GLOBAL CULTURE AND TOURISM GEOGRAPHY (TPC 9)

GROUP 9: WEST AND SOUTH AFRICA

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HABARI ZA MCHANA! (Good Afternoon)

DID YOU KNOW???

Africa = Alkebulan is the original ancient name which means “mother of

mankind,” or according to other sources, “the garden of Eden.” Alkebulan is an
extremely old word, and its origins are indigenous. Africa is one of the seven (7)
continents in the world, which is considered as the world's second-largest and
second-most populous continent, after Asia. Due to its richness in mystery which
holds a lot of secrets about its people and culture.

WEST AND SOUTH AFRICA

The West and South Africa are two section nor part of the continent of Africa.
The West Africa is composed of sixteen (16) countries, while the South Africa is
composed of five (5) countries.

Sanibonani (Hello everyone!).

WESTERN AFRICA

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
 Source: https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/west-africa-map.htm

By convention, the West Africa is the western part of Africa, bounded in the west
by the Atlantic Ocean, in the south by the Gulf of Guinea, and in the north of the Sahara
and the Sahel, a beltlike semiarid transition zone between the Sahara desert and the
Sudanian Savanna.

The United Nations (UN) classification of geographical regions lists the following
countries belonging to Western Africa. There are seventeen (17) countries and one
British Overseas Territory in West Africa:

Benin, Burkina Faso, the island nation of Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), The
Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, (Mauritania), Niger, Nigeria,
Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Togo, and the United Kingdom
Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha, several islands
scattered in the South Atlantic Ocean.
 Country Name Capital Population (in M)
Currency
Benin Porto-Novo 10.9 West African CFA
Franc
Burkina Faso Ouagadougou 18.7 West African CFA
Franc
Cape Verde Praia 0.5 Cape Verdean Escudo
Gambia Banjul 2,0 Dalasi
Ghana Accra 28.2 Ghanaian Cedi
Guinea Conakry 12.4 Guinean Franc
Guinea-Bissau Bissau 1.8 West African CFA
Franc
Ivory Coast Yamoussoukro 23.7 West African CFA
Franc
Liberia Monrovia 4.6 Liberian Dollar / US
Dollar
Mali Bamako 18,0 West African CFA
Franc
Mauritania Nouakchott 4.3 Mauritanian Ouguiya
Niger Niamey 20.7 West African CFA
Franc
Nigeria Abuja 186,0 Nigerian Naira
Senegal Dakar 15,0 West African CFA
Franc
Sierra Leone Freetown 7.4 Sierra Leonean Leone
Togo Lomé 7.6 West African CFA
Franc
WEST AFRICA’S COUNTRY’S DETAILS

Source: https://197travelstamps.com/list-of-west-african-countries-and-capitals/

The West Africa has sixteen (16) countries with a total population over 360
million. Nigeria is one of the country that populates more than the other fifteen (15)
countries. Due to the reason that the growth of early marriages, high birth rates, low
death rates and a lack of family planning access arise.

 Nigeria is the world's sixth largest country in the world in terms of population and
also one of the fastest growing population.
 Nigeria is about 8 times bigger than New York. The New York is
approximately 122,283 sq km, while the Nigeria is measured with approximately
 923,768 sq km, making Nigeria 655% larger than New York. Meanwhile, the
interment of the population of New York is ~19.4 million people (194.7 million
more people live in Nigeria).
 Nigeria is about 3.8 times bigger than the United Kingdom. The United
Kingdom is approximately measured 243,610 sq km, while Nigeria is
approximately 923,768 sq km, making the country of Nigeria 279% larger than
the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the population of the United Kingdom is ~65.8
million people (148.3 million more people live in Nigeria).
 Government policy: Some mentioned that this encouraged families to have at
most four children. Nigeria launched a policy of four children per woman in 1988
to stem population growth.

WEST AFRICA’S CULTURE

1. Always use your right hand to give

and receive items, and to eat. In this
culture, your left hand is considered your
'toilet hand'. It is a common practice to
give money with your right hand while at
the same time receiving small purchases
in the same hand.

2. The West African handshake

is where the middle finger snaps
the middle finger of the person
you are shaking. The louder the
snap, the better, and it is
acceptable to try the snap a
second time if you miss it.

3. You should not be wasteful. Africa is

a land where every little thing has
value. Your guide will never ask you for
 anything, but throwing away just a piece of paper that has a blank side would be
a painful sight for him to see.

4. Direct, “let’s get to business”

conversation is considered
rude. Always exchange
pleasantries and inquire about
family before beginning to
transact any business. Even if
you are just purchasing an
orange.

5. Try not to smoke in public. While you will see

smoking at some drinking establishments and
restaurants, and foreigners are mostly forgiven,
Ghana is mostly a smoke-free country.

WEST AFRICA’S TOP DELICACIES

The West Africa is known for its delectable Moorish flavors, rich textures and
surprisingly healthy fruit and vegetable bases, West African food is being increasingly
appreciated by visitors to the region and beyond. From Cape Verde to Cameroon, and
all of West Africa in between, here are some of the tastiest dishes you must try.

Egusisoup from Nigeria

Made from melon seeds rich in fat

and protein that have been dried and
ground up, this soup or stew typically
contains leafy vegetables, meat or fish.
Popular among the Ibo people of Nigeria,
variations of this rich stew can be found all over West Africa. In Nigeria, it’s usually
eaten with pounded yam.

Thieboudienne from Senegal

This traditional dish is made from

rice, fish and tomato sauce and is
flavored with spiced onions, carrots,
cabbage, cassava and peanut oil.
Interestingly, a dish from the American
deep south called Savannah red rice is
very similar – many believe it was taken
to the new world from here and adapted
by the Creole people.

Moin Moin from Nigeria

Moin Moin is a steamed bean

pudding made from black-eyed peas,
onions and a combination of freshly
ground peppers. It is a fairly versatile
dish and some add smoked fish, corned
beef or boiled eggs to add to the flavor. It
can be eaten alone, with bread or with
rice.

Waakye from Ghana

The breakfast of champions, waakye is

a supremely popular morning meal in
Ghana but can be eaten throughout the
day. Filling and flavourful, it combines
beans, rice, moist gari (ground cassava),
stew and spaghetti (the only non-
Ghanaian part of the dish). It is usually
served with a choice of protein, so you
can choose from fish, meat or boiled
eggs. Kelewele (spiced plantain) and a vegetable salad are other extras that take
Waakye to a whole new level.

Cachupa from Cape Verde

This famous dish from the volcanic

archipelago is a stew of slow cooked
corn, cassava, sweet potato, fish or meat.
It is commonly referred to as the
country’s national dish and nine out of the
ten inhabited islands have their own
version of the cachupa.

Ndole from Cameroon

Ndole is an aromatic, flavourful dish

made of bitter leaves (cooked several times
to make them lose their bitterness), stewed
nuts, crushed spices and fish or beef. It is
usually eaten plantains, rice or potatoes.

Yassa from Senegal

This spicy, delicious dish

has a base of onions, garlic,
peppers and cabbage that is
topped with typically chicken
marinated with lemon and onions. A Senegalese staple, it is one of the most popular
food items in West Africa.

Kedjenou from the Ivory Coast

This popular Ivorian dish consists

of a spicy stew that is slow-cooked in
a terracotta pot over fire or coals.
Usually made with guinea fowl or
chicken, it adapts well to many
variations. Although it is traditionally
served with attieke (flaked cassava),
most other starches go well with it,
too.

Superkanja from Gambia

This is a Gambian okra stew

that packs a nutritional and
flavourful punch with its
combination of leafy greens, such
as spinach, collards, okra and
sweet potato leaves. Combined
with onions, chili peppers and fish
or meat, variations of this dish are
found all over West Africa, such as
the Ghanaian kontomire.

Eddoe soup from Liberia

Eddoe is a tropical root vegetable

similar to yams or sweet potato. This
fragrant and hearty soup is simmered
with delicate seasonings and a meat or
fish of choice.
Efo riro from Nigeria

Efo riro is a rich Yoruba dish

prepared with vegetables, fish, beans and
palm oil along with leafy greens. All these
ingredients make for a very hearty soup.

Jollof rice from the West African

region

For the sake of smooth-sailing

diplomatic relations, jollof rice is
ascribed to the whole region, although
fierce wars (of words, thankfully!) have
broken out to determine which nation
makes the best version of this spicy
tomato rice dish. It is evidently one of
the most popular West African dishes
and each country has its own version.
Furthermore, jollof rice have also
garnered international interest with
chefs, such as Jamie Oliver,
controversially including it in their
cookbooks.

Ogbono soup from Nigeria

The ogbono is an edible

mango-like fruit that bears the fat-
and protein-rich nuts used to make
this soup. This fruit acts as a
thickener and is combined with
water, palm oil, chilli peppers and
leafy vegetables such as bitter
leaf. A wide variety of meats, including chicken, crayfish, shrimp, beef or even goat, can
be added. It’s usually eaten with fufu, pounded yam or rice; if okra is added, the soup
gets a somewhat slimy texture.

Nkatenkwen from Ghana

This hearty and satisfying

Ghanaian stew combines the
richness of peanuts or groundnuts
with palm oil, tomatoes, mixed
chillies, onions, garlic, and meat or
fish. It is traditional ly eaten with fufu
but it can also be eaten by itself or
with rice.

SOUTH AFRICA

Consist of five (5) countries which are the Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia,
and South Africa. South Africa is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Many
people who have travelled all over the globe keeps coming back to South Africa
because of its natural beauty. There are many fun facts about South Africa that even
people who have lived in South Africa their entire lives may not know.
 FACTS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA

Table Mountain is one of the oldest

mountains on the planet.

Table Mountain is the most iconic landmark of

South Africa. It is also the country's most
photographed attraction and its famous cable
car took millions of people to its top. Table
Mountain has become the single most
welcoming icon to not only our people, but
travelers from all over the world.

The Lion, the cheetah and the wildebeest are three of the five fastest
animals in the world and they all live in
South Africa.

Wildebeest are Playful and Intelligent

Animals. Wildebeest like to graze around
during the day or night. They also like taking
naps, while some keep watch for potential
predators.
 South Africa is home to the
tallest animal in the world, the
giraffe.

Giraffe often rest while standing

up, but new research shows that
they lie down more often than
previously thought. When lying
down, they fold their legs under
their body, but mostly keeping their
necks held high.

