Countries of the World

Young Jola drummers

The Jola people of southern
Senegal play traditional drums

called bougarabou at local
ceremonies and celebrations.

Matam

rt

Ballou Pink lake
Kidira Lake Retba, near Dakar, gets its
pink color from algae that thrive on
Bala the high salt levels in its water. Salt

crystals pile up on its shores.

MALI 0 80 km 80 miles

0
(approximate scale)

Gambia Saraya

Kédougou 75,955 sq miles Senegal has grassy savannas in its arid
(196,722 sq km) north and lush rain forests in the south.
648 m (2,126 ft) 15.7 million Mainland Africa’s westernmost point is
Dakar near the capital, Dakar. Music, dance,
GUINEA Wolof, Pulaar, other and wrestling reflect its rich heritage.
languages (+6)

Abyssinian rollers The Gambia
Forests and savannas are home to
roller birds. They take their name from
the thrilling midair rolls performed by

males to attract females. N

ATOLCAENATNIC SENEGAL
Serrekunda
Wrestling BANJUL Kerewan Kauur Wassu Red Rock
Gam bia

Just like in Senegal, in the Brikama Bwiam Soma 53 m (174 ft)
Gambia, traditional wrestling Janjanbureh Garowal
is a huge sport as well as SENEGAL Basse Santa Su

a cultural event. 0 40 km

0 40 miles Stone Circles of Senegambia
(approximate scale) Stone circles dating back to the

3rd century bce are spread across
the Gambia River region.

4,363 sq miles A long, narrow country that
(11,300 sq km) follows the Gambia River,
2.2 million the Gambia is enclosed by
Banjul Senegal. The riverbanks
Mandinka, other are home to hundreds of
languages (+5) different bird species and
it has beautiful beaches
along its tiny Atlantic coast.

51

Sierra Leone

Big butterfly
Africa
Found in the Sierra
GU
Leonean forests,
Jong
Sewathe African giantStar of Sierra Leone

swallowtail has a wingspan Discovered in a mine

of up to 9 in (23 cm). near Koidu in 1972,

this huge diamond

weighed 969 carats.

It is the fourth-largest

Support for survivors N gem-quality diamond
In 1991–2002, a civil war ever found.

ravaged Sierra Leone. IN E A GU
A young girl who suffered
but survived, Mariatu Falaba

Kamara set up a Kamakwie Kabala MLooumn taa i n s IN E A
foundation in Kambia
2009 to support

fellow victims. Mount Bintumani Kurubonla
1,945 m
Pepel Rokel Makeni (6,381 ft)

FREETOWN Magburaka

Rotifunk Koidu

Shenge Bo Kailahun The Cotton Tree, Freetown
Gbangbatok This mighty cotton tree has stood for
centuries in the capital of Freetown.
Sherbro Bonthe Sumbuya Moa Kenema It is a protected, peaceful place, with
Island
IA historical and spiritual links.
Freetown A T L A Pujehun Zimmi B E R
The capital and O C E A Sulima 50 km
large port city is N T I LI
N C
famous for its 0
nearby beaches.

0 50 miles
(approximate scale)

Elaborate hairstyle

Women Making garri Stone sculpture
processing garri Sierra Leone is rich in
A staple food of Sierra Leone is cassava root masks and other forms
in a factory. ground into a type of flour called garri, which of traditional art. This
carved stone head is
is used in many different ways in cooking. thought to date from

the 15th century.

Sierra Leone, the “Lion Mountains,” 27,699 sq miles
takes its name from the dramatic range (71,740 sq km)
behind the capital, Freetown. It has some 6.6 million
of West Africa’s highest peaks and Freetown
stunning beaches. The biggest industries Mende, Temne,
are farming and mining. Krio, English

Cashews Guinea-Bissau
The major export
of Guinea-Bissau is

cashew nuts, the seeds SENEGAL
of the cashew tree.

Cacheu Farim

Cashew The 88 islands of Bijagos Canchungo Mansôa Bafatá Gabú
seed Archipelago, home to BISSAU
a rich wildlife, form a Rio Gêba 310 m (1,017 ft)

protected nature reserve. Fulacunda

Bolama Boe
Rio Corubal
ATLANTIC Arquipélago Buba
OCEAN dos Bijagós I N E A N
Catió
Saltwater U
hippopotamus G

On the island of Bubaque in the 0 40 km
Bijagós archipelago, saltwater
hippopotamuses keep cool by 0 40 miles
wading in the sea and swamps. (approximate scale)

13,948 sq miles Most of this small West African nation Bissau
(36,125 sq km) is a low-lying flood plain, with A busy port in the vast Geba
1.9 million tides reaching far inland. Its estuary
Bissau landscape is lush with mangroves River estuary, Bissau was
Portuguese Creole, and national parks. Half of the founded in 1687. The statue
Balante, other population lives along the coast.
languages (+3) in front of the presidential
palace is dedicated to heroes

of the independence.

G UBIINS SE A- Koundara SENEGAL MA LI Guinea
AU Gaoual LIBERIA
Mali Western green mamba
N Spending most of its time

Boké F o u t a Tougue Dinguiraye Siguiri in the trees of Guinea’s
Kamsar Télimélé Labé forests, this agile snake is shy but

D j a l l o n Bafing moves fast, and its venom is deadly.

Bo a Fria Dalaba Dabola Kouroussa 94,926 sq miles
Mamou (245,857 sq km)
A Niger 12.5 million
Conakry
T CONAKRY Kindia Kankan Pulaar, Malinké,
Soussou, French
L Faranah
O Guinea’s landscape ranges from inland
savanna to coastal mangroves, and
A 22 rivers have their sources in its
C mountains. It is rich in bauxite (a
source of aluminum) and gold, but
N Forécariah Tokounou most people are vegetable farmers.
E SIERRA LEONE

T 0 100 km
A
0 100 miles
IC (approximate scale) Kissidougou
N
Guékédou
Macenta Kérouané
Beyla

Gold deposits Nzérékoré IVCOORAYST
The many gold mines Yomou
in northeast Guinea, near
Siguiri, produce about 16.5 tons Mount Nimba
(15 metric tons) of gold every year. 1,752 m (5,748 ft)

Conakry 53
On a long, narrow
peninsula, the capital,
Conakry, has a large
cargo port as well as a
smaller harbor full of
colorful fishing boats.

Ivory Coast
0 100 km
N
Soccer legend MALI 0 100 miles

Twice African Footballer Tengréla BUFRAKSIONA (approximate scale)
Odienné Ferkessédougou
of the Year, the nation’s GUINEA
GHANA
top goal scorer is Didier

Drogba. He has used his Mount Boundiali Korhogo Bouna
Nimba
international profile to 1,752 m Touba
(5,748 ft)
highlight critical issues MNoimntbMsaan Lac de Katiola
Kossou Bondoukou
in Ivory Coast and the
Bouaké
rest of Africa. Komoé
BandamaDanané

Sassandra
LIBERIA
Daloa YAMOUSSOUKRO

Gagnoa Abengourou Basilica of Our Lady of Peace
Abidjan Aboisso Built in the 1980s in the capital of
San-Pédro Divo Yamoussoukro, this huge Catholic
Sassandra
basilica is topped by a dome

ATLANTIC OCEAN that is 489 ft (149 m) tall.

This West African nation (also known 124,504 sq miles
as Côte d’Ivoire) is one of the world’s (322,463 sq km)
biggest cocoa exporters. Farming, fishing, 27.5 million
and tourism are the main industries, thanks to vast Yamoussoukro
areas of flat grassland and long, sandy beaches. Akan, French, Krou,
Voltaïque

Liberia Mount Wuteve Kolahun Voinjama GUINEA
1,440 m (4,724 ft)
Making fufu
Fufu is popular in Liberian, N R A
N E
and West African, 0 50 km I E R Konia
cuisine. Served with S L E O Zorzor
stew, it is made 0 50 miles
from cassava roots, (approximate scale) Kongo
carefully prepared
to form a white, Robertsport Bopolu Saint Paul Ganta
sticky mash. Tubmanburg Gbarnga

Pushing soaked cassava Bong Town Zienzu
through a sieve is a step in
one of the many ways to Brewerville Tapeta
make fufu. MONROVIA

Harbel

Marshall

Edina Hartford
Buchanan
T Cestos
A LAN
River Cess
TIC
Coastal capital O Greenville
On the Atlantic coast, Monrovia is Special spoon
Ceremonial wakemia CEAN
Liberia’s capital and largest city ladles have been
and also a major port. One-third
of the total population lives here. handcrafted for centuries.

Carved out of wood in

ornate designs, they

are made to reward

individual generosity.

Burkina Faso
MALI
0 100 km
0 100 miles
(approximate scale)
N Djibo AfricaNI

Ouahigouya GERDori

Nouna Tougan White Volta
Tour du Faso Dédougou Kaya Bogandé Traditional architecture
Burkina Faso has played host to this 10-day OUAGADOUGOU Many villages in Burkina
bicycle race since 1987. Covering about Faso feature traditional
800 miles (1,300 km), it is the African stage Bobo- Black Volta Koudougou Fada-Ngourma
of an international cycling competition. Orodara Dioulasso granaries. They are built on
Léo Pô Tenkodogo Diapaga circular wooden bases and
Banfora TOGO
Gaoua GHANA BENIN have straw-topped roofs.

Mount Tenakourou IVORY COAST
747 m (2,451 ft)

105,869 sq miles Flat and surrounded by six
(274,200 sq km) countries, Burkina Faso
20.8 million is a farming nation. Its
Ouagadougou landscape is dominated by
Mossi, other savanna and most people
languages (+5) live on the central plateau.
Its large, biannual arts and
crafts fair attracts artists
from many African countries.

Joseph Surfing
A growing community of
Jenkins Roberts surfers ride the waves off
Robertsport, a coastal town
Arriving in Liberia in considered among the best
surf spots in Africa.
1829, this African

American merchant

became the country’s

Yekepa first president
Sanniquellie in 1848.

Sagleipie

IVORY Woodland kingfisher
This species of kingfisher
Zwedru COAST is recognized by its blue
feathers, bright beak,
Fish Town and fast flight through
Sasstown Nyaake the forests of Liberia.

Barclayville 43,000 sq miles Getting its name (“freedom”) when it was
Grand Cess (111,369 sq km) settled by African Americans freed from
Harper 5.1 million slavery, Liberia has been independent since
Monrovia 1848. It elected the first female president
Kpelle, Vai, Bassa, in Africa, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (2006–2017).
other languages (+6)

Ghana

Kente cloth BURKINA FASO White Volta Abeiku JacksonTOGO
In 2016, teenage swimmer Abeiku
Garments made from Bolgatanga Bawku Jackson competed in the 50 m freestyle
brightly colored Wa event, becoming one of the first two
kente cloth woven in
distinctive patterns Bole Tamale Yendi Ghanaian Olympic swimmers.
were originally N
worn only Ritual masks
by kings. Elaborate carved
masks, such as this
Black Volta Buipe Binjai
Lake face mask made
Ceremonial drums IVORY COAST Berekum Kwahu Sawaba Volta by the Ashanti
A set of oversized fontomfrom Sunyani Plateau
drums, symbolic of Ghana’s people, are worn
historic royalty, is played Kumasi to represent the
at state ceremonies.
spirits of ancestors
in ritual dances.

Mount Afadja
885 m (2,904 ft)

Obuasi Nkawkaw Ho

Enchi Koforidua Vo

Asamankese ACCRA Tema lta

Winneba 0 50 km

Cape Coast TOLCAE N TI C Gulf of 0 50 miles
Takoradi A N Guinea (approximate scale)

A

Coffin art

The modern nation of Ghana in Coffin-making has become
West Africa is named after a great an art form, with unique
medieval trading empire that designs—this one a bird.

92,098 sq miles existed in the region until the
(238,533 sq km) 13th century. Today, it is one of
29.3 million the fastest-growing economies
Accra in Africa, thanks to cocoa, gold,
Twi, Fante, Ewe, Ga, wood, and oil.
other languages (+4)

Labadi Beach
The busiest beach in Ghana is close to the
capital city of Accra. Locals flock to Labadi

for the spectacular sea and sunshine.

BURKINA FASO Togo
Dapaong
Takienta houses
Sansanné- In the Koutammakou region, the
Mango
BENIN Batammariba people build
West African tree viper GHANA Kabye thatched tower houses. Africa
Green, scaly skin camouflages Plateau
Bassar Kara On Africa’s west coast, Togo is a narrow
this venomous snake in the leafy N country with a short coastal strip. Sandy
undergrowth of Togo’s forests. a o i n s Tchamba beaches dominate the coastline against a
a z n ta Sokodé backdrop of rolling hillsides. The capital,
0 50 km F o u Lomé, is a thriving coastal city.
M
Sotouboua
Pagala
0 50 miles

(approximate scale) Anié

Badou Atakpamé

Mt Agou
986 m
(3,235 ft)
Kpalimé

Tsévié

LOMÉ Aného
Gulf of Guinea
Teaching science
The MoLab project is a 21,925 sq miles
mobile laboratory in (56,785 sq km)
Togo designed to help 8.6 million
children learn about Lomé
science and technology Ewe, Kabye,
via activities and Gurma, French
experiments.

