Childrens Illustrated World Atlas

Tropic of Cancer

Equator

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Lac

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Lac Mai-Ndombe

Lake Edward

Lake Albert

LakeChad

Lake Kivu

Lac deLagdo

São Tomé

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CABINDA

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SÃO TOMÉ &

PRÍNCIPE

CAMEROON

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

CHAD

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Moanda Franceville

Lambaréné

Fougamou

Boende

Butembo

Beni

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Ouésso

Lisala

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Titule

Ebolowa

Watsa

Dungu

Edéa

Mbaïki

Bertoua

Bangassou

Alindao

Damara

Grimari

Sibut

Ippy

Dékoa

Bria

Banyo

Kaga Bandoro

Ngaoundéré

KoumraDoba

Kélo

Laï

Guider

Fianga

Bongor

Kousséri

Mongo

Moba

Mulongo

Kibombo

Ndindi

Nkayi

Mossendjo

Kibangou

Setté Cama

Djambala

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Ndendé

Gamboma

Mouila

Omboué

Oyo

Lubutu

Owando

Ndjolé

Makoua

Etoumbi

Cocobeach

Bélinga

Acalayong

Epéna

Nia-Nia

Bunia

Oyem

Impfondo

Sembé

Bata

Dongou

Souanké

Bitam

Ambam

Sangmélima

Bétou

Nola

Aba

Zongo

Mobaye

Bossembélé

Obo

Baoro

Bakala

Djéma

Dembia

Bossangoa

Markounda

Baïbokoum

Mbé

Goré

Maro

Ouanda

Djallé

Kyabé

Ndélé

Léré

Birao

Am Timan

Massenya

Ba Illi

Abou-Déïa

Goz Beïda

Mangalmé

Ati

Bol

Moussoro

Mao

Biltine

Nokou

Koro Toro

Fada

Faya

OuniangaKébir

Zouar

Bardaï

Aozou Kenge

Mungbere

Akula

Ikela

Lomela

Kasongo-Lunda

Sibiti

Kongolo

Kipushi Kolwezi

Manono

Mwene-Ditu

Gandajika

Tshikapa

Kabinda

Boma

Pointe-Noire

Dolisie

Kasongo

Mangai

Bandundu

Goma

Bumba

Isiro

Gemena

Berbérati

Kumba Nkongsamba

Bambari

Bamenda

Foumban

Bouar

Abéché

Likasi

Kamina

Mbuji-Mayi

Kalemie

Kananga

Matadi

Kikwit

Ilebo

Bukavu

Port-Gentil

Mbandaka

Kisangani

Bafoussam

Moundou

Sarh

Garoua

Maroua

Lubumbashi

Douala LIBREVILLE

YAOUNDÉ

BANGUI

N’DJAMÉNA

MALABO

KINSHASA

BRAZZAVILLE

SÃO TOMÉ

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

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C

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I

Central Africa

A

ll eight countries in

central Africa were European colonies

with a painful history of slavery. Since the 1960s, independence has brought them mixed success. Rich mineral deposits and the discovery of offshore oil have provided income for Cameroon, Congo, and Gabon, while civil war and repressive governments have damaged other countries in the region. These include Chad and the Central African Republic, two of the world’s poorest countries. Although the

north is mainly arid, Africa’s

largest tropical rainforest

dominates the south, with the powerful Congo River linking the interior with the coast. The tiny, volcanic country of São Tomé and Príncipe lies off the coast

of Gabon.

RELIGIOUS BELIEFSAlthough Christianity is the main religion here,

many people also follow

traditional beliefs. These

suggest that natural objects, such as mountains and rivers, have a spirit. Masks, like this Bambuku head, are sometimes used to scare off evil spirits.

Mud-brick home

VILLAGE LIFEMost people in rural areas

live in villages or small towns. Some grow crops such as cotton or cassava for sale, but many exist by growing food just for their family.

FISHING IN LAKE CHADLake Chad is an important source of food, but it is shrinking

at an alarming rate. A shallow lake, it is now only about

6.5–13 ft (2–4 m) deep on average. Its surface area

has also reduced, due to droughts and the

demand for water to irrigate the land.

PEOPLE OF CHADWith almost half the country lying in the arid Sahara Desert, more than 70 percent of Chadians work on farmland near the River Chari in the south. Across Chad there are large numbers of ethnic groups, speaking more than 100 languages. Women here live an average of just 51 years and have 4.5 children.

0 km1002003004000 miles100200300400

Africa

US_042-043_Central_Africa.indd 42 16/02/17 2:57 pm