23 May 2013

Africa: fast facts

 

A composite satellite image of Africa.
(Image: Nasa)

The United Nations geographic
classification scheme divides Africa into
five regions: southern, eastern, central,
western and northern.

Africa is a vast and magnificently diverse place, with 53 countries, over 1 000 languages, and nearly a billion people.

It’s the world's second-largest and second most-populous continent after Asia. With a land area of some 30 220 500 square kilometres, including its islands, the continent covers 6% of the earth's surface area, and 20.4% of the earth's total land area.

Africa’s population of 922-million accounts for about 14% of the world total.

Land area

Many of Africa’s country boundaries are arbitrary, created by colonial powers as lines drawn on a map, and bear little relation to cultural or linguistic identity. This colonial geographic legacy has also resulted in vast differences in country size, from the Sudan’s massive 2.5-million square kilometres - over a quarter of the size of the United States - to the Gambia’s 11 300 square kilometres.

Africa’s 10 largest countries - Sudan, Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, Chad, Niger, Angola, Mali, South Africa and Ethiopia - take up 54.4% of the continent’s total land area. By contrast, the smallest 10 - Seychelles, São Tomé and Príncipe, Mauritius, Comoros, Cape Verde, the Gambia, Swaziland, Djibouti, Rwanda and Burundi - take up only 0.4% of its land area.

Population

Nigeria is the continent’s most populous country, and the 10th most populous in the world. With 135-million people, the country contains 14.5% of Africa’s total population. It is followed by Egypt with 80.3-million people (8.6%), and Ethiopia with 76.5-million (8.2%).

Africa’s 10 most populous countries - Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, the DRC, South Africa, Tanzania, Sudan, Kenya, Morocco and Algeria - together contain nearly two-thirds (62.6%) of the continent’s total population. The 10 least populous - Seychelles, São Tomé and Príncipe, Cape Verde, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Comoros, Swaziland, Mauritius, Gabon and Guinea-Bissau - contain only 0.8% of the continent’s people.

By far the most densely populated African country is Mauritius, with 613 people per square kilometre. It is followed by Rwanda (376 people per square kilometre), the Comoros (328), Burundi (302), São Tomé and Príncipe (199), the Seychelles (180), the Gambia (149), Nigeria (146), Uganda (128) and Malawi (115).

The least densely populated is Namibia, with 2.5 people per square kilometre, followed by Botswana (3), Mauritania (3.2) and Libya (3.4).

Gross domestic product

South Africa is the economic powerhouse of Africa, with a gross domestic product (GDP) valued at US$587.5-billion (purchasing power parity) and making up nearly a quarter (22.7%) of the continental total. It is followed by Egypt with a GDP worth US$334.4-billion (12.9%), Algeria with US$249.8-billion (9.7%) and Nigeria with US$191.4-billion (7.4%).

The GDPs of continent’s 10 wealthiest countries - which also include Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Libya and Ghana - make up nearly three-quarters (73.9%) of the African total. The 10 countries with the smallest economies - São Tomé and Príncipe, the Seychelles, Guinea-Bissau, the Comoros, Djibouti, Liberia, Cape Verde, the Gambia, Eritrea and the Central African Republic - contribute only 0.9% to the total African GDP.

But many of the poorest African countries are those with the fastest rate of economic growth - partly because of the low base from which that growth is taking place. This is largely due to new exploitation of oil reserves, which has seen Equatorial Guinea’s GDP growth rate leap to 18.6% (the second-highest growth rate in the world), Angola’s to 16.1% (the fourth-highest), and Mauritania’s to 14.1% (the fifth-highest).

Regions

The the United Nations geographic classification scheme divides the continent of Africa into five regions:

  • Southern Africa, made up of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland
  • Eastern Africa, made up of Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Réunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe
  • Central Africa, made up of Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe
  • Western Africa, made up of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo
  • Northern Africa, made up of Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia and Western Sahara

SOUTHERN AFRICA

According to the United Nations geographic classification scheme, Southern Africa is made up of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland.

