African Countries

After a century of rule by France, Algeria became independent in 1962.

Location:  Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia.

Border countries: Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Tunisia, Western Sahara.

Area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas, Algeria is the second-largest country in Africa after Sudan.

Ethnic: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%

Languages: Arabic (official) French, Berber dialects.

Religion: Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%

Capital: Algiers    More about this country

Civil war has been the norm in Angola since independence from Portugal in 1975. A 1994 peace accord between the government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) provided for the integration of former UNITA insurgents into the government and armed forces. A national unity government was installed in April of 1997.  

Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontinuous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km

Area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas.

Ethnic: Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%

Languages : Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

Religion  indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% {1998est.)

Capital: Luanda  More about this country

Dahomey gained its independence from France in 1960; the name was changed to Benin in 1975. From 1974 to 1989 the country was a socialist state; free elections were reestablished in 1991

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Nigeria and Togo.

Area: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania.

Border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km

Ethnic: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500

Religion: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%

Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)

Capital: Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government.  More about this country

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966 . The economy, one of the most robust on the continent, is dominated by diamond mining.

Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa and Western Africa.

Area: slightly smaller than Texas

Border countries: Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe

  Ethnic: Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7%

Religion: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%

Languages:  English (official), Setswana

Capital:  Gaborone  More about this country

Independence from France came to Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) in 1960 Several hundred thousand farm workers migrate south every year to Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana.

Western Africa, north of Ghana  and Cote d'Ivoire.

slightly larger than Colorado.

Border countries: Benin , Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana , Mali, Niger, Togo.

 Ethnic groups: Mossi over 40%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani

Religion:  indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%,Christian  10%

Languages: French (official) (mainly Roman Catholic)   

Capital: Ouagadougou  More about this country

Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only four months in office. Since then, some 200,000 Burundians have perished in widespread, often intense ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. Hundreds of thousands have been internally displaced or have become refugees in neighboring countries. Burundi troops, seeking to secure their borders, intervened in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1998.

Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Area: Slightly smaller than Maryland

Border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania

Ethnic groups: Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000

Religion: Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10%

 Languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)

Capital: Bujumbura  More about this country

The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country.24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official) The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry.

 Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria.

Area: slightly larger than California.

Border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690

Ethnic groups: Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1%

Religion:  indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%

 Languages: 24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)

Capital: Yaoundé More about this country

The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; they subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents. Independence was achieved in 1975.

 Location: is located in Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean,

Area: slightly larger than Rhode Island.

 Border countries: None

 Ethnic groups:  Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%

 Religion: Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs); Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)

 Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)

Capital: Praia  More about this country

The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule  mostly by military governments - a civilian government was installed in 1993.

Location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Area: slightly smaller than Texas

Border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165

Ethnic groups: Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%

Religion:  Indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority                                

 Languages:   French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages

Capital: Bangui   More about this country

Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of ethnic warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel.

Location: Central Africa, south of Libya.

 Area: slightly more than three times the size of California.

 Border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan.

Ethnic: 200 distinct groups; in the north and center: Arabs, Gorane (Toubou, Daza, Kreda), Zaghawa, Kanembou, Ouaddai, Baguirmi, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Boulala, and Maba, most of whom are Muslim; in the south: Sara (Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye), Moundang, Moussei, Massa, most of whom are Christian or animist; about 1,000 French citizens live in Chad

Religion: Muslim 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other 7%

Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects

Capital: N'djamena More about this country

Unstable Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power. He pledged to resolve the secessionist crisis through a confederal arrangement named the 2000 Fomboni Accord. In December 2001, voters approved a new constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of 2002. Each island in the archipelago elected its own president and a new union president was sworn in on May 26, 2002.

Location: Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel.

Area: about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique

Border: None

Ethnic groups: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava

Religion: Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% Arabic

Languages: French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)

Capital: Moroni  More about this country

Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states.Falling cocoa prices and political turmoil, however, sparked an economic downturn in 1999 and 2000. On 25 December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government led by President Henri Konan BEDIE. In October 2000,Popular protest forced GUEI to step aside and brought runner-up Laurent GBAGBO into power. Laurent GBAGBO replaced junta leader Robert GUEI as president, ending 10 months of military rule. Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm oil.

