FUN FACTS ABOUT AFRICAN REGIONS – Western Africa

Fun Facts About Western Africa

West Africa is home to 16 countries with different cultures, ancient civilizations, and incredible natural wonders. Here are some fun and interesting facts about some of these countries;

    Nigeria 

• Nigeria is the most popular country in Africa, with over 200 million people. 
• It’s also home to Nollywood, one of the world’s largest film industries, producing thousands of movies annually.
• Nigeria has one of the longest bridges in Africa, stretching about 11.8 km – The Third Mainland Bridge  in Lagos.

    Ghana

•  Ghana was the first African country to gain independence from colonial rule In 1957.
•  It is  famous for its Kente cloth, a symbol of African heritage and pride.
• Ghana’s Lake Volta is the largest artificial reservoir in the world by surface area. The lake provides hydroelectric power to Ghana and neighboring countries.

    Senegal

• Senegal has the tallest statue in Africa –  The African Renaissance Monument in Dakar stands 49 meters tall.

•  Lake Retba, also known as the Pink Lake, is Senegal’s stunning natural wonder. Due to its high salt content and the presence of a type of bacteria that produces a red pigment, the water appears pink, especially during the dry season.

    Ivory Coast 

• The largest church in the world is found in Ivory coast. The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, can accommodate over 18,000 worshippers inside, with additional space for more outside.

• Ivory Coast  is the world’s largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans.

    Mali 

• The world’s oldest university, the University of Sankore, is found in Timbuktu, Mali.

    Guinea-Bissau 

• Guinea-Bissau’s coastal waters are home to the rare African manatee, a gentle aquatic mammal. 
• Did you know that Guinea-Bissau has no railway system, and most transportation relies on roads and boats?

    Liberia 

• Liberia was the first country in Africa to elect a female President,  Ellen Johnson Sirleaf  in 2006 and  she served two terms. 
• Liberia is the oldest republic in Africa. It was founded in 1847.
• Liberia is home to the world’s largest rubber plantation covering nearly 200,000 acres. The Firestone Rubber Plantation in Liberia is the largest rubber plantation in the. It has been operating since 1926.

    Cape Verde 

•  Cape Verde shares no land borders with any other country since it is an island nation.
•  The island of Fogo is home to Pico do Fogo, an active volcano and the highest peak in Cape Verde at 2,829 meters (9,281 feet).

    Gambia 

• The Gambia is the smallest mainland country in Africa, stretching along the Gambia River. 
• Kunta Kinteh Island is  historically significant as it was a slave trading post, made famous by the book and movie  Roots by Alex Haley, who traced his ancestry back to the island.

    Burkina Faso 

• The name Burkina Faso means “Land of Honest People” in the local Mossi and Dioula languages.
• Burkina Faso is known for its high-quality cotton, which is often referred to as “white gold.”
• In the town of Sabou, locals live in harmony with crocodiles, which are considered sacred and are believed to bring good fortune.

    Benin

•  Africa’s largest floating  Village is found in Benin.  Ganvié, often called the “Venice of Africa,” is a village built entirely on stilts over Lake Nokoué.

    Mauritania

• About 90% of Mauritania is covered by the Sahara Desert, making it one of the most arid countries in the world.
• The Mauritania Iron Ore Train is one of the longest and heaviest trains in the world, sometimes over 2 kilometers long.

    Niger

• Niger gets its name from the Niger River, though the river itself only flows through a small part of the country. 
• Niger is one of the world’s top producers of uranium, which is used as fuel in nuclear power plants. It’s a key part of the country’s economy.
• Niger is home to the famous Air Massif,  a mountain range, known for its stunning views, high cliffs, and unique desert landscapes.

    Sierra Leone

• The name Sierra Leone comes from the Portuguese words Serra Leoa, meaning “Lion Mountains”, named after the range near what is now Freetown.

• The country is rich in natural resources and wildlife. It’s home to rare animals like the pygmy hippo and beautiful rainforests such as Gola Rainforest National Park.

    Togo

• Togo is one of the smallest countries in Africa (only about 56,000 square kilometers).
• Togo has been led by the Gnassingbé family for decades. Faure Gnassingbé has been president since 2005, following his father, who ruled for 38 years.

    Guinea

• Guinea is often called the “Water Tower of West Africa” because it’s the source of three major rivers;the Niger, Senegal, and Gambia which flow through many West African countries.
• Guinea is the world’s second-largest producer of bauxite, the ore used to make aluminum. It has around one-third of the world’s known reserves.