Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is the area of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara Desert. It includes regions such as Central Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, and West Africa. This area is made up of many countries, and the exact number can vary depending on which group is describing it. Some organizations include 46 to 48 countries, while the African Union groups all 55 African countries into five different regions.

The term "sub-Saharan Africa" is used to contrast with North Africa, which is often grouped with the Middle East as part of the MENA region. Some countries, like the Comoros, Djibouti, Mauritania, and Somalia, are geographically part of sub-Saharan Africa but are also members of the Arab League.

For thousands of years, the Sahara Desert has acted as a barrier between North and South Africa. However, during wet periods, known as the "Wet Sahara" phase, the desert had more water and made travel easier. This helped plants, animals, and early humans move out of Africa into other parts of the world.

Nomenclature and conceptual criticism

Geographers have historically divided sub-Saharan Africa into different sections based on the people living there. However, the idea of "sub-Saharan Africa" has been criticized for being unfair, as it may separate Africa into parts that are actually connected.

In the past, Arabic writers used terms like bilâd as-sûdân ("Land of the Blacks") to describe areas including Central and West Africa, and Zanj ("Country of the Blacks") for parts of Southeast Africa near the Swahili coast. Different areas had their own names, such as Al-Habash for parts of modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea, and Barbara for northern Somalia.

List of countries and regional organisation

Sub-Saharan Africa is made up of 49 countries. Six African countries are not part of sub-Saharan Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Western Sahara; these form the UN subregion of Northern Africa. Some groups also include Sudan, which has cultural ties to both North and sub-Saharan Africa.

Central Africa

Central Africa includes countries such as Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

East Africa

East Africa consists of nations like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.

Southern Africa

Southern Africa features countries including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

West Africa

West Africa includes Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Senegal.

History

Main articles: History of Africa, History of West Africa, History of Central Africa, History of East Africa, and History of Southern Africa

Further information: African empires, List of kingdoms in pre-colonial Africa § List of African kingdoms, and African archaeology

Long ago, early humans in Africa started using simple tools and learned to walk on two legs. Over time, they developed better tools and learned to make fire. These early people spread out from Africa to other parts of the world.

Later, powerful kingdoms like the Mali Empire and the Kingdom of Benin grew in places such as West Africa. These kingdoms traded goods and built impressive buildings. In East Africa, the Axumite Empire was an important trading center. In Southern Africa, groups like the Xhosa people moved into new areas. These changes shaped the history of Africa for many years to come.

Geography

Further information: Afrotropical realm; Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands; and List of tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests ecoregions

Sub-Saharan Africa has many different climate zones and natural areas. It includes places with dry winters and wet summers.

The area includes deserts, savannas, forests, and mountains. Some famous places are the Serengeti in East Africa and the Cape Floristic Region at the southern tip of the continent. Each of these areas has its own special plants and animals.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Africa

In the mid-2010s, private capital began flowing into sub-Saharan Africa, mainly from members of BRICS, private-sector investment portfolios, and remittances, surpassing official development assistance.

As of 2011, Africa was one of the fastest-developing regions in the world. Six of the ten fastest-growing economies over the previous decade were in sub-Saharan Africa, with the rest in East and Central Asia. By 2013, the economic growth rate in the region had risen to 4.7%, driven by investment in infrastructure and resources, as well as steady household spending.

Energy and power

As of 2009, half of Africa was rural with no access to electricity. By 2021, Africa generated 889 TWh of electricity, making up 3.13% of the global market. Many countries faced power shortages. Sub-Saharan Africa has vast untapped energy potential, with only 7% explored so far due to underinvestment. Governments are using water resources to expand energy options, and countries like China are helping build hydro-power projects. The region also has huge potential for solar power, which could serve 600 million people. Initiatives like the New Partnership for Africa's Development aim to create sustainable, cross-border energy projects.

Oil and minerals

Sub-Saharan Africa is rich in minerals, exporting gold, uranium, chromium, vanadium, antimony, coltan, bauxite, iron ore, copper, and manganese. South Africa leads in platinum and manganese production, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo has most of the world's coltan reserves. The region also produces significant amounts of diamonds and gold. There has been increased global interest in sub-Saharan oil, which holds about 10% of proven reserves, attracting investment from Western countries, China, and India.

