! ! Around the World Everyday

Togo

2011-04-04T21:33:00.000-07:00

A former German and French colony that has only had two leaders, both from the same families for its entire existence. It is one of the largest coffee and cocoa exporters in the world and is the prime drivers of its economy. Togo is currently going through a political transition period and the success of these transitions will determine the future of the country.

Continent: Africa
Population: 6,600,000
HDI Rank: 139th
Neighbors: North - Burkina Faso, East - Benin, West - Ghana

Traditional house in Togo

Togo Coast

Lome, capital city of Togo

Ghana

2011-04-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

One of the more successful African countries. Ghana has a stable democracy and is wealthier than its neighbors due to its abundance in natural resources. The country is still trying to get more people out of poverty, but has become a model for countries around it.

Continent: Africa
Population:24,200,000
HDI Rank: 130th
Neighbors: North - Burkina Faso, East - Togo, West - Ivory Coast

Cape Coast Castle, UNESCO Site

Kakum National Park

Independence Square - Accra, Ghana (Capital)

Burkina Faso

2011-04-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

After a month long break, I am back and continuing to blog.

Burkina Faso is a poor land locked African country. It is one of the poorest countries on earth and a majority of its citizens are sustenance farmers. It is relatively stable politically and it is a Muslim majority country.

Continent: Africa
Population:15,750,000
HDI Rank: 177th
Neighbors: North - Mali, East - Niger, South - Ghana, Togo and Benin, West - Ivory Coast

Burkina Faso, Hinterlands

Ouagadougou Mosque

Approach into Ouagadougou Airport

Mali

2011-03-06T18:23:00.000-08:00

Mali is home to the mythical Timbuktu and was the slave trading capital in Northern Africa. Mali is very poor country that has had a history of military coups. It is now one of the most stable democracies in Africa and a role model for other countries.

Continent: Africa
Population:14,600,000
HDI Rank: 178th
Neighbors: North - Algeria, East - Niger, South - Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, West - Guinea, Mauritania and Senegal

Hombari, Mali

Grand Mosque, Mali

Timbuktu, Mali

Ivory Coast - Cote d'Ivoire

2011-02-28T11:40:00.000-08:00

Another African country that has been constantly plagued by civil wars and instability. Ivory Coast had one of the bloodiest civil wars in recent memory. Peace was declared in 2003 and elections were held, this was a short period of stability and no war. Sadly the 2010 elections have caused much disruption and the country is on the verge of another civil war and more bloodshed.

Continent: Africa
Population: 20,600,000
HDI Rank: 163th
Neighbors: West - Guinea and Liberia, North - Mali and Burkina Faso, East - Ghana

Abdijan - Capital city of Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast - Coast

Notre Dame de-la Paix - Large Cathedral in Ivory Coast, based on St. Peter's Basilica

Liberia

2011-02-24T11:01:00.000-08:00

Liberia was created by slaves freed in the United States. It was one of only two countries that were not colonized by the European powers. It was created as a free country where slaves could return to Africa in safety. Sadly in the last 30 years it has been plagued by many coups and civil wars.

Continent: Africa
Population: 4,000,000
HDI Rank: 169th
Neighbors: North - Guinea, West - Sierra Leone, East - Ivory Coast

Pepper Coast

Capital City - Monrovia (Named for James Monroe)

Interior of Liberia

Sierra Leone

2011-02-22T11:16:00.000-08:00

Another African country that is coming out of a decade long civil war and still recovering. Its wealth in minerals especially gold and diamonds has caused it major turmoil with numerous coups and government changes.

Continent: Africa
Population: 6,440,000
HDI Rank: 180th
Neighbors: North - Guinea, South - Liberia

Tingi Hills

Gola Forest Reserve

Capital, Freetown

Guinea

2011-02-20T14:25:00.000-08:00

Another sub-Saharan country that has a history of numerous coups and many poor people. Guinea has one of the highest concentrations of minerals for an African country. This has resulted in the country being pillaged for its riches by foreign countries. At the end of 2010 Guinea was able to have a fair and equal election which means this country is on the road to recovery.

