The total economic-geographic characteristics of Africa
The peculiarity of the geographical situation of many countries of the region is landlocked. At the same time, in countries emerging to the ocean, the coastline is indented slightly, which is unfavorable for the construction of major ports.
Africa is exceptionally rich in natural resources. Especially large reserves of mineral raw materials - manganese ore, chromite, bauxite, etc. In the depressions and coastal areas have fertile material. Oil and gas are produced in North and West Africa (Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Libya). Vast reserves of cobalt and copper ores are concentrated in Zambia and the DRC, manganese ore mined in South Africa and Zimbabwe, platinum, iron ore and gold - in South Africa diamonds - in the Congo, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Ghana, phosphates - in Morocco, Tunisia; uranium - Niger, Namibia.
In Africa, very large land, soil erosion, but have a catastrophic character due to incorrect processing. Water resources of Africa are very unevenly distributed. Forests cover about 10% of the territory, but as a result of predatory destruction of their area is rapidly shrinking.
In Africa, the highest rate of natural population growth. Natural population growth in many countries exceeds 30 per 1000 inhabitants per year. Still high proportion of children ages (50%) and a small proportion of older people (around 5%).
African countries have not yet managed to change the colonial model of sectoral and territorial structure of the economy, although economic growth has improved somewhat. The colonial type of industrial structure of the economy differs dominated malotovarnogo, consumer agriculture, a weak manufacturing sector, behind the development of transport. Most successful in Africa in the mining industry. By extracting many minerals Africa belongs to the leader, and sometimes monopolistic position in the world (for the extraction of gold, diamonds, platinum, etc.). The manufacturing industry is represented by light and food, and other industries are absent, except for some areas close to the availability of raw materials and on the coast (Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Zambia, DRC).
The second branch of the economy, which determines the place of Africa in the global economy - tropical and subtropical agriculture. Production agriculture is 60-80% of GDP. The main cash crops are coffee, cocoa beans, peanuts, dates, tea, natural rubber, sorghum, spices. Recently started to cultivate crops: corn, rice, wheat. Livestock plays a subordinate role, except in countries with arid climates. Mostly extensive cattle, characterized by a huge number of livestock, but low productivity and low commodity. The continent is not sufficient in agricultural production. Transportation also remains a colonial type: railways go from the areas of raw material production to the port, while the regions of one state is practically not bound. Regarding the development of rail and marine transport modes. In recent years, have developed other forms of transport - road (built a road through the Sahara), air, pipeline.
All countries except South Africa, developing countries, most of them the poorest in the world (70% of the population lives below the poverty line).