JStamosQuiz for the week: Africa
February 1st 2008 10:51
How many of you are good on your African geography? I'm terrible myself. I took a class in uni (a while ago now!) on African history. The second week we had to fill in the country names for Africa. It was HARD. I'm still no good at it. I doubt many are. I included one here for your reference (get ready for the quiz next week).
To be honest, I can't even tell you if this map is accurate, because I found it on Google. The names of some countries change so often it's hard to keep up.
Kenya is the most recent victim of the disease of fragmentation that Africa suffers. Tribes that date back thousands of years seem to return to bloodshed when there's an election. There's been Sudan, Darfur, Rwanda... it goes own. Zimbabwe isn't doing so well under Mugabe. Last I heard I think their rate of inflation was up to 3000%.
Last week I watched the Last King of Scotland. Not a bad movie. And it goes to remind you that back in the 70s the story was much the same. The Congo under Mobutu is a reminder of this as well.
None of the current upheavels gain much headline attention ... even Kenya seems to be an afterthought after global economic conditions and the US election trail. But maybe the reason why is the problems seem endless and unfixable. At least Koffi Annan is there trying his best, trying to 'mediate' the tribal strife in Kenya.
Obviously the disease plaguing Africa is a national one... rather than waiting for the cancer to spread around, why not find a way to treat it?
In the mean time, I'll try and find some good news Africa stories. Is there a country that is developing itself into an independent, peaceful and economically strong nation.
Test your geography: Africa
Kenya is the most recent victim of the disease of fragmentation that Africa suffers. Tribes that date back thousands of years seem to return to bloodshed when there's an election. There's been Sudan, Darfur, Rwanda... it goes own. Zimbabwe isn't doing so well under Mugabe. Last I heard I think their rate of inflation was up to 3000%.
Last week I watched the Last King of Scotland. Not a bad movie. And it goes to remind you that back in the 70s the story was much the same. The Congo under Mobutu is a reminder of this as well.
None of the current upheavels gain much headline attention ... even Kenya seems to be an afterthought after global economic conditions and the US election trail. But maybe the reason why is the problems seem endless and unfixable. At least Koffi Annan is there trying his best, trying to 'mediate' the tribal strife in Kenya.
Obviously the disease plaguing Africa is a national one... rather than waiting for the cancer to spread around, why not find a way to treat it?
In the mean time, I'll try and find some good news Africa stories. Is there a country that is developing itself into an independent, peaceful and economically strong nation.
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