SOUTH AFRICA’S CULTURE

African cultures can vary in their

expectations of dining etiquette – even
between how to sit at a table. For
example, in Zulu culture, it is polite to
announce your arrival by shouting from the
gate, but you must be seated by the host.
Alternatively, in the Sotho culture you should
immediately set yourself. Generally, you can
expect South Africans to be welcomed as
long as you are making an attempt to
understand the particular culture you are
in.While seated, do not point your feet
towards others or the food.

Leaving uneaten food on your plate

can be interpreted as a negative
reflection on the food or host. It is polite to
make a small compliment towards the end of
the meal on the hosts’ cooking and/or
hospitality. While a host may dismiss this
comment as unnecessary, it will be
appreciated. If eating at a restaurant,
generally the person who has invited the
other out to the restaurant will pay the bill.
 Gift giving is often centered
around religious holidays, such as
Christmas. In these circumstances,
presents are often practical and
conservative. Generally, well-
wrapped and nicely presented gifts
are likely to make good impressions
on a South African. Receivers
generally open gifts as soon as they
are presented. However, there are no
defined customs surrounding this.

Guests are expected to greet

everyone respectfully and
immediately upon arrival. It is polite
to remove your shoes before entering
most South African homes. Most South
Africans will not expect you to bring a
gift with you. However, it can be polite
to bring something to drink with you
(e.g. juice, wine, etc.) when visiting
white South African houses.

South Africans often accompany

their guests to the gate, car or
street when it is time for them to
leave. If you are staying overnight at
your host’s house, make an effort to
keep your personal space tidy and
offer to help with chores or cooking.
Be aware that even if you are told to
“stay as long as you like”, it is
important to not overstay your
welcome.
 Try not to admire any of the objects
in your South African host’s home
too much. Be aware that
complimenting an item in a South
African’s house repeatedly can make
them feel compelled to offer it to you as
a gift. A South African is likely to offer
the object out of politeness, even if the
item is something they wished to keep.
If they try to give it to you, insist that
you appreciate their gesture, but do not
want to take it. 

SOUTH AFRICA’S TOP DELICACIES

In South Africa, you'll find dishes influenced by the indigenous population, along
with the Dutch, French, Indians and Malaysians and as such it offers a vibrant cuisine
that's sure to excite the palate.

Biltong and Droewors

Dry curing was a method used to preserve meat by the indigenous tribes of
South Africa before fridges were invented. Usually made from beef or game, such as
springbok, biltong (a thinly sliced, air-dried meat) and droewors (an air-dried sausage)
are traditionally eaten as snacks. The
meat is cured in a mixture of vinegar, salt,
sugar and spices such as coriander and
pepper, then hung to dry. The finished
product is prized by health enthusiasts for
its high protein and low fat content.
Nowadays, biltong and droewors
producers often add flavourings such as
chilli or garlic to the meat and use a
variety of meats, such as ostrich and wild
boar.
Broewors

This is a traditional South

African sausage made from beef,
mixed with either pork or lamb and
a mixture of spices. Boerewors are
traditionally served in a coiled
shape, similar to the Cumberland
sausage and cooked on a braai
(barbecue). The word boerewors
comes from the Afrikaans and
Dutch words boer (farmer) and
wors (sausage).

Cape Malay Curry

In the 17th century, the Dutch and

French landed and settled in Cape Town,
bringing slaves from Indonesia, India and
Malaysia, along with their spices and
traditional cooking methods. When
combined with local produce, the aromatic
spices such as cinnamon, saffron, turmeric
and chilli created fragrant curries and stews,
which are still popular in the area today.

Chakalaka and Pap

Chakalaka and pap are

mainstays on every South African
dinner table. Chakalaka is a vegetable
dish made of onions, tomatoes,
peppers, carrots, beans and spices, and
is often served cold. Pap, meaning
'porridge', is similar to American grits
and is a starchy dish made from white
corn maize. Chakalaka and pap are
often served together, along with
braaied (barbecued) meat, breads, salad and stews.
Braai/Shisa Nyama

For a real taste of South Africa an authentic braai or shisa nyama ('burn the
meat' in Zulu) is an eating experience not to be missed. Braais originated in the
townships of Johannesburg,
with butchers who set up
barbecues in front of their
shops at weekends to grill
their meat and sell it on the
street. Nowadays, local
communities gather at braais
at the weekends to share
food. Pop along to soak up
the vibrant atmosphere,
listen to music and take your
pick from the meat on offer, usually comprising of beef, chicken, pork, lamb and vors
(sausages) – this is not an outing for vegetarians!

Bunny Chow

This street food of Durban has become

popular across South Africa and is now starting
to hit our food markets back in London.
Hollowed out loaves of bread, stuffed with spicy
curry were originally created by the immigrant
Indian community in the Natal area of Durban
and served to workers for lunch. Try chicken,
pork or vegetarian varieties containing lentils
and beans.

Melkert

Similar to the British custard tart or

Portuguese pasteis de nata, melktert consists
of a pastry case filled with milk, eggs and
sugar, which is usually thickened with flour.
The finished tart is traditionally dusted with
cinnamon. A real South African comfort food,
it is served as a dessert, and also available in
many bakeries.
 According to travelstartblog (2021), the West Africa is considered as a huge
territory featuring beautiful countries with several hundred million inhabitants. These
countries boast a rich history, beautiful scenery and friendly people. For many people,
visiting Africa is a once in a lifetime experience and making the most of this trip is a top
priority. Simply because West Africa is a truly unique place to explore endless
adventures, and of course, Nigerians can explore it without a visa! So if you are
preparing for a vacation to countries in West Africa soon, it’ll be discussed by the next
reporter later.

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to
him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
-Nelson Mandela
(country’s greatest and best – known leader)
*HERITAGE SITE IN WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Benin - La Porte du non route - The Door of No Return is a

memorial arch in Ouidah, Benin. The concrete and bronze
arch, which stands on the beach, is a memorial to the
enslaved Africans who were taken from the slave port of
Ouidah to the Americas.

Etoile Rouge - The Place de l’Etoile Rouge is a large crossroads, meeting point of five
routes. Built during the country's socialist era, Etoile
Rouge symbolizes the resistance of the local people.

Burkina Faso -

Ruins of Loropéni - * The dramatic and memorable

Ruins of Loropéni consist of imposing, tall, laterite stone
perimeter walls, up to six metres in height, surrounding a
large abandoned settlement.

Ancient Ferrous Metallurgy Sites of Burkina Faso- The

Ancient Ferrous Metallurgy Sites of Burkina Faso (French:
Sites de métallurgie ancienne du fer du Burkina Faso) are a
collection of ancient metallurgy sites across five locations in
the Nord and Centre-Nord regions of Burkina Faso, used to
extract iron from ore.
Cape verde -

* pedra lume salt crater - The Pedra de Lume crater is

around 900 m in radius and is an extinct volcano. The area
features salt evaporation ponds (name: Salinas de Pedra de
Lume)it was built over a natural salt lake that formed
through infiltration of water from the sea, since the base of
the crater is below the sea level, thus forming the lowest
point in Cape Verde. The salt extraction is currently inactive
since the 1990s.

*Chamine de chaves- Pitched 350 miles west of

Senegal, the Cape Verde islands are touted as an
alternative to the Caribbean. The ruins of this old
ceramic factory stand in the dunes along Praia de
Chaves on the western side of the Island of Boa Vista.

Cote d ivoire -

* Grand Bassam Historic Town - The first capital

of Côte d’Ivoire, the Historic Town of Grand-
Bassam, is an example of a late 19th- and early
20th-century colonial town planned with quarters
specializing in commerce, administration, housing
for Europeans and for Africans. It bears witness to
the complex social relations between Europeans
and Africans, and to the subsequent independence
movement.

* Sudanese style mosque - The Sudanese style

mosques in northern Côte d'Ivoire is a group of eight
mosques erected since the 17th century. The
mosques are built in mud brick masonry, with façades
reinforced with buttresses and strands. They are
mainly composed of a prayer room, to which is added
the mihrab located in the minaret tower.
Ghana -

* Elmina Castle -The Portuguese built the castle of St George El Mina in 1482, in a
region rich in gold and ivory resources. Elmina Castle is
one of West Africa’s oldest standing buildings; it means
‘the mine’ in Portuguese. It was also the first permanent
structure south of the Sahara built by the Europeans. The
dungeons are the most poignant a reminder of those dark
times.

- The castle served as an outpost for the Portuguese to trade their goods for slaves,
many thousands being kept in the dark, damp dungeons.
It was also heavily guarded against attacks by other
European empires that were keen on gaining its strategic
position, yet not so heavily guarded against less likely
inland attacks by the Africans.

* Fort Patience-Fort Patience, built on the apex of a promontory , overlooking a serene

beach and bay, is situated on the coastline of the Gulf of Guinea at Apam, in the Central
Region. The fort was constructed between 1697 and
1702 by the Dutch. Originally called Fort Lijdzaamheid
(‘Patience’ being the English translation), the fort was
built to secure Dutch trade lines, and to guard its
protectorate from its powerful British-controlled
neighbours, the Agona and the Fante ethnic groups

Guinea -

* Mount Nimba Reserve - The Mount Nimba range is

a transboundary reserve between Guinea, Côte
d'Ivoire and Liberia with an exceptional variety of
habitats and biodiversity. It rises abruptly above the
surrounding humid forest and savanna, covered by a
layer of dense cloud-forest below mountain-top
grasslands. The interlacing forest and grassland have a rich endemic flora and fauna,
including unique or charismatic species such as
viviparous toads and tool-using chimpanzees.
Some of the range is composed of high-grade
iron-ore. The Guinean and Ivorian portions of the
Reserve are classified as a World Heritage site.

* Grand Mosquée de Conakry - The Conakry Grand Mosque is a mosque in Conakry

located north of the Conakry Botanical Garden. The
mosque was built by Sékou Touré with funding from
King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. It is the largest mosque
in West Africa and the fifth in the world. Its four
minarets, covered in green tiles (the color of Islam)
can be seen from far away. Women must cover
themselves from head to foot before they can enter.
The mosque has 2,500 places on the upper level for
women and 10,000 below for men. The gardens of
the mosque contain the Camayanne Mausoleum, including Samouri Touré, Sékou
Touré and Alpha Yaya.

