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Officially known as Republic of the Sudan or Jumhūriyyat al-Sūdān, SUDAN (السودان) is situated in Northeast Africa. Sudan is Africa's third largest country after Algeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Once the largest country in Africa, Sudan shrank in size when South Sudan achieved independence on July 9th, 2011. Since 2011, Sudan no longer shares a border with the DR Congo, Kenya, and Uganda. In its current size, Sudan borders seven countries: Central African Republic to the southwest, Chad to the west, Egypt to the north, Eritrea to the east, Ethiopia to the southeast, Libya to the northwest, and South Sudan to the south. Subdivided into 100 qirsh (piastres), the currency is the Sudanese Pound — its ISO 4217 currency code is SDG. Since January 1st, 1956, Sudanese citizens annually celebrate Independence Day on New Year's Day to remember Sudan's independence from Egypt and the United Kingdom.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● Sudan is home to approximately 40.5 million (40,500,000) citizens, according to GeoFact of the Day's 2018 population estimate. With over 5 million people in the metropolitan area and 720,000 people within the city limits (2018 population estimate), the national capital of Sudan is Khartoum. Across the Nile river and northwest of Khartoum is Omdurman (Umm Durman), the most-populated city in Sudan with approximately 2,440,000 people (2018 estimate). In the Nile river and between both cities is an island named Tuti or Tutti. Other cities and communities in Sudan include Al-Fashir (El Fasher, population 300,000), Al-Ubayyid (El Obeid, 450,000), Dongola (Dunqulah), Geneina (Al Junaynah), Kassala located near Eritrea (450,000), Nyala (600,000), and Port Sudan (500,000).
According to Ethnologue (↗), 75 main languages are used for communication in Sudan. English, Standard Arabic, and Sudanese-spoken Arabic are principal languages. Other languages many people use to communicate include Ama, Bedawiyet (Beja), Berta, Fur, Gaam, Kanuri, Koalib, Masalit, Nobiin, and Zaghawa (Zeggaoua). Berti and Birked are two extinct languages that are not used for speaking or writing anymore. Regarding the three nearly extinct languages in Sudan, about 200 people communicate in Kelo, 100 in Molo, and 1,500 in Talodi. About 70% of Sudan citizens are Muslims, followed by Christians (17%), believers in folk religions/traditions (11%), and Bahá'í believers (less than 1%).
● ● ● ● ● Land Features ● ● ● ● ● The land of Sudan is dominated by the Sahara Desert in the north and center; mountains along the southern and western borders and near the Red Sea east of Sudan; plateaus and hilly areas all around; semi-arid grasslands in the southern half; and marshes along the White Nile river. The smaller-than-the-Sahara Libyan Desert occupies the northwestern portion of Sudan. In the Darfur region of western Sudan near Chad, the Jebel Marra volcanic field and Sahara Desert and the El Heitan and Teiga plateaus are prominent land features. According to Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program (↗), the last eruption at Jebel Marra was 2,000 BC/BCE. Types of rock found here include basalt, latite (trachyandesite), phonolite, trachybasalt, and trachyte.
Sudan's highest point is at a crater (caldera) in Jebel Marra. The Deriba Caldera sits 3,042 meters and 9,980 feet in elevation above sea level. The Nuba mountain range stretches across southern Sudan near South Sudan. Extending from the capital Khartoum in east-central Sudan northward to Lake Nasser (Lake Nubia) and the northern border of Sudan, the 1,400-kilometer Nile River meanders through northern Sudan. Near Khartoum in east-central Sudan, the Nile splits into the White Nile and Blue Nile tributaries. If you are sailing on the Nile from the capital city, the White Nile leads you to South Sudan and the Blue Nile leads you southeast toward Ethiopia.
● ● ● ● ● Sudan's Border Disputes ● ● ● ● ● Sudan currently (as of April 2018) has two ongoing border disputes — one each on the south and north borders. South Sudan wants to have a polygonal piece of land called Abyei, shown as a small dotted square on the GeoFact of the Day map. This area is significant because of oil reserves. In northeastern Sudan, the Hala'ib Triangle is claimed by Sudan but controlled by Egypt. The Ilemi Triangle of Kenya used to be claimed by Sudan, but now that issue lies in the hands of South Sudan.