Location  Western Africa,   bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia

slightly larger than New Mexico

Border countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali

Ethnic groups: Baoulè 22% Bètè 18% Senoufo, Malinkè, Agni , Gouro, Attiè

Languages: French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken

Religion: 70% of population is Christian and Muslim

Capital: Yamoussoukro; note - although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan.  More about this country

 Since 1997, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC; formerly called Zaire) has been rent by ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow in 1994 of refugees from the fighting in Rwanda and Burundi. The government of former president MOBUTU Sese Seko was toppled by a rebellion led by Laurent KABILA in May 1997; his regime was subsequently challenged by a Rwanda- and Uganda-backed rebellion in August 1998. Troops from Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Chad, and Sudan intervened to support the Kinshasa regime. A cease-fire was signed on 10 July 1999 by the DROC, Zimbabwe, Angola, Uganda, Namibia, Rwanda, and Congolese armed rebel groups, but sporadic fighting continued. KABILA was assassinated on 16 January 2001 and his son Joseph KABILA was named head of state ten days later. In October 2002, the new president was successful in getting occupying Rwandan forces to withdraw from eastern Congo; two months later, an agreement was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and set up a government of national unity.

Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola

Area: Slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US

Border countries: Angola 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of Angola's discontinuous Cabinda Province), Burundi, Central African Republic , Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Sudan  Tanzania  Uganda   Zambia

Ethnic groups: over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population 

Religion: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs 10%

Languages: French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba.          

Capital: Kinshasa   More about this country

The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977. A peace accord in 1994 ended a three-year uprising by Afars rebels.

Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia

Area: Slightly smaller than Massachusetts

border countries: Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km

Ethnic: Somali 450, Afar 35%, French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian 5% Djibouti

Religion: Muslim 94%, Christian 6%

Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar

 Capital: Djibouti  More about this country

The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C. and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries.  Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty following World War II. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society.

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip

Area: Slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico.

Border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 266 km, Libya 1,115 km, Sudan 1,273 km

Ethnic groups: Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and Berbers) 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and French)  1% .

Religion: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94%, Coptic Christian and other 6%.

Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes

Capital: Cairo More about this country

Composed of a mainland portion and five inhabited islands, Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. It is a tiny country, one of the smallest on the African continent.

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon.

Area: slightly smaller than Maryland

Border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km.

Ethnic groups: Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio Muni (primarily Fang), Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish nominally

Religion: Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices

Languages: : Spanish (official), French (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo

Capital: Malabo  More about this country

Eritrea was awarded to Ethiopia in 1952 as part of a federation. Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean rebels defeating governmental forces;

Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan.

Area: slightly larger than Pennsylvania.

Border countries: Djibouti 109 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605

Ethnic groups: ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%, other 3%

Religion: Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant

Languages: Afar Amharic,  Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages.

Capital: Asmara (formerly Asmera)  More about this country

Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule, one exception being the Italian occupation of 1936-41.

Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia

Area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Border countries: Djibouti 349 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 861 km, Somalia 1,600 km, Sudan 1,606

Ethnic groups: Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigre 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1%

Religion: :  Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 3%-8%

Languages: Languages:  Amharic, Tigrinya, Oromigna, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, other local languages,   English (major foreign language taught in schools)

Capital: Addis Ababa   More about this country

Ruled by autocratic presidents since independence from France in 1960, Gabon introduced a multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s that allowed for a more transparent electoral process and for reforms of governmental institutions. A small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous black African countries.

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea 

Area: slightly smaller than Colorado

Border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km.

Ethnic groups: Bantu tribes including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Bapounou, Nzebi, Obamba), other Africans and Europeans 154,000, including 10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality

Religion: Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1% 

Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi  

Capital: Libreville  More about this country

Gambia is almost an enclave of Senegal and the smallest country on the continent of Africa.

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Area: It is slightly less than twice the size of Delaware.

Border countries: Senegal 740 km almost an enclave of Senegal

Ethnic groups: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1%

Religion: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1% .

Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars

Capital: Banjul More about this country

Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. black African 98.5% (major tribes - Akan 44%,

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo.