Agriculture

Sub-Saharan Africa has a wide variety of grains and has been a source of many important crops like sorghum, coffee, cotton, okra, and watermelon, which have spread around the world. Agriculture is a major part of the economy, employing many people, but often faces challenges like climate change. Efforts are underway to improve farming through better technology and support from organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Science and technology

Further information: History of science and technology in Africa, Internet in Africa, Mobile technology in Africa, and Educational technology in sub-Saharan Africa

Tourism

The development of tourism in this region has been identified as having the ability to create jobs and improve the economy. South Africa, Namibia, Mauritius, Botswana, Ghana, Cape Verde, Tanzania and Kenya have been identified as having well developed tourism industries. Cape Town and the surrounding area is very popular with tourists.

Infrastructure

See also: Water supply and sanitation in sub-Saharan Africa

Infrastructure investments are crucial for economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa, yet they remain limited, especially in rural and landlocked areas. Investments in infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and telecommunications have significant returns, but current spending is low. Both state and private investments, along with international aid, are needed to meet development goals and reduce poverty.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa has several large cities. Lagos is a major city in Nigeria, known for being one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa, while Nairobi is the capital of Kenya. Other important cities include Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Abidjan, Cape Town, Kinshasa, Luanda, Mogadishu, and Addis Ababa.

The population of sub-Saharan Africa was about 1.1 billion in 2019 and is growing quickly. The region has a young population, with more than 40% being younger than 15 years old. Many people in sub-Saharan Africa practice Christianity, Islam, or traditional African religions. The area is home to over 1,500 different languages, with the Niger–Congo family being the largest.

Culture

Further information: Culture of Africa, West Africa § Culture, Central Africa § Culture, East Africa § Culture, Horn of Africa § Culture, Southern Africa § Culture, and Southeast Africa § Culture

Sub-Saharan Africa is a vibrant and diverse region, with many communities each having their own unique beliefs and traditions. Traditional societies often emphasize the importance of the community over the individual, with extended families playing a central role in daily life. Women hold significant roles, particularly in managing homes and caring for children, though their contributions in other areas can sometimes be limited by cultural expectations.

Art

Further information: African art, Pottery § Africa, and Ceramic art § Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to some of the oldest and most varied forms of art in the world. The region’s art often focuses on the human figure and includes sculpture, which is experienced in three dimensions. Art serves practical functions and often represents spiritual ideas and social values. It has greatly influenced modern artists worldwide.

Architecture

Further information: History of architecture § Africa, Megalith § African megaliths, and Tumulus § Africa

Music

Traditional music in Sub-Saharan Africa is rich and varied, often centered around rhythm and drums. This musical style has influenced many forms of music around the world, including jazz, rock, and reggae. Modern African music continues to evolve, blending traditional sounds with global influences.

Clothing

Further information: Clothing in Africa and Folk costume § Africa

People in Sub-Saharan Africa wear a mix of traditional and Western-style clothing. Traditional clothes vary widely, with materials like cotton and animal hides being common. In some areas, unique fabrics such as kanga, kitenge, and kente are popular, each with its own cultural significance.

Theater

Further information: History of theatre § African theatre

Media

In 2007, radio was the main source of news in Sub-Saharan Africa, with many countries having high coverage. Television is also growing, though it remains limited in some areas due to power issues. Internet access is increasing, especially through mobile phones.

Film industry

Further information: Cinema of Africa and List of African films

Games

Further information: History of games § Africa

Cuisine

Further information: African cuisine, List of African cuisines, History of breakfast § Africa, and History of the potato § Africa

The cuisine of Sub-Saharan Africa is rich and diverse, with each region having its own specialties. Common ingredients include grains like rice and millet, starchy foods such as yams and cassava, and various meats and vegetables. Cooking methods vary widely, including roasting, boiling, and frying.

Sports

Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Sub-Saharan Africa, with many talented players coming from the region. Other popular sports include rugby, boxing, and cricket. The region has also produced many world-class long-distance runners, particularly from Ethiopia and Kenya.