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106- Central Africa
MUCH OF CENTRAL AFRICA is covered by
dense rain forest drained by the Congo River,
which flows in a sweeping arc for 2,900 miles
(4,666 km). Most of the countries in this region
were once French colonies. Their fortunes have
varied since independence in the 1960s. The
Democratic Republic of the Congo has rich
mineral deposits and fertile land, but civil wars
and conflict with Rwanda (1996-97) have kept it
poor. Chad has also suffered from civil wars while
the Central African Republic is one of the world’s
poorest countries, the victim of an unstable
government. To the west, Gabon, Cameroon,
and Congo have profited from oil and timber
and are comparatively stable. Everywhere, most
people support themselves by farming. In the
humid tropical lowlands, diseases such as malaria
are widespread, and infant mortality is high.OIL WEALTH
The Congo, Gabon, and Cameroon have all discovered
extensive offshore oil reserves in the Atlantic Ocean.
Exports of oil are vital economically, as they can earn these
countries foreign currency. In the Congo, oil accounts for
89 percent of the country’s exports. This overdependence
on oil can be disastrous when world oil prices fluctuate. Oil
is also Gabon’s main export, and profits from oil have been
plowed back into its health service, one of the best in Africa.
FULANI
The Fulani are nomads who
spread across West Africa and into
Chad, Guinea, and Cameroon
during the 11th century. From
the 14th century, they converted
to Islam, spreading the faith
through persuasion and
conquest. Some Fulani are still
cattle-herding pastoralists, while
others have adopted settled
agriculture or live in towns.VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK
Virunga National Park is located in the northeast corner of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, and was created in 1925. It is dominated by the
Virunga Mountains, a range of both dormant and active volcanoes that
extend into Rwanda and Uganda. The mountains are cloaked with cloud
forests, and are a famous refuge for gorillas, an endangered species. Lake
Edward occupies much of the center of the park, and the open countryside
surrounding it is populated by herds of elephants and okapi.LIBREVILLE
Gabon’s capital, Libreville (“free
town”), was founded by freed slaves
in 1849. It lies on a string of hills
which enclose a port. The modern
European-style center is ringed by
traditional African villages.The Equator runs through
the countries of Central Africa,
exercising a strong influence on
both climate and vegetation. The
extreme north of the region borders
the arid Sahara Desert. The south is
dominated by the Congo River basin
and equatorial rain forest.
TIMBER INDUSTRY
The equatorial rain forests of
Central Africa are a major
source of hardwoods such as
mahogany, ebony, and teak.
Timber is an important export
for several countries, especially
Gabon and Cameroon.
However, the timber industry
poses a severe threat to the rain
forests, which take many years to
recover. Laws have been put in
place to try to prevent illegal
logging in these countries.Controlled fires, as pictured above, “burn
off” rain forest in Cameroon, clearing land
for agriculture and industry.
Established in 1925, Virunga
National Park (right) is Africa’s
oldest national park. It is also
a World Heritage site.Find out more
Africa
Africa, history of
Forest wildlife
Slavery