Population and political map of africa. Africa population Anthropological composition of the population of Africa

The area is very uneven.

The most densely populated sea coasts, coastal islands, lower reaches, mining regions of South Africa, Zaire and. In these areas, the population density ranges from 50 to 1000 people per 1 sq. km. km. In the vast expanses of the Namib, the population density barely reaches 1 person per 1 sq. km. km.

The uneven distribution is manifested both at the level of the region as a whole and at the level of individual countries. For example, almost the entire population lives in the delta and valley of the Nile (4% of the total area), where the density is 1,700 people per 1 km2.

Ethnic composition of the population of Africa is of great variegation. 300-500 ethnic groups live on the mainland. Some of them (especially in) have developed into large nations, but most are still at the level of nationalities and tribes. Many of the ethnic groups still retained the remnants of the tribal system, archaic forms of social relations.

Linguistically, half of the population of Africa belongs to the Niger-Kordofan family, the third part belongs to the Afrosia family. Residents of European origin make up only 1%. But at the same time, the languages ​​of the former metropolises remain the state (official) languages ​​of the majority: English (19 countries), (21 countries), (5 countries).

The "quality" of the population of Africa remains very low. The illiteracy rate in most countries exceeds 50%, and in countries such as Mali it is 90%.

Religious composition of Africa also has great variegation. At the same time, Muslims predominate in its northern and eastern parts. This is due to the settlement of the Arabs here. In the central and southern parts of Africa, the religious beliefs of the population were significantly influenced by the metropolitan countries. Therefore, many types of Christianity are widespread here (Protestantism, Lutheranism, Calvinism, etc.). Many peoples of this region have preserved local beliefs.

Due to the diversity of ethnic and socio-economic difficulties and the colonial past (borders), Africa is a region of numerous ethno-political conflicts (Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, etc.). In total, over 35 armed conflicts were recorded in Africa during the post-colonial period, in which more than 10 million people died. More than 70 coups d'état resulted in the assassination of 25 presidents.

Africa characterized by very high rates (more than 3% per year). According to this indicator, Africa is ahead of all other regions of the world. First of all, it is determined. For example, the birth rate in Somalia, Mali exceeds 50 o / oo, i.e. 4-5 times higher than in Europe. At the same time, Africa is the region of the highest mortality and the lowest average (men - 64 years old, women - 68 years old). As a result, the age structure of the population is characterized by a high proportion (about 45%) of children and adolescents under 15 years of age.

Africa is characterized by the highest level, the vast majority of which is of a forced nature and is associated with interethnic conflicts. Africa hosts almost half of the world's refugees and displaced persons, the vast majority being "ethnic refugees". Such forced migrations always lead to outbreaks of diseases leading to increased mortality.
Africa is a region of high labor migration. The main centers of attraction of labor from the African continent are and (especially the countries of the Persian Gulf). Within the continent, labor flows mainly from the poorest countries to the richer ones (South Africa,

A prime example of African-style urbanization is the city of Lagos in Nigeria. This city has long been the capital of the state. In 1950, its population was 300 thousand people, and now - 12.5 million. Living conditions in this overcrowded city are so unfavorable that in 1992 the capital was moved to Abuja.

The population of Africa is over 1 billion people.
Africa is considered the ancestral home of mankind, because it was on the territory of this continent that the remains of the most ancient species of Homosapiens were discovered. In addition, Africa can be called the birthplace of religions, because in the regions of Africa you can find a huge variety of cultures and religions.
Africa is home to:

• Algerian, Moroccan, Sudanese, Egyptian Arabs;
• Yoruba;
• hausa;
• amhara;
• other nationalities.

