It is difficult to argue with the fact that Africa is an outstanding continent in all respects. It is the second mainland in the world in terms of population and area. At the same time, the political map of Africa confirms that this territory makes up about 20% of the entire earth's land.

And nature is definitely unique, because in any sub-region there are unusual sights that are not similar to anything.

The Black Continent is oriented vertically - from north to south, while there are only hot climate zones. There are coasts of two oceans - the Pacific and the Atlantic. African lands are washed by two well-known seas - the Red and Mediterranean.

The mainland itself is divided by world scientists into subregions, usually five differing geographical data are distinguished:

• Northern;
• Central;
• West;
• Oriental;
• Southern.

In this part of the world there are a significant number of states and other entities, which are displayed on the political map of Africa in Russian. There are 62 of them in total, with 8 of the total being dependent territories.

These countries can be classified according to all sorts of parameters, depending on the surrounding water bodies, the following countries are recorded:

• island (10);
• inland (15);
• with extensive sea and oceanic coasts (37).

Many countries are loved by tourists, which is associated with:

• natural conditions;
• historical heritage;
• unique wildlife.

Europeans are most willing to come to North Africa, since this region is the closest located, and the local tourism industry has been working for many years, expanding and adapting to such visitors.

A lot of travelers strive to get into, and in fact the local nature is perfectly combined with the civilization inherent in many resorts.

Among the African countries on the political map of Africa for vacation, the following are often chosen:

• Egypt (interested in the heritage of ancient civilization);
• Morocco (Arabian traditions and culture are interesting);
• South Africa (the incomparable safari will be remembered forever);
• Zambia and Zimbabwe (amazing Victoria Falls and Lake Chad);
• Tanzania (with numerous national parks and Kilimanjaro);
• Kenya;
• Namibia;
• Zanzibar.

Political map of Africa in Russian

Even in the last century, the political map of Africa had a completely different look, different from the modern one. This is due to the widespread colonization of the continent by European states, which began in the 16th century.

The middle of the 20th century became a turning point in this process, then the country and its other parts quickly began to gain independence, tortured for centuries.

Formed in 1963, the Organization of African Unity helped restore indigenous power and defended sovereignty.

The League of Arab States, which appeared in 1945, also played a special role in history, especially of the countries of North Africa cooperating with the Middle East.

The new political map of Africa in Russian at that time reflected the difficult situation on the continent, because the suddenly established borders in the process of decolonization turned into numerous civil wars between the peoples living nearby.

And yet, at the moment, many African countries breathe not only freely, but also peacefully, although to this day the process of forming the map is not finished, since periodically new states appear, which are not yet recognized by the world.

The North African region is the closest to Europe and the Middle East, so their influence is maximum here. Local countries have significant dimensions within the continent.

On the political map of Africa in Russian, there are the following countries of North Africa:

• Egypt;
• Morocco;
• Sudan;
• Libya;
• Algeria;
• Tunisia;
• Mauritania;
• West Sahara.

Moreover, Morocco has two enclaves belonging to Spain:

• Melilla;
• Ceuta.

South of the Sahara, there is the Cameroon Mountains separated from the Eastern Subregion. Here are the states:

• Senegal;
• Cape Verde;
• Sierra Leone;
• Burkina Faso;
• Niger, Nigeria;
• Cote d'Ivoire;
• Mali;
• Liberia;
• Ghana;
• Togo;
• Guinea, Guinea-Bissau;
• Gambia;
• Benin.

The central part of the Black Continent is surprisingly rich in wildlife resources, it is located in the equator, so there is a significant amount of moist forests and water. And the countries here are as follows:

• Central African Republic;
• Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo;
• Cameroon;
• Angola;
• Equatorial Guinea;
• Gabon.

Principe and Sao Tome are located on the coastal islands.

The history of the Eastern subregion is complex, due to the incorrect creation of interstate borders by the colonialists. However, modern development processes are still steadily moving forward in states:

South Africa includes:

• Republic of South Africa;
• Zimbabwe;
• Botswana;
• Swaziland;
• Namibia;
• Lesotho;
• Mozambique.

There are also island states:

• Madagascar;
• Reunion;
• Mauritius;
• Comoros;
• Seychelles.

