnic composition of the population of Africa

More than 400 ethnic groups are distinguished on the continent. Large nations have developed in North Africa, but the majority of the population is at the level of nationalities. Remnants of the tribal system are preserved (pictures below).
The peoples of North and Northeast Africa speak the languages of the Himite-Semitic family (Arabs, Berbers). The regions of Equatorial, Eastern and Southern Africa are inhabited by the Bantu peoples (the language is Swahili). Most countries south of the Sahara retain the languages of the former metropolises - English, French, Portuguese. In South Africa, in addition to English, the official language is Afrikaanas (heavily modified Dutch). There are no one-national states on the continent.

Population density

The average population density in Africa is 27 persons/km2, which is several times less than in Europe and Asia. The distribution of population across the continent is characterized by very sharp contrasts. In general, uninhabited territories are located in the Sahara desert. It is rare to find a population in the tropical rainforest zone. But there are also quite significant clumps of population, especially on the coasts.

Africa - the region of "urban explosion"

For many centuries Africa remained predominantly a "rural continent". And now, in terms of the level of urbanization, it still lags far behind other regions, but the rate of urbanization here is the highest, the population of cities is doubling every 10 years.
The manifestation of "urban explosion" in Africa has a number of negative consequences. For it is chiefly the metropolitan cities that are growing, and growing thanks to the constant influx of rural inhabitants who, without means of subsistence, huddle in the slums.
by the most big city Africa is the city of Lagos in Nigeria. Back in 1950, its population was about 300 thousand people, and now it has reached 13 million.
However, living conditions in this overcrowded city are so unfavorable that in 1992 the capital of the country was transferred from here to another city - Abuja.

General characteristics of the economy of African countries

After gaining independence, African countries began to make efforts to overcome centuries of backwardness. The nationalization of natural resources has been carried out, agrarian reform is being carried out, and national personnel are being trained. The restructuring of the sectoral structure began, which was of a colonial nature, that is, the mining industry was predominant and the country received the main income from the export of mineral raw materials.
At present, the colonial type of the sectoral structure of the economy is preserved - agricultural production and the mining industry prevail, while the manufacturing industries are in their infancy. The one-sided development of the economy is also characteristic - a narrow (mono-commodity) specialization of the country's economy in the production of one product intended for export.

Agriculture in Africa.

The main sphere of material production African countries- Agriculture. In some of them (Chad, Mali, Rwanda, CAR) more than 80% of the population is employed in it. Agriculture is the most important in most African countries. In the structure of agriculture, export and consumer crops are distinguished.

African industry

The foundations of national industry are being laid only today. The continent is still the least industrialized part of the world. Foreign capital was only interested in mineral raw materials and therefore vigorously developed the mining industry here.
In the structure of the manufacturing industry, the light and food industries take the leading place. Recently, there has been a tendency towards an increase in the role of metallurgy and oil refining. Industrial areas are located in places of extraction and production of raw materials and on the coast.

Transport

An important task for the development of the economy is the formation of a modern transport network and its convenient configuration. For a long time, the transport system of African countries served as a carrier of raw materials from the place of extraction to the port. Therefore, the greatest development was received by rail and sea transport. During the years of independence, other types of transport have also been developed.
Africa ranks last among all parts of the world in terms of the main technical and economic indicators of the transport operation.
The distribution of transport in Africa, the density of the transport network are highly uneven. Transport in South Africa and in the countries of northern Africa (with the exception of their dry regions) has reached the greatest development in terms of African scale, which reflects the general level of economic development of these countries. On the other hand, many areas of the Sahara, Namiba, Kalahari, equatorial and tropical forests are practically devoid of transport. Transportation on camels, donkeys, mules, carrying cargo by porters is common.

African rail transport.

total length railways Africa - more than 82 thousand km. In the structure of internal cargo turnover railway transport occupies a leading place, and in the passenger turnover it was ahead of the car. It should be noted the technical backwardness of this type of transport in Africa (diversity of track and locomotive traction).
The first place in terms of the overall level of development of railway transport is occupied by South Africa, it accounts for up to 40% of the entire railway network, the second is North Africa (Mediterranean countries). And the most lagging behind is Tropical Africa, where the transport role of rivers is great. There are still no railways in Niger, Chad, Central African Republic, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, etc.
Railroads have a distinct "penetration line" character - they link areas of mining or plantation agriculture with ports of export for their products.

Road transport in Africa.

Road transport is the main transport of passengers. In African countries, along with a relatively small number of highways with a hard surface, a lot of unpaved, which are often unsuitable for movement.
Since 1980, the governments of many African countries began to invest in the creation of transcontinental highways that could unite the transport network into a single whole.
Until recently, there was actually only one transcontinental highway - the Trans-Maghribian (which connects all the countries of North Africa). At the beginning of the 90s. In the 20th century, the Trans-Sahara Highway (connected Algeria, Mali, Niger and Nigeria) and the Trans-Sahel Highway (connected Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad) came into operation.
International organizations have developed projects for trans-African highways (see map). The implementation of their construction has already begun, however, due to political, financial and economic problems, the deadlines for completion of construction have not been determined.

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