Fon silverwork BURKIN A NIG Benin
During the 18th and
19th centuries, the FASO ER N

Fon people of Benin hainNeadteitli’nAgtaokuora Kandi Malanville
shaped silver into TOGO C
exquisite objects, Ouémé
such as this buffalo.
NI
Mont Sokbaro GDjougou Nikki
0 50 km 658 m (2,159 ft) RNdali
0 50 miles IA
(approximate scale) Parakou

E

Bantè

The port city of Porto-Novo is located Savalou Dantokpa market
on the banks of the Yewa River. The biggest open-air

Angélique Kidjo Abomey Bohicon market in West Africa
This celebrated Beninese singer is is held at Cotonou. On

popular throughout Africa and Lokossa Sakété sale is an eclectic mix of
has won three Grammy Awards
for her musical talent. Ouidah PORTO- goods, from wood
COTONOU NOVO
carving to fruit.

Bight of Benin

43,484 sq miles Mountains, forests, and beaches
(112,622 sq km) make up the varied landscape of Benin.
12.9 million Historically, this African nation was known
Porto-Novo for master craftspeople who excelled
Fon, Bariba, other at shaping wood, ivory, and silver.
languages (+5)
57

Nigeria

Benin bronzes Four-horned chameleon
The historic Kingdom of Benin, in what is now Native to Nigeria and neighboring Cameroon, this
Nigeria, was known for its skilled metalworkers. chameleon can be recognized by the four prominent
More than 1,000 bronze plaques and sculptures horns on its snout. Its striking green skin allows it
once decorated the royal palace in Benin City.
to effortlessly blend in with forest foliage.

NIGER

Sokoto

N

S NigerBirnin Kebbiokoto Katsina
Mouths Gusau
Made from an alloy of
brass and bronze, this Koko
ornate plaque depicts
the oba, or king, with Digital media BENIN Kainji Yelwa Zaria
his attendants. Nigeria has hundreds of newspapers, TV Reservoir Kontagora Kaduna
networks, and radio stations, but new media,
Hakeem Olajuwon
Nigerian-born basketball accessed via laptops and cell phones, are taking

star Hakeem Olajuwon over, especially in the cities. Minna
played in the US National
Basketball Association (NBA) Shaki Jebba Bida ABUJA
from 1984 to 2002 and secured his
place in the prestigious Naismith Abuja is the purpose-
Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
built capital city in the Ilorin Ke
center of Nigeria. Lafia
Iseyin Ogbomosho
Oyo Makurdi
Oshogbo Udi Hills
Imeko Ado Ekiti Lokoja Idah Oturkpo
Ibadan Iwo
Abeokuta Ife Akure Ikare Nsukka

Ijebu-Ode Ondo Owo

Lagos

Bight of Benin Benin City Agbor Niger Enugu
Nollywood Sapele Onitsha Awka
Nicknamed “Nollywood,”
the prolific Nigerian Warri Orlu Ikom
movie industry produces
more than 1,500 movies Owerri Umuahia
every year, including
the 2018 drama Yenagoa Aba Uyo
Lionheart. Port Calabar

Harcourt Opobo

G uGiunloeff the Niger ATLANTIC
OCEAN
o f
a

356,669 sq miles Nigeria has the largest population and richest
(923,768 sq km) economy of any African nation. The country’s oil
214 million industry, centered around Port Harcourt in the Niger
Abuja Delta, contributes to its wealth. Half of the population
Hausa, Yoruba, live in urban areas. Lagos, Africa’s biggest city, sits
English, Ibo on the coast, while the smaller capital, Abuja, was built
inland in the 1980s.

58

Jollof rice
Traditional West African
jollof rice is a tasty one-pot

dish made of cooked meat,
rice, tomatoes, onions, peppers,

and spices. Jollof is often sold
by vendors in marketplaces.
Africa
Megacity CHAD
Known for business, industry, and shipping, Lagos is also a vibrant
cultural hub with many universities. Set around a lagoon, it sprawls
across several islands and has two enormous cargo ports.

Nguru Hadejia Damasak

Hadejia

Kano Palm oil
Oil extracted from the fruit of
Dutse Go aare Potiskum Maiduguri Ngala the African oil palm tree is used
Jam for cooking in many parts of Africa.
Nigeria ranks among the world’s
ngola Biu Mountain s
Gombi largest palm oil producers.
Gombe Horses, along with
Bauchi Kumo Mubi their riders, are dressed
Jos in regal decorations as
Numan Mandara
Jos they parade through
Plateau Jalingo Yola the streets.

Benue Shebshi
Wukari Mountains

Chappal Waddi Durbar
2,419 m (7,936 ft)
festival
Gotel Celebrated in
Mountains northern Nigerian
cities such as Kano, this
0 75 km C A M E R O O N annual Islamic festival
marks the end of the holy
0 75 miles month of Ramadan and
(approximate scale) is known for its colorful

Nigerian beats parades of horse riders.
From the legendary Fela Kuti
to today’s Afrobeats stars, such
as Burna Boy (right), Nigerian

music is big worldwide.

Geography: Nigeria’s varied Culture: More than 250 ethnic 59
mix of landscapes range from groups, speaking hundreds of
drier savanna to tropical forests languages, keep traditional culture
and swampy river deltas. alive. Art, literature, and music thrive.
History: Ancient African Natural wonders: These include
empires were established the vast Niger River, Ogbunike
here thousands of years ago. Nigeria Caves, tumbling waterfalls, the Ikogosi
gained independence in 1960. Springs, and wildlife parks.

Equatorial Guinea

A silk-cotton tree is
featured on the
national flag.
Africa Pico Basilé MALABO 0 50 km On the volcano’s edge
3,011 m Luba The port city of Malabo, built on
N0 50 miles
N (9,879 ft) (approximate scale) the rim of a volcano on Bioko
Island, exports cocoa, wood, and
Isla de
coffee from its deep harbor.
G u l f o f Bioco
Africa Cup qualifier
G u i n e a Bight of CAMEROON Soccer is a popular sport
in Equatorial Guinea.
Biafra The national soccer

Social baboon Bata Niefang Ebebiyin team has twice
The world’s largest CIUDAD DE LA PAZ qualified for the
baboon species, (under construction) Africa Cup of
mandrills live in big Mbini RIO Nations.
hordes in the rain forests EMvUinNayIongRío Uolo Mongomo
of this region, foraging 10,831 sq miles
for fruit and insects Corisco (28,051 sq km)
836,000
GAB O Malabo
Spanish, Fang,
on the ground. Bubi, French

Five islands and the mainland
territory of Río Muni make up
Equatorial Guinea. An oil boom has
fueled the building of a new capital,
Ciudad de la Paz, in the rain forest.

São Tomé Chocolate islands
and Príncipe Chocolate makers have set up
cooperatives to grow cocoa on
the islands, feeding
a global appetite for
high-quality, fairly
traded chocolate.

0 50 km N Santo António
Príncipe
0 50 miles
(approximate scale) Cocoa
pods
ATLANTIC
OCEAN Gulf of

Pico de São Tomé Guinea
2,024 m (6,640 ft)

Neves SÃO TOMÉ
São Tomé Ribeira
Afonso
Porto Alegre

The two mountainous islands
of São Tomé and Príncipe and
Pico Cão Grande their islets lie off the west coast

The needle-shaped 372 sq miles of Africa. Their jungled slopes
Pico Cão Grande, (964 sq km) throng with endemic birds,
meaning “Great Dog 211,000 such as the giant sunbird, and
Peak,” is a landmark tree frogs. São Tomé, the bigger

on São Tomé Island. São Tomé island, is home to the capital.

60 This towering volcanic Portuguese Creole,
rock stands 1,266 ft Portuguese
(386 m) tall.

Gourd rattle Cameroon
This local instrument, known as

a sekere, produces a sound Lake Chad Goliath frog Africa
similar to a rattle. Kousséri Native to Cameroon

R Maroua CHAD and Equatorial Guinea, the
IA
world’s largest frog can reach
I G E Garoua a length of 3 ft (1 m).

Ekom-Nkam N Adamawa Highlands N
Waterfall
Kumbo Ngaoundéré 0 200 km
Cameroon CENTRREAPLUABFLRICICAN
Mountain
4,070 m Bamenda Meiganga
(13,353 ft) Bafoussam

Ekom-Nkam waterfalls Nkongsamba
The twin Waterfalls of Kumba
Ekom-Nkam cascade 260 ft Buea Douala Sanaga Bertoua
(80 m) down in the heart of
Cameroon’s lush rain forest G l YAOUNDÉ
near Nkongsamba. n
u u f
G e
i
o f Ebolowa
a
EQGUUAITNOERAIAL GABON Moloundou
NGO
CO 0 200 miles
(approximate scale)

183,568 sq miles Cameroon’s varied landscapes include
(475,440 sq km) volcanic mountains, tropical rain forests,
27.8 million and desert. Called the “hinge” of Africa for
Yaoundé its location between West and Central Africa,
Bamileke, Fang, the country is home to a diverse culture.
other languages (+3)

Guardian figures Gabon

The Kota people of Gabon crafted ornate
guardian figures, known as mbulu-ngulus,
to watch over their ancestral remains.

N CAMEROON Mont-Bouët market
The huge Mont-Bouët
EQGUUAITNOERAIAL Oyem Mont Bengoué
1,070 m market in Libreville
(3,510 ft) sells everything from
fruit and vegetables
LIBREVILLE Mitzic Mékambo
LaPGmoebrntat-irlénOégooKuéMoualsasmifoduutoCuhaillu Makokou to fabric printed in
nié traditional styles.
Ngo Okondja
N
ATLA NTIC OCEANMouila u FrancevilleGO Protecting wildlife
The Loango National Park south
This figure’s Gamba 0 100 km
legs are coated Tchibanga of Omboué provides sanctuary
in brass. 0 100 miles to many animals, including the
CO (approximate scale) African slender-snouted crocodile.

103,346 sq miles A forested country on the
(267,667 sq km) west coast of Africa, Gabon
2.2 million is committed to preserving the
Libreville natural environment. One-tenth
Fang, French, of the land is protected
Punu, Sira, Nzebi, for its flora and fauna.
Mpongwe

61

Central African Republic

Africa Manovo-Gounda A D SUDAN
St. Floris National Park
C A M E ROO Massif dBeisraBoongo
N Mont Ngaoui C H River fishing
1,410 m The Ubangi River
(4,630 ft) provides a plentiful
source of food. Men use
Ndélé SOUTH SUDAN long nets to trap the
Kaga Bandoro fish while women take
Bozoum Bossangoa Kotto Bani the catch to market.
Bouar Bria
Sibut
Carnot BANGUI Bambari Obo
Berbérati
Mobaye Bangassou

Mbaïki DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
OF THE CONGO
N CONGO

0 200 km

0 200 miles
(approximate scale)

Fabulous feathers 240,535 sq miles Central African Republic is in
These black crowned (622,984 sq km) the heart of Africa. The country
cranes are found in the wetlands of 6 million is crisscrossed with rivers, which
the country’s north, including in Manovo- Bangui are used to transport goods and
Gounda St. Floris Park, south of Birao. Sangho, Bandha, people. In the northern savanna lies
Gbaya, French the Manovo-Gounda St. Floris
park, home to elephants, cheetahs,
and the rare black rhinoceros.

Congo Endangered antelope
The bongo is a large African antelope with a bright,
striped coat and long horns. The destruction of its
forest habitat means very few remain in the wild.

Unique sport Mont Nabemba CENTRREAPLUBALFIRCICAN 0 150 km
Nzango is a high- 1,020 m
energy sport combining (3,346 ft) C AMEROON 0 150 miles
gymnastics with dance, Bétou (approximate scale)
in which two teams
Impfondo DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
compete. It evolved from Sembé Ouésso OF THE CONGO
a playground game. Ubangi
N GABON

Mp Makoua 132,047 sq miles
Ewo (342,000 sq km)

ama Owando Congo

Mossendjo Djambala Gamboma 5.3 million
Ngo Brazzaville

A T L A N T I C Dolisie Sibiti Plateaux Kongo, Teke,
O C E A N Pointe-Noire Batéké Lingala, French
Nkayi
ANGOLA BRAZZAVILLE About two-thirds of this central African
(CABINDA) Kinkala country is covered in dense rain forest.
Most people live in towns and cities
by rivers. The capital, Brazzaville,
is just across the Congo River from
Kinshasa, capital of neighboring
Democratic Republic of the Congo.