Guinea Bissau -

Fort James Island - The old Fort of James Island (re-named Kunta Kinteh Island in
Gambia) is located about 30 km upstream on the river and is home to the ruins which
once belonged to colonial Britain. This was the last
bit of African soil that many slaves saw before being
transported in the bowels of transatlantic slave
ships to the Americas.

* Old Presidential Palace - LOCATED IN THE

HEART OF the capital city of Bissau, the pink-
hued Presidential Palace has borne witness to much of the country’s history.
Portuguese colonizers originally built the palace. At the time, it was one of the largest
buildings in Bissau. But since Guinea-Bissau gained independence in 1974, the palace
has been the home of the country’s sitting president.

Mali - * Djenne Old Towns - Djenné (Bambara: ߋߣߣߋߖߘ tr.

Djenne; also known as Djénné, Jenné and Jenne) is a town
and an urban commune in the Inland Niger Delta region of central Mali. The town is the
administrative centre of the Djenné Cercle, one of the eight subdivisions of the Mopti
Region. The commune includes ten of the surrounding villages and in 2009 had a
population of 32,944. The town is famous for its distinctive adobe architecture, most
notably the Great Mosque which was built in 1907 on the site
of an earlier mosque. To the south of the town is Djenné-
Djenno, the site of one of the oldest known towns in sub-
Saharan Africa. Djenné together with Djenné-Djenno were
designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in
1988.

* Bandiagara Cliff and Land of the Dogons- The

Bandiagara Escarpment is a sandstone cliff in the Dogon country of Mali that rises
almost 1,640 feet (500 m) above the lower sandy flats to the south. It is approximately
100 miles (150 km) long. The Tellem people inhabited the escarpment until the fifteenth
century, and many structures remain from the Tellem period. The area is inhabited
today by the Dogon people. The Dogon have a strong sense of ethnic identity that
enabled them to largely resist Islamization, colonialization, and the slave trade. The
cliffs aided the Tellem by providing sanctuary into which they were able to retreat and
conceal themselves.

Mauritania -

*monolith of Ben amera -

Ben Amera is Africa's largest monolith[1] rising 633m (2027ft) above the desert floor. It's
the world's second largest[1] monolith only behind Uluru, in Australia. Ben Amera is
located in Mauritania, near the border with Western Sahara. It lies 4km north of the train
track where the famous Iron Ore Train travels between Nouâdibhou and Choûm.

*Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and

Oualata -

These four ancient towns, founded in the 11th and 12th

centuries, were originally built to serve the important
caravan trade routes that began crossing the Sahara.
They comprise outstanding examples of settlements
and were synonymous with cultural, social and economic life over numerous centuries.
These trading and religious centres became the home of Islamic culture.

Niger - W Bénin Niger National Park - W National Park is a transboundary protected

area and UNESCO World Heritage Site covering three countries:
Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The park is named for the shape
of the Niger River which represents the northern boundary of the
park in Niger. W lies within the Sudano-Sahelian bioregion and its
associated climate. The annual rainfall in the park is 700-900 mm, largely falling
between June and November, with the single dry season running from November to
May. The undulating plateau marks the end of the Atakora, or Togo, Mountain range.
The park is characterised by wooded savannah and
gallery forests in the south and open savannah with thorny
scrub in the north. Two large river systems, the Mékrou
and Alibori, drain into the park, which is part of the Niger
River basin.
Nigeria -

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Groves -

The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is a large cultural

landscape of undisturbed forest near the city of Osogbo in
southwestern Nigeria. Dedicated to Osun, the Yoruba
goddess of fertility, the area was established more than four centuries ago and is the
largest of the sacred groves that have survived to the present. The Osun River
meanders through the protected area, with sanctuaries and shrines erected along its
course

Ancient Walls of Kano and Associated Sites -

Ancient Kano City Wall is a 14km radius earth

structure, while associated sites are made up of these
features, Dala Hills, Kurmi Market and Emir's
Palace.The ancient Kano city walls were built in order
to provide security to the growing population. The
foundation for the construction of the wall was laid by
Sakri Gijimasu from 1095 - 1134 and was completed in
the middle of 14th Century during the reign of Zamnagawa. In the 16th century, the
walls were further extended to their present position. The gates are as old as the walls
and were used to control movement of people in and out of the city. Though, most of
them are largely in ruins.

Senegal -

* Senegambian stone circles - The Stone Circles of

Senegambia are found in a zone about 100 km wide and 350 km
long to the north of the Gambia River and include 1053 stone
circles with a total 28,931 monoliths. Four representative groups
of these circles have been selected for world heritage listing - at
two locations in The Gambia (Wassu and Kerbatch), with two in
Senegal (Sine Ngayène and Wanar). The four locations encompass 93 stone circles
and numerous tumuli and burial mounds. Their age and origins remain a mystery but a
limited amount of recent excavation work suggests that they date from between the 3rd
century BC and 16th century AD. Thus they pre-date the current inhabitants of the
area, the Manding people, who only arrived later. This is one of only three trans-
boundary world heritage properties in Africa.

*Delta du Saloum National Park -

Saloum Delta National Park or Parc National du Delta du Saloum in Senegal, is a

76,000-hectare (190,000-acre) national park. Established in 1976, it is situated within
the Saloum Delta at the juncture of the Saloum River and the North Atlantic.

Sierra Leone -

* The Martello Tower - https://www.visitsierraleone.org/the-martello-

tower/

Due to frequent attacks on Freetown in the 19th century

by the Temne under the leadership of King Tom, the
government became nervy about future attacks on the
colony. The governor of the day instructed that a Martello
Tower be built on the top of Tower Hill as a defence
mechanism. Similar structures were a defence
mechanism of the period it has counterparts along the south coast of England.

This huge round tower complete with guns and armoury was finished in 1805 starting a
long association with Tower Hill and the military. However, it is reported that it was
never used in battle and in a couple of decades it was in
ruins. A water tank was built inside the base and served as
part of the earliest water system supplying pipe born water
to the city around 1870. This tower is in need of
refurbishment and is located next to the houses of
parliament. A trip up the hill confirms why this would be a
strategic position for the military with some of the most
magnificent views of Freetown on offer.
* The Gateway to the Old King’s Yard - The King's Yard was a facility developed in
Freetown, Sierra Leone, in which newly liberated Africans were taken after being
dropped off in the colony from ships captured by the West Africa Squadron. This fleet
had established by the Royal Navy in 1808 as part of the suppression of the slave trade.
Parliament passed the Slave Trade Act of 1807, which led to the blockade of Africa.
Although initially limited to British ships, it was extended through a series of treaties to
encompass other ships under the jurisdiction of Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands.[1]
In the King's Yard the slaves were processed and given medical treatment, leading to
the yard being referred to as an asylum.

Togo -

*tamberma village - The Tamberma, a group belonging to the Batammariba, occupy the
Koutammakou area, located in the North-Eastern part of Togo, bordering on Benin; the
valley, named after this people, has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List
in 2004 because of the way this population lives in harmony with
its territory and the typical fortified houses they build .

The fortress houses, typical of the Tamberma Valley, the

Takyenta, represent one of the most important examples of
traditional African architecture; they are admirably built with the
use of mud, branches and straw and they resemble a little the European medieval
castles, due to the sloping roofed turrets.

* koutammakou -Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba

is a cultural landscape designated in 2004 as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in northern Togo.[1] The area features traditional
mud tower-houses which remain the preferred style of living.
The traditional mud houses are known as a national symbol
of Togo. Many of the mud houses have two floors and some
of them have a flat roof.
* HERITAGE SITE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Botswana -

*okavango delta - The Okavango Delta is a unique pulsing wetland. More correctly an
alluvial fan, the delta covers between 6 and 15 000 square kilometres of Kalahari Desert
in northern Botswana and owes its existence to the Okavango (Kavango) River which
flows from the Angolan highlands, across Namibia’s Caprivi Strip and into the harsh
Kalahari Desert.

* tsodillo hills-

Tsodilo Hills in Botswana is a rare and unique place with an atmosphere of intrigue and
mystery. The word Tsodilo is derived from the Hambukushu word 'sorile' which means
sheer. It is believed to be the site of first Creation by the
Bushmen who painted more than 3500 rock paintings
against the magnificent stone faces of the hills. Some of
the paintings date back to around 800 to 1300 AD.
Perhaps that is why the site is held sacred by the locals.

Eswatini -

Mantenga reserve-
https://www.thekingdomofeswatini.com/central-eswatini/mantenga-reserve-village-falls/

Mantenga is an Eswatini National Trust Commission property and one of Eswatini’s

(Swaziland’s) top tourist attractions. It centres upon the picturesque Mantenga Falls and
incorporates a cultural village, where Swazi history, culture
and tradition are brought alive for visitors.

Lesotho -
* gate of paradise pass - This lovely gravel pass with its alluring name connects
Thabaneng in the west with Malealea in the east and
offers beautiful rural scenery in the western corner of the
Mountain Kingdom. At 3.7 km it's a fairly short pass by
Lesotho standards and only displays an altitude variance
of 120m, and all the corners are gentle as are the
gradients, which reach 1:5 near the summit and immediately after it.

Namibia -

*namib sand sea - The Namib Desert in southwestern

Africa is considered the oldest desert on Earth. It also
gives rise to some of the planet’s tallest dunes.

Many of the highest dunes are found within the Namib

Sand Sea, a section of the desert that spans 34,000
square kilometers (13,000 square miles) of coastal
Namibia. The sand sea and its dunes are visible in this
image, acquired on January 20, 2020, with the HawkEye
sensor on the SeaHawk CubeSat.

*twyfelfontein - Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes has one of the

largest concentrations of [...] petroglyphs, i.e. rock engravings in Africa. Most of these
well-preserved engravings represent rhinoceros, . The site also includes six
painteelephant, ostrich and giraffe, as well as drawings
of human and animal footprintsd rock shelters with motifs
of human figures in red ochre.

South Africa -

* vredefort dome -The Vredefort crater /ˈfrɪərdəfɔːrt/ is the largest

verified impact crater on Earth. It was 160–300 km (100–200 mi) across when it was
formed;[1][2] and what remains of it is in the present-day Free State province of South
Africa. It is named after the town of Vredefort, which is near its centre. Although the
crater itself has long since been eroded away, the remaining geological structures at its
centre are known as the Vredefort Dome or Vredefort impact structure. The crater is
calculated to be 2.023 billion years (± 4 million years) old, with impact being in the
Paleoproterozoic Era. It is the second-oldest known crater on Earth, after Yarrabubba
crater.