Continent Africa occupies 20% of the land surface of planet Earth. Its area and population map is in second place after Eurasia. The countries of the continent are developing countries, many of them are backward. Most of the people live in capitals and large cities.

Africa is located simultaneously in all four hemispheres. The coast of the continent in the west is washed by the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and in the southeast by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The northern part of the coast is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. The northeastern coastline opens onto the Red Sea.

origin of name

There are several assumptions about the origin of the name of the continent, one of which was voiced by the Arab traveler Leo Africanus (XVI century). He argued that the name has Arabic roots, from the word "faraka" - "to divide." The interpretation implies the division of Africa and Eurasia (in particular Asia) by the Red Sea.

Another hypothesis is associated with the Roman conquests of the lands of modern Tunisia in the II century. BC. In the occupied territories, a colony called Africa was founded, after the Afarik tribes living there.

Continent area

The total area of ​​Africa is 30 221 53 km 2. From north to south, the continent stretches for 7623 km, from west to east, 7260 km.

Extreme points on the mainland

The names and locations of the points are summarized in the table:

Relief

Africa is located on an ancient platform, due to which it has a surface consisting mainly of plains and plateaus in the center of the continent and uplands along the periphery. Height - 750 m above sea level.

The relief is different in the northwestern and southeastern parts:

The map has a conditional border between the African countries of Angola and Ethiopia. The extinct volcano Kilimanjaro, located 339 km from the capital of Tanzania, Dodoma, is the highest point of the mainland, which is at 5895 m. Lake Assal is located in the Afar depression, which is the lowest point in Africa. The bottom of the lake is 157 cm below sea level.

Population

The mainland has a population of 1.3 billion. The average density is 25-30 people per km 2.

Accommodation of people (number of people per km 2):

• Nile Valley - 1700.
• Islands: Mauritius - 667, Comoros - 433, Seychelles - 197.
• East Africa, the republics of Rwanda, Burundi - 421.
• Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia - 60-70.
• Botswana, Libya, Namibia, Mauritania - 2-4.
• Sahara Desert - 0.4.

Racial settlement:

• Representatives of the Caucasian race are scattered in Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia. Immigrants from Holland and England live in the southern part of the mainland.
• Representatives of the Negroid race occupy central and southern Africa.

Climate

The formation of the African climate is influenced by the position of the continent in the tropics, flat relief and the proximity of the Atlantic and Indian oceans.

The climatic conditions in the equatorial zone are represented by high temperatures (on average 26-28С 0) and frequent precipitation up to 5000 mm per year. Due to this, there is a high level of humidity and the growth of abundant vegetation in the form of impenetrable jungles and tropical forests (Gilea).

In the subequatorial climatic zone, there is a clear separation of the rainy and drought seasons. In the dry period, the average temperature reaches + 30C 0. Duration from 3 to 10 months. During the rainy season, the annual precipitation does not exceed 1000 mm, the average temperature is + 20C 0.

The territory of the tropical zone is exposed to high temperatures, the average is + 35-40C 0. In the Sahara and Kalahari deserts, during the day, the temperature can reach + 58C 0, and at night it can drop below 0C 0. Precipitation is scarce, from 0 to 100 mm per year. The tropics are characterized by dry trade winds and sandstorms.

In the subtropical zone on the north and west sides, dry summers and wet winters are noted with rainfall of more than 500 mm per season. Average temperature + 20C 0. In the southeast, precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year.

African countries

Africa, the map (with countries and capitals) of which includes 62 states, is subdivided into 5 regions:

Of these, 54 states were recognized as independent, the rest belong to the territories of France, SADR, Spain, Portugal, Great Britain.

North Africa

The map of North Africa covers a vast area of ​​10 million km 2. This part of the continent includes the Sahara Desert and the largest African countries with an area of ​​more than 1.5 million km 2: Egypt, Algeria, Sudan, Libya. Due to the large influx of tourists to the capital of Egypt (Cairo), Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, the economy is developing.

Access to the Mediterranean Sea provides profitable trade relations with Europe and Asia. The extraction of minerals - phosphorites, oil, natural gas - has been established. The industry is developed. Agricultural land is occupied with the cultivation of cereals, cotton, citrus fruits, olives.