This post was comprehensively updated with more information on April 18, 2018.
The map of Sudan was added to this post on February 15, 2013.
Map Credit: © Maps of the World (mapsofworld.com).
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Compared to other African countries, SOUTH AFRICA has a more financially prosperous economy. The Netherlands and British Empire colonized South Africa, and the country achieved independence in 1961. There are 6 bordering countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe. South Africa also borders the Indian Ocean and the South Atlantic Ocean. There are 3 capitals, each for different purposes. Bloemfontein is the judicial capital, Cape Town is the legislative capital, and Pretoria is the executive capital. The currency is the South African Rand, and its ISO 4217 currency code is ZAR.
A war-torn country with no central government, SOMALIA is situated in the Horn of Africa in Eastern Africa. There are 3 bordering countries west of Somalia: Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Part of the border with Ethiopia is still in dispute because Somalia claims Ogaden, an Eastern Ethiopia region where Somalis make up a dominant part of the population. Located in Northern Somalia, Somaliland (which is shown on this National Geographic map) is an autonomous region claiming independence since 1991; Hargeysa is its capital. Somalia also borders the Gulf of Aden (north of Somalia) and the Indian Ocean (east). Situated along the Indian Ocean coast in the country's southern part, Somalia's capital and largest city is Mogadishu (Muqdisho). Somalia and Arabic are the official languages, and Islam is the most worshipped religion. The currency is the Somali Shilling, and its ISO 4217 currency code is SOS.
SIERRA LEONE is a circular nation located in Western Africa. There are 2 bordering countries: Guinea to the north and Liberia to the southeast. The capital and most-populated city is Freetown. Other cities include Bauya, Bo, Kenema, Lunsar, Makeni, Pendembu, and Serekolia. The currency is the Sierra Leonean Leone, and its ISO 4217 currency code was SLL. In 2022, a new currency code of SLE was established in 2022 to denote a revamped currency in hopes of combating inflation and reducing the number of 0s on coins and banknotes.
SEYCHELLES (pronounced "say shells") is a country with more than 100 islands in Eastern Africa and is located in the Indian Ocean. Seychelles, which is the smallest country in Africa, is northeast of Madagascar and southeast of Somalia. Seychelles' official languages are Seychellois Creole, English, and French, and Roman Catholicism is the largest religion. The major island is Mahé, where the capital Victoria resides. Other islands include Curieuse, La Digue, Praslin, Recife, and Silhouette. The currency is the Seychelles Rupee, and its ISO 4217 currency code is SCR.
Officially known as the République du Sénégal in French and Republic of Senegal in English, SENEGAL is a predominantly French-speaking country located in West Africa. There are 5 bordering countries: Gambia (surrounded by Senegal on three sides), Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Mauritania. The capital is Dakar, a city with over a million residents. Other cities and communities include Diourbel, Kaolack, Kédougou, Kolda, Linguère, Louga, Ndioum, Pikine, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thiès, and Ziguinchor. Senegal's currency is the West African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF.
SÃO TOMÉ and PRÍNCIPE (also written as Sao Tome and Principe) is an island county in Western Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. The predominantly Roman Catholic country is located west of Gabon, south of Nigeria, and in the Gulf of Guinea. Hence its straightforward name, there are two main islands named São Tomé (Saint Thomas) and Príncipe (Prince). Other islands include Caroço, Pedras Tinhosas Islands, and Rolas. The capital and most-populated city is São Tomé. Other communities include Alto Douro, Praia Grande, and Santa Catarina on Sao Tome and Esperança, Santo António, and Sundi on Principe. The currency is the São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra, and its ISO 4217 currency code is STD. Sao Tome and Principe's former currency was the Escudo, which was replaced by the Dobra in 1977.
