The Two Africas How the Sahara divides the continent

The Great Divider No one crossed the Sahara until 1000 AD when Arabs brought camels into Africa. This great desert still divides Africa into two parts: 1.North Africa which borders the Mediterranean Which has been linked to Europe and Asia since ancient times 2. “Sub-Saharan” Africa which was isolated from the rest of the World until recently

North Africa The part of Africa north of the Sahara Desert has more in common with Europe and especially the Middle East. As we know Libya, and Egypt are in “Africa” but are culturally, religiously, politically and economically linked to the Middle East

Sub-Saharan Africa The rest of Africa was largely isolated from the rest of the world until a few hundred years ago. Its cultures developed independently, thus they are: Unique, with ethnicities, religions and traditions that are different than those in the North and rest of the World Limited diffusion: this kept innovations from diffusing into the area leaving it underdeveloped compared when compared to Asia and Europe

The divisions of Sub-Saharan Africa The tropical rainforests of west-central Africa also are a barrier to diffusion. Thus Sub-Saharan Africa can be divided into: 1.West Africa where the Muslim cultures of the desert clash with the Christian and animist cultures. 2.East Africa where these problems are joined by regular droughts causing famine 3.West Central Africa where the Jungle makes progress and fair government difficult 4. South Africa were European and African Immigration has caused major racial strife