Botswana

  • Land area: 600 370 square kilometres
  • Capital: Gaborone
  • Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa
  • Map coordinates: 22 00 S, 24 00 E
  • Population: 1 815 508 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 3 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4%
  • Religion: Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6%
  • Independence: 30 September 1966 (from UK)
  • Currency: pula (P) = 100 thebe
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $17.93 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $10 900 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 5.4% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver

Botswana websites:

Lesotho

  • Land area: 30 355 square kilometres
  • Capital: Maseru
  • Location: Southern Africa, an enclave in South Africa
  • Map coordinates: 29 30 S, 28 30 E
  • Population: 2 125 262 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 70 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), isiZulu, isiXhosa
  • Religion: Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20%
  • Independence: 4 October 1966 (from UK)
  • Currency: loti, maloti (pl) (L, M) = 100 lisente
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.492 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $2 700 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 6.2% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay, building stone

Lesotho websites:

Namibia

  • Land area: 825 418 square kilometres
  • Capital: Windhoek
  • Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
  • Map coordinates: 22 00 S, 17 00 E
  • Population: 2 055 080 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 2.5 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages 1% (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama)
  • Religion: Christian 80% to 90%, indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
  • Independence: 21 March 1990 (from disputed South African mandate)
  • Currency: dollar (N$) = 100 cents
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $15.27 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $7 500 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 2.9% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish, suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore

Namibia websites:

South Africa

  • Land area: 1 219 912 square kilometres
  • Capitals: Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative), Pretoria (administrative)
  • Location: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa
  • Map coordinates: 29 00 S, 24 00 E
  • Population: 43 997 828 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 36.1 people per square kilometre
  • Languages:
  • Religion: Christian 79.8%, Muslim 1.5%, Hindu 1.2%, African traditional belief 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, no religion 15%, undetermined 1.4%
  • Independence: 31 May 1910 (Union of South Africa formed from four British colonies: Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State); 31 May 1961 (republic declared); 27 April 1994 (first democratic elections)
  • Currency: rand (R) = 100 cents
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $587.5 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $13 300 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 5% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas

South Africa websites:

Swaziland

  • Land area: 17 363 square kilometres
  • Capital: Mbabane
  • Location: Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
  • Map coordinates: 26 30 S, 31 30 E
  • Population: 1 133 066 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 65.3 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)
  • Religion: Christian 80%, Muslim 10%, other 10%
  • Independence: 6 September 1968 (from UK)
  • Currency: lilangeni, emalangeni (pl) (L) = 100 cents
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $6.018 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $5 300 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 2.1% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc

Swaziland websites:

EASTERN AFRICA

According to the United Nations geographic classification scheme, Eastern Africa is made up of Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Réunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Burundi

  • Land area: 27 830 square kilometres
  • Capital: Bujumbura
  • Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Map coordinates: 3 30 S, 30 00 E
  • Population: 8 390 505 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 301.5 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili
  • Religion: Christian 67%, indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10%
  • Independence: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)
  • Currency: franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.854 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $700 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 5.1% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone

Comoros

  • Land area: 2 170 square kilometres
  • Capital: Moroni
  • Location: Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
  • Map coordinates: 12 10 S, 44 15 E
  • Population: 711 417 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 327.8 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
  • Religion: Muslim 98%, Christian 2%
  • Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France)
  • Currency: franc (CF)
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.275 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $600 (2005 est.)
  • GDP growth: 3% (2005 est.)
  • Natural resources: neglibible

Djibouti

  • Land area: 23,000 square kilometres
  • Capital: Djibouti
  • Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia
  • Map coordinates: 11 30 N, 43 00 E
  • Population: 496,374 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 21.6 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar
  • Religion: Muslim 94%, Christian 6%
  • Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France)
  • Currency: franc (DF) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.878 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 000 (2005 est.)
  • GDP growth: 3.2% (2005 est.)
  • Natural resources: geothermal areas, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum

Djibouti websites:

Eritrea

  • Land area: 121 320 square kilometres
  • Capital: Asmara
  • Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan
  • Map coordinates: 15 00 N, 39 00 E
  • Population: 4 906 585 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 40.4 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages
  • Religion: Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant
  • Independence: 24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia)
  • Currency: nakfa (Nfa) = 100 cents
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.751 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 000 (2005 est.)
  • GDP growth: 2% (2005 est.)
  • Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish

Eritrea websites:

Ethiopia

  • Land area: 1 127 127 square kilometres
  • Capital: Addis Ababa
  • Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia
  • Map coordinates: 8 00 N, 38 00 E
  • Population: 76 511 887 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 67.9 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Amarigna 32.7%, Oromigna 31.6%, Tigrigna 6.1%, Somaligna 6%, Guaragigna 3.5%, Sidamigna 3.5%, Hadiyigna 1.7%, other 14.8%, English (major foreign language taught in schools)
  • Religion: Christian 60.8%, Muslim 32.8%, traditional 4.6%, other 1.8%
  • Independence: was never colonised
  • Currency: birr (Br) = 100 cents
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $73.79 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 000 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 10.6% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower

Ethiopia websites:

Kenya

  • Land area: 582 650 square kilometres
  • Capital: Nairobi
  • Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
  • Map coordinates: 1 00 N, 38 00 E
  • Population: 36 913 721 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 63.4 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages
  • Religion: Christian 78%, Muslim 10%, indigenous beliefs 10%, other 2%
  • Independence: 12 December 1963 (from UK)
  • Currency: shilling (KSh) = 100 cents
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $41.48 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 200 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 6.1% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower

Kenya websites:

Madagascar

  • Land area: 587 040 square kilometres
  • Capital: Antananarivo
  • Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
  • Map coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E
  • Population: 19 448 815 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 33.1 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: French (official), Malagasy (official)
  • Religion: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%
  • Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France)
  • Currency: ariayry (MGA) = 5 francs
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $17.27 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $900 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 4.7% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower

Madagascar websites:

Malawi

  • Land area: 118 480 square kilometres
  • Capital: Lilongwe
  • Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia
  • Map coordinates: 13 30 S, 34 00 E
  • Population: 13 603 181 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 114.8 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%, Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other 3.6%
  • Religion: Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, other 3%, none 4.3%
  • Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK)
  • Currency: kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $8.272 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $600 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 8.5% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite

Malawi websites:

Mauritius

  • Land area: 2 040 square kilometres
  • Capital: Port Louis
  • Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
  • Map coordinates: 20 17 S, 57 33 E
  • Population: 1 250 882 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 613.2 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Creole 80.5%, Bhojpuri 12.1%, French 3.4%, English (official; spoken by less than 1% of the population), other 3.7%, unspecified 0.3%
  • Religion: Hindu 48%, Christian 32.2%, Muslim 16.6%, other Christian 8.6%, other 2.5%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.4%
  • Independence: 12 March 1968 (from UK)
  • Currency: rupee (Mau Rs) = 100 cents
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $17.02 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $13 700 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 5% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: arable land, fish

Mauritius websites:

Mozambique

  • Land area: 801 590 square kilometres
  • Capital: Maputo
  • Location: Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania
  • Map coordinates: 18 15 S, 35 00 E
  • Population: 20 905 585 (July 2006 est.)
  • Population density: 26.1 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Emakhuwa 26.1%, Xichangana 11.3%, Portuguese 8.8% (official language, spoken by 27% of the population as a second language), Elomwe 7.6%, Cisena 6.8%, Echuwabo 5.8%, other Mozambican languages 32%, other foreign languages 0.3%, unspecified 1.3%
  • Religion: Christian 41.3%, Muslim 17.8%, other 17.8%, none 23.1%
  • Independence: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
  • Currency: metical (Mt) = 100 centavos
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $29.17 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 500 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 7.9% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite

Mozambique websites:

Rwanda

  • Land area: 26 338 square kilometres
  • Capital: Kigali
  • Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Map coordinates:
  • Population: 9 907 509 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 376.2 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Kinyarwanda (official), French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centres
  • Religion: Christian 93.6%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7%
  • Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)
  • Currency: franc (RF) = 100 centimes (a subdivision no longer in use)
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $13.7 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 600 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 5.8% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land

Rwanda websites:

