1. CENTRAL AFRICA TODAY 23-3

2. Democratic Republic of the Congo Belgian colony Many professionals left after it gained independence Ethnic groups fought for power

3. Military dictator – Joseph Mobutu Changed countries name to Zaire Changes his name to Mobutu Sese Seko

4. 1997 – Civil War New government  DRC Lots of minerals  Copper, gold, diamonds, cobalt, timber

5. Capital – Kinshasa Mostly poor slums

6. Central African Republic Landlocked After independence – lots of corruption Hard to transport resources Poor farmers

7. Cameroon Fairy stable Republic Lots of goods and transportation Higher standard of living

8. Equatorial Guinea Mainland and 5 islands Republic Flawed elections  Same president for 25 years Poor

9. Sao Tome and Principe Political instability Island country Poor, few resources Import food Oil - recent

10. Gabon 1 president since 1967 Highest standard of living in region ½ income is from oil

11. Republic of Congo Oil and forest products Civil War Mostly urban Capital - Brazzaville

12. Angola Independent from Portugal in 1975 Civil Wars Republic with elected president

13. Subsistence farmers Left over land mines Inflation – rise in prices that occur when currency loses its buying power High rate

14. Diamonds and oil Cabinda – separated by DRC

15. Zambia Lots of copper mines Debt and inflation Farmers

16. Malawi Poor Relies on aide from foreign countries and religious groups

17. Malaria Disease spread by mosquitoes  Fever and pain  Death without treatment Most common form of death  1 kid killed every 45 seconds

19. Insecticide Sleeping nets No money

20. HIV and AIDS 100,000’s die each year in this region Medicine in too expensive Young  45% of people are under 15 years old

21. Malnutrition Not getting enough nutrients from food