62

Democratic Republic
of the Congo
Simple but sturdy Africa
In some parts of the

country, young people earn CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC SOUTH SUDAN
their livelihood delivering
Gemena Uele
goods using a reliable
handmade Buta Isiro

vehicle called GO Bumba Congo i n Mount Stanley Lake A
a chukudu. Albert
ngo Ba s 5,109 m (16,762 ft) D
ON
Mbandaka N

Lac Co Kisangani Butembo ley
Ntombe GA

This inexpensive two- Ikela Lake Edward al
wheeler is made from wood U
and recycled materials.
C V
ATLANTIC
OCEAN Congo Lac Mai-Ndombe Mount Nyiragongo Rift
3,470 m (11,385 ft)
Bandundu Lukenie Lodja Kindu Bukavu RWANDA Musical metropolis

KINSHASA Mangai Kasongo Great BURUNDI Home to more than 11 million people
Kikwit Ilebo
Matadi and growing rapidly, Kinshasa is the

Kananga cradle of Congolese rumba dance music.
TANZANIAKabinda
N Tshikapa Mbuji-Mayi Gandajika Kalemie
A
A N G OL Mwene-Ditu Manono Range Lake
Kamina Mitumba Tanganyika

Lake
Mweru

0 200 km Kolwezi Likasi
0 200 miles
(approximate scale) Lubumbashi

Ornate drum ZAMB I A
A tradition of the Vili
people, who live across Mount Nyiragongo

Central Africa, is to This active volcano in the Great Rift Valley
sculpt these unique
drums, mounted on last erupted in 2002. A lake of lava has
top of intricately
formed inside the volcano’s crater.
carved figures.
The human figurine
Sociable apes supporting the drum
is sitting on a leopard.

Found only in the lush rain forests

along the Congo River, these

bonobo apes live in peaceful

communities of 30–100 individuals.

905,355 sq miles Ingenious fishermen
(2,344,858 sq km) Near Kisangani the
101.8 million
Kinshasa Wagenya people catch
Kiswahili, Tshiluba, fish in sievelike baskets
other languages (+3)
attached to poles
suspended over the
Congo River rapids.

Previously called Zaire, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo is the second-
largest country in Africa. It straddles
the equator so at the same time that it
is spring in the north of the country,
it is fall in the south.

Burundi RWANDA The drums are
made from hollow
Three stars represent the mainAfrica Commercial capital tree trunks and
ethnic groups of Burundi: A bustling port on Lake animal hides.
Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa. NZANIA
Rugombo Kirundo Tanganyika, Bujumbura
Rugege Highlands ships the country’s produce
forest chameleon DEM. REP. CON G O HRiugghelgaen d sKayanza Muyinga
This recently identified species of Ngozi to surrounding nations.
chameleon is unique to the dense
forests of the Rugege Highlands Bubanza Karuzi N
in the northwest of the country. Ruvubu
Muramvya Cankuzo 0 40 km

BUJUMBURA GITEGA Ruyigi 0 40 miles
(approximate scale)
Mount Heha
2,684 m (8,806 ft)
Lake Tanganyika
Bururi Rutana Sacred drums
Makamba Karyenda drums are sacred
instruments in Burundi. Emblems of the
TA country’s historic kings, they are played at
ceremonies such as weddings and funerals.

10,745 sq miles The small nation of Burundi borders
(27,830 sq km) Lake Tanganyika, a deep rift lake. The
11.9 million new capital, Gitega, is also the cultural
Gitega center of the nation. Coffee and cotton
Kirundi, French, are among the country’s main products.
Kiswahili

King’s Palace Rwanda

This beehive-shaped, Mount
thatched building Karisimbia
is a reconstruction
4,507 m
of the Rwandan king’s (14,787 ft) N
traditional residence in UGANDA The sun represents
Nyanza near Nyabisindu, the enlightenment of
where the royal court E PU BLIC VirungaRMuohuenntagienKsriidaho NyagatareTANZANIA
settled in 1899. GO Gisenyi Byumba Rwanda’s people.
IC R Lake
CON Kivu Women working
Kibuye in coffee bean
MOOFCTRHAET Gitarama KIGALI
Rwamagana collectives share

DE Rwesero Nyanza in the profits.

Nyabisindu Kibungo of the group.
Cyangugu
Gikongoro

0 50 km Butare

0 50 miles BURUNDI Kigali extends
(approximate scale) over several hills

and valleys.

Rwanda’s hilly terrain Powerful women
includes the volcanic
Women in Rwanda

10,169 sq miles Virunga Mountains. hold more power than
(26,338 sq km) Lush rain forests carpet women in any other
12.7 million the slopes, the habitat of country in the world,
many primate species, with 62 percent of
including chimpanzees,
golden monkeys, and seats in the parliament.
In 2020, the nation

Kigali ranked sixth in the

Kinyarwanda, French, rare mountain gorillas. world for overall
equality between
64 Kiswahili, English women and men.

Mountain gorilla Uganda
The country’s rain forests
are home to more than 450
rare mountain gorillas.
Most live in Bwindi

Impenetrable
National Park in
the southwest.

On the shores of Lake Victoria Rwenzori Mountains
Kampala, meaning “hill of the impala,” Astride the border of Uganda and the
has spread over several hills on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this
shores of Lake Victoria. It is one of area of snowcapped peaks and glaciers
Africa’s fastest-growing cities. is known as the Mountains of the Moon.

0 100 km SOUTH SUDAN

0 100 miles Moyo
(approximate scale) Koboko ile

OF THE CONGO Arua Kaabong
Albert N Kitgum KEN Y A

Climate protest GuluVictoria Nile Kotido
Vanessa Nakate is a Pakwach
Ugandan activist bringing Moroto
Albert Lira Amudat
to the attention of the world
the dangers of rising BLIC Masindi Soroti
temperatures and drought Kapchorwa
on agriculture and food Lake Hoima Lake
supply in Africa. Kyoga Mbale
REPU Nakasongola
untains Fort Portal
IC Kaliro
Margherita Peak Mubende
Mo 5,109 m (16,762 ft)

ORCweRnzoAriT Bombo

Kasese Ntusi KAMPALA Jinja Iganga Tororo
Lake
M Edward
Entebbe
N E Masaka
Bukakata L a k e
D Bwindi Impenetrable

National Park Mbarara

Kisoro Rukungiri Victoria Lake Victoria
Kabale This lake is shared by
TANZANIA Uganda, Tanzania, and
RWANDA

Kenya. Its waters teem with

93,065 sq miles fish such as the Nile perch.

(241,038 sq km)

43.3 million

Kampala

Luganda, Nkole,
Chiga, Lango, Acholi,
others languages (+3)

Uganda lies between Lake Albert
and Lake Edward to the north, and
Lake Victoria—Africa’s largest
freshwater lake—to the south.
Mt. Stanley in the Rwenzori range
is Africa’s third-highest mountain.

65

Africa Tanzania Black-capped

Dar es Salaam social weaver
Overlooking the Indian Shrubland in East
Ocean, Dar es Salaam is Africa is home to these
the largest city and port of gregarious birds. They
Tanzania. Its name means live in colonies, building
“Abode of Peace” in Arabic. nests that hang from the
branches of acacia trees.

Bukoba UGAND A Tanzanite
RWANDA Lake The striking blue
K E N gemstone called tanzanite
Biharamulo Victoria is very rare and can be
Musoma Y mined only in the Mirerani
A hills near Arusha.
Mwanza
BURUNDI Bariadi Serengeti
Plain
Kibondo
Shinyanga N
Lake Kigoma Great Kilimanjaro 0 100 km
Tanganyika Nzega Rift Valley Lake Eyasi Arusha Moshi 5,895 m
(19,341 ft) 0 100 miles
Great (approximate scale)
Tabora Singida Babati

Mpanda Sh ama Masai
Steppe
Kipili DODOMA Tanga Pemba

D ECMO.NRGEOP .Rift Lake Zanzibar
Rukwa
Ruaha Morogoro
Sumbawanga eat
Iringa Zanzibar
Val Gr Rubeho Dar es Salaam
Z Mountains
A le Mbeya Rufiji
M y Sao Hill Mafia
B A Njombe Mohoro
I
Maasai people IAN
LMivoinugnstatoinnse Kilwa Kivinje AN
Around a million Maasai MALAWI Rufiji

people live across Tanzania and Songea D
Tunduru E

Kenya. These nomadic hunters Masasi Lindi IN Spice island
Mtwara OC Zanzibar was a longtime center
and cattle herders wear distinctive
shuka blankets and jewelry. for Indian, Persian, and Arab
trade with the African continent.
MOZAMBIQUE
365,755 sq miles It still exports spices, such as
(947,300 sq km) Mount Kilimanjaro cloves, from its harbor.
At 19,341 ft (5,895 m), this
58.6 million
dormant volcano is the

Dodoma highest peak in Africa.

Kiswahili, Sukuma,
Chagga, others (+6)

Tanzania is a land of high mountains,
lush coastal plains, savanna,
and the Zanzibar archipelago. The
Serengeti National Park is known
for its herds of migratory zebras
and wildebeest, while
the volcanic crater of
Ngorongoro Park
is home to rhinos
and elephants.

66

Kenya

Africa

Flamingos of Lake Bogoria Olympian runner Kiondo baskets
Lesser flamingos flock to this Great Rift Valley Kikuyu, Kamba, and Taita
lake near Nakuru to feed on brine shrimp and Kenyan athletes have often gained
blue-green algae in the very salty waters. This people weave decorative
food gives these birds their pink coloring. victory in distance running. David bags from sisal fibers.

Most Samburu Rudisha has won two Olympic gold Known as kiondos, these
girls wear are used to carry market
bead necklaces. medals and holds a world record goods and store supplies.

SSOUUDTAHN in the 800 m race. N

Ilemi Triangle
(administered by Kenya)
ET
Lokitaung H I O P I A
Lake Turkana
GA N DA (Lake Rudolf)
Mandera
reat Rift ValleyLodwar Chalbi Awara
Plain
Desert Marsabit

U Eldoret Maralal Kirinyaga Wajir SOMALIA
5,200 m
Bungoma (17,061 ft) Woyamdero
Plain
Kisumu
Lake G Nakuru Meru
Victoria Nyeri Tana

Migori Thika Garissa
Maasai
T Mara NAIROBI
A Ngangerabeli Geothermal power station
N Plain Kenya was the first country in
Samburu Z Garsen Africa to build geothermal power
stations. In the Great Rift Valley,
people I Voi Malindi INDIAN OCEAN these use energy stored inside
In northern N
A 0 100 km Earth to generate power.
Kenya, the Samburu A Mombasa
live as they always have,
0 100 miles
by raising cattle, moving (approximate scale)

around to find grazing, Maasai Mara lions
Hundreds of lions
and building mud and live in prides in the
Maasai Mara National
grass huts for shelter. Reserve, west of Nairobi.
They live alongside buffalo,
Famous for its wildlife, many species of antelope,
Kenya sees the annual and other big cats.
migration of millions
of animals across the 224,081 sq miles
Maasai Mara, and the (580,367 sq km)
Great Rift Valley lakes 53.5 million
attract flocks of birds. Nairobi
The capital, Nairobi, is Kiswahili,
a thriving modern city, English,
and the port, Mombasa, Kikuyu, other
is one of Africa’s most languages (+3)
multicultural cities.

Angola

Luanda

Angola’s largest city

sits on the Atlantic

coastline. This thriving

port city is the trading Palácio de Ferro
center of the country. N Designed by French architect Gustave Eiffel, this

building was originally constructed in Paris before

being dismantled and rebuilt in Luanda in 1902.

CABINDA Its name means “Iron Palace.”
Cabinda (part of Angola)
D E M. GROE The bird has a
M’Banza C ON bright red crest.
Congo P
.
N’Zeto

Chokwe art Ambriz Uíge
The Chokwe people
of northeastern Caxito Camabatela Lóvua
Angola, Congo, and LUANDA N’Dalatando Chitato
Zambia are renowned
for their ornately carved Dondo Malanje C uango Lucapa
figurines, drums,
Gabela Cuan Cacolo Saurimo

Sumbe za

and masks. Mount Moco Red-crested turaco
2,620 m (8,600 ft) Found only in the tropical
Lobito forests of northern Angola,
Benguela Camacupa Luena Zambezi
this colorful bird has a
C Cubal Kuito uLungué-Bungo distinctive, shrill song.

I Huambo Bié Cazombo

T

N Plate a
N

A Caconda
A

L Cangamba
E Cu

T Lubango Chiume ZAMBIA
C Cubango

A Namibe Huíla Menongue 0 150 km
O Tombua Plateau Cuito Caunavale
0 150 miles
ando (approximate scale)
Cuito
Xangongo
Cubango
Angolan Carnival N’Giva Temminck’s ground pangolin
The country’s annual Luiana Pangolins are the world’s only
carnival marks the end NAMIBIA scaly mammals. This species
of the period before Lent. is found throughout
Dancers and musicians southern Africa.
perform in parades
watched by crowds.

481,354 sq miles
(1,246,700 sq km)
32.5 million
Luanda
Portuguese, other
languages (+3)

Angola is a large country rich
in natural resources, including
oil, minerals, and fertile farmland. Set
back by many years of civil war, it is
now one of the fastest-growing
economies in Africa.

68

Zambia

Rally racing

The Zambia International Motor

Rally is a high-speed racing event

that takes place every year. The

tough course starts

in Lusaka and

heads north into

the desert.