RWANDA is a geographically small country situated in Central Africa along the Great Rift Valley. There are 4 bordering countries: Burundi to the south, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) to the west, Tanzania to the east and southeast, and Uganda to the north and northeast. Rwanda also borders Lake Kivu. The capital and most-populated city is Kigali. Other cities include Butare, Byumba, Cyangugu, Gikongoro, Gisenyi, Kibungo, Kibuye, and Ruhengeri. There was a very deadly conflict in 1994 between the Tutsi and the Hutu groups. Fortunately, the country and its citizens are now peaceful overall. The currency is the Rwandan Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is RWF.
With a population hovering around 177 million (2017 GeoFact of the Day Blog estimate), NIGERIA is Africa's most-populated country and is particularly situated in West Africa. There are four bordering countries: Benin to the west, Cameroon to the east and southeast, Chad to the northeast, and Niger to the north. Nigeria also borders the Gulf of Guinea and the Bight of Benin water bodies in the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is Abuja, while Lagos boasts the title of being the most-populated city in Nigeria and one of the largest in Africa. Other cities include Ibadan, Ife, Jos, Lafia, Maiduguri, Ogbomosho, Onitsha, and Port Harcourt. The currency is the Nigerian Naira, and its ISO 4217 currency code is NGN.
Officially known as the Republic of Niger (French: République du Niger), NIGER is a landlocked, mostly arid country situated in northwestern Africa and named after the 4,180 kilometer (2,597 mile) long Niger River. There are 7 bordering countries: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali, and Nigeria. The capital and most-populated city is Niamey. Other communities include Agadéz, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabéri, and Zinder. The currency is the West African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● While about 30 languages are spoken throughout the country, Namibia's sole official language is a non-native language: English. Due to former colonization by Germany, German is still spoken among some residents. Native languages include Afrikaans, Chokwe, Diriku, Fwe, Haillom, Herero, Jul'hoan, Khoekhoe, Kwambi, Kwangali, Kwanyama, Luyana, Nama, Nyemba, Yeyi, and Zemba. The capital and most-populated city is Windhoek. Other Namibian cities and communities include Berseba, Lüderitz, Okahandja, Rehoboth, and Swakopmund. Namibians use the Namibian Dollar, and its ISO 4217 currency code is NAD.
● ● ● ● ● Land Features ● ● ● ● ● Namibia is located east of the South Atlantic Ocean and straddles the Tropic of Capricorn. With its iconic, towering sand dunes, the Namib Desert is situated immediately east of Skeleton Coast off of northwestern Namibia and Diamond Coast off of southwestern Namibia. The Kalahari Desert in eastern Namibia extends into western Botswana and northern South Africa. Standing at 8,550 feet or about 2,606 meters in western Namibia, Brandberg is the country's highest mountain. Also known as the King's Stone, Königstein (or Konigstein) is Brandberg's highest point. No point in Namibia is lower than the Atlantic sea level at zero feet and meters.
I designed and posted the map of Namibia in December 2020.
Colonized by Portugal until June 25th, 1975, MOZAMBIQUE is a country in southeastern Africa located west of the Indian Ocean. There are 6 bordering countries: Malawi to the north, South Africa to the southwest, Swaziland to the south and southwest, Tanzania to the north, Zambia to the northwest, and Zimbabwe to the west. Mozambique's official language is Portuguese. The capital is Maputo, which is located in southern Mozambique. Other cities in the country include Beira, Chimoio, Inhambane, Nampula, and Xai-Xai. Mozambique's currency is the Mozambican Metical, and its ISO 4217 currency code is MZN.
Map Credit: © Maps of the World (mapsofworld.com)
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With over 33 million people, the Kingdom of MOROCCO (Arabic: المغرب; Berber: see image below) is a North African country bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco shares a border with only one country, Algeria, which is located east. A territory currently belonging to Morocco, Western Sahara is located to the south. Morocco is also east of the Canary Islands (link to Canary Islands post) — which belong to Spain — and is south of the Strait of Gibraltar which separates Morocco from Spain and Gibraltar. Like Lesotho and Swaziland, Morocco is one of only three monarchical kingdoms in Africa.