*Currencies of
West Africa
country

BENIN - West
African CFA franc

BURKINA FASO - West African CFA franc

CÔTE D'IVOIRE - West African CFA franc

GUINEA-BISSAU - West African CFA franc

MALI - West African CFA franc

SENEGAL - West African CFA franc

NIGER - West African CFA franc

TOGO - West African CFA franc

* The CFA franc was created on December 26, 1945, the date on which France ratified
the Bretton Woods Agreements and made its first declaration of parity to the
International Monetary Fund (IMF). At the time, the name meant "franc of the French
Colonies of Africa".

It was later known as the “franc of the African Financial Community” to the member
States of the West African Monetary Union (WAMU) and as the “franc of Financial
Cooperation in Central Africa” to the member countries of the Central African Monetary
Union (CAMU)
CAPE VERDE - Cabo Verdean escudo The escudo
is the currency of the Republic of Cape Verde.
Amounts are generally written by using the cifrão
as the decimal separator, such as 20$00 for 20
escudos, or 1.000$00 for 1000.

GAMBIA - Gambian dalasi The dalasi is the currency of the

Gambia that was adopted in
1971. It is subdivided into 100 bututs. It replaced the
Gambian pound at a rate of 1 pound = 5 dalasis, i.e. 1
dalasi = 0.2 pound = 4 shillings.

GHANA - Ghanaian
cedi GHC is the
abbreviation for the
Ghanaian cedi, the official currency of the Republic
of Ghana. The GHC debuted on July 1, 2007. The Ghanaian cedi may also use the
symbol GHS. As of mid-2020, one Ghanaian cedi equaled about 17 U.S. cents.
Alternatively, it took about 5.89 Ghanaian cedis to equal one U.S. dollar.1

The word "cedi" derives from the Akan word for cowry shell, once used as a medium of
exchange, store of wealth, and religious article until British colonizers demonetized it as
a form of currency in the early twentieth century.2 One cedi can be divided into 100
pesewas.
GUINEA - Guinean franc GNF is the currency
abbreviation for the Guinea franc, the national currency
of the Republic of Guinea, a country in West Africa.

The Republic of Guinea was formerly known as French

Guinea; today it is often referred to as Guinea-Conakry,
which refers to the name of its capital city to distinguish it
from its neighboring country Guinea-Bissau. As of May 2022,
US $1 is equal to roughly 8,810 GNF.

LIBERIA - Liberian dollar The dollar has been the

currency of Liberia since 1943. It was also the country's
currency between 1847 and 1907. It is normally
abbreviated with the sign $, or alternatively L$ or LD$ to
distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies.
It is divided into 100 cents.

MAURITANIA - Mauritanian ouguiya MRO is an abbreviation seen in the foreign

exchange (forex) market for the Republic of Mauritania ouguiya
(sometimes also spelled as the ougiya). Locally, it is denoted by
'UM'.

One ouguiya divides into five khoums. It has the rare distinction
of being one of only two world currencies that are not divisible by
units of 10 or 100, the other being the Malagasy ariary, a currency found in Madagascar
NIGERIA - Nigerian naira NGN is the currency code for
the Nigerian naira, the official currency for the Federal
Republic of Nigeria. The Nigerian naira is made up of 100
kobos. As of December 2020, 1 U.S. dollar is equal to around 380 NGN

SIERRA LEONE - Sierra Leonean leone The Leone is the

official currency for Sierra Leone, formally known as the
Republic of Sierra Leone. The currency is illustrated by the
symbol Le and is partitioned into 100 cents. Small bank notes
such as Le10,000, Le 5,000, Le 2,000 and Le 1,000 are used by
residents. Coins are rarely used, but because they have so little
value.

*Currencies of South Africa

BOTSWANA - Botswana pula BWP is the ISO currency code for the official currency of
Botswana, the pula, and the symbol "P" represents it.1 The Bank of Botswana issues
and manages the pula. Pula means "rain" or "blessing" because rain is so scarce in
Botswana and is considered valuable. The pula is made
up of 100 thebe, which means "shield."
ESWATINI - Swazi lilangeni The Eswatini lilangeni (SZL) is the
national currency of the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly
known as Swaziland). One SZL is subdivided into 100
cents and issued by the Central Bank of Eswatini.
Foreign exchange markets abbreviate the currency as
SZL.1

The SZL is pegged to the South African Rand (ZAR). As of

January 2021,1 SZL (and 1 ZAR) is equal to roughly US $0.06.

LESOTHO - Lesotho loti The Lesotho loti (LSL) is the official currency of the Kingdom of
Lesotho. One loti can be subdivided into 100 units known as lisente.

LSL coins are issued in

denominations of 1, 2,
5, 10, 20 and 50
lisente, and 1, 2 and 5
loti. LSL banknotes are
issued in denominations of 10, 20,
50, 100 and 200 loti. The loti appears locally
with one of two alphabetical symbols: L for loti, or M for maloti, which is the plural form
of loti.

NAMIBIA - Namibian dollar The NAD (Namibian Dollar) is the national currency of
Namibia. It was introduced in September 1993, replacing the South African rand (ZAR),
which had been in use by the county since 1990.

Although the rand is no

longer the official
currency of Namibia, it is
still considered legal
tender in the country and can be easily exchanged for NADs at a rate of one ZAR per
NAD.

SOUTH AFRICA - South African rand The South African rand

(ZAR) is the national currency of the country of South Africa,
with the symbol ZAR being the currency abbreviation for the rand in foreign exchange
(forex) markets.

The South African rand is made up of 100 cents and is often presented with the symbol
R.1 The rand comes from the word "Witwatersrand," which means "white waters ridge."
Johannesburg, the location of a majority of South Africa's gold deposits, is located on
this ridge.

Tradition

BENIN - Artistic traditions in Benin are very old and are represented in practically every
village. Plastic art is the most prominent, as carved wooden masks representing images
and spirits of the departed are made and used in traditional ceremonies. Other artistic
items are bronze statuettes, pottery, appliquéd tapestries recounting the history of kings
of precolonial Dahomey, and fire engraving on wooden bowls, which often have
religious meaning. Probably the best-known art objects are the Yoruba wooden masks
called guelede from the region of Porto-Novo. Street musicians are found in various
neighbourhoods, and modern dance ensembles perform at clubs.

BURKINA FASO - the traditional and folk music of Burkina Faso is

known for its strong drumming tradition and balafon music. Balafon
is a traditional music instrument very similar to marimba. It is a
wooden xylophone. It is played there for many centuries and it was
used by griots. Griots were storytellers, historians and poets. They were part of oral
tradition and were keeping the history and culture through their folk music and songs.
This traditional music was also very popular in other West African countries like
Gambia, Mauritania, Guinea

CAPE VERDE - Across Cape Verde, wedding ceremony is not a usual event, as the
practice is not common. This hold to the fact that cohabitation between young couples is
prevalent in the country, such that they don’t always see making the union official as a
big deal. As interesting or appalling this might sound, Christian wedding is the most
popular form of marriage, as about 85% of Cape Verde people are Catholics.

Nevertheless, the recognized traditional dress of the country

is the panu di terra. After their independence in 1975, the
pánu di téra becomes the testament of the islands’ African
heritage, and also the symbol of Cape Verdean national
identity.

CÔTE D'IVOIRE -

Rituals and Holy Places - Collective ceremonies and rituals are important to many
indigenous religions, and include ceremonial dancing, ancestor worship sacrifices, mask
carving and ceremonies, fetish priest ceremonies, and divination ceremonies. To the
Akan, the most important of these is the yam festival, which serves as a memorial
service for the dead and asks for their protection in the future, is a time of thanksgiving
for good harvests, and is a ritual of purification that helps purge the group of evil
influences. Ivoirians conduct rites in a variety of sacred spaces, including a variety of
shrines dedicated to spirits, Christian and Roman Catholic churches, and mosques.
Missions with churches, schools, and seminaries appear throughout the country.
Yamoussoukro is home to the Grand Mosque and the
largest church in Africa, the Basilica of Our Lady of
Peace.

GAMBIA

Rite of passage - A person's life in Gambia is marked by

a series of African rites of passage or traditional rituals. These include the so called
naming ceremonies, male initiation and circumcision,
marriages and funerals. People of both the main faiths and all
ethnic groups more or less go through all the rituals. An
initiatory rite is a ritual marking the change of social or sexual
status of an individual, most generally puberty but also for
other events like the birth or the menopause.

GHANA - traditional clothing

Traditional clothing- Roots of Ghanaian fashion goes back to the

pre-colonial era. Traditional wooden looms of cotton and raffia
( traditional Palm tree fibre ) and wool are existing from those times.
And, they are still considered an important aspect of their fashion.
Kente, Kete and Gonja cloth are used in most of the traditional
ethnic clothes of Ghana.

GUINEA - traditional clothing

It is a predominately Muslim community. People in Guinea

dress similar to other countries in West Africa. The clothing
tends to be loose and conservative, though specific clothing
styles vary depending on ethnicity. Traditionally men wear
long loose gowns or robes over loose pants that are tapered
at the mid calf. Though now it is common to see men in long
pants and a t-shirt or light long sleeved shirt. Women wear
long dresses or loose tops with long skirts, often with colorful
patterns on them. It is common for women to wear a head
wrap and for men to wear a hat.

LIBERIA - traditional clothing

The country cloth is a hand sown clothing textile which is sown by Liberian country cloth
makers. Liberia like every other African country had their indigenous country clothes
which are sown with needles by men and women. They are sown and worn by elders,
paramount chiefs and public figures in the country. And
they do it as a way of reconnecting back to their roots
as Africans.

These traditional Liberian clothes stand out as one of

the Liberian identity and heritage and are widely
cherished by all and sundry. It is sold at a higher price
compared to other fabrics and used at traditional functions like weddings, elders
meetings, town hall meetings, to churches and other functions, it reflects the true way of
life of the Liberian society and it makes the people feel a mutual understanding and
identity as Africans.

