The sahara desert of north africa, the savanna of west africa, and the rainforest of central africa shaped the way people lived their lives. Description of africa, a largely firsthand geographical book, which was published under the title della descrittione dellafrica et delle cose notabili che ivi sono by giovanni battista ramusio in his collection of travellers accounts delle navigationi e viaggi in venice in 1550, contained the first detailed descriptions published in europe of the barbary coast modern morocco, algeria, and. South africa, the southernmost country on the african continent, renowned for its varied topography, great natural beauty, and cultural diversity, all of which have made the country a favored destination for travelers since the legal ending of apartheid afrikaans. The publications of the hakluyt society founded in 1846 made available edited and sometimes translated early accounts of exploration. Africa s total land area is approximately 11,724,000 square miles 30,365,000 square km, and the continent measures about 5,000 miles 8,000 km from north to south and about 4,600 miles 7,400 km from east to west. Africa is also the worlds second most populous continent. Africa spectrum is published by the giga institute for african affairs iaa in hamburg. How to write about africa binyavanga wainaina granta. The history and description of africa volume 3 book. Leo africanuss geographical history of africa the british. Jun 12, 2012 the history and description of africa, vol.
The history and description of africa by leo africanus. The first series, which ran from 1847 to 1899, consists of 100 books containing published or previously unpublished works by authors from christopher columbus to. The last census was held in 2001 and the next will be in 2011. Central africas rainforests are second only to those of the amazon basin in terms of size. Sure, we get some pretty descriptive discussion of the setting of this poem, but it starts to sound quite a bit like the description of a pretty lady, not a map. The description of africa by leo africanus historywiz africa. Africa, the second largest continent, covering about onefifth of the total land surface of earth. And of the notable things therein contained volume 1 cambridge library collection hakluyt first series 9781108012881. Kenya has known the presence of humankind since the very earliest development of our species. The history and description of africa and of the notable things therein contained. Description of africa, a largely firsthand geographical book, which was published under the title della descrittione dellafrica et delle cose notabili che ivi sono by giovanni battista ramusio in his collection of travellers accounts delle navigationi e viaggi in venice in 1550, contained the first detailed descriptions published in europe of. Africa, the secondlargest continent, is bounded by the mediterranean sea, the red sea, the indian ocean, and the atlantic ocean.
It is also thought to have influenced shakespeare in his depiction of othellos virtues and vices who was the moorish author. A geographical historie of africa 1600 was the authoritative work on the geography of africa at the time and was significant in shaping the idea of africa for early modern europeans. There are eight major geographical regions in africa that influence its landscape. Africa, the planets 2nd largest continent and the second mostpopulous continent after asia includes 54 individual countries, and western sahara, a member state of the african union whose statehood is disputed by morocco. Most believe it stems from words used by the phoenicians, greeks, and romans. The history and description of africa and of the notable things therein contained, vol. Description of africa and of the notable things therein contained, was translated from arabic for the first time into latin in 1526. Facts about tanzania prev article next article tanzania, the largest country in east africa, includes the spice islands of zanzibar, pemba, and mafia and contains africas highest pointkilimanjaro, at 5,895 meters 19,340 feet. Description of africa, a largely firsthand geographical book, which was published under the title della descrittione dellafrica et delle cose notabili che ivi sono by giovanni battista ramusio in his collection of travellers accounts delle navigationi e viaggi in venice in 1550, contained the. The people of africa live in different types of homes. The african continent is located mainly in the eastern hemisphere and to the major part in the northern hemisphere. Africa is surrounded by the mediterranean sea to the north, both the suez canal and the red sea along the sinai peninsula to the northeast, the indian ocean to the east and southeast, and the atlantic ocean to the west. African art article about african art by the free dictionary. Africa is a huge continent with a wide variety of landscapes and climates, from the dry, hot desert climate found in the northern countries in the sahara desert to the tropical rainforests toward the center of the continent and the subarctic climates found in mountainous regions in southern africa.
Africas total land area is approximately 11,724,000 square miles 30,365,000 square km, and the continent measures about 5,000 miles 8,000 km from north to south and about 4,600 miles 7,400 km from east to west. Cambridge core historical geography the history and description of africa by leo africanus edited by robert brown. He and his wife, chris woolwinemoen, produced thousands of awardwinning maps that are used all over the world and content that aids students, teachers, travelers. Description of africa, as a book title, may refer to. South africa is found at the southernmost region of africa, with a long coastline that reaches more than 2,500 km 1,553 mi and along two oceans the south atlantic and the indian.
Description of the rainforest in central africa usa today. Leo africanus was an earlysixteenthcentury traveler who recorded in great. Africa, being an accurate description 1670 history archive. Africa, containing a description of the manners and. Skip to main content accessibility help we use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. The landscape, climate and biodiversity from one region. Much of what we know about ancient africa has been passed down orally over the years through storytellers called griots. Leo africanuss geographical history of africa the british library. Africa is one of the most diverse places on the planet with a wide variety of terrain, wildlife, and climates. He is an enemy of development, always using his government job to make it difficult for pragmatic and goodhearted expats to set up ngos or legal conservation areas. John moen is a cartographer who along with his wife are the orignal founders of. The history and description of africa volume 3 by leo. The the history and description of africa 3 volume paperback set the history and description of africa. He was captured by christian pirates and ended up as a slave to pope leo x, who converted.
South africa suffers from mostly heavy overall regulation compared to developed countries. Africa is the worlds secondlargest and secondmost populous continent, after asia. Africa definition of africa by the free dictionary. If you are a woman, treat africa as a man who wears a bush jacket and disappears off into the sunset. South africa is located, as one might expect, on the southern tip of africa. Africa stretches well south of the equator to cover more than 12 million square miles making africa the worlds second largest continent. The secondlargest continent, connected to asia by the isthmus of suez and lying between the mediterranean sea and the atlantic and indian oceans. By 100,000 bc modern humans lived by hunting and gathering with stone tools. Leo africanus description of west africa 1500 leo africanus.