On average, 22 people live per 1 km2, but the most densely populated place on the continent is the island of Mauritius (about 500 people live per 1 km2), and Libya is the least populated (1-2 people live per 1 km2).
The northern part of the African continent is inhabited by the peoples of the Indo-Mediterranean race, south of the Sahara is inhabited by the peoples of the Negro-Australoid race (they are divided into 3 small races - Negro, Negril, Bushman), and the northeast of Africa is inhabited by the peoples of the Ethiopian race.
There is no official language in Africa: they are the languages ​​of groups that have lived in this territory for a long time. The main ones are the Afrosian, Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Kordofan, Khoisan, Indo-European language families. But the actual language is English.
Large African cities: Lagos (Nigeria), Cairo (Egypt), Alexandria (Egypt), Casablanca (Morocco), Kinshasa (Congo), Nairobi (Kenya).
The population of Africa professes Islam, Christianity, Protestantism, Catholicism, Judaism.

Lifespan

Africans live on average 50 years.
The African continent is characterized by rather low life expectancy rates (on average, people in the world live up to 65 years).
Tunisia and Libya are leaders: here people live on average up to 73 years, residents of Central and East Africa - up to 43 years, and Zambia and Zimbabwe scored the lowest - here people live only 32-33 years (this is due to the wide spread of AIDS) .
Low life expectancy is due to outbreaks of epidemics: people die not only from HIV / AIDS, but also from tuberculosis. And children often die from measles, malaria and malnutrition.
Health problems largely depend on the lack of medical workers (doctors and nurses flock to developed countries).

Traditions and customs of the peoples of Africa

An integral part of the customs and traditions of the peoples of Africa are shamans with supernatural powers and unique knowledge. All rituals are performed by shamans in special masks, which can be made in the form of the head of a non-existent animal or monster.
Africa has its own ideals of female beauty: beautiful women here are those that have long necks, so they hang rings on their necks and never take them off (otherwise the woman will die, because the neck loses muscle due to wearing hoops).
Africa is a hot and wild continent: despite the fact that today planes fly to all its corners, it is still a mysterious land of alluring dreams for us.

What do you know about Africa? Probably the fact that blacks, Arabs and Zulus live there. There are crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, zebras, lions and tigers. There are pyramids, the Nile River, Lake Victoria and the Sahara desert. Children are constantly starving there, there are wars and people do not live well. So, what is Africa, let's get to know this amazing continent better.

General information about Africa is as follows: the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe territory - 30 221 53 km2, the population is about 1,1-1,2 billion people, the number of countries - 55 . This is the second largest continent after Eurasia - it is approximately 6% of the total area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe planet and 20.4% of the total land area. Africa crosses the equator ...

Next, I will try to tell you what Africa is from the point of view of the economy and what place it occupies among other economies of the world. You will be able to compare indicators such as territory, population size and density, nominal and PPP GDP, as well as per capita. You can see tables, charts, maps of African countries and much more.

Africa is usually divided into territorial and economic zones as East Africa, West Africa, North Africa, Middle Africa and South Africa.

Africa - table, territory, population, GDP and economy

During 1970-2016 Africa's GDP increased in current nominal prices from $107.2 billion to $2321 billion, which means it grew 21.65 times. Agree, Africa has made a big leap in these 46 years.

We also have constant price data relative to 1970 between 1970 and 2016. According to them, Africa's GDP increased from $107.2 billion in 1970 to $535 billion in 2016, which means that the real purchasing power of Africa as a whole has grown by 4.99 times over 46 years.

The population of Africa in 1970 was estimated at 364,634,000 people, and finally in 2016 it is estimated at 1,216,129,000 people, which means that the population of Africa has grown by 3.33 times in 46 years.

The table below needs some explanation. You can see the dynamics of Africa's GDP growth from 1970 to 2016 there. Current prices are nominal prices in US dollars for that year of measurement. 1970 constant prices is what Africa's GDP would be if the purchasing power of the dollar were the same as it was in 1970.

Table of African GDP 1970-2016 at current and constant prices

This is followed by a table that displays the latest data for African countries for 2016. In it you can look at parameters such as territory, population, population density, nominal GDP and purchasing power parity, population density, GDP per capita and the percentage contributed by each country to the total nominal GDP of Africa. The table is dynamic, you can sort it by all columns.