South Africa

Occupies an area of ​​3.1 million km 2. The population is 48.9 million, of which 79% is the Negroid race. The main religion is Protestantism and Catholicism.

Largest cities: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth. The southern part of the mainland is rich in gold, diamonds and iron ore. From agricultural crops, residents prefer corn, wheat, sorghum, yams.

In South Africa, the number of people infected with HIV is more than 6 million (18%), which corresponds to the scale of the epidemic.

Central Africa

Located in the center of the mainland in the equatorial and subequatorial belts. Territory - 7.3 million km 2. Due to the humid climate, it has large forest areas, which are used by local residents for timber harvesting. Cocoa beans, yams, rice, fruits, sugar cane are grown. Cattle breeding is developed in desert regions. Mainly cattle and sheep are bred.

Central Africa is rich in copper, diamonds and cobalt and lead ores. The industry, in accordance with the rich variety of natural resources, is developed in several directions: woodworking, oil refining, metalworking and textiles.

East africa

It stretches along the coast of the Indian Ocean, area - 7.7 million km 2. Population - 94 million people, of which 99% are Africans, and 1% are Europeans, Indians and Arabs. The region is distinguished by a rich variety of soils, flora and fauna.

Livestock and agriculture flourish (coffee, spices, tea, tobacco, grapes). The presence of comfortable islands for recreation (Seychelles, Madagascar) attracts a large flow of tourists. The slowdown in the development of the region is caused by long-term conflicts between ethnic groups and civil wars.

West africa

The western part of the African continent has an area of ​​5.1 million km 2 and includes 16 states. In the southwest it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, in the east - the Cameroon Mountains, in the north - the Sahara, with the Sahel bordering it. The first independent state of Ghana was formed here, throwing off the shackles of colonialism.

West Africa is considered a poor and underdeveloped region, despite the rich deposits of minerals (oil, uranium, ore, tin, diamonds, gold). The population is engaged in the cultivation of monocultures (cocoa, peanuts, palm oil).

The political situation is unstable: terrorist acts, coups d'etat, and protests are recorded.

The main attractions of Africa

Africa (map with countries and capitals) is famous for its attractions. Man-made monuments and amazing nature with its variety of rare species of plants and animals amaze the imagination.

The majestic pyramids of Egypt or the pyramids of Giza

The pyramids of Giza consist of the diagonal complex of the pyramids of Cheops, Herf, Menkaur and small companion pyramids that serve as tombs for the wives of the pharaohs. The majestic structures are located on the Giza plateau in the Libyan desert, not far from the ancient city of the same name. Dated to the first half of the third millennium BC, at the time of the rulers of Egypt in the IV dynasty.

The pyramids served as tombs for the pharaohs. The original height was: Cheops - 146.7 m, Herf - 136.4 m, Menkaura - 66 m. Outside, the pyramids of Cheops and Herf were faced with limestone, and Menkaur with pink granite. Inside the pyramids there are tunnels, a gallery, underground and ground chambers with air ducts.

Great Sphinx

The sculpture of the Sphinx is located facing east, behind it are the pyramids of Giza. Made in the form of a mythical creature with a human head and the body of a lion. The Sphinx's face is damaged: the nose and ceremonial beard are missing. Between the legs of the sculpture is a granite slab, installed by order of Thutmose IV. A secret room with an underground passage leading to the Herf pyramid is hidden under the left paw.

The monument is made of limestone blocks, its length is 72 m, width is 20 m. The author and purpose of the sculpture are still unknown.

Valley of the Kings

It is a mountain gorge with the tombs of the pharaohs and their wives of the 16th - 11th centuries. BC, located on the western bank of the Nile, near Thebes. The interior of the tombs is represented by a long tunnel and a burial chamber. The walls are painted with paintings, which reflected the exploits and great deeds of the deceased. Jewelry, precious stones, expensive utensils were buried with the deceased.

During the entire research period, 63 tombs were found. The mummies of the rulers with sarcophagi were transported to the Cairo Museum.

Cairo Museum

Located in the capital of Egypt on Tahrir Square, 650 km from the Valley of the Kings. The merit in founding the museum in 1858 belongs to the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariet.