Bat migration

Toward the end of

each year, more than

10 million fruit bats

descend on Kasanka 0 150 km . Lake TAN Z A N I
National Park in northern Mweru
Zambia. They migrate from 0 150 miles NRGEOP Mbala A
forests in the Democratic (approximate scale) N Nchelenge
Repbulic of Congo to feast on E M. Kasama Mafinga Central
the park’s plentiful fruit trees. CO Kawambwa 2,339 m
(7,674 ft)
D Mansa Lake Chinsali
Bangweulu
A Mwinilunga
ANGOL
Batonga baskets Solwezi Mufulira Mpika s
The Batonga people live in Chingola Kasanka
farming villages around National n Lundazi
Lake Kariba. Women Kitwe
weave traditional baskets Zambezi Kasempa Ndola i
from palm leaves.
Mongu a
Senanga
Shangombo Park t

Luanshya Moun
gwa
a LuanChipata ALAWI
Zambezi Kaoma Kafu e Kabwe c h i ng Nyimba M
Nambala
M u

LUSAKA M O Z A M B I QUE
Mazabuka Circus
Zambezi Zambia

Mulonga Choma Lake Kariba W E Founded to support
P l a i n Sesheke vulnerable young people
Z IMBA B
Palm leaves NAMIBIA Livingstone in Lusaka, this group
are boiled to teaches life skills as well
Victoria Falls

make them soft as circus tricks and
for weaving. provides funding

Zambezi River for education.

This major river starts in Zambia and passes

through six countries on its way to the Indian

Ocean. Measuring 1,600 miles (2,574 km), it

is the fourth-longest river in Africa.

290,587 sq miles This rugged country in southern Africa
(752,618 sq km) has 20 national parks and large areas of
17.4 million protected forest, which provide a haven
Lusaka for its abundant wildlife. Zambia is named
Bemba, Tonga, other after its largest river, the Zambezi.
languages (+5)
69

Namibia

Cheetah
Africa
With a population of more than 1,400 wild
BOTSWANA
cheetahs, Namibia has the largest number of

any country. The Cheetah Conservation Fund Dune 7

at Otjiwarongo protects these rare animals. Huge sand dunes run across the
Namib Desert. The highest is Dune
ANGOLA 0 150 km 7,
measuring 1,256 ft (383 m) tall.
K OpuwoOngOaOnvlidfaajemrabEotOolOssashhhnaaikkdaatni go 0 150 miles
(approximate scale) ZAMBIA
a Katima
Mulilo
o

k

o Rundu

A T LOACNE TAINC V Caprivi Strip

el Pan Tsumeb

N

d Otavi Grootfontein N

a

m Tsumkwe Traditional odelela

i Brandberg Otjiwarongo fabric has red, pink,
and black stripes.
b 2,573 m (8,442 ft)

Wlotzkasbaken Karibib

Windhoek, meaning Swakopmund WINDHOEK
“windy corner,” is Walvis Bay
Gobabis
Namibia’s largest city. Desert
Rehoboth Kalahari
Desert
Deadvlei
Nossob Ovambo
Mariental people

Lüderitz Namaqualand The largest
Aus ethnic group
in Namibia, the
Keetmanshoop Ovambo make up
more than half of the
Rosh GMroeuant tKaainrass country’s population.
Pinah Karasburg

Oranjemund Ariamsvlei

SOUTH
AFRICA

Herero dolls The Namib Namibia is situated on the
Women of the Herero ethnic group Desert stretches southwest coast of Africa.
make traditional dolls by hand, for 1,200 miles This vast country of deserts,
dressing them in decorative outfits (1,900 km) along mountains, and grasslands is
that mimic their own colorful dress. the coastal plain. almost entirely arid, meaning it
is so dry that few plants can grow.
318,261 sq miles It was one of the first countries to
(824,292 sq km) protect its environment by law.
2.6 million
Windhoek
Ovambo, Kavango,
English, Bergdama,
German, Afrikaans

Deadvlei

Silhouettes of long-dead trees create a
dramatic skyline against the red sands
in Deadvlei, which means “dead marsh.”
This is a white clay pan near Sossusvlei
70 in the center of the country’s dunes.

Mopane worms Zimbabwe
The large caterpillar of the
emperor moth is a delicacy eaten

in Zimbabwe, either sun-dried I A MOZAMBIQUE Flame lily
or fried in a tasty sauce. Bindura This vibrant red and
a iba yellow flower looks like
N flames. It is a protected
species and the national

flower of Zimbabwe.
AfricaAMBrKaribMavurwiRa
Chinhoyi
ngeZLakeK
Umzingwani
Binga
BOTSWANA
Victoria Falls HARARE

Hwange Kadoma Chitungwiza
Mount Nyangani
Lupane Kwekwe 2,592 m (8,504 ft)

Plumtree Bulawayo Gweru Mutare 0 100 km

150,872 sq miles Masvingo 0 100 miles
(390,757 sq km) (approximate scale)
14.5 million Matobo Hills Zvishavane
Harare Victoria Falls
Shona, isiNdebele, Gwanda Chiredzi These are among the world’s largest
English
Beitbridge waterfalls, extending over 5,604 ft
SOUTH AFRICA (1,708 m) along the Zambezi River.

This landlocked country has been
at the heart of trading empires such
as medieval Great Zimbabwe since
the 11th century. It is known for the
stunning scenery and wildlife of
its ridge and river valleys.

Lake Malawi TAN Z Malawi
One of the largest
lakes in Africa, Lake Chitipa
Malawi is home to
more than 850 ZAMBIA Karonga ANIA
different species
of colorful Great Rift Valley 0 100 km N The national flag features a
cichlid fish. rising sun to symbolize the new
Euthini Mzuzu 0 100 miles
Mzimba (approximate scale) dawn of freedom in Africa.

Kasungu Lake MOZAMBIQUE 45,747 sq miles
Malawi (118,484 sq km)
Nkhotakota 21.2 million
Lilongwe
Mchinji Salima Chewa, Lomwe,
LILONGWE Mangochi Yao, Ngoni,
Dedza English

Ntcheu Lake The Great Rift Valley, where the
Malombe rock that makes up Africa divides,
Liwonde cuts through this long, narrow
country. Formed in the rift, Lake
Mount Mulanje Zomba Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa,
3,002 m is one of Africa’s Great Lakes. It
(9,849 ft) Blantyre is 360 miles (580 km) long and
47 miles (75 km) wide.
Mulanje
MOZAMBIQUE
Chiromo

Nsanje

Vibrant wraps 71

Many women in southern Africa
traditionally wear the chitenge, a vivid,
patterned fabric worn as a sarong or
a headdress. It is also fashioned into
skirts, blouses, and dresses.

Botswana

Termite mound ovens
Abandoned yet sturdy termite mounds

can be used as outdoor ovens for
cooking bread and meat, since they

are excellent at retaining heat.

NAMIBIA Shakwe ZAMBIA

Kasane

ZIMB A hole is made on one
ABWEOkavango side to allow excess
Delta smoke to escape.
Okavango
Tsau Maun Kalahari Desert
Kalahari sands spread across
Ntwetwe Nata 84 percent of Botswana. This
desert is the second largest in
Okavango River Pan Sowa
The Okavango is 1,050 miles Pan Africa, after the Sahara.
(1,700 km) long and flows into Ghanzi Mopipi
the Kalahari Desert, forming a Francistown Capital city
huge inland delta of marshland Mamuno The largest city in Botswana,
and floodplains. Here live some Gaborone is also the center of
of the most endangered animals, Serowe Palapye government. As well as many
such as rhinos and lions. cultural sites, the city has a
Kalahari Mahalapye Limpopo game reserve within its limits.
Meerkat mob
Found only in parts of Lehututu Molepolole Mochudi N
Southern Africa, these small
members of the mongoose Desert GABORONE Otse Hill
family live in large colonies Kanye 1,491 m
across Botswana’s plains. Werda (4,892 ft)
Lobatse
Tsabong

SOUTH AFRICA 0 100 km

0 100 miles
(approximate scale)

San hunters use
arrows dipped in a
poison made from

beetle larvae.

San people
For 20,000 years,
these indigenous people
have led a nomadic lifestyle in
the Kalahari Desert, where they use
their hunting, fishing, and
foraging skills to survive.

224,607 sq miles Botswana is sometimes called
(581,730 sq km) the “Gem of Africa” due to its
2.3 million many diamond deposits. A large part
Gaborone of the country is desert, but it also has
Setswana, English, a lush river delta, plains, and plateaus,
other languages (+4) all home to a diverse range of wildlife.

72

Mozambique Africa

Maputo Railway Station
The classically designed building
is notable for its grand style. Built
in the 20th century, it has a
large dome, striking green
exteriors, and ornate pillars.

N
TANZANIA

Lake Nyasa Negomane Mocímboa
Lichinga da Praia
Plateau
Mangrove conservation

Saltwater-loving mangrove ZAMBIA MA Lichinga Marrupa Pemba
trees form an important swamp Nacala
ecosystem. Many are found Cassacatiza Mitande Maúa Rio Lúrio
near the capital, Maputo, and
Mozambique has committed Marávia LAWIUlonguè `Mutuali
HighlandsBWE

Lake Zobuè Nampula
Cahora Bassa
to conserving these habitats. Tete Peri-peri chiles
ZIMBA Milange Small but spicy, these peppers
are farmed in Mozambique.
Changara Angoche
Macossa They are mixed with garlic
Gorongosa National Mocuba Channel and other ingredients to make
Park balances wildlife Manica Vila de Senna the popular peri-peri sauce.
conservation with the Chimoio
needs of local people. Zambezi Quelimane m b i q u e Wild warthogs
This large pig species
Chinde o z a roams the grasslands of
the Gorongosa National
M
Park, along with a wide
Beira variety of other wildlife.

Monte Binga 0 125 km
2,440 m
(8,005 ft)

Rio Save 0 125 miles
Massangena (approximate scale)

SOUTH AFRICA Vilankulo
Mapai Tesenane

Mabalane

Lim Panda Inhambane
popo Xai-Xai Quissico
Macia
Pristine coastline

ESWATINI MAPUTO Mozambique’s 1,550-mile
Matola (2,500 km) long coastline
features coral reefs, pure
Manhoca white sand beaches, and

Star athlete tropical islands.

Mozambican sprinter Maria Mutola

is a three-time world champion in

the 800 m race and has taken part

in six Olympic Games.

308,642 sq miles With vast stretches of beautiful coastline,
(799,380 sq km) Mozambique is famed for its beaches as
30 million well as its fertile countryside and rich
Maputo mineral resources. The Zambezi River
Portuguese, other runs through the middle of the country.
languages (+10)

South Africa 0 100 km
0 100 miles
(approximate scale)

Father of the nation

Revolutionary, statesman, and
Africa

M
IB I A
The Cullinan Heritage Nobel Peace prize winner Nelson
diamond weighs about
507 carats. Mandela (1918–2013) is an icon

of modern, democratic South

Africa. He was known as

Madiba, meaning “father
A
of the nation.” N

Digging for diamonds Alexander Bay Upington
The country is one of the leading producers Springbok
of gem-quality diamonds, which are excavated Orange

in seven major mines. ATLANTIC OCEAN

Northern Prieska
Karoo

Vanhynsdorp Carnarvon

St. Helena Beaufort West
Bay

Ndebele people Saldanha Great Karoo
Traditionally skilled at
many crafts, the Ndebele Paarl Worcester
people produce colorful
and patterned beadwork, CAPE TOWN
mats, and dolls.
Stellenbosch Swellendam George

Cape of Mosselbaai
Good Hope

Cosmopolitan city Table Mountain looms over the city. Cape Agulhas
First inhabited thousands of years ago, Cape Town with Its flat top can be climbed on foot
its natural harbor has long attracted seafarers. Today, or reached by cable car.

the city is a thriving mix of cultures.

At the southern tip of the African continent, South 470,693 sq miles
Africa is known today for its diverse culture—a (1,219,090 sq km)
“rainbow nation” with 11 official languages. 56.5 million
It is one of the richest African nations and the Pretoria, Cape Town,
only country in the world to have three capitals: and Bloemfontein
Pretoria for administration, Cape Town for English, isiZulu,
lawmaking, and Bloemfontein for justice. isiXhosa, Afrikaans,
other languages (+7)
74

ZIM B A B W E

Johannesburg is the largest Musina Kruger National Park
and most modern city. (Messina) Giraffes, elephants, lions,

B O T SWANA Louis Trichardt Thohoyandou leopards, rhinos, and
buffalos are among the
Polokw(aMnaekhado) animals that roam the

country’s largest
national park.
(Pietersburg) Africa

Mokopane MOZAMBIQUE
(Potgieterstrus)
D r a k ensberg
Mmabatho Rustenburg Modimolle Mashishing
(Nylstroom) (Lydenburg)

Plate a u PRETORIA Mbombela
Middelburg (Nelspruit)
Johannesburg Benoni ESWATINI
Highveld
Vryburg Potchefstroom Soweto Springs Mkuze

Klerksdorp Vereeniging Bethal

Vaal Bloemhof Standerton
Welkom
Ghaap Kroonstad Volksrust

Kimberley Bethlehem Mafadi Vryheid
Brandfort 3,450 m
(11,320 ft)

BLOEMFONTEIN Ladysmith Ulundi

LESOTHO g Richards Bay N King Protea
r This tropical flowering plant
e Pietermaritzburg native to South Africa is
De Aar Caledo n b Durban the national flower.
Kokstad
Colesberg Aliwal n s
North
k e Xhosa people
Middelburg The Xhosa people are the
Dra
second-largest ethnic group.
Cradock Queenstown Mthatha Historically linked with the
Cape Town area, they live
Graa -Reinet N in all parts of South Africa.

