What does it mean if you are West African?
West African. noun. Definition of West African (Entry 2 of 2) : a native or inhabitant of West Africa —usually used specifically of the peoples of the part of Africa lying to the north of the Gulf of Guinea.
Is West Africa Arab?
Although western Africa never experienced significant Arab migration, Islamic religion and culture took hold and spread in the region. Islamic traditions coexisted with local customs and beliefs. Arab influence is still very strong in parts of MAURITANIA, Mali, NIGER, and CHAD.
What are the five West African countries?
western Africa, region of the western African continent comprising the countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
What are the characteristics of West Africa?
The region of West Africa includes the southern portion of the bulge of the continent, which extends westward to the Atlantic Ocean. This region is bisected by the African Transition Zone, which borders the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. The main physical features include the Sahara Desert and the Niger River.
Is West Africa safe?
Disease[edit] As far as disease goes, West Africa is the most dangerous place on the planet. It is probably the one place on earth where you should go to extremes to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
How did Islam make its way into West Africa?
Islam first came to West Africa as a slow and peaceful process, spread by Muslim traders and scholars. Goods passed through chains of Muslim traders, purchased, finally, by local non-Muslims at the southern most end of the route.
Is Kenya in West Africa?
Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya (Swahili: Jamhuri ya Kenya), is a country in Eastern Africa.
What are the three kingdoms of West Africa?
A succession of three great kingdoms came to power as their people, gained control of valuable trade routes in West Africa. Ghana was the first of these empires, followed by the kingdoms of Mali and Songhai. Historians think the first people in Ghana were farmers along the Niger River.
Which country is richest in West Africa?
Nigeria
This West African country, with a population of over 200 million citizens, makes up an essential part of the African economy. With a GDP just over $480 billion, Nigeria holds the position of the richest country in Africa.
What language do they speak in West Africa?
English. In West Africa, English is the primary language of many countries. Nations like Nigeria, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana speak it officially.
What are facts about West Africa?
West Africa is made up of the Sahel region (semi-arid savannas) and tropical forests and grasslands. The region is rich in natural resources such as cocoa, diamonds, iron ore, gold, uranium, coffee, rice, cotton, fish and petroleum.
What are some of the countries in West Africa?
– Benin. Benin covers an area of around 115,000 sq km. – Burkina Faso. Landlocked West African nation Burkina Faso covers approximately 274,200 sq km. – Cape Verde. – The Gambia. – Ghana. – Guinea. – Guinea-Bissau. – Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) Ivory Coast is a republic with a strong executive power vested in the President of Ivory Coast. – Liberia.
What are the names of the countries in West Africa?
There are 16 countries that make up West Africa. They are: Benin , Burkina Faso , Ivory Coast, Cape Verde, Gambia , Ghana , Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia , Mali , Mauritania , Niger , Nigeria, Senegal , Sierra Leone and Togo. Great Britain and France were the major European countries to colonize West Africa.
What is the history of West Africa?
The history of West Africa began with the first human settlements around 4,000 BCE . It has been commonly divided into its prehistory, the Iron Age in Africa, the major polities flourishing, the colonial period, and finally the post-independence era, in which the current nations were formed.