Africa, I just don't get it...

No natural resources.

Humans originated from Africa thousands of years ago. Humans go on to create cities like New York, London, Tokyo, Sydney, etc., and create medicines that can cure some of the most deadly diseases. We've been able to build technology like computers, planes that can break the sound barrier, and we've even gone to the moon. And yet, Africa remains one of the worst, crappiest places I've ever seen. It's no where near up to date with the rest of the world, with the exception of a few cities on the continent. All I see are tribes, war-torn countries, starvation, and poverty. So even though humans are originally from here, why is it so far behind?

WeedleLad

I've wondered this for a while myself. A good question certainly, curious to see peoples thoughts. Personally, I'm not so sure why, other countries have had political problems for decades and they've kept up with the times.

I am not sure, but I think the answers lie in history. I believe at some point certains sections of Africa excelled in some technological, and academic aspects.

I can not site history or anything, but the country has not always been the piss-stain of the world.

Corrupt leaders, and EDUCATION are the biggest problem.

Most of Africa seems to be pretty empty as far as natural resources. They lacked pack animals and water for large farms (which Europe had), which means there are many nomadic tribes instead of settlements growing into culture. Then let us not forget that European countries had laid claim to most if not all of the continent at one point and when they marked out territoris they did so like a monkey with a canvas and 10 different buckets of paint. This gives us countries like Lesotho which is bordered on all sides by South Africa.

No natural resources.

RockysCatnipCo

Um, Diamonds?

Yeah, Africa has natural resources, the problem is that it doesn't own any of them. If you go to a store like Zales or something like that, the chances of it being an African diamond are high.

Companies from countries around the world send in mining crews to dig into Africa for diamonds. They don't have to pay anybody to do this because Africa has no government to speak of, just shattered groups of civil warriors.

ummm ... how old are you guys? slavery..colonialism for hundreds of years... most african countries only got independce in the 60-70slolmands

Most of Africa seems to be pretty empty as far as natural resources. They lacked pack animals and water for large farms (which Europe had), which means there are many nomadic tribes instead of settlements growing into culture. Then let us not forget that European countries had laid claim to most if not all of the continent at one point and when they marked out territoris they did so like a monkey with a canvas and 10 different buckets of paint. This gives us countries like Lesotho which is bordered on all sides by South Africa.

gamer_10001

[QUOTE="RockysCatnipCo"]

No natural resources.

starfox15

Um, Diamonds?

Yeah, Africa has natural resources, the problem is that it doesn't own any of them. If you go to a store like Zales or something like that, the chances of it being an African diamond are high.

Companies from countries around the world send in mining crews to dig into Africa for diamonds. They don't have to pay anybody to do this because Africa has no government to speak of, just shattered groups of civil warriors.

[QUOTE="lolmands"]ummm ... how old are you guys? slavery..colonialism for hundreds of years... most african countries only got independce in the 60-70sRockysCatnipCo

Africa is not like you think, media make it seem that way, but it aint all like that. Anyways so what if some parts of it dont have the technology?RTUUMM

[QUOTE="RockysCatnipCo"][QUOTE="lolmands"]ummm ... how old are you guys? slavery..colonialism for hundreds of years... most african countries only got independce in the 60-70slolmands

[QUOTE="lolmands"][QUOTE="RockysCatnipCo"]They had independence before then though and they still had a primitive bartering economy. The main reason they are in the state they are in, is their lack of natural resources necessary to industrialize.RockysCatnipCo

Africa is not like you think, media make it seem that way, but it aint all like that. Anyways so what if some parts of it dont have the technology?RTUUMM

There is a good documentary series / book called Guns Germs and Steel that tries to explain that.duxup

[QUOTE="RockysCatnipCo"][QUOTE="lolmands"] they were taken via colonialism...lolmands

[QUOTE="duxup"]There is a good documentary series / book called Guns Germs and Steel that tries to explain that.RockysCatnipCo

Only one country in Africa is over 50 years old. It took the U.S over 50 year to become a stabilized country and 150 to become a superpower. So there is still a lot more time needed. All of Africa isn't horrible either, there are developed places and undeveloped places.