Mdantsane IA N Traditionally, married women
wear an embroidered apron.
East London N D E A A boy from a Zulu cultural
Port Alfred O C village dresses up for a show.
Uitenhage I
Port Elizabeth

The Springboks Zulu people
The South African rugby The largest
union team won the 2019
Rugby World Cup—their ethnic group is
third win since 1995, when the Zulu people.

“one team, one country” Traditionally,
symbolized national unity. male warriors
wore animal fur
and feathers.

Geography: South Africa is Culture: The vibrant cultural Wildlife:
dominated by a high plateau, mix fuses many traditions in South Africa
fringed by grasslands, deserts, literature and the music of artists is home to a rich
and narrow coastal plains. such as singer Miriam Makeba. variety of wildlife,
History: The system of racial Natural wonders: The dramatic including more than
segregation known as apartheid Drakensberg Mountains 200 mammal
ended in 1994, when Nelson Mandela contrast with the lush Garden Route species and 800
became the first black president. coastline west of Port Elizabeth. bird species.

75

Eswatini Sibebe Rock
At 4,882 ft (1,488 m) tall, Sibebe
Rock is the world’s largest granite
dome. Its nickname is “bald rock.”

Africa Swazi Cultural Village Emlembe N
In this living museum near 1,862 m (6,109 ft) 0
Lobamba, the traditional
Swazi way of life is on H Piggs 50 km
display in huts containing IC Peak
U T A Mhlume 0 50 miles
(approximate scale)
SO MBABANE Simunye MOZAMBIQUE
FR LOBAMBA Siteki

A

Bhunya Manzini market
The best-known market
local artifacts. Village Mankayane Manzini Siphofaneni in Eswatini is held weekly in
Manzini. Local sellers trade
people introduce visitors Sicunusa Hlathikulu Big handicrafts such as painted
to their customs. Bend fabrics, wooden sculptures,
SOUT woven baskets, and pottery.
H Hluti Lavumisa
AFRICA

6,704 sq miles Eswatini was known as
(17,364 sq km) Swaziland until the king
1.1 million renamed it in 2018. One of
Mbabane, Lobamba Africa’s smallest countries,
English, siSwati, it has two capitals: Mbabane
isiZulu, Xitsonga and Lobamba, home to the
parliament and royal family.
Its reserves are known for
big mammals and birds.

Lesotho Horseback rider

Many mountain villages
can be reached only on

Spiral aloe 0 50 km SAOFURTICHA horseback. Riders often
The spiny leaves wear a conical Basotho
of this succulent 0 50 miles Butha Buthe hat woven from reeds.
(approximate scale)
Hlotse
Teyateyaneng Lejone

plant grow in a MASERU erg Thabana Ntlenyana
spiral-shaped 3,482 m (11,424 ft)
pattern. It is native MaMfeotehnaglTeh’sabDa-Tr saePkkaatelonngs b Mokhotlong
to the Drakensberg HoeQkuOtrhaningegRiver Qacha’s Nek 11,720 sq miles
Mountains. (30,355 sq km)
SAOFURTICHA 2 million
N Maseru

Musicians play oil-can Sesotho, English,
guitars and drum and isiZulu

the accordion.

Located entirely more than 4,590 ft
(1,400 m) above sea level, Lesotho is
Basotho blankets known as the “Kingdom in the Sky.”
The Basotho people Surrounded by South Africa on all
handcraft traditional sides, the country has a dramatic
woolen blankets that

they wear for warmth landscape of mountains and rivers.
in the cold winters of

Lesotho’s highlands.

76

Panther The pods are the fruit Madagascar
of the vanilla orchid.

chameleon AfricaAntsirañana
Maromokotro
Betsiboka2,876 m (9,436 ft) 0 100 km
0 100 miles

(approximate scale)

Comet Vanilla pods Ambanja Sambava
moth More than two-thirds of the Antalaha
global supply of vanilla is Analalava
produced in Madagascar. Antsohihy Solar energy

Mahajanga Maroantsetra Power supplies are

Marovoay Ambalabongo limited on the island,
Canyon but year-round sunshine
means solar power plants
Madagascan wildlife N Besalampy

Wildlife found only on the island Maintirano Fenoarivo Atsinanana can harness the abundant
includes about 40 species of lemur, Ambatondrazaka sunlight to generate
about half of the world’s chameleons, renewable energy.

and a large moth called the comet moth.

Tsiroanomandidy Toamasina
ANTANANARIVO
Ring-tailed

lemur Mania

MCohzaanmnbeilq u e Betafo

MakayMorondava

Ambositra

Mangoky Mananjary

Morombe Fianarantsoa

Ihosy Manakara N
Farafangana
Toliara A
Onilahy N

I
A

D
E

Vangaindrano N
C

I
O

Amboasary Tôlañaro

Colorful lambas Grandidier’s baobab tree
The trunk of this rare tree can be as
The Sakalava people are one of many Malagasy wide as 10 ft (3 m). Humans and
ethnic groups. Traditionally, men and women animals depend on baobab trees
wear a wraparound cloth called a lamba.
for water, food, and shelter.

226,658 sq miles Situated off Africa’s southeast
(587,041 sq km) coast, Madagascar is the
27 million world’s fifth-largest island.
Antananarivo First settled around 500 ce,
Malagasy, French, its ethnically diverse people
English came from Asia and Africa.
Its isolation and rain forest
habitats have allowed unique
flora and fauna to evolve.

Africa Seychelles

Coco de mer Dazzling sands
Nicknamed the “double coconut,” Regularly named one of the world’s most breathtaking
the fruit of the coco de mer palm beaches, Anse Source d’Argent has swaying palms, rocky
grows only in the Seychelles. The
islanders eat this rare nut, or gift it boulders, soft sands, and clear, shallow waters.
to one another, but never sell it.
0 200 km
The seed of the coco
de mer palm weighs 0 200 miles
up to 38.8 lb (17.6 kg). (approximate scale)

Meat-eating plant
The only species of its

kind that grows in the
Seychelles, Perville’s

pitcher plant is
carnivorous. Its
leaves form a deadly
trap for insects that
fall inside.

OCEAN

Mauritius AN
N INDI
Flat Island Round Island

INDIAN E AN Gunner's Quoin IAN
OC Ile d’Ambre AN
Triolet

Goodlands

788 sq miles PORT LOUIS D
(2,040 sq km) E
1.4 million
Port Louis Rose Hill Centre N Award-winning architecture
French Creole, C
others (+6)
de Flacq I
The picturesque island of Mauritius Quatre Bornes O
in the Indian Ocean has more than
105 miles (170 km) of spectacular Tamarin Curepipe Bel Air Designed by the Mauritian architect
coastline. Volcanic mountains Ile aux Jean-Francois Koenig, the Mauritius
blanketed in rain forest rise up Rose Belle Cerfs Commercial Bank building in Port Louis
Piton de la Petite Mahebourg
Rivière Noire has won awards for its unique design.

0 10 km

828 m Chemin Grenier 10 miles Rodrigues
(2,717 ft) 0

(approximate scale) Port Mathurin

Underwater waterfall Île aux Mont
Sand in shallow waters near the Le Morne Cocos
PBeuttittee Lubin N

peninsula is carried along by currents and 0 8 km INDIAN
dropped back down to the sea bed, creating OCEAN
an effect like a waterfall beneath the waves. 0 8 miles
(approximate scale)

steeply in the center.

78

Capital of the islands

The capital city of Victoria on

Mahé Island has leafy palms

and a mix of architectural styles,

including the Victoria Clock

Seychelles blue pigeon Tower, which was built in 1903. Africa

Found in the dense forests on Amirante Islands Inner Île aux
many of the country’s islands, this Islands Vaches
pretty pigeon feeds on tropical fruits.
Silhouette Île Denis
Praslin

Mahé Frégate
Île Desroches
Aldabra Atoll is a group of
four large coral islands on the N Poivre Atoll

outer edges of the Seychelles. Islands Alphonse Île Platte
Group
Aldabra Outer 176 sq miles
Atoll Grande A N (455 sq km)
Terre D I A N Coëtivy 96,000
Assomption Cosmolédo I N C E Victoria
Aldabra Group Atoll O French Creole,
Astove St. Pierre Providence English, French
Atoll Aldabra giant tortoise
Farquhar An archipelago of 115 granite and
Group The Aldabra Atoll is home to this rare coral islands off Africa’s east coast,
the Seychelles were settled in the
FarquharAtoll tortoise. It can weigh up to 550 lb 18th century. The continent’s smallest
nation, it has a diverse population and
Mahé Island Aride (250 kg) and live for 150 years.
is known for its beaches and reefs.
North Grand Anse Baie Ste Anne
Island

Silhouette Praslin N
Island Morne Seychellois La Digue
Mahé 905 m (2,969 ft)
VICTORIA Fregate
Bel Ombre

Anse Boileau 0 20 km

Anse Royale 0 20 miles
(approximate scale)

Sweet fragrance Mitsamiouli Comoros
The scented
yellow flowers of Mount Karthala Mbéni
the ylang-ylang tree 2,361 m Grande Comore
grow all year round (7,746 ft) (Ngazidja)

in the Comoros islands. MORONI
They are used to make
perfumes and essential oils. Mitsoudjé Moroni is located on Grande Mosquée de Moroni
Muslims gather for daily prayers at this
Decorative clothes Grande Comore, the largest 19th-century mosque. Many Comorans
Comoran women traditionally Dembéni Foumbouni of the Comoros islands.
wear dresses called shiromani. ICNEDAI are of Arab or Persian descent.
These colorful, patterned fabrics 0 25 km O A N N
are worn draped over the body, N
together with head scarves. 0 25 miles Mohéli Anjouan
(approximate scale) (Mwali) (Nzwani)

Miringoni Fomboni Sima Moutsamoudou

Nioumachoua Mozambique Domoni

Channel Moya Mramani

A paste of sandalwood and
coral, called msinzano, is

used to decorate the face.

863 sq miles The three volcanic islands of
(2,235 sq km) Comoros in the Indian Ocean are
846,300 known as the “perfumed islands”
Moroni because of the abundant fragrant
Arabic, Comorian, tropical plants. The trade in
French spices such as vanilla and cloves
has brought people from many
continents to settle in Comoros.

79

EUROPE Barents
Sea

a FINLAND

i

Norwegian v
Sea
ina
Shetland EN
Islands
ICELAND Orkney d
Islands D
Faroe Islands
(to Denmark) North n
Sea E
Outer
Hebrides NORWAY Sca Gulf
SW of
Bothnia

OCEAN Lake Gotland tic Sea
Vaner
DENMARK Bal

ATLANTIC IRELAND UNITED THE NETHERLANDS GERMANY

KINGDOM Rhine CZECHIA
BELGIUM LUXEMBOURG (CZECH REPUBLIC)

Channel Islands Seine LIECHTENSTEIN AUSTRIA

FRANCE SWITZERLAND A L P S SLOVENIA

N SAN
Massif MARINO
0 300 km 300 miles Bay of Central Ape
Biscay n
0 ANDORRA I TA LY
(approximate scale)
Pyrenees
MONACO VATICAN
Corsica CITY

PORTUGAL SPAIN Sardinia

Iberian Majorca Minorca

Tagus Ibiza nds

Peninsula Balearic Isla

Gibraltar AFRICA
(to UK)

Novaya Ural
Zemlya

Kola M o A SIA
Peninsula
u nta

Plain i n s

Lake
Onega

Lake European RUSSIA
Ladoga

ESTONIA Central Volga UplandsVolga

LATVIA Russian
LITHUANIA Upland

Kaliningrad rth BELARUS El'brus C as p i a n

N o(to Russia) Dnieper C a u c a5,642 m (18,510 ft) s u s Sea

POLAND UKRAINE

Carpathian M o u n t aMi OnLDOVA

SLOVAKIA

s Black Sea

HUNGARY ROMANIA ASIA

CROATIA Danube
BULGARIA TURKEY
BOSNIA S E R B I A
& HERZEGOVINA
KOSOVO
MONTENEGRO NORTH
MACEDONIA
nAdri iantic e Sea ALBANIA

s GREECE

TyrrSheeanian Ionian Crete
Sicily Sea

MALTA e a n Sea

M r r a n

e d i t e

United Kingdom

Europe The flag of the UK Basalt columns are said 0 100 km 100 miles Isle of
is known as the to look like stepping 0 St Kilda Lewis
“Union Jack.” stones for giants. (approximate scale)
des
t

s

e
s

Giant’s Causeway Hebri W
These spectacular hexagonal nd

basalt columns on the coast h
of Northern Ireland were a
formed from volcanic
lava 50 million years ago. t
l

