1. Subsaharan Africa

2. Subsaharan Africa Africa is one of the largest continents
Most sparsely populated and least visited
Totals 11,685,000 square miles
Size handicaps development of transportation and communication linkages

3. Subsaharan Africa Tourism in Africa is limited
3 regions attract significant world tourism, East Africa (principally Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Mauritius), West Africa (Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast) and Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Swaziland)

4. Subsaharan Africa
Land of poverty, with the lowest per capita incomes in the world
$100 a year or less is the norm
Low literacy rates, high rates and death rates, high infant mortality rates

5. Physical characteristics
Elevations of 650 feet to 6,500 feet
True lowlands, form sea level to about 300 feet
Divided into low-level plateaus
High level plateaus is the Rift Valley system of East Africa, which stretches from southeast Africa to the Jordan River Valley of the Middle East

6. Physical characteristics
Lowland Africa rarely exceeds 2,000 feet in elevation
River systems of the Congo and the Niger as well as the major part of the drainage of the Nile

7. Climate Patterns
Characterized by too much, too little, or poorly timed precipitation
Daytime temperatures average between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, and daily ranges exceed 15 degrees

8. Climate Patterns
North and South of the tropical savanna lands is transition zone of steppe climate
Transitional region immediately south of the Sahara Desert is known as the Sabel, where the world’s attention has been focused because of recurring drought and related human suffering for the past two decades

9. Climate Patterns
Deserts are characterized by temperature extremes, limited precipitation and isolated settlements
Recorded the world’s highest official temperatures of 136 degrees Fahrenheit

10. Climate Patterns
In southeastern and southwestern Africa, increased elevation of influence from prevailing winds creates areas of subtropical climate similar to the Southeastern US

11. Tourism in Africa
Least developed and least visited region of tourism in the world
General lack of a strong tourist industry in Africa
Region’s long distance from the major tourist-generating countries of the world and the limited connectivity between North America, Europe and Africa

12. Tourism in Africa
Direct connectivity into some countries, such as Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa; but for the region as a whole, transportation is poor and infrequent

13. West Africa
Countries include e.g. Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Sierra Leone etc
Official languages and some African languages e.g. French, English, Congo, Nigerian, Mina, are spoken in each of the countries

14. Tourism Characteristics
Senegal and Ivory Coast are the major beneficiaries of tourism to the region
Transit area connecting North and South America and Europe with many African countries
Ivory Coast has the best tourist infrastructure, with fine restaurants and good hotels

15. Tourism Characteristics
Nigeria and Ghana experienced a significant increase in the number of tourists they received during the 1990s.
France, a former colonial power in the region is the dominant market for the region
French visitors are the largest European group of tourists

16. Tourism Characteristics
Exceptions are Gambia and Nigeria, where Germany and the UK are important sources for visitors

17. Tourist Destinations and Attractions
Focal point of tourism on the Ivory Coast is its beautiful beaches set amid plantations and picturesque fishing village
Abidjan, the capital, is a colonial town providing attractions, such as the IFAN museum, the public market, and an interesting African sector

18. Tourist Destinations and Attractions
Senegal is a hub for international flights and also offers beautiful beaches
Capital, Dakar, has a number of interesting museums e.g. House of Slaves on the island of Goree and a “French town” similar to that in New Orleans or St Louis

19. Tourist Destinations and Attractions
Finest game reserves in West Africa with a variety of wildlife and good accommodations
Nigeria suffers from overcrowding, poor sanitation, and high prices in its cities, but those who visit the capital, Lagos, will find a museum of African art, the Museum of Nigerian Antiquities and one of the largest markets of Africa

20. Tourist Destinations and Attractions
Togo, near the Ivory Coast, has a tourist trade similar to Nigeria
Serious attempt to improve its tourist business and draws heavily form the neighbors of Ghana and Nigeria
Other countries of West Africa receive only a small number of tourists

21. Tourist Destinations and Attractions
Most countries have good beaches and their people illustrate African tribal culture, but lack of facilities and promotion combine with political unrest to prevent significant growth in their tourist trade