WORKSHEET: COUNTRIES OF AFRICA
DIRECTIONS: All of the countries of Africa have been numbered on the map "Countries of
Africa." Using an atlas or a globe, write the name of each country in the blank next to its number.
Watch your spelling.
1. _________________ 19. _________________ 37. _________________
2. _________________ 20. _________________ 38. _________________
3. _________________ 21. _________________ 39. _________________
4. _________________ 22. _________________ 40. _________________
5. _________________ 23. _________________ 41. _________________
6. _________________ 24. _________________ 42. _________________
7. _________________ 25. _________________ 43. _________________
8. _________________ 26. _________________ 44. _________________
9. _________________ 27. _________________ 45. _________________
10._________________ 28. _________________ 46. _________________
11._________________ 29. _________________ 47. _________________
12._________________ 30. _________________ 48. _________________
13._________________ 31. _________________ 49. _________________
14._________________ 32. _________________ 50. _________________
15._________________ 33. _________________ 51. _________________
16._________________ 34. _________________ 52. _________________
17._________________ 35. _________________ 53. _________________
18._________________ 36. _________________ 54. _________________
SNAPSHOT OF GHANA
Location:
Ghana is located on West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea only a few degrees north of the Equator. To
the south is 330 miles of coastline. To the north, Ghana shares a border with Burkina Faso. To
the west is the Ivory Coast, and to the east is Togo.
Land Area:
Ghana covers approximately 92,000 square miles, about the size of Illinois and Indiana
combined.
Terrain:
The topography of Ghana is varied. There are plains and scrublands, rainforests and savannas.
Climate:
The climate of Ghana is tropical. The eastern coastal belt is warm and dry, while the southwest
corner is hot and humid. There are two distinct rainy seasons in the south, while in the north,
these two rainy seasons tend to merge.
Population:
There are about 18 million people in Ghana. Most of the population of Ghana belongs to three
ethnic groups: Akan, Ewe, and Ga.
Language:
The official language of Ghana is English. However 44% of the population speaks Akan, 16%
speak Mole-Dagbani, 13% speak Ewe, and 8% speak Ga-Adangbe.
Religion:
A plurality (35%) of Ghanaians are Christians. 31% of Ghanaians practice indigenous beliefs,
27% are Muslim, and 7% practice other faiths.
Major Cities:
Accra is the capital city of Ghana. Accra is a large city with a metropolitan area population of
approximately 3 million. Other large cities in Ghana are Kumasi, Tema, and Sekondi-Takoradi.
Government:
Ghana achieved independence from Britain in 1957. Like the Unites States the Ghanaian
government has three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judiciary. Like the
United States, Ghana has a President who is elected to a maximum of two four-year terms. There
is a single-chamber Parliament, whose members are elected to four-year terms. As in the United
States, Ghana has a Supreme court with justices who are nominated by the President, but must be
approved by the legislature.
Economy:
The majority of Ghana’s workforce is engaged in farming. Cocoa is the country’s biggest export,
and other exports include aluminum, gold, timber, and diamonds. The Ghanaian economy
benefits from an industrial base that is relatively advanced among the countries of the region.
Tourism is an important and growing source of foreign income for Ghana. In 1997, tourism
ranked third among the sources of foreign capital.
Flag:
The flag of Ghana contains three horizontal stripes of red, gold, and green, with a black star in
the center of the gold stripe.
GETTING TO KNOW GHANA
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions using the “Snapshot of Ghana” worksheet.
1. , a city of 3 million, is the capital of Ghana.
2. Which of the following products are among Ghana’s major exports? (check all that apply)
timber aluminum
gold coffee
oranges cocoa
copper diamonds
3. is the language used in official business in Ghana.
4. The section of Ghana has two rainy seasons, while the
section of Ghana has only one.
5. Do a majority of Ghanaians practice one religion?
6. There are three ethnic groups which account for most of the population of Ghana:
, , and .
7. What are two traits of the Ghanaian Parliament which are different from the American
Congress?
8. What qualities about the Ghanaian executive and legislative branches are similar to those the
United States?
9. Which one of the following four descriptions correctly describes Ghana’s national flag.
Three vertical stripes of red, gold, and green
with a black star in the center of the gold stripe.
Three horizontal stripes of red, black, and green
with a gold star in the middle of the black stripe.