Continent: Africa
Population: 10,050,000
HDI Rank: 170th
Neighbors: North - Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and Mali, South - Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d' Ivorie

Guinea Coastline

Market in capital city Conakry

Niger River in the Savannah

Guinea-Bissau

2011-02-19T09:21:00.000-08:00

A very tiny ex-Portuguese colony. Of course with all the recent countries profiled. There have been three coups already in the 21st century. It is one of the poorest countries on earth. The major piece of its economy are cashew nuts.

Continent: Africa
Population: 1,650,000
HDI Rank: 164th
Neighbors: North - Senegal, East - Guinea

Coastline

Indigenous Village

National Monument

The Gambia

2011-02-18T10:23:00.000-08:00

The Gambia is a small country in Africa completely surrounded by Senegal. It has funny borders since it was draw up by the French and English during colonial times. The borders are defined around The Gambia River. In the last 30 years the country has had a lot of coups.

Continent: Africa
Population: 1,700,000
HDI Rank: 168th
Neighbors: Surrounded by Senegal

Arch 22 - Celebrates a military coup

Gambia River Delta

The Gambian Coastline

Senegal

2011-02-17T11:37:00.000-08:00

Senegal is another poor sub-Saharan country in Africa. The unique thing about Senegal is it has been able to hold free and transparent elections. It is one of the few post colonial countries to achieve this level of success in democratic processes.

Continent: Africa
Population: 13,700,000
HDI Rank: 166th
Neighbors: North - Mauritania, East - Mali, South - Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, Surrounds - The Gambia

Dakar - Capital of Senegal

Bushland Northern Senegal

Gambia River

Mauritania

2011-02-16T09:43:00.000-08:00

Now we are getting into the stereotypical part of Africa. Very poor countries with a long history of violence. But also these will be countries you have not heard too much about.
Mauritania's history is basically slavery and civil wars. Basically from the beginning of the 20th century into the 21st century there has been a coup at least every 10 years, usually multiple coups within the decade. The pictures will be very boring because there is nothing in this country other than one city and desert.

Continent: Africa
Population: 3,300,000
HDI Rank: 154th
Neighbors: North - Morocco and Algeria, East - Mali, South - Senegal

Some Ruins

Capital City - Nouakchott

Sahara Desert

Morocco

2011-02-15T09:47:00.000-08:00

Morocco a country know for its amazing hashish and scenery. For Europeans its a great getaway being only a couple hours by boat from Spain.

Continent: Africa
Population: 32,200,000
HDI Rank: 114th
Neighbors: South - Mauritania, East - Algeria

Kasbah Ruins

Atlas Mountains

Marrakech Market

Algeria

2011-02-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

Algeria may be a country you will be hearing about a lot in the news in the coming weeks. It looks to be the next Arab country with revolutions against the government.

Continent: Africa
Population: 35,420,000
HDI Rank: 84th
Neighbors: North - Tunisia, West - Morocco and Mauritania, South - Mali and Niger, East - Libya

Tassili n'Ajjer National Park

Madagh Beach

Notre Dame d'Afrique

Tunisia

2011-02-13T08:57:00.000-08:00

Another Northern African country that just had a successful revolution.

Continent: Africa
Population: 10,420,000
HDI Rank: 81st
Neighbors: West - Algeria, East - Libya

Ruins of Carthage

This is what happens if you leave your car in Tunisia during a revolution

Beautiful random beach

Libya

2011-02-12T11:14:00.000-08:00

Libya the country with the blandest flag and the strangest leader.

Continent: Africa
Population: 6.420,000
HDI Rank: 53rd
Neighbors: West - Tunisia and Algeria, East - Egypt, South - Sudan, Chad and Niger

Gaddafi and his teenage style facial hair.

Libyan Desert - Sand Dunes (Most of the Country)

Ancient Roman Ruins from 1000 B.C

Egypt

2011-02-11T23:18:00.000-08:00

I figured it was fitting to start with Egypt in light of what has happened there the last two days.

Continent: Africa
Population: 79,000,000
HDI Rank: 101st
Neighbors: West - Libya, East - Israel, South - Sudan

Great Pyramid and Sphinx

Sharm el Sheikh

Nile River

Tahrir Square, Cairo - Site of Revolution

My New Blog

2011-02-11T23:12:00.001-08:00

Welcome to my new blog. My goal is to give a short profile of one of two countries around the world everyday. So keep up if you want to see the world in pictures.