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| Berber version of Morocco's name |
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● The ethnicities of Moroccan people are predominantly Arabic and Berber. Arabic is Morocco's official language, with distinct varieties and dialects such as Hassaniyya, Judeo-Moroccan, Moroccan, and standard Arabic. Other languages spoken include French, Ghomara, Senhaja Berber, Spanish (particularly in northern and coastal areas), Tachelhit, Tamazight, Tarifit (Riffian Berber), and Taznatit. At least 90% of the population are Muslims, and some estimates say 99%. In addition to mosques, there are several churches, cathedrals, synagogues, and other places of worship — particularly in Morocco's cities, such as Casablanca and Rabat.
Containing over 1.6 million residents, Morocco's capital is Rabat; this city captivates residents and tourists alike with sites of interest such as the Jardin d’Essais, Medina of Rabat market, Chellah fortification and necropolis, Kasbah of the Udayas, and Old Town district. Several of these attractions are components of UNESCO's Rabat World Heritage Site. Made famous around the world thanks in part to the namesake 1940s film, Casablanca boasts a population greater than 3.1 million and features sites of interest such as the Hassan II Mosque, Old Medina markets, Quartier Habous markets and stores, L'église du Sacré-Coeur cathedral, and an Art Deco-style Cinema Rialto theater. Listed in higher-to-lower population order, other Moroccan cities include Fez, Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, Meknès, Oujda, Kenitra (Qnitra), and Tétouan. Moroccans use the Moroccan Dirham as their currency, and its ISO 4217 currency code is MAD.
● ● ● ● ● Land Features ● ● ● ● ● Along with Algeria and Tunisia, Morocco is home to the Atlas Mountains, a range stretching about 2,000 kilometers and 1,200 miles parallel to the Mediterranean Sea. Mount Toubkal is the highest mountain in the mountain range, North Africa, and Morocco. It stands 13,671 feet and 4,167 meters tall in elevation above sea level. The Sahara Desert is found in Morocco's southern and southeastern regions and southward into Western Sahara. Moroccan rivers and intermittent streams (wadis) include Oued Drâa in the south, Oued Guir in the east, Oued Moulouya in the northeast, Oued Sebou in the north, and Oued Sous in the south-center area.
Comprised of a couple dozen small islands and the main namesake island, MAURITIUS is an island country situated in Southeastern Africa in the Indian Ocean. The much larger island of Madagascar is west of Mauritius. Mauritius' capital is Port Louis, which is situated along the northwestern coast of Mauritius island. Other communities include Centre de Flacq, Grand Baie, Mahébourg, Pamplemousses, Phoenix, Rose Belle, Souillac, Tamarin, Triolet, and Vacoas. The currency is the Mauritian Rupee, and its ISO 4217 currency code is MUR.
Known as موريتانيا in the Arabic language, Mauritanie in French, and Muritanya in Berber, MAURITANIA is a large country situated in Western Africa. There are 4 bordering countries: Algeria, Mali, Senegal, and Western Sahara (considered a territory). The capital is Nouakchott! The 2nd largest city, Nouâdhibou, is situated on a peninsula east of the Atlantic Ocean. The currency is the Mauritanian Ouguiya, and its ISO 4217 currency code is MRO.
MALI is a large country situated in Western Africa. There are 7 bordering countries: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal. Mali was part of 3 major empires in Africa. The capital is Bamako. The currency is the West African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF.
MALAWI is a slender country formerly known as Nyasaland, situated in Southeastern Africa. There are 3 bordering countries: Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia. Malawi also borders Lake Nyasa, the 3rd largest lake in Africa. The capital and most-populated city is Lilongwe. The currency is the Malawian Kwacha, and its ISO 4217 currency code is MWK.
● ● ● ● ● Table of Contents ● ● ● ● ●
Intro and General Facts ● People and Places ● Land Features ● Volcanoes
Famous for its biodiversity, vanilla orchids, paradise-like coastlines, and lemurs, the Republic of MADAGASCAR is a southeast African island country that achieved independence from France in June 26th, 1960. The island country is officially known as Repoblikan’i Madagasikara in the Malagasy language and République de Madagascar in the French language; Malagasy Republic is an acceptable name as well. The Indian Ocean is east of Madagascar, and the north-south Mozambique Channel separates Madagascar's west coast from mainland Africa. While Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, more than a dozen smaller islands are also included within the country's territory.
