central africa today 23-3. democratic republic of the congo belgian colony many professionals left...
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CENTRAL AFRICA TODAY
23-3
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Belgian colony
Many professionals left after it gained independence
Ethnic groups fought for power
Military dictator – Joseph Mobutu
Changed countries name to Zaire
Changes his name to Mobutu Sese Seko
1997 – Civil War
New government DRC
Lots of minerals Copper, gold,
diamonds, cobalt, timber
Capital – Kinshasa
Mostly poor slums
Central African Republic
Landlocked
After independence – lots of corruption
Hard to transport resources
Poor farmers
Cameroon
Fairy stable
Republic
Lots of goods and transportation
Higher standard of living
Equatorial Guinea
Mainland and 5 islands
Republic
Flawed elections Same president for 25
years
Poor
Sao Tome and Principe
Political instability
Island country
Poor, few resources
Import food
Oil - recent
Gabon
1 president since 1967
Highest standard of living in region
½ income is from oil
Republic of Congo
Oil and forest products
Civil War
Mostly urban
Capital - Brazzaville
Angola
Independent from Portugal in 1975
Civil Wars
Republic with elected president
Subsistence farmers
Left over land mines
Inflation – rise in prices that occur when currency loses its buying power
High rate
Diamonds and oil
Cabinda – separated by DRC
Zambia
Lots of copper mines
Debt and inflation
Farmers
Malawi
Poor
Relies on aide from foreign countries and religious groups
Malaria
Disease spread by mosquitoes Fever and pain Death without
treatment
Most common form of death 1 kid killed every 45
seconds
Insecticide
Sleeping nets
No money
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
Malnutrition
Not getting enough nutrients from food