Africas physical geography, environment and resources, and human geography can be considered separately. Geography the geography of africa helped to shape the history and development of the culture and civilizations of ancient africa. Amra, rising storm music publishing, global music rights llc. Almost all of south africa s 472,000 square miles 1. Date 1896 resource type books language english, italian subject. The book was first written in 1550 by a moorish traveller and. The history and description of africa and of the notable. History and description of africa 1526 leo africanus. The 780,000 square miles of rainforest in the congo river basin cross international borders and harbor. Description of africa 1550 book by giovanni battista ramusio, published in italian. Of or relating to africa or its peoples, languages, or cultures. Description of africa, a largely firsthand geographical book, which was published under the title della descrittione dell africa et delle cose notabili che ivi sono by giovanni battista ramusio in his collection of travellers accounts delle navigationi e viaggi in venice in 1550, contained the first detailed descriptions published in europe. South africa is a nation of about 50 million people of diverse origins, cultures, languages, and religions.
Africas total land area is approximately 11,724,000 square miles 30,365,000 square km, and the continent measures about 5,000 miles 8,000 km from north to south and. The description of africa by leo africanus historywiz. Leo africanus description of west africa 1500 leo africanus leo africanus. History and description of africa 1526 leo africanus introduction alhassan ibnmuhammad alwazzan alfasi, better known as leo africanus, was probably born in the 1460s in granada, the last muslim toehold in spain, but was raised in fez in modern morocco. Description of africa, a largely firsthand geographical book, which was published under the title della descrittione dellafrica et delle cose notabili che ivi sono by. Africa is the only continent you can lovetake advantage of this. Outline map of the africa continent including the disputed territory of western sahara print. The basic land features and characteristics of africa are different from north america. It is divided in half almost equally by the equator. The congo rainforest is famous for its gorillas, chimpanzees, and elephants as well as its native population of forest dwellers known as pygmies. To start the lesson off, the teacher will wear an outfit or clothing that africans commonly wear.
The serengeti plains cover over 11,500 square miles and contain some of africa s most iconic wildlife, including zebras, elephants, lions and giraffes. And of the notable things therein contained volume 1 cambridge library collection hakluyt first. African definition of african by the free dictionary. Description of timbuktu from the description of africa 1526 november 4, 2016 elizabeth. It was devised as a comprehensive guide to africa intended for a british readership and includes maps, topographical engravings and narrative descriptions of the countries, provinces, peoples and customs of that continent. South africa history, capital, flag, map, population. South africa simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Moreover, the region has long been a migratory path, passed through by wave upon wave of peoples from all over africa and, later, from the middle east as well. Note that south sudan is the continents newest country. Volume 3 by leo africanus, 9781108012898, available. Africa synonyms, africa pronunciation, africa translation, english dictionary definition of africa. The history and description of africa volume 3 by leo africanus.
The the history and description of africa 3 volume paperback set. African synonyms, african pronunciation, african translation, english dictionary definition of african. At 1,219,912 km 2 471,011 sq mi, south africa is the 25thlargest country in the world and is almost the size of colombia. South africa has one of the continents biggest and most developed economies. Africa definition, a continent s of europe and between the atlantic and indian oceans. Africas total land area is approximately 11724000 square miles. Interest in the arts of africa has flourished, and many modern western artists have rediscovered the enduring qualities of african art.
Did you know that africa, which covers over 30 million square kilometres, is bigger than the usa, canada and india together. He settled in morocco, and traveled broadly through north africa. Up until 1994 it was ruled by a white minority government, which. In his description of african people, leo takes pains to give a balanced perspective, though it seems nonetheless. Scientists believe that africa was the birthplace of mankind. The history and description of africa internet archive. The geography impacted where people could live, important trade resources such as gold and salt, and trade routes that helped different civilizations to. Most of africas remaining rainforests are found in the congo river basin on the atlantic ocean side of the continent. At the end of the first book of leo africanuss description of africa, the author reflects, through two stories, on his extraordinary situation.
The highest ratio of wildlife to area, however, is found within africa s rain forests located in central africa along the congo river basin. Our africa facts for kids bring you lots of interesting and fun facts on the african continent. These include the sahara desert, the savanna, the sahel, the african great lakes, the swahili coast, south africa and the rain forest. It is bordered by the atlantic ocean on the west, the indian ocean on the south and east. With a 2011 population of 1,032,532,974, it accounts for just over 14% of the worlds human. Fun facts and statistics about the african continent. If you are a man, thrust yourself into her warm virgin forests. The history and description of africa by leo africanus june 2010. The origin of the name africa is greatly disputed by scholars.
Africa, containing a description of the manners and customs, with some historical particulars of the moors of the zahara, and of the negro nations between the rivers senegal and gambia. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings. He and his wife, chris woolwinemoen, produced thousands of awardwinning maps that are used all over the world and content that aids students, teachers, travelers and parents with their geography and map questions. Most of africa s remaining rainforests are found in the congo river basin on the atlantic ocean side of the continent. Description of timbuktu from the description of africa. This enormous volume was published by john ogilby 16001676 in 1670. The sahel region of africa is a 3,860kilometre arclike land mass lying to the immediate south of the sahara desert and stretching eastwest across the breadth of the african continent. Introduction the history and description of africa. The culture of ancient africa was as diverse as the geography of the large continent. And of the notable things therein contained volume 2 cambridge library collection hakluyt first series leo. The modern african is a fat man who steals and works in the visa office, refusing to give work permits to qualified westerners who really care about africa.
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