The Cairo Museum is a treasury of more than 160 thousand exhibits of a bygone civilization. The first floor is occupied by voluminous and heavy sarcophagi, statues made of stone and granite, a collection of papyri, as well as wall fragments with paintings from tombs. On the second floor, mummies of pharaohs and their wives, jewelry, figurines of gods, ritual accessories were placed.

Ancient city of Carthage

Africa (map with countries and capitals) keeps the history of states and cities that were destroyed during the conquests and the struggle for power. One of these places is ancient Carthage, the ruins of which have been preserved on the Birsa hill in the territory of modern Tunisia.

The city was founded by the Phoenicians in 814 BC. Subsequently destroyed by the Romans in 146 BC, cleared of rubble and rebuilt to form an administrative center. Today, on the site of old Carthage, foundations with walls of houses and Roman baths, columns, steles, tofet (burial place of sacrificed children and animals) have been preserved. At the top of the hill is the Carthage Museum.

Bandiagara

In Mali, in western Africa, there is a unique natural complex with the Dogon tribe inhabiting it. This is the Bandiagar Highlands. The object is an elevated steep plain with sandstone cliffs located on it, which reach 500 m in height and extend for 150 km.

Clay villages of the Dogons, the keepers of ancient traditions and rituals, were built in the rocks and on the plains. In the caves, granaries, chapels, altars, places of public meetings, burials of tell (the predecessors of the Dogon) are arranged. Rock carvings (XIV-XV centuries) are a shrine where ten-year-old boys are circumcised every 3 years.

Victoria Falls

Located on the Zambezi River, between the two South African states of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls is 1800 m wide and 120 m high. The visibility of the fog formed by falling water extends over 50 km. In the language of local residents, the name of the waterfall sounds like "Humming smoke".

At the edge of the waterfall, a depression is formed, filled with water and called the "Devil's Pool". During dry periods, the water level drops, allowing tourists to swim safely in this backwater.

Dallol volcano in Ethiopia

The volcano is located in the Afar Basin of the Danakil Desert, 48 m below sea level. This is a dormant volcano, the last activity was recorded in 1926. Then an acid lake formed in its place.

The color of the crater surface shimmers from yellow to brown. This is due to the washing out of ions of potassium salts, manganese, and iron from the depths of the volcano. Crystals of salt and fumaroles create an amazing landscape that makes Dallol comparable to the moon of Jupiter.

Ethiopian Danakil Desert

The Danakil Desert occupies 100,000 km 2 of the area of ​​two states - Ethiopia in its northern part and Eritrea in the southeastern part.

It is considered one of the most dangerous places on the planet due to its high volcanic activity. On the territory of Danakil there are 6 volcanoes, 3 of which are dormant, 1 dormant and 2 active. The air in the desert is saturated with poisonous sulfur vapors, and the temperature is kept within + 50C 0. Acid and oil lakes are found along its entire length.

Sahara Desert

The Sahara is located in the northern part of the African continent and covers an area of ​​6-8 million km 2. The sands of the desert spread over the territory of 10 states. Sugar is unsuitable for life due to high humidity and temperature (during the day + 50C 0, at night below 0). The exception is oases, where inland waters come to the surface and promote the growth of vegetation necessary for livestock feed.

The fauna is represented by 4000 species, many of them come to the surface only at night. The bowels of the Sahara are rich in minerals: oil, gas, gold, copper, uranium.

Namib Desert

Namib is called a place that God created in anger. The southwestern location of the desert on the mainland played a role in its formation due to the Benguela Current off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The Namib goes inland and joins the Kalahari, covering an area of ​​100,000 km 2.

This is the oldest desert, more than 80 million years old. On the territory you can find rare shrubs, herbs and the amazing Velvichia plant.

In the middle of the desert, there are dried and charred tree trunks that are more than 1000 years old. Sand along the periphery of the Namib is yellow, and in the center it has a reddish-brown hue. The dunes and dunes stretch up to 20 km in length, and the highest of them reaches 383 m.