Seychelles

  • Land area: 455 square kilometres
  • Capital: Victoria
  • Location: archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
  • Map coordinates: 4 35 S, 55 40 E
  • Population: 81 895 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 180 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2%
  • Religion: Christian 93.2%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6%
  • Independence: 29 June 1976 (from UK)
  • Currency: rupee (SR) = 100 cents
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $626 million (2002 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $7 800 (2002 est.)
  • GDP growth: -1% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: fish, copra, cinnamon trees

Seychelles websites:

Somalia

  • Land area: 637 657 square kilometres
  • Capital: Mogadishu
  • Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia
  • Map coordinates: 10 00 N, 49 00 E
  • Population: 9 118 773 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 14.3 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English
  • Religion: Sunni Muslim
  • Independence: 1 July 1960, from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic
  • Currency: shilling (So Sh) = 100 centesimi
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.259 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $600 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 2.6% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves

Tanzania

  • Land area: 945 087 square kilometres
  • Capital: Dodoma
  • Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique
  • Map coordinates: 6 00 S, 35 00 E
  • Population: 39 384 223 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 41.7 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages
  • Religion: mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim
  • Independence: 26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964
  • Currency: shilling (TSh) = 100 cents
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $29.64 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $800 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 5.9% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel

Tanzania websites:

Uganda

  • Land area: 236 040 square kilometres
  • Capital: Kampala
  • Location: Eastern Africa, west of Kenya
  • Map coordinates: 1 00 N, 32 00 E
  • Population: 30 262 610 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 128.2 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic
  • Religion: Christian 83.9%, Muslim 12.1%, other 3.1%, none 0.9%
  • Independence: 9 October 1962 (from UK)
  • Currency: shilling (Ush) = 100 cents
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $52.93 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 900 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 5.3% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land

Uganda websites:

Zambia

  • Land area: 752 614 square kilometres
  • Capital: Lusaka
  • Location: Southern Africa, north of Zimbabwe
  • Map coordinates: 15 00 S, 30 00 E
  • Population: 11 477 447 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 15.3 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: English (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages
  • Religion: Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous beliefs 1%
  • Independence: 24 October 1964 (from UK)
  • Currency: kwacha (ZK) = 100 ngwee
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $11.64 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 000 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 5.8% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower

Zambia websites:

Zimbabwe

  • Land area: 390 580 square kilometres
  • Capital: Harare
  • Location: Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia
  • Map coordinates: 20 00 S, 30 00 E
  • Population: 12 311 143 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 31.5 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: English (official), Shona, isiNdebele, numerous but minor tribal dialects
  • Religion: Christian 75%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%
  • Independence: 18 April 1980 (from UK)
  • Currency: dollar (Z$) = 100 cents
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $25.58 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $2 100 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: -4.1% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals

Zimbabwe websites:

CENTRAL AFRICA

According to the United Nations geographic classification scheme, Central Africa is made up of Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe.

Angola

  • Land area: 1 246 700 square kilometres
  • Capital: Luanda
  • Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Map coordinates: 12 30 S, 18 30 E
  • Population: 12 263 596 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 9.8 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
  • Religion: Christian 53%, indigenous beliefs 47%
  • Independence: 11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
  • Currency: kwanza (Kz) = 100 lwei
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $54.65 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $4 500 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 16.1% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium

Country websites:

Cameroon

  • Land area: 475 440 square kilometres
  • Capital: Yaoundé
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
  • Map coordinates: 6 00 N, 12 00 E
  • Population: 18 060 382 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 38 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)
  • Religion: indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%
  • Independence: 1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)
  • Currency: franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $42.64 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $2 500 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 3.9% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower

Country websites:

Central African Republic

  • Land area: 622 984 square kilometres
  • Capital: Bangui
  • Location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Map coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E
  • Population: 4 369 038 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 7 people per square kilometre
  • Languages:
  • Religion: Christian 50%, indigenous beliefs 35%, Muslim 15%
  • Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France)
  • Currency: franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.998 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 200 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 3.5% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower

Country websites:

Chad

  • Land area: 1 284 000 square kilometres
  • Capital: N'Djamena
  • Location: Central Africa, south of Libya
  • Map coordinates: 15 00 N, 19 00 E
  • Population: 9 885 661 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 7.7 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects
  • Religion: Muslim 53.1%, Christian 34.3%, animist 7.3%, other 0.5%, unknown 1.7%, atheist 3.1%
  • Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France)
  • Currency: franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $14.98 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 500 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 1.3% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt

Country websites:

Congo

  • Land area: 342 000 square kilometres
  • Capital: Brazzaville
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
  • Map coordinates: 1 00 S, 15 00 E
  • Population: 3 800 610 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 11.1 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
  • Religion: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
  • Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France)
  • Currency: franc = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.033 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 400 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 6.1% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower

Country websites:

Democratic Republic of the Congo

  • Land area: 2 345 410 square kilometres
  • Capital: Kinshasa
  • Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola
  • Map coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 E
  • Population: 65 751 512 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 28 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba
  • Religion: Christian 70%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 10%
  • Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium)
  • Currency: franc = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $44.44 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $700 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 6.4% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, timber

Equatorial Guinea

  • Land area: 28 051 square kilometres
  • Capital: Malabo
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon
  • Map coordinates: 2 00 N, 10 00 E
  • Population: 551 201 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 19.6 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Spanish 67.6% (official), other 32.4% (includes French (official), Fang, Bubi) (1994 census)
  • Religion: nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices
  • Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain)
  • Currency: franc (CFAF) = 100 centimos
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $25.69 billion (2005 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $50 200 (2005 est.)
  • GDP growth: 18.6% (2005 est.)
  • Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay

Country websites:

Gabon

  • Land area: 267 667 square kilometres
  • Capital: Libreville
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea
  • Map coordinates: 1 00 S, 11 45 E
  • Population: 1 454 867 (July 2006 est.)
  • Population density: 5.4 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
  • Religion: Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1%
  • Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France)
  • Currency: franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $10.19 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $7 100 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 1.2% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower

Country websites:

São Tomé and Príncipe

  • Land area: 1 001 square kilometres
  • Capital: São Tomé
  • Location: Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon
  • Map coordinates: 1 00 N, 7 00 E
  • Population: 199 579 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 199.4 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Portuguese (official)
  • Religion: Christian 77.5%, other 3.1%, none 19.4%
  • Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
  • Currency: dobra (Db) = 100 centimos
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $278 million (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 200 (2003 est.)
  • GDP growth: 4.4% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: fish, hydropower

Country websites:

WESTERN AFRICA

According to the United Nations geographic classification scheme, Western Africa is made up of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

Benin

  • Land area: 112 620 square kilometres
  • Capital: Porto-Novo
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo
  • Map coordinates: 9 30 N, 2 15 E
  • Population: 8 078 314 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 71.7 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
  • Religion: Christian 42.8%, Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other 15.5%
  • Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France)
  • Currency: franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $8.989 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 100 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 4% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

Benin websites:

Burkina Faso

  • Land area: 274 200 square kilometres
  • Capital: Ouagadougou
  • Location: Western Africa, north of Ghana
  • Map coordinates: 13 00 N, 2 00 W
  • Population: 14 326 203 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 52.2 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: French (official), African languages of the Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population
  • Religion: Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 10%
  • Independence: 5 August 1960 (from France)
  • Currency: franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $18.94 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 400 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 6.4% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt

Burkina Faso websites:

Cape Verde

  • Land area: 4 033 square kilometres
  • Capital: Praia
  • Location: Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
  • Map coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W
  • Population: 423 613 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 105 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)
  • Religion: Christian
  • Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
  • Currency: escudo (CV Esc) = 100 centavos
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.129 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $6 000 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 5.5% (2005 est.)
  • Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum

Cape Verde websites:

Côte d'Ivoire

  • Land area: 322 460 square kilometres
  • Capitals: Abidjan (de facto), Yamoussoukro (official)
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
  • Map coordinates: 8 00 N, 5 00 W
  • Population: 18 013 409 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 55.9 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: French (official), 60 African dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken
  • Religion: Muslim 35-40%, indigenous 25-40%, Christian 20-30%
  • Independence: 7 August 1960 (from France)
  • Currency: franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $29.05 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 600 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 1.2% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower

Côte d'Ivoire websites:

The Gambia

  • Land area: 11 300 square kilometres
  • Capital: Banjul
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
  • Map coordinates: 13 28 N, 16 34 W
  • Population: 1 688 359 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 149.4 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other African languages
  • Religion: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%
  • Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK)
  • Currency: dalasi (D) = 100 butut
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.324 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $2 000 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 6.5% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum

The Gambia websites:

Ghana

  • Land area: 239 460 square kilometres
  • Capital: Accra
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
  • Map coordinates: 8 00 N, 2 00 W
  • Population: 22 931 299 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 95.8 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Asante 14.8%, Ewe 12.7%, Fante 9.9%, Boron (Brong) 4.6%, Dagomba 4.3%, Dangme 4.3%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.7%, Akyem 3.4%, Ga 3.4%, Akuapem 2.9%, other 36.1% (includes English (official))
  • Religion: Christian 68.8%, Muslim 15.9%, traditional 8.5%, other 0.7%, none 6.1%
  • Independence: 6 March 1957 (from UK)
  • Currency: new cedi (¢) = 100 psewas
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $60 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $2 700 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 6% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone

Ghana websites:

Guinea

  • Land area: 245 857 square kilometres
  • Capital: Conakry
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
  • Map coordinates: 11 00 N, 10 00 W
  • Population: 9 947 814 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 40.5 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: French (official), Peuhl, Malinke, Soussou
  • Religion: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
  • Independence: 2 October 1958 (from France)
  • Currency: syli (FG) = 10 francs; 1 franc = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $19.87 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $2 100 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 2.2% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt

Guinea websites:

Guinea-Bissau

  • Land area: 36 120 square kilometres
  • Capital: Bissau
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal
  • Map coordinates: 12 00 N, 15 00 W
  • Population: 1 472 780 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 40.8 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages
  • Religion: indigenous beliefs 50%, Muslim 45%, Christian 5%
  • Independence: 24 September 1973 (declared); 10 September 1974 (recognised by Portugal)
  • Currency: franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.249 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $900 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 2.1% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite, limestone, unexploited deposits of petroleum

Guinea-Bissau websites:

Liberia

  • Land area: 111 370 square kilometres
  • Capital: Monrovia
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
  • Map coordinates: 6 30 N, 9 30 W
  • Population: 3 195 931 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 28.7 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: English 20% (official), some 20 African languages
  • Religion: Christian 40%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 40%
  • Independence: 26 July 1847
  • Currency: dollar (L$) = 100 cents
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.821 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $900 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 7.8% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower

Mali

  • Land area: 1 240 000 square kilometres
  • Capital: Bamako
  • Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
  • Map coordinates: 17 00 N, 4 00 W
  • Population: 11 995 402 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 9.7 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous other African languages
  • Religion: Muslim 90%, Christian 1%, indigenous beliefs 9%
  • Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France)
  • Currency: franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $14.77 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 300 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 5.1% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower; bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited

Mali websites:

Mauritania

  • Land area: 1 030 700 square kilometres
  • Capital: Nouakchott
  • Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
  • Map coordinates: 20 00 N, 12 00 W
  • Population: 3 270 065 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 3.2 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, French, Hassaniya, Wolof
  • Religion: Muslim
  • Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France)
  • Currency: ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $8.124 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $2 600 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 14.1% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish

Mauritania websites:

Niger

  • Land area: 1 267 000 square kilometres
  • Capital: Niamey
  • Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
  • Map coordinates: 16 00 N, 8 00 E
  • Population: 12 894 865 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 10.2 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma
  • Religion: Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20%
  • Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France)
  • Currency: franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $12.36 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 000 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 3.5% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum

Niger websites:

Nigeria

  • Land area: 923 768 square kilometres
  • Capital: Abuja
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
  • Map coordinates: 10 00 N, 8 00 E
  • Population: 135 031 164 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 146.2 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani
  • Religion: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
  • Independence: 1 October 1960 (from UK)
  • Currency: naira (double-dashed N) = 100 kobo
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $191.4 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 500 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 5.3% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, zinc, arable land