Isle of r
h

o
g

Outer Skye N
Hebrides Hi

Ben Nevis Inverness
Loch
1,345 m NGeMrsaosmunptiaainns
(4,413 ft)

Fort William

Inner SCOTLA

Perth

Medieval strongholds Derry/ Stirling
The UK has many castles—the Londonderry Glasgow
fortresses of ancient monarchs
and nobles. The well-preserved NORTHERN Edinburgh
13th-century Harlech Castle Ayr
(left) is one of many in Wales. Omagh IRELAND
Dumfries
Lisburn Lough Belfast
Neagh CarlPislee

Isle of Lake
Man District
IRELAND nDouglas
Irish
Cream tea FRANCE Mount
Caribbean carnival An afternoon tea of scones, Sea Snowdon Blackpool
London is a multicultural city, and its annual 1,085 m
(3,560 ft)
Notting Hill Carnival is a celebration of
Caribbean culture. Millions flock to enjoy the Anglesey Liverpool

live music, dancing, and colorful parades. Caernarfon

Chester

homemade jam, clotted cream, and n Severn
a cup of hot tea is a national treat. s

a
n

Aberystwyth i
i

r
a

Channel Islands ECnhgalinsnhel St Anne Fishguard MCoaumn tb
Guernsey, Jersey, Guernsey Alderney
and other islands WALES Gloucester
in the English N

Channel are Herm Swansea Newport

self-governing. St Peter Port Sark Bristol ChanneClardi Bristol
Barnstaple
0 20 km St John Jersey Bath
St Mary

0 20 miles St Helier
(approximate scale)

Exeter
Bournemouth
Celtic Isles of Penzance Plymouth
Sea Scilly
Torquay
Land’s Falmouth
End E n g l i s h

Off the northwest coast of Europe lies 94,058 sq miles
the United Kingdom, or UK, which consists (243,610 sq km)
of four small countries—England, Scotland, 66 million
Wales, and Northern Ireland. This London
island nation is steeped in history. The UK English, other
is famous for its royal family, theater, languages (+3)
modern music, and red buses.

82

Shetland Lerwick
Islands

Orkney
Islands

Kirkwall Europe

Wick N Rugged landscape
The UK countryside consists of green rolling hills,
Moray Firth moors, and rocky coastline. Scotland is known for
its rugged mountains and unspoiled wilderness, such
Peterhead as that on the Isle of Skye (above).
Aberdeen
High-pitched pipes
ND Playing bagpipes in traditional dress
is a custom in Scotland and Ireland.
Dundee Bagpipes were once played on
battlefields to scare enemy troops.
N

oSret

h
a

Newcastle Sherlock Holmes
upon Tyne

Sunderland Scottish writer Arthur
Conan Doyle (1859–1930)

Middlesborough created the famous fictional Angel of the North
Standing 65 ft (20 m) tall, this landmark steel sculpture
Swale Scarborough detective Sherlock Holmes, by British artist Antony Gormley has dominated the
hero of The Hound of the skyline in northeast England since 1998.
nines York
Bradford Baskervilles novel. Super city
The Thames River flows through London,
Leeds Kingston upon Hull one of the oldest major cities in the world and now a
buzzing metropolis with nearly 9 million people.
Manchester The Shard is a
She eld 95-story skyscraper
with panoramic views.
Stoke Trent The
Nottingham Wash

ENGLAND
BirminghaLmeicester Peterborough
Norwich
Coventry Northampton

Milton Cambridge
Keynes

Oxford Luton Ipswich

Reading LONDON Chelmsford
Southend-on-Sea
Guildford Thames
Canterbury
Southampton Maidstone Dover
Portsmouth Brighton
Strait of Dover
Isle of Hastings FRANCE
Wight
Channel

Geography: The highest Culture: Cricket, rugby, and
mountains lie in Scotland soccer were first played in
and Wales, while the Pennines are the UK. British literature, music,
known as the spine of England. and theater are popular worldwide.
History: The UK was one of Natural wonders: These
the first nations to grow its include the Lake District in
economy as a result of the Industrial England, Loch Ness in Scotland, and
Revolution in the 19th century. Mount Snowdon in Wales.

Ireland The bodhrán is a Folk instruments
type of Irish drum. Folk music is embedded in
Europe Irish tradition. The main
Fiddle instrument is the violin,
also known as a fiddle.

Blackthorn Low whistle Recorder
Native to Ireland, this Tin whistle Letterkenny
prickly, hardy shrub
grows white flowers N
in spring and black
berries in fall.

Trinity College Donegal Northern
Founded in 1592, this world- Ireland
famous university in Dublin
has educated many celebrated Glenamoy (UK) The capital Dublin
Irish writers, including Bram is also Ireland’s
Stoker and Oscar Wilde. Achill Sligo Monaghan largest city and
Island
Gaelic football
In this action-packed Clare Westport Dundalk home to about
Irish team sport, players Island one-third of the
can kick, catch, or
throw the ball. Connemara Roscommon population.
ATLANTIC Lough Ree Drogheda
OCEAN Lough Carrib Irish
DUBLIN Sea
Galw Galway Shannon Wicklow
Mountains Step-dancing
Aran ay Bay Lough Barrow Performed since
Islands Derg

Shannon Wicklow the 19th century,
this traditional Irish
Limerick Kilkenny dance form involves

Suir a straight body and
fast foot movements.
D i nBgalye Tralee Wexford
Killarney Waterford

Cork Celtic Sea

Carrauntoohil 50 km
1,038 m
(3,406 ft)

0

0 50 miles
(approximate scale)

Skellig Islands
Off the southwest coast of Ireland are two rocky

islets providing a safe haven for seabirds such
as gannets and puffins.

27,132 sq miles Once part of the United Kingdom, southern
(70,273 sq km) Ireland, where most people are Roman
5.2 million Catholic, became independent in 1921.
Dublin Northern Ireland, where people are mainly
English, Irish Protestant, remains part of the UK.

Ice caves Iceland
Vatnajökull is among
the largest glaciers in Puffins of the Atlantic
Europe. In summer, Native to the Atlantic Ocean, puffins are
channels of melting water
flow under the surface strong swimmers that live at sea but
of the glacier, cutting head for breeding colonies on land
through the ice, creating every spring. Their colorful
enormous caverns. beaks have earned them their
nickname of “sea parrots.”
N Greenland
Sea tilfjörður

Siglufjörður
Europe

Jökulsá á Fjöllum
Skagafjörður
rdjúp
Denmark StraitÍsafjarða
Ísafjörður
Eyjafjörður
Öxarfjörður

Þis
pnafjörður
Húnaflói Húsavík
Sauðárkrókur Akureyri

Breiðafjörður Vo
Stykkishólmur
Hallgrímskirkja
More than 90 Borgarnes L a nGgl aj öcki eurl l H o fsj aöckiuelrl Egilsstaðir The unusually shaped
percent of H Gl Reyðarfjörður Hallgrímskirkja is the
tallest church in Iceland
Icelanders live in and was completed in 1986.
It stands 243 ft (74 m) tall,
Reykjavík. Thjórsá and the view from the top of
the spire gives a spectacular
Faxaflói vítá Vatnajökull
REYKJAVÍK Glacier view of Reykjavik.

Keflavík Hvannadalshnúkur
2,110 m (6,923 ft)

ATLANTIC OCEAN Selfoss Höfn
0
Ma cýiredra 50 km

G l l s j Kirkjubæjarklaustur 0 50 miles
kull (approximate scale)
ö

Vestmannaeyjar

Aurora Borealis Icelandic horses 39,769 sq miles
Also called the Northern Lights, this Viking settlers brought these (103,000 sq km)
incredible light display is often visible horses to Iceland during the 350,730
on clear nights in Iceland. The natural 9th and 10th centuries. Small Reykjavík
phenomenon is caused by solar winds and stocky in size, the breed is Icelandic
hitting oxygen and nitrogen atoms hardy and tough and capable
high up in Earth’s atmosphere. of crossing any terrain. A remote island in the northern
Atlantic Ocean, Iceland lies just south
of the Arctic Circle. It is known as the
land of “fire and ice” because of its
many active volcanoes, lava fields,
geysers, and hot-water springs.

Norway 0 100 km ngerfjorden

Fjord view 0 100 miles Hammerfest
Standing about (approximate scale)
2,300 ft (700 m) above Vadsø
Lake Ringedalsvatnet, Andfjorden Tromsø Alta Vara
the cliff edge of Finnsnes Finnmarksvidda F I N L A N D
Trolltunga offers a Harstad Kirkenes
breathtaking view of Narvik RUSSIA
the surrounding fjords.
L o f o t e n Svolvær N
n
tfjor d e
Bodø
V e s

Sea Svartisen
Mo i Rana

a Sandnessjøen On the hunt
n In Norway’s forests,
i solitary wolverines
e g Rørvik
w t Namsos hunt down large
r v e Steinkjer prey, including
Fr a
Troll warning! o o h moose and goats.

Mythical trolls are N Sámi people
Thousands of indigenous Sámi people live
considered lucky in Kristiansund Trondheim SWEDEN
in northern Norway, where they herd
Norway. They can be Molde reindeer, fish, and farm the land.

seen on signs but Ålesund D o v r e fjell
are mostly found
Galdhøpiggen
2,469 m (8,100 ft)
as souvenirs!

Florø Jotunheimen

Hermansverk

Lillehammer Heddal Stave Church
In medieval times, many churches
Bergen Hardangervidda Hamar Glåma constructed of timber walls on wooden
Haugesund Trolltunga OSLO Lillestrøm
1,100 m (3,600 ft) corner posts, known as staves,
were built in Norway. Only 28
Boknafjorden Stavanger Skien Drammen survive today. The church
Tønsberg
Sandnes at Heddal is the largest.

Egersund Oslofjorden

N o rt Arendal
S e a
h Kristiansand kag er r a k
S

Cross-country skiing The dramatic landscape of Norway
Snow covers much is a wilderness of icy glaciers
of Norway in winter, and deep fjords (sea channels
surrounded by cliffs). Two-thirds
and cross-country of the Norwegian landscape is
skiing is popular covered by rugged mountains.
for exercise, About 50,000 tiny islands lie
off its long, craggy coastline.
sport, and to
get around.

125,021 sq miles
(323,802 sq km)
5.5 million
Oslo
Norwegian, Sámi

Turf roofs keep the houses Denmark
warm and protect them
from the wet weather.

Fun in the city
Founded in 1843, Tivoli Gardens in
Copenhagen is the second-oldest
amusement park in the
world. Here, visitors
enjoy rides and games.

Skagen

Frederikshavn
Traditional Faroese houses Europe

Turf roofs are a familiar sight on the volcanic Great Belt

Faroe Islands (see p.181) in the Nkmor)SthkAatlagneticHrjørrarinkg
Ocean, about 900 miles (1,500
from Copenhagen.

0 50 km Hanstholm Læsø
Hurup
0 50 miles Aalborg
(approximate scale)
Kattegat

Sea Skive Viborg Anholt SWEDEN
Danish design
Ringkøbing Jutland Randers
Silkeborg A clean, simple style of architecture
and furniture design developed in
North (Jylland) Aarhus

Møllehøj Helsingør
Skjern 171 m (561 ft) Denmark in the 20th century.

Vejle Samsø A classic example of this
Esbjerg is the iconic Egg Chair
Endelave Kalundborg by the Danish designer
Kolding Odense COPENHAGEN
(KØBENHAVN)
Langeland
The Sound Arne Jacobsen.
Rømø Skærbæk F y n Sjælland

Svendborg Næstved

Tønder Ærø Bornholm Rønne
Møn
Viking drinking horn
K ie l Ba Lolland Sakskøbing Baltic Sea
Falster Cozy way of life
G M A NY
E R y The Danish word hygge
describes a cozy mood
N

The Viking Danes were part of the seafaring when family or friends

people who lived in Scandinavia in the gather together to share

Middle Ages. They used animal horns food and drink in a

to make drinking cups (above) and comfortable setting.

musical instruments.

Øresund Bridge Danish sandwich 16,639 sq miles
Sweden and Denmark are linked (43,094 sq km)
across the Øresund Strait. The Øresund A traditional Danish open sandwich, 5.9 million
Bridge carries cars and trains from the called Smørrebrød, is rye bread layered Copenhagen
Swedish city of Malmö to an artificial Danish
island, which has a tunnel leading with meat or fish and other toppings.
to Copenhagen in Denmark.

Denmark is the southernmost
Scandinavian country, made up
of the flat landscape of the Jutland
Peninsula and more than 400
islands. Statistical studies often
show that the Danish people are
among the happiest in the world.

Europe Sweden Medieval Stockholm
Sweden’s capital city is built
Alfred Nobel across 14 islands. On one of
was a 19th-
century Swedish them lies the medieval Old
inventor, chemist, Town, known for its cobbled
and engineer. streets and colorful buildings.