Neighboring countries include Comoros and Tanzania to the northwest, Mauritius to the east, Mozambique to the west, and Seychelles to the northeast. Madagascar's world-renown vanilla provides an orchid-based alternative to the synthetic vanilla compounds found in most processed food today. The extraction of this vanilla currently requires a labor-intensive pollination process by hand. Some other exports for trade (↗) are cinnamon, clothing, coffee, gemstones, and seafood. The Malagasy Ariary is Madagascar's currency, and its ISO 4217 currency code is MGA. Among the world's few remaining non-decimal currencies is the Ariary, as 5 iraimbilanja (francs) equal 1 ariary. The former Malagasy Franc — subdivided into 100 centimes — was used for transactions alongside the Ariary until 2005.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● The Hammond World Atlas (6th Edition) reports the total population in Madagascar as 20,653,556 in 2011. In close comparison, nearby Mozambique had 21,669,278 residents in 2011. The capital and largest city of Madagascar is Antananarivo. Its metropolitan area is home to over 2.6 million residents (2015 estimate). Other Malagasy cities include Ambatondrazaka, Amboasary, Antsirabe, Betioky, Farafangana, Ifanadiana, Iharan̈a (Vohemar), Mahajanga, Maintirano, Tsiroanomandidy, and Vohipeno. Popular places all across the country to visit include the Ambaro Ranch, Analakely Market in Antananarivo, Antsirabe Cathedral, Avenue of the Baobabs, Fort Manda, Lemurs' Park, Le Palais de la Reine (Queen's Palace) and the Rova royal-palace complex, Les Trois Baies (The Three Bays) beach, Lokaro Beach, Lokobe Nature Special Reserve, pirate cemetery on the island of Boraha, Pirate Museum in Antananarivo, Tsimbazaza Zoo, and Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve.
Malagasy and French are the two official languages, and approximately 90% of the population shares a Malagasy ethnic heritage according to Encyclopedia Britannica (↗). The Ethnologue (↗) linguistic information website notes that Malagasy Sign Language is utilized by anywhere from 110,000 to 170,000 people in the year 2014. Fourteen main languages are used for communication, eleven of which are grouped within the Malagasy macrolanguages. Most of the languages' names correspond to their respective ethnic populations. The microlanguages are Antankarana, Bara, Masikoro, Northern Betsimisaraka, Plateau, Sakalava, Southern Betsimisaraka, Tandroy-Mahafaly (Antandroy), Tanosy, Tesaka, and Tsimihety. One population not aforementioned in this paragraph is the Merina people; they are scattered around the country and are "the largest and most dominant of the groups," according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
The Merina, Betsileo, Bezanozano, Sihanaka, Tanala, and Zafimaniry populations communicate with dialects grouped under the Malagasy Plateau language umbrella. Some ethnic populations have nicknames assigned to them, although Encyclopedia Britannica notes that some of these nicknames are not true to their respective indigenous cultures — but rather hasty carryovers from the time when France colonially ruled Madagascar. Nevertheless, some of these nicknames — listed in the table below — give subtle insight into the daily lives and habitats of these people. About 50% of Malagasy citizens are Christians, followed by believers in folk religions and traditions (45%), Muslims (2%), Bahá'í believers (0.1%), and Hindus (0.06%).