MALI - traditional dance

Dogon dancers wear masks that are more than 10 feet (3 metres) tall to act out their
conception of the world’s progress, and Bambara animal-spirit masqueraders do a
fertility dance in which they imitate the movements of animals. Variants of these dances
are often evident in performances given by the country’s numerous dance troupes,
where traditional elements are adapted and combined to suit a tourist audience. Mali
also has a ballet troupe that performs throughout the world. Traditional music from
women of the southern area known as Wassoulou is
very popular. Several Malian musicians are
internationally known: Oumou Sangaré, Sali Sidibi, Ali
Farka Touré, Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam
Doumbia (who perform together as Amadou and
Mariam), and Salif Keita, a descendant of Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali
empire; their music combines elements of rock and roll with indigenous traditions. The
Tuareg group Tinariwen attracted a large following in the West with a unique electric-
guitar-driven sound that fans dubbed “desert blues

MAURITANIA - traditional clothing

The Mauritanian Traditional dress is consisted of light clothing to protect the people
against the sun and as well as the sand storms. The women traditional dress in
Mauritania is called “Melahfa”. The men traditional dress is called “Daraa” (or a
boubou), and they wear it with, sandals made from gazelle skin.
NIGER - traditional wedding

Traditional Yoruba weddings are large and lively with

anywhere between 200 to 1,000 guests in attendance.
These ceremonies are hosted by two MCs known as
alagas. They are usually older women and there’s one
from each side of the family. The alagas are boisterous,
charismatic characters that add humor to the day. They are accompanied by a talking
drummer for the entirety of the event, who pumps in additional vigor and excitement
with each beat.

NIGERIA - traditional clothing

the traditional dresses in Nigeria root back to ancients tribes

who lived here centuries ago, others were formed by the
influence of British, Portuguese and French colonizers (19-20th
centuries). Today many people in Nigeria use modern clothes, western style of attire.
But still there are a lot of Nigerians who prefer to wear the traditional dress of Nigeria in
everyday life.

SENEGAL - traditional dance

Senegal’s dance tradition encompasses social dances as well as dances of religious or

ritual nature, and as in other West African dance, influences from Islamic and, in the
20th century, European culture can be traced. The dances can be divided into collective
ring dances and distinct soloist dances. The dance is so-called
polycentric: the dancers use the whole body, but with
independent control of the different body parts. Body
movements are often combined with advanced footwork. The
men are usually the leading dancers, while the women appear
more laid back. Typical of a number of dances in this part of
West Africa is the use of dance masks. In the different parts of the country there are
local dance ceremonies, such as the annual Bugërëb in the Thiès region, where the
women gather in a week-long dance ritual, culminating in one of the participants being
crowned as “queen”; In Kédougou Province, the well-known Mereesx procession is held
in February, where women and men perform masks and dances.
SIERRA LEONE - traditional
wedding

In Sierra Leone culture, the

traditional wedding of the
country is as unique as every tribe composed in Sierra Leone.
Although the nation is multi-cultural, but there are some some shared similarities when it
comes to traditional nuptial between individuals and families.

TOGO - traditional clothing

Kente styles are indeed one of the most popular attires when African traditional wedding
styles are being said. Aside for its uniqueness and styles for engagement and bright
colors, Kente is widely the accepted traditional fabric for Togolese,
especially the Ewes.

Interestingly, Kente is a unisex attire, as both men and women

drape it in a different way. Men use it as an ancient Greek toga
across one shoulder and around the body. Women wear a two-
piece kente: one forms a wrap-around skirt (2 yards long and 45
inches wide piece of fabric) and another one is used as a shawl. A
plain-colored or wooly blouse is worn to complete the attire for the bride.

BOTSWANA - traditional dance

Tsutsube[pronunciation?] is a traditional dance and accompanying music[1] in

Botswana which is practiced by Basarwa or San people.[2] Tsutsube is performed in
four ritualistic categories or stages which are the first kill, puberty,
marriage and trance. According to the history, the first kill was for
males or boys, and trance dance was for healing purposes to engage
ancestors spirits.
ESWATINI - traditional wedding

A traditional Swazi wedding ceremony is called

umtsimba (Swazi: [umtsʼimɓa]), where the bride
commits herself to her new family for the rest of
her life.[1][2] The ceremony is a celebration that
includes members of both the bride's - and the
groom's - natal village. There are stages to the
wedding that stretch over a few days. Each
stage is significant, comprising symbolic gestures that have been passed on from
generation to generation.

LESOTHO - traditional attire

The traditional attire of the Basotho or Sotho people of Lesotho depends on the sex,
age and or occasion. One of the clothing materials that is generally worn by both
genders is the Seanamarena or Basotho blanket which is a native blanket that is put on
to keep warm.

NAMIBIA - traditional wedding

Kidnapping of the bride is a common Namibia wedding tradition.

Just before the ceremony, the bride is kidnapped and dressed in a
leather marriage headdress.

The bride and groom’s family exchange gifts of freshly slaughtered

meat during the evening parties. This practice ensures that the
meat consumed is always fresh. Note that the groom’s family will
also provide a goat for slaughter after the wedding ceremony.

SOUTH AFRICA - traditional wedding

A popular African wedding tradition especially in West Africa is to spray money on the
bride while she dances during the wedding ceremony. Of course, only crisp notes are
encouraged. Older guests are usually the ones throwing the money (but anyone can
participate) to show their happiness for the couple. It is also a basic show of
flamboyance and affluence, and a symbol of a prosperous future for the bride and
groom. The bridesmaids usually collect all of the thrown money. They later give it to the
newlyweds

Guinea bissau - traditional weaving

Guinea-Bissau boasts a strong tradition of weaving and tie-dyeing

colourful woven cottons. As the skillful hands of weavers work the
narrow strips of cloth, creative, geometric designs begin to emerge,
the more intricate of which are used only for special ceremonial
clothing. Styles and patterns, which identify specific ethnic groups,
may differ throughout the country, but the craft itself is an integral
part of the culture that all the tribes share. It is even featured on
Guinea-Bissau’s 1000-peso banknote, which shows a man weaving a pano de banda
(sash). Men and the older generation of both genders traditionally wear garments with a
length of fabric draped over one shoulder. Women often adapt the cloth to make skirts.
This block features a wonderful example of Guinean weaving in which the rich gold and
black fabric, contributed by Molly Kane, has been creatively folded to highlight its
elaborate patterns.

Group 9

West and South Africa

Tourist Attraction in West Africa

 BENIN,
PENDJARI NATIONAL PARK
-Is one of West Africa’s premier safari destinations. A wildlife-rich swath of land that lies
along Benin’s border with Burkina Faso and Niger, the park is both one of the top places to
visit in Benin and a highlight of travel to West Africa.

Pendjari spans an area of 4,800 square kilometers and is a primary component of the
transnational W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) complex. The WAP complex consists of Arli Park in Burkina
Faso, W National Park in Niger and Pendjari in Benin. It is the largest remaining intact
ecosystem in West Africa. 

The sprawling game park is famous for its diverse array of birdlife and large concentration of
endangered mammals. It is houses four of Africa’s big five—including buffalo, elephants, lions
and leopards. 

 BURKINA FASO,
MUSÉE NATIONAL DU BURKINA FASO

-The Musée National

Du Burkina Faso is
a cultural institution
located in
Ouagadougou , the
capital of Burkina
Faso built on a 29-hectare site located at the end of Charles-de-Gaulle Avenue, facing the
pediatric hospital of Ouagadougou. The purpose of the Museum is "to increase the knowledge,
understanding and appreciation of Burkinabé with respect to events, experiences, people and
objects that embody Burkinabe history and identity. they have shaped, as well as sensitize them
to the history of the world and to other cultures. "

The Musée National Du Burkina Faso, which dates back to 1962, enjoys general recognition as
an African Art museum center of excellence that brings together its expertise in the fields of
history, archeology, ethnology and studies. with other museums in Canada and abroad.

 CAPE VERDE,
SANTO ANTÃO CAPE VERDE

-Santo Antão Cape Verde is the most westerly of the Cape Verde Islands. It has precipitous
peaks, jaw-dropping ravines and tiny villages clinging to its mountainsides. The tallest
mountain is Tope de Cora, reaching a height of 1,979 m.

The northeast trade winds funnel up into the mountains creating a micro-climate rich in
vegetation. The landscape changes from brown and arid mountainous with green fertile valleys.
The views from the mountains are breathtaking and tiny villages appear deep below. The island
offers excellent hiking and walking opportunities. Cova, which is the caldera, or crater, is often
seen with cloud swirling over the ridges. It is worth visiting looking down in to crater you can
see the crops being grown within it.

 CÔTE D'IVOIRE,
BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF PEACE
-The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, also known as Yamoussoukro Basilica, is one of the largest
Catholic basilicas in the world and it is considered as a Catholic minor basilica that is
dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, located in the administrative capital of the Republic of
Côte d’Ivoire, Yamoussoukro.

Consecrated by the Pope John Paul II, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro is
nowadays a symbol of a lavish spending which doubled the national debt, nevertheless, it is still
considered by the many of the country’s Catholics as a great monument for which the Côte
d’Ivoire should be known for, instead of the more common unrest and civil wars.

 GAMBIA,
WASSU STONE CIRCLES
-The ancient Wassu Stone Circles, in Gambia, are located around Wassu in the
Central River Region and are believed to be burial mounds of Kings and chiefs in ancient
times over 1,200 years old and has been dated to between 750-1000 AD, and because of this
local legend has it that there is a curse on anyone who disturbs those laid to rest there. 

The stones sizes and circular shapes do vary from 10 to 20 stones with sizes from 4 to 6 meters
across. Though they were burial sites the stones themselves are of a younger age than the
graves. The average height of each stone column is 5 feet 9 inches. The 11 large concentration
of circles have puzzled many a traveler over the centuries and have been the subject of dozens
of archaeological excavations since the 1800s.

 GHANA,
ARTISTS ALLIANCE GALLERY

-The hugely respected Ghanaian artist Ablade Glover established this renowned arts venue,
which has become one of the most important of its kind in Ghana. There are three expansive
floors of art displayed in cool marble galleries. Some are by established artists, such as Owusu
Ankomah and George Hughes, whose paintings are reminiscent of Jean Michel Basquiat and
Willem De Kooning, while others are by new and upcoming artists like Ebenezer Borlabie.

Market, rural and urban scenes are interspersed with political satires – and naturally, there are
also the shrouded figures and staccatoed crowd scenes by Glover himself. There are collectors’
pieces too: Asafo flags with appliquéd and embroidered symbols; ancient strip-woven Kente
cloths by the Akan and Ewe; African masks of the type that inspired Picasso; and intricately
carved furniture. Also, on show are full-sized coffins in the shapes of crabs, running shoes and
eagles. Everything is for sale.