Area: slightly smaller than Oregon

Border countries: Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo

Ethnic groups: black African 98.5% (major tribes - Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%, Gurma 3%, Yoruba 1%), European and other 1.5%

Religion: indigenous beliefs 21%, Muslim 16%, Christian 63% 

Languages: English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)

Capital: Accra More about this country

Independent from France since 1958, Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. Lansana CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998.

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone

Area: slightly smaller than Oregon . Leone 652 km 

Border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra.

Ethnic groups: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 

Religion:  Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7% others 10%

Languages: Languages: French (official), each ethnic group has its own language 

Capital: Conakry  More about this country

In 1994, 20 years after independence from Portugal, the country's first multiparty legislative and presidential elections were held.

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal.

Area: Area: slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut.

Border countries: Guinea and Senegal 

Ethnic groups: African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%

Religion: 5% indigenous beliefs 50%, Muslim 45%, Christian

Languages: Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages.

Capital: Bissau  More about this country

Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest  peak Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence until his death in 1978. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole legal party in Kenya. The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value.

Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania

Area: slightly more than twice the size of Nevada

Border countries: Ethiopia , Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda

Ethnic groups:  Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 

Religion: 1% Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, indigenous beliefs 10%, Muslim 10%, other 2%. Note: a large majority of Kenyans is Christian, but estimates for the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous beliefs vary widely.

Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages 

Capital: Nairobi  More about this country

Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in 1990. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after 23 years of military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody South African military intervention. Constitutional reforms have since restored political stability; peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002.

Location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa

Area: slightly smaller than Maryland

Border countries: South Africa 909 km

Ethnic groups: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%,

Religion: Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20%

Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa

Capital: Maseru  More about this country

dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone

Area: slightly larger than Tennessee

Border countries: Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306

Ethnic groups: :  indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the US who had been slaves), Congo People 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves)

Religion: indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%                             

Languages: English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which a few can be written and are used in correspondence.

Capital: Monrovia  More about this country

Since he took power in a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI has espoused his own political system - a combination of socialism and Islam - which he calls the Third International Theory. The Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities.

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia

Area: slightly larger than Alaska

Border countries: Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,115 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km .

Ethnic groups: Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians 

Religion: Sunni Muslim 97%

Languages: Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major

Capital: Tripoli   More about this country

Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1886, but regained its independence in 1960.

Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique.

Area: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

Border countries: 0

Ethnic groups: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran.

Religion: 7% indigenous beliefs, 52%, Christian  41%, Muslim

Languages: French (official), Malagasy (official)

Capital: Antananarivo More about this country

Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule, the country held multiparty elections in 1994 under a provisional constitution, which took full effect the following year.

Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia.

Area: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Border countries: Mozambique , Tanzania , Zambia

Ethnic groups: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European

Religion: Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 3%, other 2%

Languages: :  English (official), Chichewa (official), other languages important regionally

Capital: Lilongwe  More about this country

The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. The Mali has 8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou

Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria.

Area: : It is slightly less than twice the size of Texas.

Border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km

Ethnic groups: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%

Religion: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%

Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages

Capital: Bamako More about this country

Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara)

 in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory.

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara

Area: slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico

Border countries: Algeria , Senegal , Western Sahara                                                                   

Ethnic groups: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%

Religion: Muslim 450

Languages: :  Hassaniya Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof , French (official)

Capital: Nouakchott  More about this country

Discovered by the Portuguese in 1505, Mauritius was subsequently held by the Dutch, French, and British before independence was attained in 1968 (from UK)  A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather and declining sugar prices have slowed economic growth, leading to some protests over standards of living in the Creole community

Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar.

Area: almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC

Border countries:None

Ethnic groups: Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%

Religion: :    Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%), Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1%

Languages: English (official), Creole, French (official), Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bhojpuri

Capital: Port Louis More about this country

Morocco's long struggle for independence from France ended in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier was turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 1997. 

Location: located in Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara

Area: Area: It is slightly larger than California and

Border countries: Algeria , Western Sahara**, Spain.

Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%

Religion: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%

Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy

Capital: Rabat  More about this country

Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large-scale emigration by whites, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development.

