Africa Factbook

Dive into the wonders of African marine life and explore the unique upside-down jellyfish in the stunning Indian Ocean ecosystem. Upside-Down Jellyfish The Mysterious Upside-Down Jellyfish in African Coastal Waters The coastal regions of Africa are home to a fascinating and unique creature: the upside-down jellyfish, scientifically known as Cassiopea andromeda. These captivating jellyfish are commonly found in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean, exhibiting a distinctive behavior that sets them apart from their jellyfish counterparts worldwide.  Cassiopea Andromeda Habit of Resting Upside Down The distinctive behavior of the upside-down jellyfish, Cassiopea andromeda, sets it apart in the world of marine life. Its name is derived from its curious habit of resting on the seafloor, bell-down, and tentacles-up, unlike the conventional notion of jellyfish drifting through the water.  This unusual posture serves multiple purposes, including exposure to sunlight, which bene

Cooking with a Sheep's Head is a Unique Culinary Experience. To try something new in the kitchen, cook sheep's head meat stew. While it may seem unconventional to cook with an animal's head, it is a unique culinary experience. It's important to approach this dish open-mindedly and appreciate the cultural significance and flavors. It's a unique experience where the head is often slow-cooked to create tender, flavorful meat, and the brain, eyes, and cheeks are considered delicacies in some regions.  Sheep head is particularly popular in North, South, and East Africa. In countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Egypt, sheep head dishes are commonly prepared and enjoyed. For example, in Morocco, Tête de mouton is a traditional delicacy often used in dishes like Tajine de Tête de Mouton. In East Africa, especially Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. Sheep's Head Meat Stew is the Essence of African cuisine. Sheep's Head Meat Stew captures t

Former Libyan President Colonel Muammar Gaddafi occupied the Aouzou Strip, providing a strategic foothold in Chad. The Aouzou Strip, 62 miles wide and 62 miles long, runs parallel to Libya's southern border and was initially occupied by Libya in 1975 and annexed in 1976. It contains valuable minerals, including uranium.  Libya and the Aouzou Strip In 1973, Libya, under the leadership of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, occupied the Aouzou Strip, a narrow strip of territory in northern Chad. This occupation served several strategic purposes for Libya. First, the Aouzou Strip was considered strategically important due to its proximity to Chad, providing Libya with a foothold in this neighboring country. Second, the strip was believed to contain valuable mineral resources, including uranium, further enhancing its significance. By establishing control over the Aouzou Strip, Libya aimed to extend its influence and assert its interests in Chad. This move was part of Gaddafi's broader strateg

Incurvatus in se is turning inward; harmful excessive self-focus. We must balance self-awareness with outward focus, as Hosha the turtle teaches in our Modern African Folktale. Incurvatus in se Hosha the Turtle Modern African Folktale Before the sun and the moon shared the same sky, there lived a wise old turtle named Hosha. Hosha was known throughout the animal kingdom for his deep thoughts and contemplative nature. He often spent his days sitting by the riverbank, pondering the world around him. One sunny day, as Hosha basked in the warm African sun, he noticed a commotion among the animals of the savannah. They were arguing about who was the most important creature in the entire kingdom. The lion claimed it was the strongest, the eagle boasted about its keen eyesight, and the elephant declared its enormous size made it the most vital. Listening to this heated debate, Hosha decided to intervene with his wisdom. He approached the animals and said, "My dear friends, I have been ob

Italian is spoken in Libya due to Italy's colonial ambitions and the Turkish War of 1911-1912, aiming to boost national prestige and colonial influence. Libya was under Italian control from 1911 to 1943, which is why Italian is still spoken there. Italy's interest in Libya dates back to the Italo-Turkish War when it sought to establish a colonial presence in North Africa. In 1911, Italy launched a military campaign against the Ottoman Empire, which controlled the region of Libya. Libya before Italian colonization Before Italian colonization, Libya had a rich history influenced by many foreign conquerors, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Arabs, who introduced Islam in the late seventh and early eighth centuries.  The Ottoman Empire's control of Libya spanned several centuries, beginning in the late 16th century. During this period, Libya was part of the larger Ottoman province known as the Eyalet of Tripolitania, which included the regions of Tripolitania, Cyre

