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Africa is the second largest continent in the
world and it is a continent that is unique for
its diversity of environment, people, and
culture. Africa is geographically divided into
two parts: the Sahara desert that extends right
up to the Mediterranean Sea comprising countries
such as Egypt, Libya and Algeria, and the larger
sub-Saharan region which extends to the coast of
South Africa comprising countries like the
Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and
Sudan. As with its diverse environment, the
people also live in diverse conditions. There
are huge spectacular nature reserves with varied
wildlife and there are also extremely urbanised
regions with large cities that contain
fascinating skyscrapers and contemporary
facilities. There are people who are extremely
poor and there are people who are extremely
rich. There are regions that suffer from severe
droughts and famine and there are regions where
food is plentiful. Visiting Africa will
definitely open one's eyes to the varied world
of this land mass and its people.
The population of the African continent is
rapidly
increasing despite making up merely 10 percent
of the world's population. In some parts of
Africa as in the Sahara Desert, which makes up
one-fourth of Africa's land mass and which is
unsuitable for habitation, the population
density is low. In other parts of Africa, in
particular the less developed countries, despite
the birth rate being high, the infant mortality
rate and the death rate are also high. Over the
last few decades, famine, disease, and war have
also taken their toll on the people and this has
affected the continent's population growth. In
the more affluent African countries that are
faring well economically, the birth and death
rates are lower thus bringing about a higher
population density. This population density
appears to be similar to the world's population
average in areas that support agriculture.
Currently, the continent as a whole, has a
population growth rate of 3 percent.
The inhabitants of Africa belong to various
ethnic groups with their own distinct languages,
traditions, arts and crafts, history, way of
life, and religion. Thus, the people from
diverse ethnic groups in Africa help to
influence, contribute to and
enrich one
other's culture. There are more than 50
countries in Africa with some 20 or more
different ethnic groups living within their
boundaries. There are also different ethnic
groups living in rural Africa with their own
traditions and lifestyles that have remained
virtually unchanged for centuries. They have
lived the way of their forefathers from
generation to generation. Their rich cultural
heritage is preserved and untouched by the
outside world. The people of Africa are mainly
of African origin. Some are of Arab origin when
their ancestors migrated from their native land
and resided in northern Africa. Some others are
of European origin whose ancestors moved to
Africa during the colonial period. And some are
Asians originating from the Indian subcontinent.
Some of the well known ethnic groups in Africa
are the Ashanti, Bantu, Bushmen, Dinka, Fulani,
Ganda, Hottentot, Kikuyu, Luba, Moors, Nuer,
Pygmies, Semites, Swahili, Tuareg, Xhosa, and
Yoruba.
Like the rest of the world, Africa is rapidly
urbanising.
Even though most of the people live in rural
areas, its cities are occupied by more than a
third of Africans. They lead a modern lifestyle
just as those living in other cities around the
world. Modern amenities such as transportation,
electricity, telecommunications, computer
technology and opportunities for acquiring
quality education are available for city
dwellers.
However, amenities are not as abundant for
Africans who have settled in smaller townships.
For example, resources
provided in schools are limited. Job
opportunities are also not as varied as in the
big cities. The people are mainly involved in
the service or manufacturing sectors. In terms
of technology that is available, it is much less
advanced.
Various languages are spoken across the
continent. In the northern part, Arabic and
Berber are the two most commonly used. The
former originated from Egypt and Sudan, while
the latter was from Morocco and Algeria. Since
there are many sub-Saharan languages, they are
grouped as language families. Among the larger
ones are Bantu which is spoken in the central
and southern African countries; Kordofanian, in
areas between North Africa and Bantu; and
Khoisan in the south-western part of Africa.
In most parts of Africa, getting clean water
is difficult and this includes areas outside the
sub-Saharan region. Despite major rivers
crossing the continent and providing fresh
water, the population mainly concentrates along
the coastal areas. Water crises and unsanitary
water supply have contributed to the high death
toll among Africans, especially among infants
and young children, due to disease spread
through contaminated water. Furthermore, the
sewage treatment systems are not
adequate. A
simple act of boiling water is also not always
possible since fuel is not easily available. |