| Antaifasy | "people of the sand" |
| Antaimoro | "people of the banks" |
| Antakarana | "people of the rocks" |
| Antandroy | "people of the thorn bush" |
| Antanosy | "people of the island" |
| Betanimena | "people of the red soil" |
| Betsileo | "the invincible multitude" |
| Betsimisaraka | "the inseparable multitude" |
| Bezanozano | "those of many small plaits" or
"those with many-braided hair" |
| Mahafaly | "those who make taboos" |
| Merina (Imerina) | "elevated people" |
| Sakalava | "people of the long valley" |
| Sihanaka | "people of the lake" |
| Tanala | "people of the forest" |
| Tsimihety | "those who do not cut their hair" |
● ● ● ● ● Land Features ● ● ● ● ● A mountain called Maromokotro is the highest point in Madagascar. Specifically, Maromokotro stands 2,876 meters and 9,436 feet high in elevation. This and other mountain peaks combine to form the Tsaratanana Massif. Several other notable mountain peaks throughout the country include Boby (2,658 meters), Tampon Ambohitra (1,475 meters), and Tsiafajavona (2,643 meters). The north-to-south Angavo Escarpment forms a ridge parallel to the eastern coastline, demarcating a transition between coastal lowlands and interior uplands. Smaller land features from the north to south in the western half of Madagascar include the Ikahavo Plateau, Cliff of Bongolava uplands, Bemaraha Plateau, Makay Massif, Isalo Massif, and Mahafaly Plateau. Onward to the eastern half of Madagascar, predominant land features from north to south include the Tsaratanana Massif, Analamaitso Plateau, Ankaratra Massif, Andringitra Mountains, Manamby Mountains, Beampingaratra Ridge, and Androy Plateau.
Transitioning from inland features to the peripheries of Madagascar, the mountainous and hilly terrain in interior areas make way for coastal landmasses of various shapes and sizes along the coast. Jutting southward from the towns of Antalaha and Maroantsetra toward Antongila Bay is the Masoala Peninsula (↗) (Saikanosin' Masoala), a northeastern Madagascar wedge of land visible on the GeoFact of the Day Blog map above. The smaller-scale land feature located at the tip of Masoala Peninsula is Tanjona Masoala. Tanjona translates from Malagasy into English as cape, while Saikanosin' translates to peninsula. Saikanosin' Ambato, Saikanosin' Ampasindava, Tanjona Ankatafa, Tanjona Bobaomby, Tanjona Makamby, Saikanosin' Orontany (Androntany), Tanjona Vilanandro, and Tanjona Vohilava are other prominent capes and peninsulas along Madagascar's craggy northern and northwestern coast. Also known as Cape Ambre in English or Cap d'Ambre in French, Tanjona Bobaomby is shaped like a northward arrow and is therefore fittingly the northernmost point of mainland Madagascar.
Identified as the country's largest bay, Antongila Bay is approximately 3,154 square kilometers and 1,218 square miles wide in area. A smaller but still-substantial bay at 175 square kilometers and 68 square miles in geographic area is Antsiran̈ana Bay, aptly located near the city of Antsiran̈ana close to the country's northernmost tip (Tanjona Bobaomby). The Ampangalana (Pangalanes) Canal provides a 645-kilometer (401-mile) long transportation route through natural rivers, altered waterways, and artificial lakes in close proximity to the eastern coastline. Ampangalana Canal is east of the aforementioned Angavo Escarpment and Cliff of Angavo. The following communities benefitting from this canal are listed in order from north to south: Mahavelona (near the canal's starting point), Nosibe, Toamasina, Andovoranto, Vatomandry (nickname: "sleeping rocks"), Mahanoro, Masomeloka, Nosy-Varika ("lemur island"), Mananjary, Manakara, Vohipeno, and Farafangana (near the canal's terminus). Six of these towns and cities are featured on the map above, giving you an idea of how close this canal really is to Madagascar's east coast and Indian Ocean.
● ● ● ● ● Volcanoes ● ● ● ● ● Madagascar boasts more than mountains, cliffs, massifs, and plateaus; the country can say it possesses volcanoes as well. Madagascar's volcanoes are dormant rather than active, and information about past eruptions is non-existent or inconclusive for most of those. Further described below, these are the volcanic fields containing at least several volcanic features: Ambre-Bobaomby (near the country's northern tip), Ankaizina (north), Itasy (central), and Vakinankaratra (Ankaratra) (east-central).