Kebnekaise
2,097 m (6,880 ft)

0 150 km ö l e n Kiruna d
L
0 150 miles K a p lan
(approximate scale)

Pajala

Nobel Prize Gäddede Arvidsjaur Kalixälven
First awarded in 1901, the
Byskeälven IN
annual Nobel Prize recognizes NORWAY gan Vilhelmina Luleå LAND

major achievements in chemistry, Dala horses Skellefteå

physics, medicine, lterature, Since the 17th century, these Östersund

and peace. decorative wooden horses Örnsköldsvik Umeå Bothnia

have been handcrafted and Ljun Sundsvall F

sold throughout Sweden. Transtrand of Climate activism
In 2018, at age 15,
Bollnäs Gulf Greta Thunberg found world
recognition when she stopped
Borlänge Falun
Gävle
Skagerrak Karlstad

Trollhättan Vänern Örebro Västerås Uppsala going to school and sat
outside the Swedish
Gothenburg Mariestad Parliament, calling
(Göteborg) STOCKHOLM for action on
Borås Vättern Norrköping climate change.

Icehotel DENMARK Jönköping Linköping Nyköping Sea

In 1989, the world’s first Halmstad Gotland
Visby
hotel made entirely of ice Helsingborg Växjö
B a lt
was built near Kiruna in Kristianstad Kalmar ic N
Malmö Öland
northern Sweden.
Karlskrona

Reindeer Kräftskiva
Thick, furry coats for For this traditional Swedish summer
warmth and strong hoofs celebration, friends and family gather to feast
to dig out food make on crayfish, often wearing themed paper hats.
reindeer well suited to the
country’s cold mountains,
where they number in the
thousands in herds kept
by the indigenous
Sámi people.

173,860 sq miles The natural landscape of this Scandinavian
(450,295 sq km) country in northern Europe changes from the
10.2 million icy peaks of mountains such as the Kebnekaise,

Stockholm past rolling hills and freshwater streams, to

Swedish, other thousands of islands off its Baltic Sea coastline.
languages (+5)
88

Jean Sibelius was Finland
honored on a set
of postage stamps. National icon
Through musical pieces such as
Finlandia, the 20th-century Finnish
composer Jean Sibelius helped his

country discover its national identity.

Telecom giant

In the 1990s, the Finnish NORWAY
company Nokia became a global
telecommunications pioneer, selling Halti
millions of its Nokia cell phones. 1,365 m (4,478 ft)

Inarijärvi
Maanselkä Finnish summer
Lapland in Lapland Salla After a dark winter, families
the north is the SW E D E N Sodankylä
legendary home of enjoy long, sunny summer
Father Christmas. Kemijärvi days by spending time at

lakeside cottages.

N Rovaniemi

Kemi The musher, or driver

Hailuoto Oulu of the sled, controls the
(Uleåborg) dogs by using spoken

Glass decor Kokkola Oulujärvi Kajaani commands.
Finland is known for its art and design—in P(SBoejörinri näejobSkVoirauga)osam(Vea(Ksnaar)sleebJyylK)vkuäoäspkiyoläIisalLmi(eKikasjaanJao)ensuu
Gulf of Bothnia Tampere RUSSIA
particular for furniture, lighting, fabrics, Åland Hämeenlinna (Tammerfors) Mikkeli (Sankt Michel)
and glassware, such as these glass birds. Islands Savonlinna
(Ahvenanmaa) (Tavastehus)
The Australian Lahti (Lahtis)
Grand Prix trophy
is lifted by winner Kimi Mariehamn Turku (Åbo) Kouvola
Räikkönen in 2007.

(Maarianhamina) HELSINKI
Baltic Sea (HELSINGFORS) Helsinki lies
on a peninsula.
Gulf of Finland

Grand Prix champ 0 125 km

The Formula One driver 0 125 miles
Kimi Räikkönen has won (approximate scale)
21 Grand Prix races.

Dog sledding 130,558 sq miles Finland lies on the eastern
In winter, the Finnish (338,145 sq km) edge of Scandinavia, on
countryside is perfect 5.8 million the border with Russia.
Helsinki With three-quarters
for dog sledding. Finnish, Swedish, of the land covered in
This fun activity is Sámi forests, it is the most
enjoyed by young densely forested country
and old alike. In the in Europe. There are also
past, dogs were used about 188,000 lakes.
to transport goods or
people across the snow.

89

Europe Estonia Kõpu Lighthouse
The oldest lighthouse in the Baltic
Siberian flying squirrel
Despite its name, this small species States is Kõpu on the Estonian
of squirrel leaps rather than flies island of Hiiumaa. It has guided
through the Estonian forests
to escape predators. the way for ships since 1531.

Gulf of Finland Tallinn is the country’s
largest and most
populated city.

Paldiski TALLINN Kunda Kohtla-Järve
Rapla
BALTIC Kärdla Vormsi Tapa Rakvere Narva
SEA
Hiiumaa Haapsalu

Muhu Paide samaa

Saarema Virtsu Pärnu Põlt Mustvee RUSSIALake Delivery robots
Peipus Estonian engineers in
Tallinn have designed
Kuressaare Pärnu self-driving robots to
deliver packages,
N Viljandi Tartu Emajõgi
Võrtsjärv shopping, or food.
Kihnu

Ruhnu Gulf of Riga Kilingi-Nõmme Räpina
Võru
Estonian Song Festival LATVIA Valka

Every five years, this festival

in Tallinn showcases a group 0 50 km
of 25,000 singers and

dancers for an audience 0 50 miles Suur Munamägi
of nearly 100,000. (approximate scale) 318 m (1,043 ft)

Dancers
in traditional
clothing perform
at the festival.

Old Town in Tallinn
The capital of Tallinn has an Old Town
known for its medieval architecture, including
St. Olaf ’s Church, which is believed to have

been built around the 13th century.

17,463 sq miles Estonia is the smallest of
(45,228 sq km) the three states on the Baltic
1.2 million Sea. It has many lakes and
Tallinn forests and is made up of
Estonian, Russian more than 1,500 islands.
Estonia is one of the world’s
most digitally connected
countries, with almost all
services available online.

90

White storks Lithuania
The national bird L A T V I A 0 50 km
of Lithuania is the 0 50 miles
white stork. There are Plungė
more than 22,000 stork ltc i Klaipėda (approximate scale)
nests across the country. S e
a nd Spita Žemaičių Šiauliai
Aukštumas
B Panevėžys
Tauragė
Courla NerisNevėżis
ŠventojUi kmergė Utena
(KaRliUninSgSraIdA) DubyaJurbarkasKaunas

Saint Jonas’s POLAN
Festival

On June 24, Marijampolė Aukštojas Hill
294 m (964 ft)
Lithuanians Neman Alytus VILNIUS Trakai Island Castle
N The picturesque castle sits on
celebrate this

midsummer festival by D Druskininkai an island in Lake Galvė, attached
singing, dancing, and to the lakeshore by two bridges.
wearing flower wreaths. BELARUS

Lithuania is the largest of the Baltic 25,212 sq miles
states. It was the last country in (65,300 sq km)
Europe to adopt Christianity. Like 2.7 million
Estonia and Latvia, it gained Vilnius
independence from Russia Lithuanian,
in 1991. Russian

Irbe Strait Cape Valka E S T O N I A Latvia
Kolka N According to one legend,
the flag is the blood-soaked
Ventspils Gulf of
Riga
Talsi Valmiera

Venta Rapid Gauja Alūksne
Kuldīga
Vidzemes
Venta Jūrmala RIGA sheet of a Latvian soldier.
Augstiene
Liepāja Gaiziņkalns
312 m
Saldus RUSSIAOgre

Jelgava tern Dvina
pe
Latvian symbol L I T H U A N I A Bauska Leilu Alzkraukle (1,024 ft) Vibrant Riga
Latvia’s national flower is the Lubāns At the heart of the capital
daisy, which grows wild in 0 50 km city of Riga is a medieval
0 50 miles Wes Rēzekne Old Town, known for its
(approximate scale) Ludza striking architecture and

Daugavpils bustling markets.

summer and is featured in BELARUS
floral displays and bouquets.

Latvia is known for its 24,938 sq miles
forests, beaches, and (64,589 sq km)
the Venta Rapid—the 1.9 million
widest waterfall in Europe. Riga
The city of Ventspils in
the country’s northwest
is one of the busiest
ports on the Baltic Sea.

Latvian, Russian

Poland White-tailed eagle Koszalin
Poland’s national bird is the
European bison Szczecin m e r a n i a
Although European white-tailed eagle. This large
bison were hunted to sea eagle is depicted on the national Po
the point of extinction
in 1921, herds have coat of arms wearing a crown.
successfully been
reintroduced to Noteć
Poland, especially
in Białowieża Forest. GERMANY Gorzów Warta
Wielkopolski
Corpus Christi
The small town of Łowicz comes Poznań
alive on this public holiday as priests
parade with crosses, flower girls Zielona Nort h
throw petals, and families come Góra
together to share feasts. Oder (Odra)

Warsaw reborn Sudeten S Legnica Wrocław
Poland’s capital was badly il
damaged in World War II, but the
historic old town was reconstructed Wałbrzych e s
and a bustling modern city has
Wroclaw is a city i Opole
grown up alongside. on the banks of
the Oder River. a

N CZECHIA

0 50 km

0 50 miles
(approximate scale)

The Mermaid
This statue of a
mermaid is an
iconic symbol of the
capital. Legend goes
that a syrenka, or a
mermaid, swam up
the Wisła River to
Warsaw and became
captivated by the city.

A large country in Central Europe, Poland is 120,728 sq miles
surrounded by seven other nations and the Baltic Sea. (312,685 sq km)
The north and central regions of the country are 38.3 million
characterized by a vast plain, while to the south Warsaw
the Carpathian Mountains mark the border with Polish
Slovakia. Poland’s main industries are farming,
manufacturing, mining, and shipbuilding.

92

BALTIC Słowiński National Park
SEA On the Baltic coastline, this
national park features sweeping
Słowinski dunes that move due to strong
National winds, revealing the remains
Park
of centuries-old forests.
Gdynia Gulf of (RKaUlinSinSgrIadA)
Gdańsk Gdańsk LITHU

Elbląg

(Wisła) Olsztyn ANIA B E L A R U SEłk Traditional dumplings
Vistula Grudziądz Popular in Poland, pierogi are
Bydgoszcz a)Mazury savory dumplings stuffed with
Vistula (W various fillings such as boiled
Toruń potatoes and fried onions.

Inowrocław Wrocławek Białystok

Płock n Pl ain Białowieża

Europea WARSAW Forest

Łowicz (WARSZAWA) Siemiatycze Białowieża
Łódź National
Park

Radom isł Wieliczka Salt Mine
Located just outside
Częstochowa Lublin Chełm Kraków, Wieliczka

Gliwice Kielce MWayłżoypnoal s k a Stalowa Wyżyna produced table salt for
Katowice Kraków Wola Lubelska about 700 years before
Tychy mining stopped in 1996.
Zamość Today, people can visit the
Bielsko-Biała mine for attractions such
Tarnów Rzeszów as the grand St. Kinga’s
San
Cathedral, carved
entirely out of salt.

Tatra Carpathian Mountains U KRAI Wawel Royal Castle
NE The 14th-century castle of King Casimir III the
Mountains Wawel Cathedral Great overlooks the southern city of Kraków, known
and Sigismund’s
Rysy SLOVAKIA Chapel are a part for its medieval center and Jewish quarter.
of Wawel Castle.
2,503 m (8,212 ft)

Geography: Poland enjoys Culture: Traditions based on Wildlife: While bears are rare,
a rich landscape of forests, local folklore and the festivals wolves, bison, wild boar, elk,
mountains, lakes, rivers, of the Roman Catholic Church are and foxes can all be found here. Birds
and beaches. part of everyday life. include white storks and eagles.
History: After World War II, Natural wonders: The country Food and drink: Dumplings,
Poland was allied to communist is home to the vast Białowieża stews, and sausages are all
Russia. It became an independent forest and National Park, one of the popular Polish dishes, often served
republic in 1989. largest and oldest forests in Europe. with sauerkraut (pickled cabbage).

Germany Beethoven
The 18th-century German
Europe
composer Ludwig van
Beethoven is remembered

for many great musical
works. Other famous

German composers include
J. S. Bach and J. Brahms.

Soccer fans NoSretha
The most popular sport in Germany
Bremerhaven

Black Forest is soccer. The national team NETHERLAN D S Oldenburg
With evergreen trees and beautiful lakes, the Black has won the World Cup
Forest is popular with tourists. It got its name from the four times. Bremen
dense conifers that appear almost black from afar.

