Even before the country became independent in 1962, Rwanda's two largest ethnic groups, the Hutu and Tutsi, were often at war. In the spring of 1994, tensions between the two groups culminated in nationwide massacres of approximately 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu. The genocide drew international attention to the problems of this small state in central Africa. Since the genocide ended, Rwanda has made slow but steady progress. In 2003, a new constitution was adopted that would prevent fut...

The United Republic of Tanzania was created in the 1960s by the merger of two independent countries: Tanganyika, a territory on mainland East Africa, and the Zanzibar islands in the Indian Ocean. Tanzania has been a stable and relatively peaceful democracy, although in recent years religious clashes have touched off disputes over election results. Tanzania has many natural resources, including the rare gemstone tanzanite, but it is one of the poorest countries in the world. This is due in ...

The combination of breathtaking scenic beauty, fabulous wildlife, and peace-loving citizens makes Botswana a favorite of tourists from all over the world. This country in the heart of southern Africa is also the homeland of a proud people, the Batswana, who have created a vibrant democracy. Since Botswana won its independence in 1966, it has become one of Africa's leading economies. In particular, Botswana's diamond industry provides many people with a comfortable life. However, the AIDS e...

Many anthropologists believe the human species originated in Kenya's Rift Valley, where hominid skulls more than 2 million years old have been discovered. That fact alone would make Kenya an important place. But this East African nation has many other extraordinary characteristics: diverse terrain, a remarkable variety of plant and animal life, and a fascinating blend of cultures and languages among its people. The political system in Kenya is far from ideal. Historically, government corru...

Ethiopia, unlike most African countries, remained mostly free from European colonial influence. This landlocked country in East Africa had been the site of a powerful ancient kingdom, which was overthrown by a military coup in 1974. A socialist government was established, under which millions of Ethiopians starved during the famines of the 1970s and 1980s. Rebel groups initiated a civil war and overthrew the government in 1991. Although Ethiopia adopted a new constitution in 1994 and held ...

With more than 170 million people, Nigeria is Africa's most populous country. Military leaders have ruled Nigeria for much of its history as an independent country, and it was not until 1999 that a civilian government was restored. However, this has not ensured peace. Conflicts have broken out between Muslim extremists and other Nigerians over the imposition of sharia, a series of religious rules and laws that Muslims are supposed to follow. Sharia carries penalties that most observers con...

Rhodesia, a country in southern Africa, was a fairly prosperous British colony until the mid-1960s; however, the black African majority of Rhodesia was ruled by a handful of white leaders. The country fought Great Britain in a 15-year war for independence, which it ultimately achieved in 1980. Zimbabwe, as the new country became known, saw its prosperity decline dramatically under Robert Mugabe, its first ruler. He seized total control over the country and persecuted his political enemies....

Welcome! This book is a Flag Reference Guide which contains 234 countries flags and also includes:-• Local Name• Area Size• Capital City• Currency• Language• Regionand also this book is a fully Illustrated and Printer friendly..

In 1498 Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama became the first European to set foot on the shores of Mozambique. By the next century, this region along the southeastern edge of Africa had become a colony of Portugal. For almost 500 years the region remained under Portuguese rule, until years of armed conflict and struggle brought independence in 1975. The warfare did not end, however, as the brutal civil war that followed lasted until the early 1990s. Although peace has come to Mozambique, its...

Although graced with picturesque beaches, lush rain forests, and abundant diamond mines, the tiny West African nation of Sierra Leone is a land haunted by tragedy. It is the region from which the first slaves in North America were brought during the 1600s. A century later, thousands of freed slaves would establish a settlement called Freetown, which later became part of the British colony of Sierra Leone. Despite its diamond resources, Sierra Leone remained a poverty-stricken nation after ...

The beautiful terrain of South Africa is home to some of the most abundant wildlife in Africa. Each year millions of tourists visit the country, hoping to catch a glimpse of elephants, lions, and other animals. Beneath the ground are great deposits of such minerals as platinum, gold, and diamonds. Unfortunately, South Africa's history is less beautiful than its landscape and its diamonds. For most of the 20th century, the state operated under a policy of apartheid, which separated racial g...

Uganda is sometimes called the "land of lakes," because almost one-third of its territory is covered by water. The greatest Ugandan body of water is Lake Victoria, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. The world's longest river, the Nile, also has its source in Uganda. Uganda has faced a great deal of turmoil since becoming independent in 1962. During the rule of Idi Amin in the 1970s, some 300,000 Ugandans—mostly from the Acholi and Lano tribes—were massacred. Political instabi...