Africa Factbook

Groundnuts and Peanuts Are Not the Same Groundnuts and peanuts are used interchangeably but are not the same. The groundnut taste like chickpeas with a very mild flavor. Arachis hypogaea is the scientific name for groundnuts and peanuts are legume crops grown mainly for its edible seeds. Selling groundnuts in Burkina Faso The Bambara Groundnut originated in present-day West Africa. According to the national peanut board, the peanut plant probably originated in Peru or Brazil in South America. The name groundnut generally refers to the peanut even though the Bambara variety was cultivated in West Africa hundreds of years before the introduction of the peanut. In parts of sub-Saharan Africa, women in gardens and on small family farms mainly grow Bambara groundnuts. Bambara groundnuts are known by different names such as Jugo beans in South Africa, Ntoyo cibemba in Zambia Kwaruru, Epa and Okpa in Nigeria and Nyimo beans in Zimbabwe. As a legume, groundnuts, and peanuts belong

Morocco Facts. People, geography and culture of Morocco make this African country one of the most traveled countries in the world. Morocco is slightly more than three times the size of New York or slightly larger than California. Steeped in history, mystery, and beauty, here are twenty interesting facts about the 57th largest country in the world, Morocco. Friends in Tangier Tetouan Morocco photo by Hernán Piñera 20 True Facts About Morocco Independence from France on March 2, 1956 The English name Morocco derives from, respectively, the Spanish and Portuguese names Marruecos and Marrocos, which stem from Marrakesh the Latin name for the former capital of ancient Morocco; the Arabic name Al Maghrib translates as The West. Morocco’s’ population is around 33,322,699 (July 2015 est.) Morocco is the most westerly of the North African countries known as the Maghreb or the Arab West. The capital city of Morocco is Rabat, although the largest city is Casablanca

OX513A the GMO Mosquito.  Mosquitoes are one of the deadliest animals in the world. Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever are all transmitted to humans by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. OX513A, the genetically engineered mosquito was first released into the world's population in 2010 and was celebrated as the answer to eliminating the Aedes mosquito. Mosquitoes are one of the deadliest animals in the world The Aedes aegypti or Aedes mosquito is jet black, with white spots on the upper torso and white rings on their legs. Aedes ability to carry and spread disease to humans causes millions of deaths every year. Aedes can breed in a teaspoon of water, and their eggs have been found in old tires, tin cans, plastic bottles, cesspools, catch basins, and ponds. Oxitec field-tested OX513A in the Cayman Islands, Panama and Brazil, and claims a large success rate with each release. In the Cayman Islands in 2010, a small release of OX513A males created an 80% reduction in the diseas

Waist Beads African Beauty Waist beads and bead making are surrounded by history and splendor in African art, music, and literature. Ileke or Jigida Yoruba African waist beads symbolize body sculpting, sexuality, and femininity.   Waist Bead tradition of the Southwest Nigeria, Benin, Togo Yoruba Tribes Beads are among the most interesting symbols in Yoruba African culture. The colors and sizes, the significance of the materials chosen for the waist are subjective; the person making the waist beads symbolize their perception, experience, feelings, beliefs, desires, and influence. Traditionally unmarried women of the Yoruba tribe wear an ileke also known as waist beads or waist chains. Waist beads are romantic, fashionable and attract attention to the waist by making the waist appear slimmer and bringing out the curves of the hips.  Waist beads were and still are worn for seduction. For some, the beads possess intimate appeal and can provoke desire in men.