Africa Factbook

Ubangi-Shari is named after two major rivers in the region, the Ubangi River and the Shari River. In the early 20th century, as European colonial powers expanded their imperial influence in Africa, the region now known as the Central African Republic and Chad was part of a French administrative territory called Ubangi-Shari. This territory was named after two major rivers in the region, the Ubangi River and the Shari River. The Ubangi River flows through what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, while the Shari River flows through Chad and the Central African Republic. Ubangi-Shari was one of several colonial entities established by the French in Africa during this period. Ubangi-Shari encompassed a vast area in Central Africa, including the basins of the Ubangi and Shari Rivers and the surrounding regions. This territory was known for its geographical diversity, ranging from dense rainforests along the Ubangi River to savannas and desert areas furt

The period from 1978 to 1992 in Mauritania was characterized by the dominance of a military junta that wielded significant power in the nation's governance.  A military junta refers to a collective body of military leaders who assume control over a nation's governance by seizing power from the established government. This form of rule stands in contrast to a military dictatorship, where a single military officer holds undisputed authority. A notable instance of a military junta can be observed in Mauritania's history during the period spanning from July 1978 to April 1992.  During this time, a group of high-ranking military officials collectively governs the nation, shaping its political landscape and policies. Currently, there are at least six African countries under military leadership. These countries include The Republic of Chad, The Republic of Niger, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali. Mauritania, situated in North West Africa is Africa's eleventh-largest countr

The Cuban military had a long-lasting presence in Angola, with thousands of troops stationed there during a political conflict. The Cuban intervention in Angola had significant international implications and was seen as part of the broader Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.  Angola, a former Portuguese colony in southern Africa, was in the midst of a struggle for independence from Portuguese colonial rule. This war for independence lasted from the early 1960s until 1974, when the Portuguese Carnation Revolution led to the decolonization of Portuguese Africa. When Portugal withdrew from Angola in 1975, it left a significant hole in the political landscape in the country. This withdrawal marked the end of decades of colonial rule and set the stage for the country's transition to independence. However, it also created a political void, as there was no clear, unified government to take control. In the absence of Portuguese colonial rule, many Angolan polit

Kwenza, known for captivating lies, ignited minds with his artful words, not for honesty, but for fiery tales. Kwenza Could Start A Fire With His Words  As the ancestors say, along the banks of the great Zambezi River, there once lived a man named Kwenza. He was renowned throughout the land, not for his honesty, but for his ability to weave falsehoods with such skill that his words could spark a fire in the hearts and minds of those who listened. Kwenza was known as the "Man who could start a fire with his words." His tales were as tall as the mighty baobab trees that shaded the village square. He would spin stories of incredible adventures, exaggerating even the smallest details until they seemed like grand legends. His silver tongue and artful deceptions made him the center of attention, and people gathered from near and far to hear his mesmerizing stories. As time passed, Kwenza's lies became more elaborate, and his reputation grew. However, like the raging Zambezi Riv

The colonial administration of São Tomé and Príncipe Islands and the history of Portuguese colonialism in Africa.  São Tomé and Príncipe, a pair of islands located in the Gulf of Guinea off the west coast of Central Africa, were among the early Portuguese colonial possessions in Africa.  Early Colonization of São Tomé and Príncipe São Tomé Island was discovered by Portuguese explorers in the late 15th century, around 1470. The island was initially uninhabited, and its fertile volcanic soil made it suitable for cultivating sugarcane, cocoa, and later coffee. The Portuguese established sugarcane plantations on the island, which relied on enslaved labor, primarily from the African mainland. The mainstay of São Tomé's colonial economy was agriculture, with sugarcane being the primary crop in the early years. The island's economy later shifted to cocoa and coffee production, which became major cash crops in the 19th and 20th centuries. Enslaved Africans and later indentured laborers

Sofala, historically known as a significant trading town, holds a special place in the history of Eastern Africa. Located on the eastern coast of Africa, in what is modern-day Mozambique, Sofala was a bustling and strategic port during the late medieval period and the Age of Exploration. Navigating the waters around Sofala was no small feat. The Indian Ocean currents and shifting sandbars made the approach to the Sofala coast treacherous. Pêro de Covilhã's successful navigation of these waters demonstrated his seafaring prowess and furthered Portugal's ambitions to dominate maritime trade routes. To Portuguese explorers, Sofala was not merely a geographical destination but a vibrant crossroads of cultures and trade during the late 15th century. The Age of Exploration in the late 15th century was a transformative era in African human history. It was a time when intrepid European explorers set out on perilous journeys to chart unknown territories, establish trade routes, and unco