Table Africa 2016: population, area, GDP

For greater clarity, here is a map of Africa with population by country for 2016

Based on the data presented, it is possible to compile a table of how much purchasing power there was per African in 1970, and account for in 2016 at constant 1970 prices and current prices.

As can be seen from the table above, the purchasing power of the average African increased from 1970 to 2016, not only in current-nominal prices, but also in constant 1970 prices. In current-nominal prices, it has grown 6.6 times, and in constant 1970 prices it has grown 1.5 times. Which for Africa is not so bad, I would even say amazing, indicator.

Economic performance of Africa, African countries, and African sub-regions in tabular form 1970-2013

In the following tables and explanations to them, you can get information about the structure of the economy, GDP by individual subregions and other economic indicators of African countries from 1970 to 2013. I specify the latest data below are the maximum for 2013.

Dynamics of the African economy, billion dollars, 1970-2013, current (nominal) prices

Structure of the African economy, %, 1970-2013

The picture more clearly shows the structure of the African economy by sub-region in 2013.

Nominal GDP in Africa by sub-regions, billion dollars, 1970-2013

Nominal GDP per capita in Africa by sub-region, dollars, 1970-2013

The picture below clearly demonstrates how much each sub-region of Africa contributes in % to the total treasury of Africa's GDP for 2013.

There are also leaders in Africa in terms of nominal GDP growth, below will be shown a picture-table of African leader countries from 1970 to 2016. Some countries fell out over time, some, on the contrary, took the lead. The picture walks up showing the economic situation of the most economically developed countries in Africa.

As you can see, Nigeria was the largest country in terms of nominal GDP from 1970-1980, then it lost the lead to the country of South Africa, which was in the lead from 1990-2010, then Nigeria again regained its position in 2013 and remains the leader now.

Second place in 1970-1980 was occupied by South Africa, then in 1980-1990 Nigeria was in second place, in 1990-2000 Egypt was in second place, then Nigeria again in 2000-2010, then in 2013 South Africa broke through to second place, and since 2016 Egypt will be on it again.

The third place at different times was occupied by such countries: 1970-1980 - Egypt, 1980-1990 - Sudan, 2000-2010 - Nigeria, 2010-2013 - Egypt, and since 2016 this place has been occupied by South Africa.

For 2016, the top eight countries in terms of nominal GDP looks like the table below

For greater clarity, I will place this data in the form of a diagram.

Findings for Africa

Africa and the countries located on this continent develop, of course, African countries are still far from the developed countries of the world, but they will confidently move into a happy future. As you can see, not all Africans sit under palm trees and wait for a banana or coconut to fall to the ground at their feet. Although a banana is not a tree, a banana is a grass!

Jokes about Africa in the topic:

The Negro lies under a palm tree in his homeland. A businessman from Europe passes by.
- Here you are a black man, lying idle, but you could climb a palm tree, pick bananas. Go to the market and sell.
- What for?
- Well, why! With the money from what was sold, you can buy a cart and earn a lot more!
- What for?
- Yes, you can already buy a truck from the sold one and carry large volumes, then you will hire workers, and you yourself will lie and do nothing!
- And I, in principle, and so I lie and do nothing!

The journalist asks the Negro:
- Tell me, how do you get coconuts?
- And we are waiting for the wind to blow, they fall, and we collect them.
What if there is no wind?
- Well ... then crop failure

You can also view related articles Economy and GDP analysis of Japan 1970-2016 and Table of countries of the world 2016 (area, population, GDP) . Thank you for your attention and all the best!

Africa is a huge continent, on the territory of which there are 55 states. The population of Africa is 1 billion people. About 130 peoples live here, 20 of which number more than 5 million people each, and 100 - more than 1 million people each. In total, there are about 8,000 nationalities.