Location: Southern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania.

Area: slightly less than twice the size of California. 

Border countries: Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Ethnic groups: Indigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Shangaan, Chokwe, Manyika, Sena, Makua, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%

Religion: Indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%

Languages: Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects.

Capital: Maputo More about this country

South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Independence came in 1990. first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namibia Desert coastal strip.

Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa.

Area: Slightly more than half the size of Alaska

Border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km.

Ethnic groups: : black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%. Note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%.

Religion: Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20% . 

Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 450 of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama  

Capital: Windhoek More about this country

Not until 1993, 35 years after independence from France, did Niger hold its first free and open elections. A 1995 peace accord ended a five-year Tuareg insurgency in the north. Niger is one of the hottest countries in the world: northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture. Climate desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south 

Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria.

Area: Slightly less than twice the size of Texas.

Border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km

Ethnic groups: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 1,200 French expatriates

Religion: Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christian

Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Capital: Niamey  More about this country

Nigeria, which is Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and politically influential:   Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon.        

Area: It is slightly more than twice the size of California.

Border countries: Benin, Cameroon, Chad , Niger

Ethnic groups: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%

Religion: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%

Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani

Capital: Abuja; note - on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially transferred from Lagos to Abuja; most federal government offices have now made the move to Abuja. More about this country

Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government installed in 1992.

Location: Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon

Area: slightly smaller than Montana.

Border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon 1,903 km

Ethnic groups: Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%
note: Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French, before the 1997 civil war; may be half that in 1998, following the widespread destruction of foreign businesses in 1997

Religion: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%

Languages: French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)

Capital: Brazzaville More about this country

In 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. Over the next several years thousands of Tutsis were killed, and some 150,000 driven into exile in neighboring countries. The children of these exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front and began a civil war in 1990. The war, along with several political and economic upheavals, exacerbated ethnic tensions culminating in April 1994 in the genocide of roughly 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The Tutsi rebels defeated the Hutu regime and ended the killing in July 1994, but approximately 2 million Hutu refugees - many fearing Tutsi retribution - fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zaire. Since then most of the refugees have returned to Rwanda. Despite substantial international assistance and political reforms - including Rwanda's first local elections in March 1999 - the country continues to struggle to boost investment and agricultural output and to foster reconciliation.

Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Area: slightly smaller than Maryland.

Border countries: Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169

Ethnic groups: Hutu 84%, Tutsi 15%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1%

Religion: Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001)

Languages: Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers

Capital: Kigali More about this country

Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon.                                                                                                                                                                                 

Location: Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon

Area: more than five times the size of Washington, DC

Border countries: more than five times the size of Washington, DC

Ethnic groups: mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese).

Religion: Christian 80% (Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist)

Languages: Portuguese (official).

Capital: Sao Tome More about this country

Independent from France in 1960, Senegal is slightly smaller than South Dakota. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping. Iles of ghorrea is one of the most visited site in west

Location: It is located in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania.

Area: Slightly smaller than South Dakota.

Border countries: The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau 338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km.

Ethnic groups: Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4% .

Religion: Muslim 94%, indigenous beliefs 1%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic)

Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka

Capital: Dakar   More about this country

 A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993.

Location: Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar.

Area: 2.5 times the size of Washington

Border countries: None

Ethnic groups: mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab.

Religion: Roman Catholic 86.6%, Anglican 6.8%, other Christian 2.5%, other 4.1%

Languages: English (official), French (official), Creole

Capital: Victoria  More about this country

Independence: 27 April 1961 (from UK).

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia. 

Area : slightly smaller than South Carolina.

Border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km 

Ethnic groups: 20 native African tribes 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole (Krio) 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century), refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians

Religion: Muslim 450, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%

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%)

Capital: Freetown  More about this country

Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English The SIAD BARRE regime was ousted in January 1991; turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy have followed for eleven years. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool. Although not recognized by any government, this entity has maintained a stable existence, aided by the overwhelming dominance of a ruling clan and economic infrastructure left behind by British, Russian, and American military assistance programs.

Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia.

slightly smaller than Texas.