Sitting on the Ambre Massif, Ambre-Bobaomby has crater lakes and relatively new volcanic cones. According to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program (↗), 51,246 people live within 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) of the Ambre-Bobaomby volcanic field. Ankaizina contains cinder cones and lava domes and was "active until the very recent Quaternary" geologic period. 41,916 people live within 30 kilometers of the Ankaizina volcanic field. Occasionally the epicenter for earthquakes, Itasy features craters and scoria cones as well as the following lava domes: Ambohibe, Ampary, Angavo, Ingilofotsy, and Kitia. Named scoria cones include Ambohimalala, Ambohitritainerina, Ambohitrondry, Andranojavatra, Kassijie (Kassigie), Kitombold, Matiankanina, and Tsifajavona. Itasy's two major craters are Andranoratsy and Andranotoraha. Geologists, seismologists, volcanologists, and related scientists purport that there were at least two Holocene eruptions at Itasy based on radiocarbon dating of geologic materials: 6,050 B.C. and also 8,031 B.C. (give or take 139 years).
Nosy Be (Nossi Be), Madagascar's second-largest island after the mainland Madagascar island, is rimmed by a cluster of cinder cones and crater lakes. Nosy Be's volcanic features contain foidite, basalt, picrobasalt, and rhyolite. About 62,000 inhabitants of Nosy Be and surrounding areas live within 30 kilometers of these features. Cinder cones with basanite, craters, fissure vents, and lava domes with trachyte form the landscape of the Vakinankaratra volcanic field. Named volcanic features at Vakinankaratra include Amboniloha (cone), Ampasimihaiky (cone), Andraikiba (crater), Iavoko (cone), Ifasina (cone), Itavo (cone), Ivohitra (cone), Tramponga (cone), Tritriva (cone), and Tritrivakely (crater). The following list details the dominant rock types of each volcanic field: basalt and picrobasalt at Ambre-Bobaomby and Ankaizina; basanite, tephrite, and trachybasalt at Vakinankaratra; foidite at Nosy Be; and trachyte and trachydacite at Itasy.
This post was updated with more information on March 17th, 2019. The map of Madagascar was uploaded to this post on February 27th, 2019.
Click here to enlarge the map in a new window. This map is available in a wall-poster size courtesy of Eric Olason at Maps.com.
LIBYA (ليبيا) is an oil-producing country in Northern Africa and located south of the Mediterranean Sea. There are 6 bordering countries: Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Niger, Sudan, and Tunisia. The capital is Tripoli, known as Ṭarābulus in the Arabic language. Other cities in Libya include Benghazi, Darnah, Misratah, Sabratah, and Tobruk. Most of Libya's cities are found along the Mediterranean coastline. Libya's historic regions and provinces are Tripolitania in the northwest, Cyrenaica in the east and southeast, and Fezzan in the southwest. Sirtica is another historic region in between Cyrenaica and Tripolitania. It is also a major oil-producing center.
The Sahara desert extends across central and southern Libya. From north to south, the Libyan Plateau, the Great Sand Sea and Libyan Desert all straddle the border between eastern Libya and western Egypt. North of north-central Libya lies the Mediterranean Sea's Gulf of Sidra. Libyans use the Libyan Dinar as their currency, and the ISO 4217 currency code is LYD.
Established in the 1800s by freed slaves from the United States of America, LIBERIA is an English-speaking country located in Western Africa. The American Colonization Society helped freed slaves move to what is now Liberia. In 1847, the residents declared independence from the colonizing organization, achieving independence before any colonized country of Africa (Ethiopia was never colonized). There are 3 bordering countries: Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone. The capital and most-populated city is Monrovia. Christianity is the country's main religion. The currency is the Liberian Dollar, and its ISO 4217 currency code is LRD.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● Lesotho's political history since independence fluctuated between fledgling democracy and authoritarian militarism. In recent years, the constitutional monarchy strived to build on its democratic functions but with several setbacks — including riots and coup d'états, one of which is mentioned in the "Prime Minister's Dilemma" section below. Now let us focus on the positive; a sort of tradition for Lesotho is that newly elected prime ministers may receive a copy of the Constitution as a symbolic peaceful transfer of power. For example, Moeketsi Majoro was sworn into office on Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 and received a constitutional copy from predecessor Prime Minister Tom Thabane. The national capital of Lesotho is Maseru, which has at least 200,000 residents. Other cities include Hlotse (Leribe), Mafeteng (population: over 60,000), Maputsoe (Maputsoa) near Ficksburg, Mohale's Hoek, Moyeni (Quthing), Pitseng, and Teyateyaneng; smaller communities include Bokong, Butha-Buthe, Foso, Libono, Mokhotlong, Patlong, Qacha's Nek, Rafolatsane, and Thaba-Tseka. In regards to administrative divisions, Lesotho is divided into ten districts. A map and information of Lesotho's districts are featured in this GeoFact of the Day post (↗).
