From winding borders to straight lines and coastal countries, the map of Africa reveals exciting stories behind each of its borders.
Africa is the continent with the greatest number of countries, with 54 countries. But despite this, many of its borders seem abnormal, because they follow straight lines in certain regions, and winding in other regions, cuts mountains, rivers and even societies.
Most of these borders date back to the Berlin conference 1884-1885, where the continent was divided between the European powers without any African country participating in this agreement.
In this explanation, we learn certain stories behind these strange limits.
1 Egypt and Sudan – Why does no one want a “long good”?
In North East Africa, there is a sterile zone of two thousand square kilometers (795 square miles) of unmanned land that no party is required, neither Egypt nor Sudan. In 1899, Great Britain pulled straight borders over 22nd latitude, which separated Egypt and Sudan, which were two regions under British control.
But in 1902, Great Britain reduced the Halayeb triangle to Sudan and a long well for Egypt for geopolitical and administrative reasons. After the independence of the two countries, each of them joined their demands on the border according to the 1899 agreement or the demarcation of 1902, which made a long well not recognized by the two parties. Although Egypt has checked the Halayeb triangle since 2000, the conflict still exists.
2 Why is the Gambia so small?
Gambia is the smallest country on the continent in Africa, and it is a narrow strip of land around the Gambia, almost surrounded by Senegal. Relations with Gambia began when the Portuguese explored it in the 15th century and later became a major center for slave trade across the Atlantic. He obtained independence in 1965.
In 1889, Great Britain and France agreed from the Gambia border, where British control extended at around 16 km (10 miles) on both sides of the river, reaching the most distant point adapted to navigation to navigation Godotnda.
A popular legend indicates that the British forces have drawn artillery shells from their ships to determine the width of the country and ensure control of vital commercial roads. Although there is no evidence in support of this assertion, the historical files indicate that in 1891, a committee of French English tried to improve the borders, but it was confronted with the resistance of local leaders whose lands were arbitrarily divided.
3 Why is Capinda part of Angola?
Along the west coast of the continent, there is a small region called Cabinda, which is part of Angola, although it is separated from the rest of the country with a narrow strip from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kabinda became part of Angola following the decisions taken by Portugal during the colonial period. During the Berlin conference 1884-1885, the European powers were recognized as a Portuguese colony distinct from Angola, although the two regions were under Portuguese domination. Over time, Portugal was integrated into administrative Kabinda with Angola, but the region has remained geographically and culturally distinguished.
When Portugal withdrew from its African colonies in 1975, Kabinda was excluded from the “Alfur Convention” signed with the main editorial groups in Angola. But due to its precious oil reserves, Kabinda was combined with Angola, which sparked resistance from the independence movement of Cabinda, in particular the liberation front of Jeep Kabinda, which requires the independence of the region.
4 Why is there a narrow band in Namibia?
By moving to South Africa, you may notice a narrow area that exceeds Namibia, a Caprivian strip.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, Germany controlled Southwest German Africa (currently known as Namibia) and East Africa (which includes Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi) , while Great Britain controlled the surrounding land, including Botswana and Zambia.
Germany was looking for a direct trade route connecting its land, and wanted to reach the Zambizi river. Where the plan was to cross the river to the Indian Ocean, which provides a brief road to Tanzania.
In 1890, Germany and Great Britain signed a treaty in which Germany abandoned its requests to Zebarbar against the island of Heligulland in the North Sea, and the control of the Caprivian band, which met the river Zambizi.
However, the German plan has failed. It is believed that nobody informs the Germans of Victoria Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world, 108 meters high (354 feet), which is located about 65 km (40 miles) east of the band , which makes them unsuitable for navigation.
5 Why South Africa surrounds Palmoto?
South Africa is located in the mountains of a small non -coastal country called Lesoto, and is entirely surrounded by South Africa.
In the 19th century, the Passoto people, led by King Muchoosho, founded their bastion in the Highlands, benefiting from the mountains as a natural defense against the invaders such as the Zoulus settlers and the Boor (Dutch farmers).
To resist the expansion of Buwairi, Mushosho asked for British protection in 1868, making Pasotoland a British reserve.
Attempts to put it under the rule of colonial CAP failed due to the resistance of Passoto and, in 1884, Great Britain Bassotoland declared a colony of the British crown.
When the South African Union was formed in 1910, Pasotoland remained under British domination, which avoided apartheid policies in South Africa. She then obtained her independence in 1966 under the name of Lesoto.
6 Why were 3 African countries called Guinea?
4 countries bearing the name “Guinea” in its names, 3 of which are located on the coast of West Africa:
Guinea: Formerly known as the French Guinea, she obtained independence in 1958 and kept the name of Guinea.
Guinea Bissau: She was known as the Portuguese Guinea, she obtained independence in 1974.
Equatorial Guinea: It was known as the Spanish Guinea, obtained its independence in 1968 and added “equatorial” to its name because it is located near the equator.
On the other side of the world, the Papua New Guinea, which was appointed by this name by a Spanish explorer, believed that its inhabitants resemble the inhabitants of Guinea in West Africa.
The name “Guinea” would be derived from the Portuguese word “Guine”, which indicates the region along the coast of West Africa. When the European settlers divided this area, each of them called Guinea.
A funny truth: the British currency “Guinean”, which took place for the first time in 1663, was appointed according to the Guinea region in West Africa, because the gold used in its production came From there.
7 countries each bearing the name of the Congo .. why?
On the banks of the Congo River, two states were named after: the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo.
The colonial powers created Belgium and France separated the colonies along the river, and each called a name. The name of the Congo comes from the Kingdom of Congo, a strong kingdom that has ever prospered one day along the river.