 GUINEA,
MASSIF DU ZIAMA

-The Ziama Massif is part of the Guinean Highlands region; elevations rise nearly 1,400 m
above sea level. This mountain range is characterized by rugged terrain with valleys, plateaus,
rocky peaks, cliffs, and granite outcrops. Mean annual precipitation varies from 1,700 mm to
2,000 mm.

The Ziama Massif was designated a forest reserve under French colonial rule in 1932, in an
effort to stop “savannization,” the perceived advance of the savanna from the north. After
independence, however, the new state-run economy put major emphasis on agricultural
development, with biodiversity conservation given very low priority. As a result, farmers
cultivated many of the protected areas established in the colonial period.

 GUINEA-BISSAU,
-The Orango National Park (PNO) is located in the south of the Bolama Bijagos archipelago in
Guinea Bissau, of which it represents one of the central zones of the Biosphere Reserve.

It was created in 2000 and stretches over 158,235 ha, including a maritime zone of 132,200 ha
and a wide expanse of mangrove over some 16,000 ha. The Park encompasses 5 inhabited islets
(Orango, Orangozinho, Meneque, Canogo and Imbone) and 3 islets (Adonga, Canoupa and
Anhatibe) that do not have a permanent human presence. The land part is dominated by palm
trees (Elaeis guineensis), a littoral shrubby savanna and intertidal sandbanks.

 LIBERIA,
LIBERIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM

The National Museum of Liberia is a national museum in Monrovia, Liberia. Initially housed in

the First Executive Mansion on Ashmun Street of the city which is now used as a library, it
was established by an Act of the National Legislature in 1958 under the administration of
Liberia's 18th President, Dr William V.S. Tubman. Partly funded by UNESCO,[1] in coordination
with the Department of Public instructions (what is now the Liberian Ministry of Education), its
primary goal was to obtain, preserve and display cultural artefacts and other historical items
which depict the country's heritage.

The museum remained under the Department of Public Instructions until 1965 when it became
the responsibility of the Department of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism. In 1981 this
detached to form the National Bureau of Culture & Tourism of which the museum operated
under through much of the 1980s until June 1987 when it was dissolved and returned to the
control of the Department of Information. In 1972, the museum was relocated to a new
building on Providence Island but four years later this building was removed to facilitate the
construction of the People's Bridge over the Mesurado River.
  MALI,
TOMB OF ASKIA

The Tomb of Askia is located in the town of

Gao. The site comprises the following elements: the pyramidal tower, the two flat-roofed
mosques, the necropolis and the white stone square. The spectacular pyramidal structure
was built by Askia Mohamed, Emperor of the Songhai Empire in 1495. The Tomb of Askia was
built when Gao became the capital of the Empire and Islam was adopted as the official
religion.

The Tomb of Askia is a magnificent example of how the local traditions have adapted to the
exigences of Islam in creating an architectural structure unique across the West African Sahel.
The Tomb is the most important and best conserved vestige of the powerful and rich Songhai
Empire that extended through West Africa in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its value is also
invested in its architectural tomb/minaret shape, its prayer rooms, its cemetery and its
assembly space that have survived and are still in use.

 MAURITANIA,
CHINGUETTI
-These four ancient towns, founded in the 11th and 12th centuries, were originally built to
serve the important caravan trade routes that began crossing the Sahara. They comprise
outstanding examples of settlements and were synonymous with cultural, social and
economic life over numerous centuries.  These trading and religious centres became the
home of Islamic culture.  

Developed between the 12th and 16th centuries, the towns constitute a series of stages along
the trans-Saharan trade route with a remarkably well-preserved urban fabric, and houses with
patios densely-packed into narrow streets around a mosque with a square minaret.  They bear
witness to a traditional lifestyle, centred on the nomadic culture of the populations of Western
Sahara. 

 NIGER,
GRAND MOSQUE OF NIAMEY

-Grand Mosque of Niamey is an Islamic mosque located in the capital city Niamey of the
Republic of Niger. It is the largest mosque in the city, which is located along the Islam Avenue
and it is one of the most important city landmarks. The mosque has been built in the 1970s
with complete funding of the Libyan government and with the full support of the late Libyan
leader Gadaffi. He has built the most impressive, and the most dignified structure that there is
in the capital Niamey.

It is a beaming adobe with a prism of latticed archways capped with a brilliant green dome,
glittering and unscathed after decades under the Sahelian sunlight and dust. As it dominates a
vast open expanse, it is one of the very few important buildings that are not behind a high wall
or a security cordon. There is a minaret which can be accessed too with 171 steps, from where
you can have a really nice overview of Niamey’s skyline. Like or dislike Gadaffi, this mosque
definitely is one of the most interesting that could be seen throughout Africa.

 NIGERIA,
ZUMA ROCK

-Standing at about 300 meters (980 feet) above the ground, Zuma Rock is one of the highest
and largest monoliths in the world. The natural monolith is located in the western part
of Nigeria, near the capital city of Abuja.

The rock was found in the 15th century by the Zuba people of Niger State, who called it zumwa,
which could translate to “a place of guinea fowls,” due to their abundance around the rock. The
Zuba people settled around the rock and came to see it as a spiritual guide, making sacrifices to
the rock to keep them safe from harm. Because the landmark offered a clear view of the
surrounding landscape, it was also used as a defensive position from other invading tribes.
  SENEGAL,
AFRICAN RENAISSANCE MONUMENT

-Renaissance Monument is a towering piece of brutal Stalinist machismo that is intended to

celebrate the achievements of the African people but will likely be better remembered for
the corruption and unpopular alliances that led to its construction.

The monument, which sits atop a hill surrounded by trash heaps and unfinished homes, depicts
a man, woman, and child who are ostensibly meant to be African yet look glaringly like chiseled
Soviet caricatures. The statue would not be quite so alarming if it were not for its sheer size,
topping out at over 160 feet of bronze nationalism or a little more than half the height of the
Statue of Liberty. This makes it the tallest statue in Africa.

 SIERRA LEONE,
LAKKA BEACH RESORT
-Lakka Beach is located 15 miles from Freetown and is easily accessible by road, yet it is
completely free of the hustle and bustle that characterizes the capital city of Sierra Leone.

Lakka Beach Resort is a small island resort in Sierra Leone, set on the most beautiful Atlantic
coastline with bar and restaurant facilities. Lakka Beach resort is the perfect location for a
family holiday. For those whose work brings them to Sierra Leone it provides a haven to recoup
from their business pressures. If you are looking for a unique experience in a stunning location,
then the Island is the perfect holiday destination for you. What could be more romantic than
watching the sunrise over Africa and set over the Atlantic Ocean.

 TOGO.
KOUTAMMAKOU

-Koutammakou is the name of a large semi-mountainous region located in north-eastern

Togo and which extends into neighboring Benin. Koutammakou of Togo covers approximately
50 000 ha and joins the border of Benin for 15 km. This living cultural landscape is inhabited
by the Batammariba people, whose remarkable earth tower houses, called “takienta”, have
become a symbol of Togo.

Koutammakou is an outstanding example of territorial occupation by a people in constant

search of harmony between man and the surrounding nature. However, the Koutammakou
cultural landscape possesses a particular characteristic.  Indeed, the “takienta”, a basic family
dwelling where technical, utilitarian and symbolic elements are combined, is unique. Although
many dwellings of the region possess fairly strong symbolic dimensions, none possess such a
close interrelationship between symbolism, function and technique.  
Tourist Attraction in South Africa

 BOTSWANA,
OKAVANGO DELTA

-The Okavango Delta is a large low gradient alluvial fan or ‘Inland Delta’ located in north-
western Botswana. The area includes permanent swamps which cover approximately 600,000
ha along with up to 1.2m ha of seasonally flooded grassland. The inscribed World Heritage
property encompasses an area of 2,023,590 ha with a buffer zone of 2,286,630 ha. The
Okavango Delta is one of a very few large inland delta systems without an outlet to the sea,
known as an endorheic delta, its waters drain instead into the desert sands of the Kalahari
Basin. It is Africa’s third largest alluvial fan and the continent’s largest endorheic delta.
Furthermore, it is in a near pristine state being a largely untransformed wetland system. The
biota has uniquely adapted their growth and reproductive behavior, particularly the flooded
grassland biota, to be timed with the arrival of floodwater in the dry, winter season of
Botswana.
  ESWATINI,
MANTENGA CULTURAL VILLAGE 

-The cultural village is a living museum of old traditions and represents a classical Swazi
lifestyle during the 1850's. The Mantenga Cultural Village is a mini complex of sixteen huts,
each with its own specific purpose, kraals and byres for cattle and goats, reed fences that
serve as windbreaks, and various other structures. With the traditional artifacts on display, the
village illustrates many facets of the ancient Swazi way of life: social, economic and religious.

The objective of the cultural village is to enable visitors from all over the world as well as Swazis
from all corners of the country to visit it and to maintain a positive interest in the Swazi cultural
heritage, including language, customs and practices, rituals, dance, music, folklore, arts and
crafts.

 LESOTHO,
MALETSUNYANE FALLS
-The Maletsunyane waterfall is located a few kilometers from the village of Semenkong, in
Lesotho, a mountainous and enclave country within South Africa. Lesotho is the only state in
the world completely above 1000 meters, to be precise 80% it is located above 1800 meters.

With its 192 meters (630 feet), it is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Africa and the
among the highest single-drop falls, it plunges into the beautiful gorge below offering a
breathtaking view. If you are brave enough, you can tackle the abseiling. At 204 meters, this is
the longest rope descent in the world, entered into the Guinness World Records in October
2005.

 NAMIBIA,
SPITZKOPPE

-Spitzkoppe means ‘pointed dome’ in German, and this is a clear-cut description of this bald
granite inselberg found on the way to Swakopmund from Windhoek. The tallest peak, known
colloquially as the Matterhorn of Namibia, towers above this range, rising 1 784m above sea
level.

The Spitzkoppe was formed about 130 million years ago, when the great continent of
Gondwanaland split into the continents of Africa and South America. The resulting upheaval
caused volcanic activity throughout Namibia, forcing magma towards the surface of what is
now the Namib Desert. In 1896, a German trading post was built at the foot of this landmark.
Local legend has it that a soldier climbed to the top of the Spitzkoppe just before the start of
WWI, and is rumored to have disappeared in the process.