General Michael E. Langley of the United States Africa Command stated that terrorism throughout Africa poses the most immediate threat to America. Crises in Africa create conditions for violent extremist groups. US Africa Command and Camp Lemonnier combat terrorism in Africa, defending American interests and Allies. USAFRICOM airstrike against al-Shabaab United States Africa Command and Camp Lemonnier. United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), responsible for all of Africa except Egypt, is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with its only permanent military base located near Djibouti on the Horn of Africa at Camp Lemonnier.  Camp Lemonnier is a U.S. Navy base run by the naval commander of Europe, Africa, and Central regions through the U.S. naval forces in Africa and the naval installations command. The base hosts about 4,000 personnel from the U.S. and its allies, including military, civilian, and defense contractors. USAFRICOM is America's instrument for defending its interests

Echoes of Mbira: The Ancient African Instrument Sound is conveyed in a very capricious way through the atmosphere, and throughout history, humanity has strived to harness the power of sound for communication, celebration, and expression. The African continent's musical heritage dates back millennia.  Among the most ancient African instruments are those that continue to captivate us with their unique sounds and enchanting histories. The mbira, with its mellifluous sounds and ancient roots, has a history that spans several centuries, possibly even over a thousand years, while remaining a captivating symbol of Africa's musical present.  Zeuel playing the Mbira The Mbira Look The mbira, a thumb piano or kalimba, is a unique instrument with an unmistakable design. It features a series of metal tines of different lengths attached to a resonating body. The body can be crafted from a variety of materials, such as gourds or wooden boxes, and serves to amplify the sound produced by the t

A modern African Folktale unfolded in the ethereal embrace of the cosmos, where stars whispered secrets and celestial energies wove the fabric of existence.  This is the modern African folktale of Cometshiver and Soulrender, bearers of cosmic might whose quest for balance becomes entwined with the malevolent soul of Niaziyah. The tale reveals the cosmic forces at play in a dance between destiny and disruption. Cometshiver  Modern African Folktale: Cometshiver and Soulrender's Quest for Cosmic Balance Against the Malevolent Soul of Niaziyah. In an ancient cosmic era called Zolunar, a legend unfolded beneath the majestic boughs of the largest magical Aradia Tree, where mystical energy hummed through the earth.  Soulrender emerged, a figure born of a cosmic act of destiny. Struck by lightning under the watchful gaze of his father, Zanj, Soulrender inherited a unique connection to the forces of the universe, marking the beginning of his cosmic odyssey. Soulrender, a master of magic wit

U.S. Special Forces deployed from 2011 to 2017 to advise and assist in bringing Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army to justice. US Special Forces deployed under Operation Observant Compass from 2011-2017 to capture Joseph Kony and bring his Lord's Resistance Army to justice. Joseph Kony, Ugandan Acholi warlord, and the Lord’s Resistance Army leader, has been a significant contentious figure in Uganda’s history.  The Lord’s Resistance Army, a rebel group led by Kony, launched a war in northern Uganda in 1987. For over two decades, besides massacres, illicit poaching, and destruction of property, the group systematically targeted and abducted children to become its soldiers and sex slaves. Joseph Kony was indicted by the International Criminal Court for leading the Lord’s Resistance Army in a campaign of murder, abduction, sexual enslavement, and mutilation, as well as mass burnings of houses and looting of camp settlements and for personally issuing broad orders to target an

Appearances alone do not convey a complete understanding or connection to Africa. While someone or something may have physical characteristics or appearances associated with Africa, they lack a deeper meaningful connection to the continent. In other words, they may share a common racial or physical attribute with Africans but have little or no cultural, historical, or experiential ties to Africa.  Despite the different ways in which Africa is represented in diverse fields such as tourism, fashion, music, and cultural artifacts, these do not equate to a complete understanding of the African continent's land, people, and history. Simply dressing, dancing, talking, or touring Africa does not provide a comprehensive grasp of the continent's complexities. Tourist Traps in Africa In tourist destinations , businesses often aim to create an authentic African experience to attract visitors. This can include restaurants, lodges, and shops with African-themed decorations and staff members

Ayomide and Hamadou's fight against Soulmancer is a modern African folktale that blends African folklore and contemporary themes. It follows the journey of two young lovers who face a formidable enemy: the Soulmancer, a dark force who can manipulate the souls and promises of others. It is a modern African folktale story that celebrates the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit. A+H-S Modern African Folktale of Hope and Courage. In a land where dreams and magic were woven into every tale, a young man named Hamadou lived. He had a way with words, a charm that bewitched all who listened to him. His name meant one who cared, healed, and knew, and his promises sparkled like gems in the night sky.  Many girls succumbed to his spell, but only one captured his heart. Her name was Ayomide, a young woman with a gold heart and boundless love. She was wise and discerning, looking beyond the surface and into the soul of her loved one. She was loyal, patient, and hopeful despit