Interesting places to see and visit throughout the country include the Afriski Mountain Resort, Maletsunyane Falls, Maloti Mountains, Sani Pass, Gates of Paradise Pass, Thaba-Bosiu National Monument, Sehlabathebe National Park, Liphofung Caves, Ha Kome Cave Houses, Basotho Hat Shop (Maseru), Morija Museum & Archives, Lesotho Sun Casino, and several locations for dinosaur footprints. Lesotho's official languages are English and Sesotho (Southern Sotho). Other major languages for written and spoken communication include Phuthi (Sephuthi), Xhosa, and Zulu. About 90% of the Basotho people are Christians, followed by indigenous believers and Bahá'í Faith worshippers.
● ● ● ● ● Land Features ● ● ● ● ● Lesotho's rugged terrain and high elevation is thanks to the Drakensberg mountain range along the southeast border and the lower Maloti range in the northwest. The highest point in Lesotho, Thabana Ntlenyana, is the highest peak in Southern Africa as well. Commonly called the Senqu River in Lesotho, the Orange River winds its way for about 528.43 kilometers and 328.35 miles through southern and eastern Lesotho. The map below shows the river's twisty path from one end of the country to another, cutting through steep-cliff valleys all the way from its source in the northeast to the Lesotho-South Africa border in the southwest. Another major river — Caledon, also locally known as Mohokare — forms along the northwestern and northern border. Lesotho is home to two of southern Africa's largest hydroelectric dams: Katse and Mohale. Both located in north-central Lesotho, these dams transport water to South Africa and generate electricity for most of Lesotho. Other dams (see the second map below) include Mashai, Matsoku, Ntoahae, and Tsoelike.
● ● ● ● ● The Prime Minister's Dilemma, 2014-15 ● ● ● ● ● Touted for hosting one of Africa's few democratic elections in 2012, Lesotho's citizens elected Tom Thabane to be their prime minister and leader of a coalition government with three main parties, unseating 14-year prime minister Pakalitha Mosisili. The relatively stable political period Lesotho enjoyed took an unstable turn in Lesotho's winter (Northern Hemisphere's summer) in the year 2014. Thabane suspended parliament in June 2014 to be cautious of a potential coup d'état from the Lesotho Congress for Democracy party, led by Mothetjoa Metsing. In August, Thabane fled to South Africa for safety, fearing a deadly coup d'état from military leaders as well as a military takeover of important police buildings. After mediation of the kerfuffle made possible by the Southern African Development Community intergovernmental organization, Thabane and King Letsie III dissolved the parliament in December and announced a new election date on February 28th, 2015. Mosisili became prime minister once again after earning less than 1% more votes than Thabane.
This post was comprehensively updated with more info on August 10th, 2017.
Click here to enlarge the map in a new window. This map is available in a wall-poster size courtesy of Eric Olason at Maps.com.
KENYA is a geographically diverse country located in Eastern Africa; Kenya boasts savanna landscapes, tall mountains (like Mt. Kenya), a few rainforests, and more. The southeastern part of the country borders the Indian Ocean while the southwestern part borders Lake Victoria. There are 5 bordering countries: Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. The capital is Nairobi. The currency is the Kenyan Shilling, and its ISO 4217 currency code is KES.
GUINEA-BISSAU is a Portuguese-speaking country located in Western Africa. The western part of the country borders the Atlantic Ocean, where an archipelago belonging to the country is found. The Bijagós Archipelago, also called the Arquipélago dos Bijagos in Portuguese, is a collection of dozens of small islands. Some of those islands are not inhabited by people. Guinea-Bissau borders two countries; it is west of Guinea and south of Senegal. The capital is Bissau. The currency is the West African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF.
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