 SOUTH AFRICA,
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

-South Africa’s Kruger National Park is one of the world’s largest “big five” game reserves.
This frequently used description has its origins back in the days of the big game hunters when
those engaged in the so-called “sport” of killing large animals came to regard certain animals
as being particularly difficult to hunt on foot thereby making them highly prized as trophies.
These animals were the elephant, lion, rhinoceros, leopard and Cape buffalo. Visitors to the
Kruger National Park are likely to be able to see all of these magnificent animals but thankfully
today’s hunters invariably do their shooting using cameras rather than guns.

Language in West Africa

BENIN, Official language: French

BURKINA FASO, Official language: French

CAPE VERDE, Official language: Portuguese

CÔTE D'IVOIRE, Official language: French

GAMBIA, Official language: English

GHANA, Official language: English

GUINEA, Official language: French

GUINEA-BISSAU, Official language: Portuguese

LIBERIA, Official language: English

MALI, Official language: French

MAURITANIA, Official language: Arabic

NIGER, Official language: French

NIGERIA, Official language: English

SENEGAL, Official language: French

SIERRA LEONE, Official language: English

TOGO, Official language: French

Language un South Africa

BOTSWANA, Official language: English

ESWATINI, Official languages: Swati, English

LESOTHO, Official languages: Southern Sotho, English

NAMIBIA, Official language: English

SOUTH AFRICA, Official languages: Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu, Southern

Sotho, Venda, Tswana, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Ndebele

List of Countries in North and Region

West Africa

BENIN

Benin is located in West Africa and covers a land area Of 112,622 Sq. km. and constitutes a long stretch
of hand perpendicular to the Coast of the Gulf of Guinea. It is bordered on the North by Burkina Faso
and the Republic of Niger, on the East by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and on the West by the
Republic of Togo.

Benin can be divided into five natural regions: A coastal area, low, sandy and about 2 to 5 kilometers
wide, bounded by lagoons; A plateau zone called "La terre de barre" made of iron clay cut with marshy
dips; A silica clayey plateau with wooded savannah extending North of Abomey to the foothills of the
Atakora hills; - A hilly region in the Northwest, the Atakora, with elevation ranging from 500 to 800
metres and constituting the water reservoir for Benin and Niger Republics. Niger plains which are vast
fertile silica-clayey areas.

BURKINA FASO
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in western Africa partly in the Sahel (in north), with a population of
18.5 million (in 2015); capital city is Ouagadougou. With an area of 274,222 km² Burkina is more than
twice the size of Greece or slightly larger than the U.S. state of Colorado.

The regions are (capitals in parentheses):

Boucle du Mouhoun (Dédougou), Cascades (Banfora), Centre-Est (Tenkodogo), Centre-Nord (Kaya),

Centre-Ouest (Koudougou), Centre-Sud (Manga), Est (Fada N'gourma), Hauts-Bassins (Bobo Dioulasso),
Nord (Ouahigouya), Plateau-Central (Ziniaré), Sahel (Dori) and Sud-Ouest (Gaoua).

CAPE VERDE

(Portuguese: Cabo Verde, Kriolu: Kabu Verdi) is a country in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of western
Africa. It comprises a group of islands of the Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal. It is part of the region of
Islands collectively known as Macaronesia.

Cape Verde is an archipelago, and its islands are historically divided into two groups, or regions:

Barlavento (meaning literally Windward), including Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau,
Sal and Boa Vista, in the northern side.

Sotavento (meaning literally Leeward), including Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava, in the southern side.

In addition to the historical regions, the islands can also be divided by geographical features, resulting in:

A group of dry, very flat, and geologically old islands (Sal, Boa Vista and Maio), lying to the east and
closer to the African coast (which makes them a target for sand from the Sahara desert, resulting in long
sandy beaches, typically used for beach tourism), and

A group of rocky, volcanic, agricultural islands more to the west. Their orography is rougher because
they're geologically newer, and the westernmost islands (such as Santo Antão) tend to be the most
mountainous.

CÔTE D'IVOIRE

Côte d'Ivoire, country located on the coast of western Africa. The de facto capital is Abidjan; the
administrative capital designate (since 1983) is Yamoussoukro.

The regions of Ivory Coast (French: régions de la Côte d'Ivoire) are the second-level subdivisions of Ivory
Coast. There are 31 regions, and each region is subdivided into two or more departments, the third-level
division in Ivory Coast. Two to four regions were combined to make up a district, the first-level
subdivision, that was abolished in 2014. The two autonomous districts of Ivory Coast are not divided into
regions.

GAMBIA
The Gambia, country in western Africa situated on the Atlantic coast and surrounded by the
neighbouring country of Senegal. It occupies a long narrow strip of land that surrounds the Gambia
River. The land is flat and is dominated by the river, which is navigable throughout the length of the
country.

The Gambia as a country has a population of about two million people and it has six regions namely;
Greater Banjul calling region 1, West coast Region called region 2, North Bank Region called region 3
where the Globe Country Coordinator came from, Lower River Region called region 4, Central River
Region called Region 5 and Upper River region called Region 6.

GHANA

Ghana, country of western Africa, situated on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea.

The Regions of Ghana constitute the first level of subnational government administration within the
Republic of Ghana. As of 2020, there are currently sixteen regions,[1] which are further divided for
administrative purposes into 260 local metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (or MMDA's).

GUINEA

Guinea is a traditional name for the region of the African coast of West Africa which lies along the Gulf
of Guinea. It is a naturally moist tropical forest or savanna that stretches along the coast and borders the
Sahel belt in the north.

Guinea is divided into 8 administrative regions. 7 regions other than Conakry Region are further
subdivided into 33 prefectures.

GUINEA-BISSAU

Guinea-Bissau, country of western Africa. Situated on the Atlantic coast, the predominantly low-lying
country is slightly hilly farther inland.

Guinea-Bissau is divided into 8 regions and 1 autonomous sector. The regions are subdivided into a total
of 37 sectors; which are further subdivided into smaller groups called sections; which are further
subdivided into populated places.

LIBERIA

Liberia, country along the coast of western Africa. Liberia’s terrain ranges from the low and sandy
coastal plains to rolling hills and dissected plateau further inland. The country is home to a lush
rainforest containing a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
Liberia is divided into 15 counties, which are subdivided into districts, and further subdivided into clans.
The oldest counties are Grand Bassa and Montserrado, both founded in 1839 prior to Liberian
independence.

MALI

Mali, landlocked country of western Africa, mostly in the Saharan and Sahelian regions. Mali is largely
flat and arid. The Niger River flows through its interior, functioning as the main trading and transport
artery in the country. Sections of the river flood periodically, providing much-needed fertile agricultural
soil along its banks as well as creating pasture for livestock.

Mali’s administrative structure consists of eight regions at the highest level. Equally, there is a capital
region, which includes the capital Bamako. All of the regions of Mali has the name of the capital. The
regions are divided into second level administrative divisions called 56 Cercles. It is also divided into 703
communes which is the third level administrative division of the regions and capital region.

MAURITANIA

Mauritania is situated at the crossroads of the Maghreb region and sub-Saharan Africa. With roughly
four-fifths of its land area within the Sahara Desert (less than 200 mm mean annual rainfall), the
population of this vast and sparsely populated country is mostly concentrated in the slightly less arid
south, as well as in the Atlantic port cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou.

The African country of Mauritania is divided into 15 regions, the highest administrative division. Regions
of Mauritania are Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui,
Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott-Nord, Nouakchott-Ouest, Nouakchott-Sud, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour
and Trarza.

NIGER

Niger or the Niger, officially the Republic of the Niger, is a landlocked country in West Africa named after
the Niger River. Niger is a unitary state bordered by Libya to the northeast, Chad to the east, Nigeria to
the south, Benin and Burkina Faso to the southwest, Mali to the west, and Algeria to the northwest.

Niger is divided into seven regions as the highest administrative unit and Niamey capital municipality
units, taking into account the geographical and administrative conditions. Seven regions of Niger are
divided into 63 municipalities with a total of 254 municipalities. The Tillabéry division was founded in
1992 when the Niamey District was divided, and the area immediately outside of Niamey, also known as
the capital region.

NIGERIA

Nigeria, country located on the western coast of Africa. Nigeria has a diverse geography, with climates
ranging from arid to humid equatorial. However, Nigeria’s most diverse feature is its people. Hundreds
of languages are spoken in the country, including Yoruba, Igbo, Fula, Hausa, Edo, Ibibio, Tiv, and English.
The country has abundant natural resources, notably large deposits of petroleum and natural gas.

SENEGAL

Senegal is the westernmost point on the African mainland, and its capital, Dakar, has historically served
as the gateway to West Africa.

Senegal is divided into 14 regions, the regions are named after their capital:

Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kédougou, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Sédhiou,
Tambacounda, Thiès, and Ziguinchor.

SIERRA LEONE

Sierra Leone, country of western Africa. The country owes its name to the 15th-century Portuguese
explorer Pedro de Sintra, the first European to sight and map Freetown harbour.

The country can be divided into four distinct physical regions: the coastal swamp, the Sierra Leone
Peninsula, the interior plains, and the interior plateau and mountain region.

TOGO

Togo, country of western Africa. Lomé, the capital, is situated in the southwest of the country and is the
largest city and port. Togo is divided into five regions, which are subdivided in turn into twenty-three
prefectures. From north to south the regions are Savanes, Kara, Centrale, Plateaux and Maritime.

South Africa

BOTSWANA

Botswana, country in the centre of Southern Africa. The territory is roughly triangular—approximately
600 miles (965 km) from north to south and 600 miles from east to west—with its eastern side
protruding into a sharp point.

Botswana, an African country, is divided into nine districts.

Some of the districts which are formed by taking into consideration the administrative and geographical
conditions are also divided into subdivisions. These nine districts are Central, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi,
Kgatleng, Kweneng, North East, North West, South East, and Southern.

ESWATINI
Eswatini, officially Kingdom of Eswatini, Swati Umbuso weSwatini, previously called Kingdom of
Swaziland, landlocked country in the eastern flank of South Africa, where it adjoins Mozambique. It
extends about 110 miles (175 km) from north to south and about 80 miles (130 km) from west to east at
its largest dimensions.

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is divided into four regions: Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, and Shiselweni.
Each region is further divided into tinkhundla. There are 55 tinkhundla in Eswatini and each elects one
representative to the House of Assembly of Eswatini. Tinkhundla are, in turn, divided into smaller
imiphakatsi.

