Africa has most countries on a total of 54 continents.
Rather than trace the natural topography and historical boundaries, many of the borders are surprisingly straight in some areas, shattered by other areas, cutting mountains, rivers, and even communities. It’s there.
Most of these artificial boundaries date back to the 1884-1885 Berlin Conference. This is the meeting that concluded this week when European powers engraved the continent by not being invited or represented by African countries.
In this visual description, Al Jazeera delves into the story behind the continent’s most unusual border.
Egypt or Sudan – why does no one want Birtawil?
Starting in northeastern Africa is 2,000 square kilometers (795sq miles) of unmanned, arid land that neither Egypt nor Sudan wants to claim as their own.
In 1899, Britain drew a linear border along the 22nd parallel, a latitude of 22 degrees north of the equator, separating two British-controlled territories, Egypt and Sudan.
However, in 1902, the UK reassigned coastal and resource-rich halibi triangles to Sudan and Birtawil to Egypt for geopolitical and administrative reasons.
Decades later, after the two countries gained independence, Egypt argued that the true border should follow the 1899 agreement, while Sudan argued that the 1902 boundary. Biltawil remains unclaimed to either country as he insists that the claim for the Halibi triangle must be confiscated.
Egypt has been managing the Halibi triangle since 2000, but the conflict remains unresolved.
Why is the Gambia so small?
Traveling along the West Coast of Africa, you will find a narrow land wrapped in the Gambia River, almost completely surrounded by Senegal. It is the Gambia, the smallest country in mainland Africa, with about 3 million people living there.
First explored by the Portuguese in the 15th century, the Gambia later became a major hub of the transatlantic slave trade. It remained a British colony from 1821 until it gained independence in 1965. Because its territory was close to Senegal, France at the time, the boundaries of its territory were the point of claims between British and French authorities.
In 1889, Britain and France formally established the Gambian border, agreeing that British control would be extended by approximately 16km (10 miles) on either side of the river, reaching the furthest navigable point in Yarbutenda.
Popular legends suggest that British forces fire shells from ships to determine the width of the country, ensuring control of important trade routes. Although there is no evidence to support this claim, historical records show that the Anglo-French Commission in 1891 attempted to improve the border but faced resistance from local rulers whose land was arbitrarily divided. indicates.
Ultimately, the Gambian border was shaped by colonial interests and British military forces, leaving it as a long, narrow enclave within Senegal.
Why is Cabinda part of Angola?
Head south along the continent’s west coast and you will come across a small section of Angola, separated from other parts of the country. This is Cabinda, the northern province of Angola, blocked from the rest of the country by the narrow strip of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Cabinda became part of Angola as a historic decision was made during Portuguese colonial rule.
At the Berlin Conference between 1884 and 1885, Cabinda was officially recognized as a Portuguese separate from Angola, but both were under Portuguese control. Over time, Portugal managed Cabinda and Angola, but the region remained geographically and culturally different.
When Portugal retreated from African colonies in 1975, the Alvor Agreement, which was signed with the main liberation group in Angola, ruled out Kavindan’s representatives. And Cabinda was integrated with Angola, mainly due to its precious offshore oil reserves.
This has sparked resistance from the Kavindan Independence Movement, particularly the front for the liberation of the Cavinda enclave, and continues to seek Cavinda’s independence from Angola.
Why does Namibia have a small panhandle?
As you move to southern Africa, you may notice a narrow panhandle protruding from Namibia. This is a Capri Bistrip.
Until the early 20th century, Germany ruled Germany southwest Africa (now Namibia) and Germany East Africa (now Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi), while Britain controls surrounding territory, including modern Botswana and Zambia. I was doing it.
Germany was looking for a direct trade route to link its territory, but wanted access to the Zambezi River. The plan was to move the river into the Indian Ocean and provide a shortcut for Tanzania.
In 1890, Germany and Britain signed a treaty waived their claims to Zanzibar in exchange for the control of the Capribistrip, which encountered the North Sea islands Heligoland and the Zambezi River.
However, German transport plans failed. It is believed that the Germans did not tell the Germans about Victoria Falls. It is one of the largest waterfalls in the world with a 108m (354ft) drop approximately 65km (40 miles) east of the strip, and is considered useless for transport.
Why is Lesotho surrounded by South Africa?
Located in the mountains of South Africa, a small, inland country called Lesotho, completely surrounded by South Africa.
In the 19th century, the Basotho people, led by King Moscheus I, established their bases in highlands, using mountains as natural defenses against invaders such as Zulu and Boer settlers (Dutch peasants). .
To resist the expansion of Bohr, Moscheus sought British protection in 1868 and made Bustland a British guardian.
Attempts to place it under the colonial Cape Rules failed due to Basotho resistance, and in 1884 Britain declared it a colony of the crown.
When the South African Union was formed in 1910, Bastrand avoided South Africa’s apartheid policy, gaining independence as Lesotho in 1966, and later gaining independence.
Why are there three African countries named Guinea?
Four countries around the world have their names Guinea, three of which are along the coast of West Africa.
they are:
Previously known as the French Guinea, Guinea achieved independence in 1958 and maintained its name Guinea. Guinea Bissau, formerly known as Portuguese Guinea, gained independence in 1974 and added “Bissau” to its name to distinguish it from its neighboring Guinea. Equatorial Guinea, formerly known as Spain, gained independence in 1968 and added the equator to its name as it is located near the equator.
On the other side of the world is Papua New Guinea, named by Spanish explorers who believe that locals resemble their inhabitants.
The name Guinea is thought to come from the Portuguese word guin, which refers to a region along the coast of West Africa. When European colonists divided the area, each one was called their territory Guinea.
Fun fact: The British Guinea Coin, first created in 1663, is named after the Guinea region of West Africa.
Why are there two Congos?
On the other side of the Congo River are two countries named after it. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo.
Colonial Power Belgium and France established separate colonies along the river and named each one. The name Congo comes from the Kingdom of Congo, a powerful kingdom that once flourished along the river.