Three horizontal stripes of red, gold, and green
with a black star in the center of the gold stripe.
Three vertical gold, green, and black stripes with
a red circle in the middle of the green stripe.
10. On the back of this sheet of paper list 4-6 ways Ghana is similar to the part of the United
States which you are from.
SNAPSHOT OF UGANDA
Location:
Uganda is bordered by five countries: the Democratic republic of the Congo, to the west; the
Sudan to the north; Kenya, to the east; and Rwanda and Tanzania, to the south. To the southeast,
Uganda has a coast on Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa.
Land Area:
Uganda extends over 93,000 square miles, an area about the size of Oregon.
Terrain:
70% of Uganda is covered by forests, woodlands, and grasslands. More than 10% of the territory
of Uganda is protected in national parks, national forests and game reserves.
Climate:
The weather in Uganda is quite varied. In the northeast section of the country, the climate is
semi-arid and the average annual rainfall is less than 20 inches. In the southwest, however, it can
rain fifty inches or more in a year.
Population:
There are 19 million people living in Uganda. The people of Uganda are ethnically mixed. Most
people belong to three main ethnic groups: Bantu, Nilotic, and Nilo-Hamatic. There are also
many other ethnic groups represented in the population. The population is predominantly rural,
and most people live in the southern sections of the country.
Language:
The official language of Uganda is English, but many people also speak the Luganda, Swahili,
Bantu, and Nilotic languages.
Religion:
Two-thirds of Ugandans are Christians, 16% are Muslim, and 18% follow other faiths.
Major Cities:
The capital of Uganda is Kampala, which has a population of about 800,000. Other large cities
include Jinja, Mbale, and Mbarara
Government:
Uganda achieved independence from Britain on October 9, 1961. Every year, Ugandans
celebrate October 9 as a national holiday. Uganda ratified a new Constitution in 1995, and held
its first Presidential election a year later. As in our own government, the Constitution of Uganda
specifies three branches of government: the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary.
Currently, the Constitution restricts the activities of political parties, but in the year 2000 Uganda
will hold a referendum to determine if it will become a multi-party democracy. The current
President of Uganda is Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Economy:
Uganda’s economy has the potential for rapid development. The country has significant natural
resources, fertile land, and regular rainfall. Most of the industry in Uganda is related to
agriculture. The most important cash crop in Uganda is coffee, which accounts for 65% of the
country’s exports.
Flag:
The flag of Uganda consists of six horizontal stripes--black, yellow, red, black, yellow, red. The
national emblem, a crested crane, resides in a white circle in the center of the flag.
GETTING TO KNOW UGANDA
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions using the “Snapshot of Uganda” worksheet.
1. The largest export of Uganda is .
2. If you had an appointment to meet the President of Uganda in his office, which city would you
go to?
Why?
3. The official language in Uganda is .
4. If you were wanted to grow crops in Uganda, do you think you would be better off with land in
the northeast or land in the southwest?
Why?
5. What is the national emblem of Uganda?
6. Why is October 9 a national holiday in Uganda?
7. To the southeast, Uganda borders , the largest lake in Africa.
8. Uganda is about the same size as the U.S. state of .
9. Do most Ugandans live in cities?
10. On the back of this sheet of paper list 4 ways Uganda is similar to the United States and 4
ways it is different.
SNAPSHOT OF SOUTH AFRICA
Location:
South Africa is located on the southern tip of Africa. Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe,
Swaziland, and Mozambique all border South Africa to the north. Lesotho is a country which is
landlocked inside South Africa.
Land Area:
South Africa covers approximately 1.2 million square miles.
Terrain:
The landscape of South Africa displays significant variation. There are plateaus, savannas,
deserts, mountains, and coastal plains.
Climate:
The weather in South Africa is quite pleasant. The climate is similar to that of southern
California.
Population:
There are 38 million people living in South Africa. Three-quarters of South Africans are black,
and 14% are white.
Language:
South Africa has ten official languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi,
Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhsa, and Zulu.
Religion:
Most South Africans are Christian. Other religions include: Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, and
traditional African faiths.
Major Cities:
South Africa has three branches of government and a capital city for each. The administrative
capital of South Africa is Pretoria, the legislative capital is Cape Town, and the judicial capital is
Bloemfontein. Other large cities in South Africa are Durban, Johannesburg, and Port Elizabeth.