Giraffe Center in Kenya

The center, founded in 1970 in the suburbs of Nairobi, is home to the rare Rothschild giraffe (no more than 700 worldwide). A program to prevent the extinction of a subspecies is being implemented here. Individuals breed in the reserve and are subsequently released into the wild.

A hotel for tourists has been built on the territory of the center, which makes it possible to take a closer look at the giraffes and feed them from the hands directly from the windows of the rooms.

Valley of the whales Wadi al-Hitan

Wadi al-Hitan is located in the north of Egypt in El Fayyum. It is a protected area where the remains and waste products of ancient whales (archeocetes), sharks, crocodiles, and turtles are collected.

The fossils have allowed paleontologists to reproduce the appearance of whales. Studies have shown that in the process of evolution, land archeocetes lost their hind limbs, the shape of the body became streamlined, and the habitat changed to aquatic.

Baobab Sunland

Baobab Sunland is located on the farm of the same name in the Limpopo province of southern Africa. He gained fame due to his age (more than 6,000 years) and size: height 22 m, trunk circumference 46 m.

Having freed the baobab from the internal decayed part, the owners of the farm in 1933 set up a beer bar with a cellar there. The capacity was 15 people. The inner part consisted of two cavities with partitions, connected by a narrow passage. In 2016 and 2017 most of the baobab was split and destroyed.

Kirstenbosch Garden

The botanical garden was founded in 1913 at the foot of the Stem Mountain, 13 km from Cape Town. The total area of ​​green spaces is 528 hectares and contains more than 7000 rare plant species.

On the territory of Kirstenbosch, greenhouses have been established, in which plants of endangered species from the savannah and karroo are bred. Information signs are placed near each type of flowers and shrubs. Particular attention is paid to the national symbol of South Africa - evergreen proteas. In areas not subject to cultivation, thickets of bushes, flowers and forests of low-growing trees grow.

Congo river

Congo is a deep river 4370 m long, located in the central part of the African continent. It originates in the southeast of the DRC and flows into the Atlantic Ocean, crossing the equator twice. The Congo is powered by rainwater.

The main attractions of the Congo:

• The seven-lane Stanley Falls, with a fall height of 60 m. Included in the Guinness Book of Records.
• Livingstone Falls are sections of the river with rapids, with a total length of 350 km and a fall of 270 m.

Cape of Good Hope

Located in South Africa, 70 km from Cape Town. It is the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula, which, making a bend to the north, ends at the extreme south-western point, called Cape Point. It is in this place that a lighthouse with a sign "Cape of Good Hope" and an observation deck are installed.

The cape has beaches with white and yellow sand and unique fauna (penguins, cheetahs, rhinos). It is famous for the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic oceans in this place, which is clearly seen in the color and temperature difference of the waters.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is located in East Africa in the Republic of Tanzania. It is a dormant cone-shaped stratovolcano with three peaks: Shira, Kibo, Mavenzi. The highest of them - 5895 m (Uhuru peak of Kibo volcano) is covered with a glacier. The peaks are extinct volcanoes.

Kilimanjaro has 5 climatic zones. Fruits, forests and meadows bloom up to the level of 3000 m. At 4000-5000 m, the vegetation is replaced by wasteland. Over 5000 m, the Arctic zone begins, where flora and fauna are absent.

Dragon mountains

They are located in the southeast of the African continent south of Kilimanjaro. The ridge of the basalt Drakensberg Mountains stretches for 300 km in length, and the highest point reaches 3482 m (Thabana-Ntlenyana). On its way they pass through the territory of South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho. They are part of the Drakensberg National Park.

The age of the mountains is 400 million years, which is confirmed by the presence of the remains of dinosaurs and their embryos in the layers of the rock. Nature and fauna are represented by rare endemics.

Serengeti

The national park is located in Tanzania, while its northern part smoothly passes into the Masai Mara reserve (Kenya), and the southeast into the Ngorongoro crater. The foundation of the park dates back to 1951.The area of ​​the territory is 14763 km 2.

The landscape of the park is flat, with alternating safaris, forests and meadows. The unique flora and fauna contains 500 species of birds, 3 million large animals and more than 1000 rare plants.

