Africa has the most countries of any continent with a total of 54.
Instead of following natural terrains or historical borders, many of its borders in some areas are incredibly straight, and in others they pierced through the mountains, rivers and even the community.
Most of these artificial borders are monitored at the Berlin Conference 1884-1885, a meeting that ended 140 years ago this week in which European forces abolished the continent among themselves, and the African nations were not invited or represented.
In this visual explanation, Al Jazeera enters the stories behind some of the most unusual continent borders.
Egypt or Sudan – Why doesn’t anyone want Bir Tawil?
Starting with N
In 1899, Britain drew a straight border along 22 parallels, a 22 -grade -width line north of the equator, separating Egypt and Sudan, two territories under British control.
However, in 1902, Britain assigned a coastal and resource triangle of hala’ib in Sudan and Bir Tawil to Egypt for geopolitical and administrative reasons.
Decades later, after both countries gained independence, Egypt insisted that the right border should be followed by an agreement from 1899, while Sudan claimed that he should follow the 1902 demarcation. Bir Tawil remains requested because it will argue that it will require the deprived of claims to the triangle of hala’ib.
Egypt has controlled the hala’ib triangle since 2000, but the dispute remains unresolved.
Why is Gambia so narrow?
As you travel across the west coast of Africa, you will see a narrow lane wrapped around the Gambi River and almost completely surrounded by Senegal. This is Gambia, the smallest country in continental Africa, and the home is about three million people.
The Portuguese was the first to explore in the 15th century, Gambi later became the main center in the Transatlantic slave trade. The British colony was left from 1821 until the acquisition of independence in 1965. Due to the proximity of the then French Senegal, its territorial borders were the point of argument between British and French authorities.
In 1889, Britain and France officially established the borders of Gambija, agreeing that British control would expand about 16 km (10 miles) on both sides of the river, reaching their farthest point in Yarbutend.
The popular legend suggests that British forces have dropped cannons from their ships to determine the width of the country, providing control of vital trade routes. Although no evidence supports this claim, historical records show that the Anglo-French Commission in 1891 tried to purify the boundaries, but faced the resistance of local rulers whose countries were arbitrarily divided.
Finally, the borders of Gambia were shaped by colonial interests and British military power, leaving it as a long, narrow enclave within Senegal.
Why is Cabinda part of Angola?
Going to the south along the western coast of the continent, you will come across a small part of Angola separated from the rest of the country. This is Cabinda, the N
Cabinda became part of Angola due to historical decisions made during the Portuguese colonial rule.
During the 1884-1885 Berlin Conference, Cabinda was formally recognized as Portuguese possession, separate from Angola, although both were under the Portuguese rule. Over time, Portugal administratively combined Cabinda with Angola, but the region remained geographically and culturally different.
When Portugal withdrew from his African colonies in 1975, the Alvor Agreement, signed with the main release of Angola, excluded the Cabindan national team. And Cabinda is connected to Angola, primarily for her valuable oil reserves at sea.
This provoked the resistance of the cabid independence movement, especially the front of the release of the Cabinde enclave, which continued to call for independence of cabinde from Angola.
Why does Namibia have a little Panhandle?
As you move to South Africa, notice the narrow Panhandle coming out of Namibia. This is a comic book.
By the beginning of the 20th century, Germany controlled the German southwestern Africa (now Namibi) and the German Eastern Africa (today Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi), while Britain controlled the surrounding territories, including modern Bocvan and Zambia.
Germany sought a direct trade route to connect its territories and wanted access to the Zambezi River. The plan was to move the river to the Indian Ocean, providing a shortcut to Tanzania.
In 1890, Germany and Britain signed a contract in which Germany renamed Zanzibar’s claim in exchange for Heligoland, an island in the North Sea, and control of the Capriva band, which met the Zambezi River.
However, the German transport plan failed. It is believed that no one told the Germans about Victoria Falls-One of the world’s largest waterfalls with a fall of 108 meters (354ft), about 65 km (40 miles) east of the railway, which makes it useless for transport.
Why is Lesoto surrounded by South Africa?
Located in the mountains of South Africa is a small earthen country completely surrounded by southern Africa called Lesoto.
In the 19th century, people from Basot, led by King Moshoeshoe and, established their stronghold in the highlands, using mountains as a natural defense against winners such as the settlers Zulu and Boer (Dutch farmers).
To resist Boer’s expansion, Moshoeshoe sought British protection in 1868, making Basutoland British protectorate.
Attempts to place him under the colonial authority of Cape failed because of the resistance of the basot, and in 1884, Britain declared him a crown colony.
When the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, Basutoland remained under British rule, avoiding the policy of Apartheid in South Africa, and later received independence as Lesoto in 1966.
Why are three African countries named Guinea?
Four countries around the world have “Guinea” in their names, three of which are along the coast of West Africa.
They are:
- GuineaPreviously known as French Guinea, she gained independence in 1958 and retained the name of Guinea.
- FatiguePreviously known as Portuguese Guinea, she gained independence in 1974 and added “Bissau” to her name to distinguish from neighboring Guinea.
- Equatorial GuineaPreviously known as Spanish Guinea, it gained independence in 1968 and added the equatorial name because it is near the equator.
On the other side of the world lies Papua Nova GuineaCalled by a Spanish researcher who called him by Guinea in West Africa, believing that the locals resemble its residents.
The name of Guinea is considered to have been derived from the Portuguese word, which referred to the region along the West African coast. When European colonizers divided this region, each called their territory Guinea.
Fun fact: British Guinea coin, first forged in 1663, was named after the Guinea region in West Africa, because the gold of any one was for production from there.
Why are there two kongs?
On the opposite sides of the Congo River there are two countries named after him: the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo.
The colonial forces of Belgium and France established separate colonies along the river, named each after it. The name Congo comes from the Kingdom of Congo, a powerful kingdom that once flourished along the river.
