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

Lack of natural resorces and it had largely a nomad population until recently. There were areas of Africa which were extremely rich, i seem to remember Madagascar was pretty rich.markop2003

A lot of people cite natural resources. I would argue today that a poor country whose primary advantage today is natural resources gives a country a pretty good chance to end up with a despoticregime of some kind. Demand for those resources by industrialized nations often leads to power being in the hands of a very limited few leaving the rest of the nation's people with few options.

Corruption in the government.

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

[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.

No natural resources.

RockysCatnipCo

Well thats just flat out wrong.

The problem is foreigners and warlordsown most of the resources.

Educating Africans is the key to developing it's countries. My family has a org. there to help woman and children. The lack of education and understand is so bad in Africa it is literally killing nations.

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

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

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

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

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

You know that book sales alot at my store.... is it a good read?

The wars between Rome and Carthage were also a large factor.

Had Carthage won and became the dominent power over N.Africa and Europe it is highly likely today N.Africa would have been the more powerful area instead of Europe.

Not only that Carthage wouldn't have fallen as easily as Rome did because they did not have many enemies too the south nor were they strong which would have meant Carthage could have outlasted the Roman Empire.

Well the main reasonAfrica isnot developing now like other countries is due to corruption.

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

You know that book sales alot at my store.... is it a good read?

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

[QUOTE="shadowken"]

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

They were exploited by the europeans. They used to be on the same level, but then the euro's pulled ahead technologically and they used that to basically carve up africa.

Didnt the slave trade set West Africa back like 200 years?

One thing I don't understand is that people think that Africa has no natural resources, there is petroleum and other natural gases, coal, precious gems, metals and ores, and many agricultural projects. But a lot of the reasons have already been stated in this thread. You have to take imperialism, how young most of the countries are, the fact there is ethnic tension, the fact many of the nations are landlocked, national debts, and the influence of outside powers.

One thing I don't understand is that people think that Africa has no natural resources, there is petroleum and other natural gases, coal, precious gems, metals and ores, and many agricultural projects. But a lot of the reasons have already been stated in this thread. You have to take imperialism, how young most of the countries are, the fact there is ethnic tension, the fact many of the nations are landlocked, national debts, and the influence of outside powers.

Ace_WondersX

Africa may have resources, but not ones that are directly related to survival. In order for diamonds to be valuable, someone has to pay for them, and with the money food and other necessities can be purchased. Unfortunately European countries found it was easier just to take.

It's because they're... different...

Goes back to colonial times and how other countries dominated every aspect of African countries.

If they had never been imperialized, you would see a much better Africa.

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 used to live in Africa (libya to be exact) and it's not bad if you live in north africa

according to my teacher she said cause of the slavery...alot of wars between the countrys and the goverments not getting along

Actually, the standard of living in many regions of the world is low. I believe more people live in third world countries, than industrialzed ones.