Population of Central Africa

The entire population of this region belongs to the Negroid race. This race is characterized by the presence of swarthy, almost black skin, dark eyes, hard dark curly hair. These include the Yoruba, Bantu, Hausa, Athara, Tubu, Kanuri peoples. Among the Tubu and Kanuri tribes, an admixture of the Caucasoid race can be seen. They have lighter skin and less wavy hair.

Representatives of the Nigrill race live in the equatorial forests of the Congo and Gabon. Their feature is short stature (up to 150 cm) and a reddish or yellowish skin tone. In proportion to the body, the head is very large. Many scientists explain their unique characteristics by living in dark forests.

The Bushmen also live in Central Africa. This is a nomadic people, representing a mixture of Negroids with Mongoloids.

Rice. 1. Negroid woman.

Population of North Africa

On the territory of North Africa, mainly peoples belonging to the Caucasoid race live. They have a swarthy (but not black) face, dark eyes and hair. These peoples include Arabs, Nubians and Berbers. On the southern outskirts there are representatives of the Negroid race, as well as many mixed types and mestizos. 90% of the people living in this region are Muslims, and the main language is Arabic. The second language in terms of the number of people speaking it is the Berber language. It is distributed in almost all countries except Sudan.

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Rice. 2. Arab woman in a hijab.

East African population

Ethiopians, Bushmen, representatives of the Negroid and Negril races live on the territory of East Africa. Ethiopians arose as a result of mixing representatives of the Caucasian and Negroid races. In the equatorial forests, which are also represented in East Africa, pygmies also live.

Rwanda is the most populated country in Africa. With a population of 12 million people, the density is 430 people per 1 sq. km. meter.

Rice. 3. Ethiopian.

Population of South Africa

The main peoples of South Africa are the Bushmen and Hottentots. These peoples are characterized by a combination of features of the Negril and Negroid races. Representatives of the Caucasian race and Asians also live here. All of them once emigrated here and stayed forever.

The population in the region is unevenly distributed. The main population is concentrated in large cities: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town.

Population of West Africa

The population of this region is 280 million people. Most of the population belong to the Negroid race (Wolof, Kisi, Serer). Berber-speaking Tuaregs live on the territory of several states. The main religions are Islam and Christianity (to a lesser extent). Of the foreign languages, English and French are common.

What have we learned?

This article briefly examines the characteristics of the population of each of the 5 regions of Africa. Representatives of the Negril race, the Negroid race, Europeans, Bushmen, Pygmies and many other peoples live in Africa. The country with the highest population density is Rwanda and the one with the smallest density is Namibia.

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(L. Leakey, K. Arambur, F. Howell and others) in the late 50s - early 70s. of our century, they carried out thorough research on the territory and (Olduvai Gorge, the eastern shore of Lake Turkana, the valley of the Omo River, Hadar, etc.). First, the remains of fossil forms of great apes related to modern chimpanzees and gorillas were found. Then they discovered the immediate predecessors of the most ancient people - Australopithecus. From among these two-legged primates, about 3 million years ago, creatures emerged that made the first artificial tools. Scientists believe that it was they who created the oldest Paleolithic culture - the Olduvai - and thereby laid the foundation for the human race.

The main part of the territories of the mainland is inhabited by peoples belonging to the Negroid branch of the equatorial race. Negroids are characterized by a dark skin color that protects the body from the scorching rays of the sun. Thick curly hair forms an air gap that protects the head from overheating. For representatives of this race, wide noses with a low nose bridge, swollen lips are common. However, these signs are expressed differently in different representatives of this race. Thus, the color of the skin varies from light brown in some tribes of the southeast of the mainland to almost among the tribes living in the Upper basin and east of the lake (Nilotic tribes).