LESOTHO

Lesotho is a mountainous, landlocked country located in Southern Africa. It is an enclave, surrounded by

South Africa. The total length of the country's borders is 909 kilometres (565 mi). Lesotho covers an area
of around 30,355 square kilometres (11,720 sq mi), of which a negligible percentage is covered with
water.

NAMIBIA

Namibia, located in the south of the African continent, is divided into 14 administrative regions.
Although each region has limited powers, it has regional administrations. After the independence of the
country, the regions were legally determined on 3 March 1992 and the system was put into practice.
Delimitation Commission of Namibia is the only authority in the country in terms of number, size or
division of regions.

Namibia is divided into 14 regions, the highest administrative division. Regions of Namibia are Kunene
Region, Omusati Region, Oshana Region, Ohangwena Region, Oshikoto Region, Kavango West, Kavango
East, Zambezi Region, Erongo Region, Otjozondjupa Region, Omaheke Region, Khomas Region, Hardap
Region and ǁKaras Region.

SOUTH AFRICA

Southern Africa is the southernmost subregion of the African continent, south of the Congo and
Tanzania. The physical location is the large part of Africa to the south of the extensive Congo River basin.
Southern Africa is home to a number of river systems; the Zambezi River is the most prominent.

The continent of Africa is commonly divided into five regions or subregions, four of which are in sub-
Saharan Africa.
Flag Carrier

BENIN

Westair Benin is an airline based in Cotonou, Benin. It was established and started operations in
November 2002 and operated regional flights in West Africa. Its main base is Cadjehoun Airport.

BURKINA FASO

Air Burkina is the national airline of Burkina Faso, based in Ouagadougou Airport (OUA).

CAPE VERDE

Cabo Verde Airlines, previously branded TACV Cabo Verde Airlines, is an airline based in Praia, Cape
Verde. It is the national flag carrier of Cape Verde, operating flights to Europe, North America and South
America.

CÔTE D'IVOIRE

Air Côte d'Ivoire is the flag carrier of Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire. It is based at Felix
Houphouet Boigny Airport (ABJ) in Abidjan.

GAMBIA

Gambia Bird Airlines Limited was the flag carrier airline of Gambia headquartered in Kanifing with its
home base at Banjul International Airport.

GHANA
In October 2020, Ghana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EgyptAir (MS, Cairo Int'l)
for the establishment of a new flag carrier.

GUINEA

Compagnie Nationale Air Guinée, in its latter years known as Air Guinee Express, was an airline based in
Conakry, Guinea. Its main base was Conakry International Airport.

GUINEA-BISSAU

Air Bissau was the national airline of Guinea-Bissau, operating services from its base at Osvaldo Vieira
International Airport in Bissau.

LIBERIA

Lone Star Air is a national carrier of Liberia that was signed as a strategic partnership between the
Liberia Government and Goldstar Air. Liberia's Government launched the new national airline on 30-Oct-
2020 at Monrovia Roberts International Airport.

MALI

Air Mali, which is the national carrier, dominates the market. Mali's Directorate of Civil Aviation is the
national aviation regulating authority in Mali, responsible for air transport matters, while The Malian
Ministry of Equipment and Transports is the body in charge of airport management and operation.
 MAURITANIA

Mauritania Airlines International, the flag carrier of Mauritania, is based at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy

International Airport (NKC). Mauritania Airlines serves 15 destinations in 12 countries in West Africa.

NIGER

Niger Airlines is a Nigerien flag carrier based in Niamey. The airline was founded in 2012 to replace
services of defunct Air Niger. It started services in 2014. Its main hub is located at Diori Hamani
International Airport.

NIGERIA

A new Nigerian national carrier

The new carrier is to be known as Nigeria Air and is due to commence operations by the middle of this
year. In November 2021, Nigeria's Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, announced that Nigeria Air would
launch in April 2022 after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) gave its approval.

SENEGAL

Air Senegal (IATA: HC, ICAO: SZN), is the flag carrier of the Republic of Senegal. Created in 2016, it is
state owned through investment arm Caisse des Dépots et Consignation du Sénégal. It is based at Blaise
Diagne International Airport in Dakar, Senegal.

SIERRA LEONE

Sierra Leone Airways was the national airline of Sierra Leone. It was based at the Lungi International
Airport, in Lungi, Sierra Leone. It operated scheduled domestic, regional and international services.
 TOGO

Air Togo (Compagnie Aerienne Togolaise) (IATA: YT, ICAO: TGA, Call sign: AIR TOHO) was an airline
headquartered in Lomé in Togo.

BOTSWANA

AIr Botswana is the state-owned national flag carrier for Botswana with its headquarters in Gaborone.
Currently operating scheduled domestic and regional flights from its main base at Sir Seretse Khama
International Airport.

ESWATINI

Eswatini Airlink is an airline based in Matsapha, Eswatini, and is the flag carrier of that country.

LESOTHO

Lesotho Airways, formerly Air Lesotho, was the national airline of Lesotho based on the grounds of
Mejametalana Airport in Maseru.

NAMIBIA

Following the creation of the South West Africa National Transport Corporation in 1986, Namib Air took
over all air transport operations in the country. The airline was designated as the country's flag carrier in
1987.
 SOUTH AFRICA

With hubs at Johannesburg and Cape Town, South African Airways (SAA) is the flag carrier of South
Africa and ranks among the largest airlines on the African continent.

Cuisine

BENIN

Beninese cuisine is known in Africa for its exotic ingredients and flavorful dishes. Beninese cuisine
involves many fresh meals served with a variety of sauces. Meat is usually quite expensive, and meals
are generally light on meat and generous on vegetable fat.

BURKINA FASO

Burkinabé cuisine, the cuisine of Burkina Faso, is similar to the cuisines in many parts of West Africa, and
is based on staple foods of sorghum, millet, rice, fonio, maize, peanuts, potatoes, beans, yams and okra.
Rice, maize and millet are the most commonly eaten grains.

CAPE VERDE

The cuisine of Cape Verde is a West African cuisine largely influenced by Portuguese, Southern and
Western European and West African cuisine. Cape Verde was a colony of Portugal from its colonization
until 1975. Because the archipelago is inside the Atlantic Ocean, fish is very important in Cape Verdean
cooking.

CÔTE D'IVOIRE

Most Ivoirians depend on grain and root vegetables, yams, plantains, maize, rice and peanuts with Fufu
(the national dish). They are usually served with meat (often chicken and fish which are favourites) and
kedjenou, a vegetable sauce made with aubergines, okra, tomatoes and peanuts.

GAMBIA

Gambian cuisine is part of West African cuisine and includes the culinary practices and traditions of the
nation of The Gambia. Common ingredients include fish, rice, peanuts, tomato, black-eyed peas, lemon,
cassava, cabbage, salt, pepper, onion, chili, and various herbs.

GHANA

Ghanaian cuisine is the cuisine of the Ghanaian people. Ghanaian main dishes are organized around a
starchy staple food, which goes with a sauce or soup containing a protein source. The main ingredients
for the vast majority of soups and stews are tomatoes, hot peppers and onions.

GUINEA
Guinean cuisine includes the traditional dishes of fou fou, boiled mango, fried plantains, patates and
pumpkin pie.

GUINEA-BISSAU

Bissau-Guinean cuisine is the food culture of Guinea-Bissau, a nation on Africa's west coast along the
Atlantic Ocean. Rice is a staple in the diet of residents near the coast and millet a staple in the interior.

LIBERIA

Liberian cuisine is a mix of West African recipes/ingredients and cooking traditions of the American
South, a combination of coastal West African and Creole. Stews that incorporate meats, seafood, and
vegetables in the manner of Creole food served with fufu or dumboy which are quintessentially West
African.

MALI

Cuisine in Mali includes rice and millet as staples of Mali, a food culture heavily based on cereal grains.
Grains are generally prepared with sauces made from edible leaves, such as spinach, sweet potato or
baobab, with tomato peanut sauce. The dishes may be accompanied by pieces of grilled meat.

MAURITANIA
The cuisine of Mauritania includes the culinary practices of Mauritania. Historically, what is now
Mauritania has been influenced by Arab and African peoples who have lived in and traversed the "stark"
landscape marked with Sahara desert dunes in caravans.

NIGER

The cuisine of Niger draws on traditional African cuisines. Various spices are used and meals include
grilled meat, seasonal vegetables, salads, and various sauces are some of the foods consumed. Meals in
Niger usually start with colorful salads made from seasonal vegetables. Moringa leaves are a favorite for
a salad.

NIGERIA

Nigerian cuisine consists of dishes or food items from the hundreds of ethnic groups that comprise
Nigeria. Like other West African cuisines, it uses spices and herbs with palm or groundnut oil to create
deeply flavored sauces and soups.

SENEGAL

The cuisine of Senegal is a West African cuisine influenced by North African, French, and Portuguese
cuisine and derives from the nation's many ethnic groups, the largest being the Wolof. Islam, which first
penetrated the region in the 11th century, also plays a role in the cuisine.
 SIERRA LEONE

Sierra Leonean cuisine consists of the cooking traditions and practices from Sierra Leone. It follows the
traditions of other West African cuisines.

TOGO

Togolese cuisine is the cuisine of the Togolese Republic, a country in Western Africa. Staple foods in
Togolese cuisine include maize, rice, millet, cassava, yam, plantain and beans. Maize is the most
commonly consumed food in the Togolese Republic. Fish is a significant source of protein.

BOTSWANA

The cuisine of Botswana is unique but shares some characteristics with other cuisines of Southern Africa.
Examples of Setswana food include pap, samp, vetkoek, bogobe and mophane worms. A food unique to
Botswana is seswaa, salted mashed-up meat. Watermelons are believed to have originated in Botswana.

ESWATINI

The cuisine of Eswatini is largely determined by the seasons and the geographical region. Staple foods in
Eswatini include sorghum and maize, often served with goat meat, a very popular livestock there.
 LESOTHO

Basotho cuisine features African traditions and British influence. Lesotho is surrounded by South Africa
and it shares culinary practices with its neighbor. Lesotho's food culture features likhobe, meat, and
vegetables. Corn-based dishes include papa and motoho.

NAMIBIA

Namibian cuisine is the cuisine of Namibia. It is influenced by two primary cultural strands: Cookery
practised by indigenous people of Namibia such as the Himba, Herero and San groups Settler cookery
introduced during the colonial period by people of German, Afrikaner and British descent.

SOUTH AFRICA

South African cuisine reflects the diverse range of culinary traditions embodied by the various
communities that inhabit the country.
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