Africa Regions – Africa.com

Natural Features

Africa’s breathtaking natural landscape encompasses a remarkable diversity of environments:

• Mountains and Highlands: The Atlas Mountains and Ethiopian Highlands rise dramatically from the surrounding terrain, creating striking vistas and unique ecosystems.
• Deserts: The vast Sahara Desert dominates the northern region, while the Namib and Kalahari deserts present their own distinct desert environments in the south.
• Savannas: The tropical Sudanian Savanna, commonly known as the African Savanna, stretches across much of the continent, supporting iconic wildlife and diverse plant communities.
• Forests: The lush Ituri Rainforest in Central Africa represents the continent’s rich forest ecosystems.
• Rivers and Waterways: The legendary Nile and Congo rivers serve as lifelines, supporting ancient civilizations and modern communities alike.
• Geological Wonders: The Great Rift Valley and African Great Lakes form a spectacular geological system, while Victoria Falls stands as one of the world’s most impressive waterfalls.

United Nations Geoscheme Regions

Africa is administratively and culturally divided into five main regions according to the United Nations geoscheme.

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Northern Africa Region

North Africa or Northern Africa (as used by the United Nations) refers to the portion of Africa along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea (except for Sudan). This distinctive region is characterized by its unique geographical features and rich historical significance.

Geography

• In the northwest, the Atlas Mountains dominate the landscape, creating a natural barrier between the Mediterranean coastal areas and the interior
• South of the Mediterranean coastal strip stretches the vast Sahara Desert, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Red Sea in the east
• The region enjoys a strategic position at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Middle East

Countries

The region consists of:

• Algeria
• Egypt
• Libya
• Morocco
• Sudan
• Tunisia
• Western Sahara (disputed territory)

Population

According to the United Nations Population Division, approximately 250 million people lived in Northern Africa as of 2021.

Cultural Significance

Northern Africa stands as a cultural bridge between Africa and the Mediterranean world, with historical connections to ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and various Islamic empires. This rich heritage continues to influence the region’s architecture, cuisine, language, and traditions.

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Western Africa Region

West Africa or Western Africa mostly refers to the countries north of the Gulf of Guinea in the north-western part of the African continent. This vibrant region occupies a distinct geographical position and houses a significant portion of Africa’s population.

Geography

• Located in the southern part of the so-called hump of Africa
• Bounded in the north by the Sahara desert and the Sahel zone
• Features diverse landscapes ranging from coastal areas along the Atlantic Ocean to inland savannas and semi-arid regions
• The Gulf of Guinea forms its southern boundary, providing important access to maritime trade routes

Countries

The region consists of:

• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Cabo Verde (Cape Verde)
• Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Liberia
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Togo
• Saint Helena (British Overseas Territory)

Population

According to the United Nations Population Division, an estimated 412 million people lived in West Africa as of 2021, making it one of the most populous regions on the continent.

Cultural Significance

West Africa represents a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions. The region has been home to powerful pre-colonial empires and kingdoms, including Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. It has contributed significantly to global culture through its music, art, literature, and cuisine. The region also played a pivotal role in global history through the trans-Atlantic slave trade and subsequent movements for independence and pan-Africanism.

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Central Africa Region

Central Africa or Middle Africa (as used by the United Nations) refers to the tropical central portion of the African continent. This region occupies a pivotal position in the heart of Africa and is characterized by its lush rainforests and diverse ecosystems.

Geography

• Located in the equatorial zone of the continent
• Home to the Congo Basin, which contains the world’s second-largest rainforest
• Features diverse terrain including dense tropical forests, rivers, and some highland areas
• The Congo River system serves as a vital transportation network and ecological resource

Countries

The region consists of:

• Angola
• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Congo (Republic of the Congo/Congo-Brazzaville)
• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC/Congo-Kinshasa)
• Equatorial Guinea
• Gabon
• São Tomé and Príncipe (island nation)

Population

According to the United Nations Population Division, approximately 185 million people lived in Central Africa as of 2021.

Cultural Significance

Central Africa represents extraordinary cultural and linguistic diversity, with hundreds of ethnic groups and languages. The region is known for its traditional art forms, particularly wooden sculptures and masks that have influenced modern art movements worldwide. The rainforests of Central Africa have been home to various indigenous peoples for millennia, including groups of forest foragers who maintain traditional lifestyles. The region also possesses vast natural resources that have shaped its economic development and international relations.

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Eastern Africa Region

East Africa, or Eastern Africa, is the eastern portion of the African continent, including Madagascar and other smaller islands. This diverse region stretches from the Horn of Africa down along the eastern coastline and extends to several significant island territories.

Geography

• Encompasses the Horn of Africa, the Great Rift Valley, and parts of the Nile Basin
• Features dramatic highlands, particularly in Ethiopia and Kenya
• Contains several of Africa’s Great Lakes, including Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake)
• Includes significant islands such as Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles
• Characterized by varied landscapes from coastal lowlands to volcanic mountains

Countries

The region consists of:

• British Indian Ocean Territory
• Burundi
• Comoros
• Djibouti
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• French Southern Territories
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Mauritius
• Mayotte
• Mozambique
• Réunion
• Rwanda
• Seychelles
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Uganda
• United Republic of Tanzania
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Historical Context

In a narrower sense, the term East Africa may refer to the former British colonial areas of present-day Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Population

According to the United Nations Population Division, approximately 457 million people lived in East Africa as of 2021, making it one of the most populous regions on the continent.

Cultural Significance

Eastern Africa is considered by many paleontologists to be the cradle of humanity, with some of the earliest hominid fossils discovered in the region. The area boasts tremendous cultural diversity, from the ancient Christian traditions of Ethiopia to the Islamic coastal cultures of the Swahili coast. The region is also renowned for its wildlife and natural wonders, which have made it a global tourism destination. East Africa has played a significant role in global history through ancient trade networks, colonial experiences, and post-independence development.

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Southern Africa Region

Southern Africa is the southern portion of the African continent, bounded by the South Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Indian Ocean in the east. This region occupies the continent’s southernmost territories and features diverse landscapes ranging from arid deserts to subtropical coastal areas.

Geography

• Located at the southern tip of the African continent
• Bounded by two oceans: the South Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Indian Ocean in the east
• Features the Kalahari Desert, the Cape of Good Hope, and the Drakensberg mountain range
• Contains unique ecological zones including the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the world’s six floral kingdoms
• Home to the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfalls

Countries

According to the United Nations geoscheme, Southern Africa consists of five countries:

• Botswana
• Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
• Lesotho
• Namibia
• South Africa

Population

According to the United Nations Population Division, Southern Africa had a total population of about 68.3 million people as of 2021, making it the least populous of Africa’s major regions.

Cultural Significance

Southern Africa has a complex historical and cultural landscape shaped by indigenous African populations, European colonization, and various migration patterns. The region is known for its mineral wealth, particularly diamonds and gold, which have significantly influenced its economic and political development. Southern Africa played a prominent role in the global anti-apartheid movement and continues to be an important economic hub for the continent. The region’s diverse cultural heritage is expressed through its music, art, literature, and cuisine, which combine African traditions with various global influences.