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| | Egypt is probably most famous for the ancient civilization that took root near the banks of the fertile Nile River around 3200 BC and the monuments it left behind. There are the pyramids at Giza, the Sphinx, one of the oldest libraries at Alexandria, and the many ancient artifacts in Luxor.Since ancient times Egypt has changed hands repeatedly, ruled in turns by Persians, Greeks, Romans,... |  |
| The Republic of Kenya lies in East Africa. It borders Ethiopia to the North, Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south, and Uganda to the west. Much of this country is covered with a national park, for scenery. It is a drive-through. In the capital, Nairobi, there are many major attractions. Go visit anytime! |  |
| Ghana was the first independent African nation in 1957. Its first President, Kwame Nkrumah is remembered as a hero throughout Africa. He won the electoral seat for Accra, the capital, while sitting in a colonial jail. Once free and acting as the first Prime Minister of Ghana, he stated: “The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African... |
| Moroccans gets a rough reputation on the streets of Spain (maybe it was that whole reconquest thing) as well as those of France (Battle of Tours) and the Netherlands (Theo Van Gogh.) Ironic, given the classic rendering of the 1942 film 'Casablanca' set in the unspoiled, unoccupied Morocco, and the iconic quote "we'll always have Paris." True, maybe for Bogart and Bergman, but with growing... |  |
| Gabon is a Central African country with a remarkably small population of a little over a million inhabitants. This lack of people is explained once you see the impressive and awe-inspiring equatorial jungle which covers 90% of the land area. It is so dense that an entire unit of US Army Green Beret's in training got lost and died after stepping a few feet off the jungle path during a piss... |
| Mali is a former French colony that gained independence in the early 1960's. It's pretty hard to get there so be prepared to spend some time if you get there. Don't even think of flying through Mali, it's quite a trek from Bamako to Timbucktu. But, bring a good book, a head scarf and your sense of adventure to tour around Mali.The most incredible region of Mali is around the Mopti area. Dogon... |  |
| If your knowledge of Niger is only that Saddam supposedly sought enriched uranium there, you are not alone. Most people have never thought to visit Niger. But, most people are missing out on one of the most difficult places in the world to reach. Given that Niger constantly remains at the bottom of the U.N. Development Index, there is very little in Niger aside from sand and poverty. But, that... |
| Senegal is a former French colony that gained independence in the early 1960's. Senegal has maintained strong ties to France and it shows in the infrastructure, relative to its French-speaking neighbors. Senegal boasts an incredible coastline with a blend of vibrant music and delicious food. One of Senegal's legacy lies in the ties to the slave trade. Just pick up a copy of Alex Haley's "Roots"... |
| The Republic of Benin is one of the most intriguing countries that most people can't place on a map. Infamous for it's role in the slave trade and renowned for being the birthplace of voodoo, Benin is an up-and-coming tourist destination. It's not the easiest country to navigate but Benin is the place for you if you have a sense of adventure, a good amount of patience and a desire to learn about... |  |
| Composed of coral, and scattered like a child's small fistful of flower petals, the 115 islands of the Seychelles bridge the poem of ocean and air that sings in the Indian Ocean's prettiest of places. The Platonic form of idyllic island perfection, these fair paint drops are the world's Alpha and Omega of tropical serenity. Green, blue, and all the rainbow of chromatic expression that marries... |  |
| Lesotho is nicknamed the “kingdom in the sky.” This gorgeous and mountainous nation is a landlocked swathe of sweeping green hillsides, blue cumulus soaked skies, and striking topographic diversity. Home to the local Basotho people, Lesotho is a delightful blend of high and low, old and new. Largely unscathed by exogenous African “balkanization,” the country is at its pristine peak between... |  |
| Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world. Cast adrift in the Indian Ocean by plate tectonics many eons ago, it’s slightly larger than the state of California and possibly the world’s most bizarre experiment in evolution. Many, if not most, of the over 200,000 plant and animal species on the island (and more species continue to be discovered every year) are endemic to Madagascar. ... |  |
| On the surface, South Africa doesn't even seem like Africa. However, this is just the view from the airports, hotels and conference centers that visitors are usually exposed to. South Africa has many colorful, diverse faces. This is why its called the Rainbow Nation.South Africa's natural beauty is unquestionable. Ecologically, it is one of the most diverse countries on earth. The Kalahari... |  |
| The Democratic Republic of the Congo covers a huge area of dense primordial equatorial forest. This forest makes the whole country unimaginable, impassable, and unnavigable. That is of course unless you navigate by rivers instead of roads. The main highway is the river Congo; the country does not have tarmac from west to east. Groups of brave tourists, documentary makers, authors, colonialists... |
| Cameroon is a land of contrasts. The wide sky opens gracefully over the scenic road in the countryside and hangs heavy over the concrete skyline of its massive cities. Cameroon gains fame in the European football league for its talented players. But in 2005, it gained fame as home to the most corrupt institution on earth: the Cameroonian police force. Cameroon is a wonderful place for tourists to... |  |
| Western Sahara is a territory on the northeast corner of Africa. It is one of the most sparsely populated areas in Africa, as it is mostly dry desert. Western Sahara is considered a non self-governed territory by the UN; the question of who exactly runs the area is up in the air, with claims laid by Morocco and the Polisario Front.The indigenous population are Sahrawi, tribe-based bedouin Sunnis... |
| Togo is a former German colony that later became a French colony after WWI. The legacy of the Germans still exists with the German beers, making Togo the best equipped country with beer in West Africa. Togo's ruling government, long ruled after independence by Gnassingbé Eyadéma is now ruled by his son Faure. Togo is no democracy, but don't say that on the streets of Lome.While it is a relatively... |
| Nigeria gets a really bad wrap. Travelers steer clear, the US State Department publishes frequent warnings, the media reports of violence, and even your grandmother has learned that an email from Nigeria is most likely an attempt to scam her out of her life savings. This is all really unfortunate because Nigeria is really cool. It houses a film industry that produces more films per year than... |
| Burkina Faso has a turbulent past and a promising but scary future. The country has a strong socialist history; a one party state was established immediately after independence in 1960 and maintained for close to thirty years. The country remains one of the poorest in the region today-- in large part because the state was destabilized and drained of its resources as leaders of competing... |
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