[QUOTE="RockysCatnipCo"][QUOTE="duxup"]There is a good documentary series / book called Guns Germs and Steel that tries to explain that.duxup

[QUOTE="lolmands"][QUOTE="RockysCatnipCo"]They were never there. Cheap labor was the main motive behind imperialism in Africa. Europe saw Africans as inferior beings, thus taking advantage of them. RockysCatnipCo

Only one country in Africa is over 50 years old. It took the U.S over 50 year to become a stabilized country and 150 to become a superpower. So there is still a lot more time needed. All of Africa isn't horrible either, there are developed places and undeveloped places.

Ace_WondersX

Only one country in Africa is over 50 years old. It took the U.S over 50 year to become a stabilized country and 150 to become a superpower. So there is still a lot more time needed. All of Africa isn't horrible either, there are developed places and undeveloped places.

Ace_WondersX

Corrupt leaders, and EDUCATION are the biggest problem.

flawlesscoope

Not to mention that providing stable and westernised lifestyles for over 900 million people would more or less destroy the environment. As sad as the situation in Africa is, there is no physical way that the earth could handle that kind of growth, considering China's development over the past two decades has made them the most resource hungry country on the globe, we couldn't handle two of them. Basically for Africa to acheive some sort of relatively stable state (as a whole), the majority of first world countries will have to start making major cuts in production in all areas, and halt that little demon called 'progress'. There is no way Africa will be able to catch up in this race if we're always running faster.

I am not sure, but I think the answers lie in history. I believe at some point certains sections of Africa excelled in some technological, and academic aspects.

I can not site history or anything, but the country has not always been the piss-stain of the world.

clayron

Not to mention that providing stable and westernised lifestyles for over 900 million people would more or less destroy the environment. As sad as the situation in Africa is, there is no physical way that the earth could handle that kind of growth, considering China's development over the past two decades has made them the most resource hungry country on the globe, we couldn't handle two of them. Basically for Africa to acheive some sort of relatively stable state (as a whole), the majority of first world countries will have to start making major cuts in production in all areas, and halt that little demon called 'progress'. There is no way Africa will be able to catch up in this race if we're always running faster.

pokobo

Because the whole place is landlocked.

Because the whole place is landlocked.

avatar_genius

[QUOTE="avatar_genius"]

Because the whole place is landlocked.

Ace_WondersX

The reason Europe developed well is because so much of it is close to the sea and ocean and trade and communication with the rest of the world is just that much easier.

Europe actually has more coastline than Africa does.

Well, South Africa has been going downhill since most of the white population left. Also, the black population are still complaining about the apartheid, blaming it for all the problems, when infact, it is themselves.

Well, South Africa has been going downhill since most of the white population left. Also, the black population are still complaining about the apartheid, blaming it for all the problems, when infact, it is themselves.

Jekken6

Well i think one of the reasones this that they didnt have any really useful natural resorces to exploit so nobody really btothered to invest in it. I mean where would most of Europe be without the roman empire bringing new technologieswith them when they invaided.

There's no one reason, but lot of it has to do with the following (from wikipedia):

"...spread of deadly diseases and viruses (notably HIV/AIDS and malaria), corrupt governments that have often committed serious human rights violations, failed central planning, high levels of illiteracy, lack of access to foreign capital, and frequent tribal and military conflict (ranging from guerrilla warfare to genocide)".

[QUOTE="duxup"][QUOTE="RockysCatnipCo"]I watched that in my AP European History class. I liked it a lot.RockysCatnipCo

Foreign companies won't invest into impoverished countries until the gov can actually last longer than a few weeks and be widely recognized. The political and military climate changes pretty often in some African countries, so it's probably not worth it for them. The Simpsons went to Africa in one episode and this pretty much summarizes how often things change....:P

Flight Attendant: Please prepare for our landing in Tanzania...
I'm sorry, it is now called "New Zanzibar."
Excuse me. It is now called "Pepsi presents New Zanzibar."

European countries divided the continent up, the same borders Africa have now is the same borders the european nation made, and exported each and every natural resource they had. When they dissolved their colonies they left Africa in civil wars and to fend for themselves. Our rampage on Africa still has it's marks today as they litterally have nearly nothing of value anymore and if they have then corrupted officials or companies owned by other nations have monopoly on it.Treflis

Yeah, Nas has a good song about it "I Can" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84uWGVAcKR4 The part about Africa is at 02:40

Africa has a relatively large oil concentration and yet it doesn't even use half of that oil.
Countries like, for example, America, use millions of barrels of oil imported from Africa

Maybe they just can't evolve because there isn't any possibility

Aliens haven't shared there infinite wisdom with them yet. XD