Government:
The Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, and in 1934 South Africa became a sovereign
state within British empire. In 1948, the National Party took control of government and began
enforcing a system of racial segregation called "apartheid" (separateness). The system of
governance strictly limited the political, economic, and social rights of the black South African
majority. The African Nation Congress (ANC) is a political movement that was formed to
counter the apartheid government. Nelson Mandela and many other leaders of the anti-apartheid
movement were imprisoned. In 1991, the Group Areas Act, Land Acts, and the Population
Registration Act abolished the pillars of apartheid. Mandela was released from prison and a
nonracial, democratic constitution came into effect on April 27, 1994. Two weeks later,
Mandela, the winner of South Africa’s first nonracial election, was installed as president.
President Mandela signed a new constitution into law on December 10, 1996, and it entered into
force on February 3, 1997.
Economy:
The economy of South Africa is highly industrialized, but displays great inequalities of wealth
and income resulting from earlier apartheid policies. South Africa has rich mineral resources. It
is the largest producer and exporter of gold in the world. South Africa is a net exporter of
agricultural products. Important crops include: citrus and deciduous fruits, corn, wheat, dairy
products, sugarcane, tobacco, wine, and wool. South Africa also boasts highly developed
manufacturing, and is a world leader in the production of synthetic fuels and mining equipment.
A modern telecommunications and transportation infrastructure aids the South African economy.
GETTING TO KNOW SOUTH AFRICA
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions using the “Snapshot of South Africa”
worksheet.
1. South Africa has three capital cities. Pretoria is the capital,
is the legislative capital, and is the judicial capital.
2. South Africa is a world leader in the production of which of the following products? (check all
that apply)
aircraft engines synthetic fuels
gold false teeth
televisions mining equipment
kitchen appliances coal
3. What country can be found “inside” South Africa?
4. The climate of South Africa is similar to the climate of the southern part of which U.S. state?
5. The system of racial segregation that once existed in South Africa was called .
6. The President of South Africa is named .
7. What types of landscapes can you find in South Africa?
8. How many official languages are there in South Africa?.
9. Connect the dates with the events?
A. 1910 National Party institutes apartheid policies.
B. 1948 Union of South Africa formed.
C. 1934 First nonracial presidential election held.
D. 1994 South Africa becomes a sovereign
state with British empire.
10. On the back of this sheet of paper list 4 ways South Africa is similar to the United States and
4 ways it is different.
SNAPSHOT OF BOTSWANA
Location:
Botswana is a landlocked country in southern Africa. It is bordered on the west and north by
Namibia. It is bordered on the east by Zimbabwe. South Africa is situated on the southern
border of Botswana.
Land Area:
Botswana covers approximately 224,710 square miles, about the size of Texas.
Terrain:
Botswana’s landscape is composed of deserts and savannas.
Climate:
The climate of Botswana is mostly sub-tropical.
Population:
Though the land area of Botswana is quite large, the population is relatively small. Only 1.5
million people live in Botswana. The largest two ethnic groups in Botswana are Tswana
(55%-60% of the country) and Kalanga (25%-30%).
Language:
The official language of Botswana is English. However, the languages of Setswana and Ikalanga
are also spoken.
Religion:
60% of the population of Botswana is Christian, while 40% practice indigenous faiths.
Major Cities:
Gaborone is Botswana’s capital and its largest city with a population of about 175,000. No other
cities in Botswana have a population greater than 100,000.
Government:
Botswana has a multi-party parliamentary democracy, which has its roots in the village councils
of it’s tribal culture. Botswana achieved independence from Britain in 1965. National elections
occur at least once every five years. The president of Botswana is Sir Ketumile Masire.
Economy:
Botswana has had very strong economic growth since the mid-1970's. The stability of
Botswana’s democracy has encouraged international investment, and allowed Botswana to
benefit from its most valuable natural resource: diamonds. Botswana is an active member of
numerous regional and international economic organizations. A modern telecommunications and
transportation infrastructure has allowed Botswana to link its people to one another.
Flag:
The flag of Botswana contains a blue field with a horizontal, white-edged black band in the
center.
GETTING TO KNOW BOTSWANA
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions using the “Snapshot of Botswana” worksheet.