Nigeria websites:

Senegal

  • Land area: 196 190 square kilometres
  • Capital: Dakar
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania
  • Map coordinates: 14 00 N, 14 00 W
  • Population: 12 521 851 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 63.8 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
  • Religion: Muslim 94%, Christian 5%, indigenous beliefs 1%
  • Independence: 4 April 1960 (from France); complete independence with dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960
  • Currency: franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $21.54 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 800 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 2% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore

Senegal websites:

Sierra Leone

  • Land area: 71 740 square kilometres
  • Capital: Freetown
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
  • Map coordinates: 8 30 N, 11 30 W
  • Population: 6 144 562 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 85.7 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%)
  • Religion: Muslim 60%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs 30%
  • Independence: 27 April 1961 (from UK)
  • Currency: leone (Le) = 100 cents
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.452 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $900 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 7.1% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite

Sierra Leone websites:

Togo

  • Land area: 56 785 square kilometres
  • Capital: Lomé
  • Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana
  • Map coordinates: 8 00 N, 1 10 E
  • Population: 5 701 579 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 100.4 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)
  • Religion: Christian 29%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 51%
  • Independence: 27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)
  • Currency: franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $9.29 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $1 700 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 2% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land

Togo websites:

NORTHERN AFRICA

According to the United Nations geographic classification scheme, Northern Africa is made up of Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia and Western Sahara.

Algeria

  • Land area: 2 381 740 square kilometres
  • Capital: Algiers
  • Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
  • Map coordinates: 28 00 N, 3 00 E
  • Population: 33 333 216 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 14.0 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
  • Religion: Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
  • Independence: 5 July 1962 (from France)
  • Currency: dinar (DA) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $249.8 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $7 600 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 2.9% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc

Algeria websites:

Egypt

  • Land area: 1 001 450 square kilometres
  • Capital: Cairo
  • Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula
  • Map coordinates: 27 00 N, 30 00 E
  • Population: 80 335 036 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 80.2 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes
  • Religion: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Christian 10%
  • Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK)
  • Currency: pound (£E) = 100 piasters or 1 000 milliemes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $334.4 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $4 200 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 6.8% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc

Egypt websites:

Libya

  • Land area: 1 759 540 square kilometres
  • Capital: Tripoli
  • Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia
  • Map coordinates: 25 00 N, 17 00 E
  • Population: 6 036 914 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 3.4 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Arabic, Italian, English
  • Religion: Sunni Muslim 97%, other 3%
  • Independence: 24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship)
  • Currency: dinar (LD) = 1,000 dirhams
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $72.34 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $12 300 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 5.8% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum

Libya websites:

Morocco

  • Land area: 446 550 square kilometres
  • Capital: Rabat
  • Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara
  • Map coordinates: 32 00 N, 5 00 W
  • Population: 33 757 175 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 75.6 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy
  • Religion: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%
  • Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France)
  • Currency: dirham (DH) = 100 centimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $152.5 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $4 600 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 9.4% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt

Morocco websites:

Sudan

  • Land area: 2 505 810 square kilometres
  • Capital: Khartoum
  • Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea
  • Map coordinates: 15 00 N, 30 00 E
  • Population: 39,379,358 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 15.7 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English
  • Religion: Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum), indigenous beliefs 25%
  • Independence: 1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK)
  • Currency: pound (£) = 100 piastres (or qirush)
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $97.19 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $2 400 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 9.3% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower

Sudan websites:

Tunisia

  • Land area: 163 610 square kilometres
  • Capital: Tunis
  • Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
  • Map coordinates: 34 00 N, 9 00 E
  • Population: 10 276 158 (July 2007 est.)
  • Population density: 62.8 people per square kilometre
  • Languages: Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)
  • Religion: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%
  • Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France)
  • Currency: dinar (TD) 1,000 millimes
  • GDP (purchasing power parity): $91.04 billion (2006 est.)
  • GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $8 900 (2006 est.)
  • GDP growth: 5.2% (2006 est.)
  • Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt

Tunisia websites:

USEFUL LINKS

SOURCES

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