Osnabrück

R(Rhhineein) Münster
Bielefeld

Duisburg Essen Paderborn
Dortmund
Neuschwanstein Castle Düsseldorf
In the 19th century, King Ludwig II of Bavaria Cologne Wuppertal
commissioned a castle near Munich in honor (Köln) Leverkusen
of composer Richard Wagner. The result was
Neuschwanstein, a fairy-tale castle with BELGIUM Aachen Schiefergebirge Giessen
towers and turrets. Bonn
Koblenz
Neuschwanstein Castle was the Rheinisches
inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty
Castle at Disneyland. LUXEMBOUR Eifel Taunus FamranMkafiunrt
Wiesbaden
Trier Spessart
G Hunsrück Mainz O enbach
Darmstadt

Kaiserlautern Mannheim

Saarbrücken Heidelberg

FRANCE (RRhheiinn)e Karlsruhe
Stuttgart

t Tübingen Alb
) Schwäbische Ulm

es
ld

r
a

Freiburg im zFwo
Breisgau
awcakr

cBhl

S

(

Konstanz Lake

SWITZERLAND Constance

Europe’s fourth-largest country is located in 137,846 sq miles
the northwest of the continent. Germany has the (357,022 sq km)
largest economy in Europe, thanks to a thriving 80.2 million
industry, exporting cars, electronics, machinery, Berlin
and other goods and services. The picturesque German, Turkish
German landscape ranges from forests and
mountains to rivers and valleys.

94

Wind power Beautiful Berlin
More than 30,000 turbines The capital has a
are installed in wind farms turbulent past, divided
across Germany, with by the Berlin Wall
plans for more. from 1961 to 1989.
Today this exciting city
DENMARK is known for galleries, Europe
museums, restaurants,
Flensburg Baltic Sea and the Berlin opera.

Kiel German folk tales
Brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Lübeck Rostock Berlin was built in published Grimms’ Fairy Tales in the
Hamburg the 13th century and 18th century. This classic collection of folk
Schwerin is now Germany’s tales includes Snow White, Sleeping
Neubrandenburg largest city. Beauty, and Hansel and Gretel.

Elbe Car production
Germany is a global leader
Hanover Wolfsburg Brandenburg POLAND in luxury car production
(Hannover) with famous makers,
BERLIN including Volkswagen,
BMW, Audi, Porsche,
Braunschweig Potsdam FrandkefruOrtdaenr and Mercedes-Benz.
Cottbus
Harz Magdeburg The accordion is a
Göttingen traditional instrument
Halle Dessau-Roßlau popular in Germany.
Kassel Leipzig
Oktoberfest
Erfurt Jena Dresden Görlitz Millions of people flock to this annual
folk festival in Munich. Oktoberfest celebrates
Thüringer Wald Gera Chemnitz Bavarian history over two weeks with
Coburg Zwickau plentiful food, beer, music, and parades.
Fulda n itragi n s
O b e )
Rhön M o u
r e rz g e
( E

Main 0 50 km

(

Bayreuth C 0 50 miles

Würzburg Bamberg CZ (approximate scale)

ZEC

Erlangen EHCRHEIPAU N

Fürth

Nuremberg ische Alb B BLIC)
(Nürnberg) Regensburg
Ingolstadt Bohe
Fränk a v a r nmFiaonrFeosrtest
Danube
i a

Augsburg Passau

Munich
(München)

Kempten ar i a n Rosenheim
Bav lp s
A

AUSTRIA

Zugspitze
2,962 m (9,718 ft)

Geography: The flatlands Culture: Known as “the Wildlife: Wildcats and ibex 95
of the north lead to the North land of poets and thinkers,” roam in the nature reserves in
Sea, while in the center and south are Germany is recognized for art, the south, while the north coast teems
highlands, forests, and rivers. philosophy, and literature. with fish and sea birds.
History: Germany was Natural wonders: Among Food and drink: Best known
divided into East and West Germany’s most scenic spots for sausages and specialty
Germany after World War II. The are Urach Waterfall in Swabian Alb baked breads, the country also
two countries reunited in 1989. and Lake Königssee in Bavaria. produces fine wines and beers.

The Netherlands
Top team
Europe Great masters The Dutch women’s field hockey team
The 17th-century Dutch
painter Rembrandt van is the most successful in history
Rijn is one of the country’s with eight World Cup wins.
great masters. His works
include many self-portraits, t(WFarNdidseinaoenilaInrsdleantn) h S ea
painted throughout his life.
d s Assen

W e s

Waddenzee Leeuwarden Groningen

Den Helder erHeerenveen

The capital IJssel Anne Frank
The famous Jewish
and largest city is GERMANY diarist Anne Frank hid
Amsterdam, but Alkmaar Hoorn me Emmen with her family in an
the parliament sits Zaanstad IJssel Amsterdam building
Haarlem Zwolle during World War II.
in The Hague. AMSTERDAM
Apeldoorn
Dutch tulips THE HAGUE Leiden Amersfoort Enschede
The Netherlands (’S-GRAVENHAGE)
has been the center of Zoetermeer Utrecht Arnhem
the world’s cut flower
market for centuries. Rotterdam Neder Rijn

Dordrecht

Middelburg Oosterhout Waal Nijmegen 0 20 km
Roosendaal 0 20 miles
’s-Hertogenbosch (approximate scale)
Breda Tilburg
N
BELGIUM Eindhoven se
Meu

16,039 sq miles
(41,543 sq km)

17.3 million Maastricht Picturesque waterways
Amsterdam and Amsterdam’s canals were once used to
The Hague Vaalserberg trade goods in the city, but now boats
Dutch, Frisian 322 m (1,056 ft) use these waterways to carry tourists.

Almost half of the low-lying Netherlands
has been reclaimed from the sea,
creating farmland for cultivating flowers
and raising cattle. This flat landscape

is known for its canals.

Antwerp is the Belgium

Europeworld’s diamondBelgian chocolates

Scenter whereBelgium is the world’s
adiamonds are cut leading exporter
and traded. of chocolates

NATO such as pralines

Based in Brussels, the North Atlantic Treaty N and truffles.
Organization (NATO) is a military alliance

between 29 countries from Europe

and North America. th S e a N E T H E RLAND
No
r Ostend 0 20 km
0 20 miles
Bruges (approximate scale)
(Oostende) (Brugge) Antwerp
(Antwerpen)
Flanders Ghent
(Gent)

Kortrijk Schaerbeek Leuven Genk
BRUSSELS Hasselt
Scheldt
W (BRUSSEL/
a BRUXELLES) Wavre Botrange
l 694 m
Tintin l (2,277 ft)
Comic books by the Mons
Belgian cartoonist o n Meuse Liège Verviers
Namur
i Charleroi

Hergé featuring the

adventures of Tintin Fagne F a m e nne LUXEMBOU
have sold more than ANY
200 million copies F Ardenne s RG G E R M
since 1930. R
A Neufchâteau Walking tall
In the past, locals
N CE
had to walk on
Arlon stilts due to floods,
but now stilt walkers

parade through

cities just for fun.

Atomium
Standing 335 ft (102 m) tall, the
Atomium is an iconic landmark and museum
in Brussels. The nine spheres symbolize an iron
crystal’s atoms, magnified 165 billion times.

11,786 sq miles
(30,528 sq km)
11.72 million
Brussels
Dutch, French,
German

While much of Belgium is flat, to
the south it is rocky and forested.
It is one of the world’s most densely
populated countries and is visited
by millions of tourists for its canals
and chocolate.

97

France UNITED KINGDOM

Edgar Degas Calais
This bronze sculpture
is by the 19th-century English Channel Paris lies on the Seine River Somme
in northern France. Amiens
French artist Edgar
Degas. He is famous Brest le Havre Rouen Beauvais
Oise
for realistic studies Caen
of ballet dancers, PARIS
St-Brieuc Alencon
including pastels Rennes Versailles
and paintings. Quimper
Lorient le Mans
Café culture
In French, café means “coffee.” While this Paris Loire Angers Orléans
café is known for the artists and thinkers who Tours
met to discuss their ideas, most people simply St-Nazaire Nantes
drink and watch the world go by. Ba

y Bourges

A

of Biscay Niort Poitiers Cher

TOLCAENATNI la Rochelle

C Limoges Clermont-
Ferrand
At the end of each Brive-la-
stage, the rider Gaillarde Massif
with the fastest Bordeaux Central
overall time since
the race began Garonne Lot
gets to wear a
yellow jersey. Agen

Biarritz Toulouse

N P Tarbes

SP yren e e s Béziers
Perpignan
100 km A IN

0 ANDORRA

0 100 miles
(approximate scale)

Tour de France Château
This grueling annual bicycle race
was first held in 1903. It is made up de Chambord
of 21 stages over three weeks and Built in the 16th century
covers 2,200 miles (3,500 km). as a royal hunting lodge,
this château, near Orléans,
has more than 400 rooms.
Châteaux such as this are
the historic residences of

France’s nobility.

France is the largest nation in western Europe. 248,573 sq miles
The mainland is known as “the Hexagon,” while (643,801 sq km)
its island of Corsica was the birthplace of 67.8 million
Napoleon, a famous leader. The capital, Paris, Paris
welcomes 20 million visitors every year. French, other
languages (+5)

B E L G Loose-fitting clothes Parkour
allow the participant to The sport of parkour
Lille I U was founded in the
jump and move freely. Paris suburbs in the 1980s.
It is a way of moving freely
M over urban terrain by

St-Quentin running, jumping,
and climbing.
Charleville-Mézières Europe

I TALYLUXEMBOURG
ALPS
Marne Reims Metz GERMANY
oire
Seine Nancy Strasbourg
Troyes
sges Côte d’Azur
Auxerre Vo Beautiful resort towns such as Cannes, Nice, and
Mulhouse Saint-Tropez are located along the part of the country’s
Dijon Belfort Mediterranean coast known as the Côte d’Azur.
L
Besançon Sweet treats
French pastries and sweets—such
SaôneCôte d’OrMont Blanc SWITZERLAND
4,808 m Thonon- as croissants, éclairs, and
les-Bains macarons—are known
(15,774 ft) throughout the world.
Lyon Annecy
Macarons are almond
St-Étienne meringues sandwiched
Grenoble with buttercream or jam.

Cévennes Eiffel Tower Fashion capital
Rhône Paris has long been
Designed by the engineer known as the fashion
capital of the world.
Nîmes Avignon Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower It is home to many of
the big design houses,
Montpellier was built in Paris in 1889. It
Nice stands 1,063 ft (324 m) tall including Chanel,
Aix-en- MONACO founded by Coco
Provence
Marseille d ’A z u r and was the world’s tallest Chanel (right)
Gulf of Lion Toulon building until 1931. in 1920.

MEDITERRANEAN Côte Ligurian Sunflower farming
Sunflowers are grown across southern
SEA S e a Bastia
France. Their heads are harvested for
Corsica the seeds, which are pressed for oil.
(Corse)

Ajaccio

French perfume industry
France has been known for perfume
since the perfumers of Grasse, near Nice,
first extracted fragrance from flowers.

Geography: The country is bounded by Culture: A leader in art, literature, film,
the mountains of the Pyrenees and Alps and philosophy, France has world-famous
and has Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. museums, such as the Louvre in Paris.
History: France was ruled by kings Food and drink: Celebrated for its cuisine
until the French Revolution of 1789, and fine wines, the country is famous for its
when the monarchy was overthrown. The variety of regional cheeses.
country first became a republic in 1792.

Spain A Coruña Gijón/
Santiago de Oviedo Xixón
Compostela
dillera Cantábrica León
Vigo Ourense Ponferrada

Canary Islands P O R T U G A L Cor Palencia

Lying off the coast of 0 100 km N Valladolid
northwestern Africa, this
Spanish archipelago is made 0 100 miles Zamora Duero
(approximate scale)

up of seven volcanic islands. Salamanca

Santa Teide Lanzarote Arrecife Ciudad-Rodrigo
Cruz de 3,718 m (12,198 ft)
la Palma La Sistema
N Palma Santa Cruz Puerto del
de Tenerife Rosario Coria SiGerrerdaodse
Las Fuerteventura Toledo
La Gomera Palmas Tagus
Tenerife Gran Canaria Cáceres

El Hierro
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Moorish Palace

The Alhambra is a magnificent fortified

palace in the city of Granada. It was built by 0 100 km Mérida Ciudad Real
the Moors, Muslim settlers from North Africa Badajoz

who occupied parts of Spain until 1491. 0 100 miles Castuera Puertollano
(approximate scale)
Fiery flamenco Zafra
The flamenco dance Pozoblanco
Sierra
Morena Linares
Cortegana

originated in Andalusia, Huelva Guadalquivir Córdoba
southern Spain. It features Cádiz Jaén
Seville
intricate arm Gulf of (Sevilla)
movements,
rhythmic footwork, Cádiz SGtriabirtaolftar Olvera Granada
claps, and Málaga Sierra
often castanets.

Marbella Costa del Sol
Algeciras

Ceuta

MOROCCO

Seafood platter La Sagrada Família
First made in Valencia, paella is now This unique church
in Barcelona was
popular throughout Spain. It contains designed by the architect
rice, seafood, and vegetables Antoni Gaudí. Its
and is usually cooked in a construction began
wide, shallow pan over in 1882, and it is still
an open fire. being built!

Spain is separated from the rest of Europe by the Pyrenees
Mountains to the north. In the south, Spain is just 8 miles (13 km)
from Morocco, across the Strait of Gibraltar. In between range
17 regions, each with its own character. Madrid, Europe’s highest
capital city at 2,200 ft (670 m), sits right in the center of the country.
The Spanish Balearic Islands lie in the Mediterranean Sea, and the
Canary Islands are found far to the south, in the Atlantic Ocean.