1. How many cities in Botswana have populations of more than 100,000?
2. What is Botswana’s most valuable export?
3. is the language used in official business in Botswana.
4. Botswana achieved independence from in 1965.
5. Does Botswana have high population density or a low population density?
Why?
6. The President of Botswana is named .
7. The two ethnic groups that account for most of the population in Botswana are:
and .
8. Botswana is bordered by to the north and west, by Zimbabwe to the
, and by to the south.
9. Botswana is about the same size as what American state?
10. On the back of this sheet of paper list 3 ways Botswana is similar the United States, and 3
ways in which it is different.
SNAPSHOT OF SENEGAL
Location:
Senegal wraps around its smaller neighbor, The Gambia, to form the western bulge of Africa. It
has a 330 mile coastline on the Atlantic. Mauritania and Mali are north and east and Guinea and
Guinea-Bissau border on the south.
Land Area:
Senegal covers approximately 76,000 square miles, roughly equivalent in size to South Dakota.
Terrain:
The flat rolling plains in the northern region of the country are part of the Sahel desert. In the
southeast plateaus rise from the foothills of the Gouta Djallon Mountains. Marshy swamps and
tropical forests are found in southwest Senegal. The country’s four main rivers are the Senegal,
Saloum, Casamance and Gambia.
Climate:
The climate is as varied as the terrain. There are two seasons, rainy and dry. The rainy season
lasts from June through October. Along the coast the weather tends to be breezy and cooler while
further inland it is drier in the north and more tropical in the south. Temperatures range from 64
to 86 degrees.
Population:
There are around 7 million people. The population is made up of numerous ethnic groups that
include Wolof 36%, Fulani 17%, Serer 17%, Toucouleur 9%, Diola 9%, Mandingo 9%,
European and Lebanese 1%, other 2%
Language:
French is the official language. Other languages spoken are Wolof, Pulaar, Serer, Diola and
Mandingo.
Religion:
Muslim 92%, indigenous beliefs 6%, Christian 2%
Major Cities:
Dakar is the nation’s capital and its largest city. Other major cities are Saint Louis, which served
as the colonialist capital, and Thiés, Kaolack and Ziguinchor.
Government:
After achieving independence from France in 1960, Senegal was established as a republic. Its
constitution was adopted in 1963. The president, elected every five years, is head of state and
appoints a council of ministers as well as Supreme Court judges. The legislature, the National
Assembly, is a unicameral body with 120 elected members. President Abdou Diouf is leader of
the Socialist Party, which has been the party in power since 1960.
Economy:
The economy of Senegal is relatively diversified. The main agricultural crop is groundnuts. Other
crops are maize, millet, beans, rice, sugar and cotton. Industries include textile manufacturing
and food processing as well as petroleum and phosphate production. Fishing industries have
become the largest export earner. Tourism is also a growing sector of the economy.
Flag:
The national banner consists of three vertical bands of green, yellow and red. A green star is
centered in the yellow band.
GETTING TO KNOW SENEGAL
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions using the "Snapshot of Senegal" worksheet.
1. The ______________ people are the largest ethnic group in Senegal.
2. Most of the business of government and education is conducted in the _________ language.
Why? ______________________________________________________
3. Senegal is approximately the same size as the American state of ______________________.
4. Put a check beside the words which relate to Senegal’s location:
____ Pacific Coast ____ Sahel
____landlocked ____ West Africa
____ east of Mali ____ borders Mauritania
____ inland ____ "surrounds" The Gambia
5. If you lived in Dakar, would the climate you experience be different from the climate
experienced by people in Bakil?
Why?______________________________________________________
5. How is the climate of Senegal south of The Gambia similar to or different from the climate in
your part of the United States?
__________________________________________________________
6. How is the geography of northern Senegal different from the geography of southwestern
Senegal? How might these differences in geography affect the way people
live? _________________________________________________________
7. Most people in Senegal practice the religion of ___________________.
8. Is the population of Senegal homogeneous or diverse? Explain the reason for your choice.
________________________________________
9. Which of the following land and waterforms would you expect to see in Senegal?
____ desert ____rivers ____ low lying hills ____ swamps
____ plains ____ high mountains ____ plateaus
10. On the back of this paper list 5-8 ways in which Senegal is similar to the United States.