Limpopo river

The river crosses the southern part of the continent in South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe and flows into the Indian Ocean. It begins in the Witwatersrand mountains, taking on many tributaries on its way. The total length is 1750 km.

The river is famous for the abundance of crocodiles and hippos in its waters.

The mining industry (gold, diamonds, uranium) and, in part, shipping are well developed in its basin. Part of the river is part of the Kruger National Park.

Table mountain

Located in the Western Cape Province, 7.5 km southwest of Cape Town. The highest point is 1085 m. The mountain is built of sandstone, has steep slopes and a flat top with an area of ​​3 km, formed due to erosion and weathering.

A park with orchids, silver trees and finbosh is formed at the top. For the convenience of tourists, a funicular was built. Through a worldwide vote, Table Mountain has been voted one of the 7 Natural Wonders.

Africa (map with countries and capitals) is replete with interesting places worth visiting.

Of these, the following are popular:

Tourists from all over the world flock to Africa, the hallmark of which is the heritage of ancient civilizations, preserved traditions, culture of countries and capitals, as well as unique flora and fauna.

Article formatting: Mila Friedan

Video about Africa

Fauna of Africa:

Our resource is dedicated to tourism and travel, because maps of foreign cities and countries are so important for my readers. In order not to get lost in a foreign city or country, visit our website! This article will provide you with map of africa, on which streets and houses are clearly visible. Simply put, here you will see an interactive map of africa with cities directly from the satellite in Russian!

Satellite map of Africa

Everyone knows what Africa is, am I right? But still, I'll give you a little excursion. Africa is located near the Mediterranean and Red Sea, a little further south, in general. Also from the west, Africa is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, and from the east - by the Indian. We have all seen a map of the world or a globe at least once and should know that Africa is a fairly large continent. And so it is, in terms of area, this is the second continent in the world, after the giant Eurasia. There are as many as 55 states on the territory of Africa, 4 of them are not recognized and five are independent territories on the islands. In all its complexity, Africa is inhabited by about a billion people. Based on the generally accepted theory, Africa can be considered the progenitor of the human race, at the moment it is in Africa that the most ancient remains of the early human ancestors have been found.

Now let's talk about tourism in Africa. We all know that there is nothing better than exotic travel and Africa is just suitable for such a purpose. Animals wonderful and unusual for our eyes, interesting people who are not like us, amazing and unusual climate - all this awaits you in Africa. If you have not yet decided which country you want to visit, then below I will give a list of African countries with a tourist analysis. Well, as always, according to tradition, with a bunch of maps, so that if you are already going to go, you will not get lost in any case!

Satellite map of Africa. Explore satellite map of Africa online in real time. A detailed map of Africa based on high resolution satellite imagery. As close as possible, a satellite map of Africa allows you to study in detail the streets, individual houses and attractions of Africa. A satellite map of Africa can be easily switched to a regular map mode (diagram).

Africa- a part of the world that includes the mainland of Africa and numerous islands. In terms of area, Africa is the second continent after. Africa is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In total, there are 55 states in Africa, 5 unrecognized countries and the same number of dependent island countries. According to scientists, Africa is the cradle of humanity, because it was on the territory of this continent that the remains of hominids, the ancient ancestors of modern man, were discovered.

The climate in Africa is diverse. It is the only continent that includes climatic zones ranging from the southern subtropical to the northern subtropical. Since Africa is crossed by the equator, and in many areas there is practically no sufficient rainfall, there is no natural regulation of the climate in Africa.

In terms of nature and fauna, Africa is the most exotic continent with great diversity, contrasts and the most beautiful unique landscapes and landscapes that can hardly be seen anywhere else.

Africa- a real treasure trove of various attractions that belong to different civilizations and peoples. The most popular and visited African sights are the Egyptian pyramids, Serengeti reserves, Victoria Falls. In Africa, the modernity of large states and the originality of small, few peoples and tribes are harmoniously combined.

The African world is not only beautiful, unique and inimitable. It is this exotic that attracts tourists. Africa is a rather hospitable country, and any traveler will find entertainment to their liking. In Africa, you can go surfing, diving, ecotourism or prefer a calm and measured holiday on the lakes or on the ocean or sea. Africa is also famous for its desert safaris and national parks.