Pygmies living under the canopy of the equatorial (Zaire) are distinguished by peculiar signs. The skin color of the Pygmies is lighter than that of the Negroids, the lips are thin, their average height is 142 cm, the maximum is 150 cm. Bushmen and Hottentots have survived in the deserts. They have a yellowish-brown skin color, a wide flat face, which gives them a certain resemblance to the Mongoloids. It is obvious that the conditions of life and semi-deserts bring these peoples closer to the inhabitants - the Mongoloids.

Each group of the Negroid branch of the equatorial race has its own spoken language. Sub-Saharan Africans speak languages. The peoples of Central, Southern and parts of East Africa speak Bantu languages.

The north of the mainland is inhabited by Berbers and Arabs who moved here from Asia. They belong to the southern branch of the Caucasian race. Berbers and Arabs have dark skin, dark hair and eyes, an elongated skull, a narrow nose and an oval face; they speak mostly Arabic.

In areas of mixed habitation of different races, groups of peoples were formed, combining various racial characteristics. So, Ethiopians occupy an intermediate position between Negroids and Caucasians. there was a type of people (Malagasy) with signs of Negroids and Mongoloids, who penetrated here, probably from.

For several centuries it was in colonial dependence on a number of European states. Therefore, a newcomer population of European origin was formed in the former colonies. Europeans live in Africa mainly in areas with a favorable Mediterranean climate. In the north, along the coast of the sea, there are many French; in the extreme south of the mainland - the British and Boers (descendants of Dutch settlers).

More than 550 million people live in Africa, which is approximately 1/10 of the world's population. On the territory of the mainland, the population is distributed extremely unevenly. The population density in the Nile Delta is very high - more than 1000 people. per km2. This is one of the densely populated areas not only in Africa, but throughout the globe. The coasts of the Mediterranean Sea, the Gulf of Guinea, and the south and southeast of the mainland are relatively densely populated. In the deserts and semi-deserts of Africa (, Namib,) the population is very rare, some areas are completely deserted.

The peoples of Africa have gone through a long historical path of development. In ancient times in Africa there were highly organized states with a developed culture and medicine, flourishing crafts and trade, and a developed building art (, Ethiopia).

The era of the slave trade and colonial robbery by European capitalists lasted for about four centuries in Africa. Only during the period of the slave trade, about 100 million people were taken out of Africa. During the colonial conquests, the indigenous population of the mainland became a cheap, almost free labor force in the mines and plantations. To justify the capture of the best lands, the predatory export of the wealth of African land (diamonds, gold, ores of non-ferrous and rare metals; coffee, bananas, cocoa and other agricultural products), as well as horrendous working conditions and beggarly wages for slave labor, the European colonialists substantiated the false the theory according to which the peoples of Africa supposedly belong to an “inferior race” and are not able to manage their own economy, govern their countries, develop science and art. Although, as we noted, Africans successfully did all this long before the arrival of Europeans.

By 1950, only four states remained independent politically: Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Union of South Africa (with a special system of brutal exploitation of Africans and racial oppression - apartheid). Since the 50s. In the twentieth century, a national liberation movement unfolded in Africa, which led to the collapse of the colonial system. Only in 1960 did they free themselves from colonial oppression 17 . By the end of the 60s. there were already 42 independent countries on the mainland, and by the mid-80s. - more than 50. Now there are no colonies in Africa, although many countries are economically dependent on former colonizers.

The leading capitalist countries of the world are striving to maintain their economic and political dominance in the newly-free countries. This is facilitated by the difficulties to which the peoples of Africa have been subjected to centuries of exploitation: economic backwardness, illiteracy of the majority of the indigenous population, chronic food shortages, poor medical care, and so on. Currently, most African countries belong to the group of developing countries, and to the category of lagging behind in their development or the least developed. The first of them is dominated by a mixed economy with strong remnants of feudal relations; second, consumer agriculture. In general, Africa is the least economically and socially developed region of the world. And although in the past two decades the population of Africa has been growing faster than on Earth as a whole, the pace of development of many countries has increased after gaining political independence, these countries are still only at the beginning of a long journey to the level of European civilization.