Border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km

Religion: Sunni Muslim

Ethnic groups: Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000)

Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English

After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule.South African has 9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West, Northern Cape, Western Cape

Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa

Area: Slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Border countries: Botswana, Lesotho  Mozambique Namibia,  Swaziland, Zimbabwe

Ethnic groups:black 75.2%, white 13.6%, Colored 8.6%, Indian 2.6%

Religion:Christian 68% (includes most whites and Coloreds, about 450 of blacks and about 40% of Indians), Muslim 2%, Hindu 1.5% (450 of Indians), indigenous beliefs and animist 28.5%.

Languages: 11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu

Capital: Pretoria; note - Cape Town is the legislative center and Bloemfontein the judicial center More about this country

Military dictatorships favoring an Islamic-oriented government have dominated national politics since independence from the UK in 1956. Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war for all but 10 years of this period (1972-82).largest country in Africa; dominated by the Nile and its tributaries.

 Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea

Border countries: Central African Republic 1,165 km, Chad 1,360 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 628 km, Egypt 1,273 km, Eritrea 605 km, Ethiopia 1,606 km, Kenya 232 km, Libya 383 km, Uganda 435 km

Area: it is slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US

Religion: Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), indigenous beliefs 25%, Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum)

Ethnic groups:  black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1%

Languages: Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English  note: program of     "Arabization" in process Khartoum

Capital: Khartoum More about this country

Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s have pressured the monarchy (one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy.

Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa

slightly smaller than New Jersey.

Border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km

Religion: Zionist (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship) 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish and other 30%

 Ethnic groups: African 97%, European 3%

Languages: English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)

Capital: : Mbabane  More about this country

Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania Shortly after independence, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the nation of Tanzania in 1964. Kilimanjaro 5,895 m is highest point in Africa ; bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest  Tanzania.

Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique.

Border countries: Burundi 451 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 459 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km

Area: Slightly larger than twice the size of California.

Ethnic groups: mainland - native African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, native African, mixed Arab and native African

Religion: Mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim

Languages:Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguju (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages
note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources, including Arabic and English, and it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages

Capital: Dar es Salaam; note - legislative offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital; the National Assembly now meets there on regular basis. More about this country

French Togoland became Togo in 1960. General Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, is Africa's longest-serving head of state.

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana.

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km.

Religion: indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 29%, Muslim   20%?

Ethnic groups: Native African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%

Languages: French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)

 Capital: Lome More about this country

Following independence from France in 1956, President Habib BOURGUIBA established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to diffuse rising pressure for a more open political society.

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya

Area: slightly larger than Georgia

Border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459

Ethnic groups: Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Religion: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Languages: Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)

Capital: Tunis More about this country

Uganda achieved independence from the UK in 1962 .                                                                                                                                             

Location: Eastern Africa, west of Kenya

Area: slightly smaller than Oregon

Border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 765 km, Kenya 933 km, Rwanda 169 km, Sudan 435 km, Tanzania 396 km

Ethnic groups: Ethnic groups:   Baganda 17%, Ankole 8%, Basoga 8%, Iteso 8%, Bakiga 7%, Langi 6%, Rwanda 6%, Bagisu 5%, Acholi 4%, Lugbara 4%, Batoro 3%, Bunyoro 3%, Alur 2%, Bagwere 2%, Bakonjo 2%, Jopodhola 2%, Karamojong 2%, Rundi 2%, non-African (European, Asian, Arab) 1%, other 8%

Religion: Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Muslim 16%, indigenous beliefs 18%

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

Capital: Kampala  More about this country

Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 cease-fire; a referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco

Area: about the size of Colorado

Border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443

Ethnic groups: Arab, Berber

Religion: Muslim

Languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic

Capital: none  More about this country

The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule,

Location : Southern Africa, east of Angola

Area: Slightly larger than Texas

Border countries: Angola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km

Ethnic groups: African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2%

Religion: Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous beliefs 1%

Languages: English (official), major vernaculars - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages

Capital: Lusaka   More about this country

The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence

Location: Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia

Area: Slightly larger than Montana

Border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km

Ethnic groups: African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1%

Religion: syncretism (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%

Languages: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects

Capital: Harare  More about this country