General information. East Africa

Eastern covers the countries of Africa east of the Nile with the exception of Egypt. In East Africa, the main watershed of the continent passes and the largest deep rivers Africa

Natural conditions are very diverse. Desert, hot, arid. Varies from tropical on the coast to arid in central regions. The climate on the islands is humid and tropical. Closer to the mountains it becomes moderate.

The main form of government is a republic

Dualistic monarchy

Low level of economic development

East Africa is home to about 200 nationalities and four linguistic groups. Due to large cultural and social differences, East Africa contains significant conflict potential, which has repeatedly expressed itself in past and current wars, including civil ones.

The Maasai are a semi-nomadic African indigenous people living in the savannah in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania and southern Ethiopia (1 million people)

The Kikuyu are a people living in central Kenya. Number of people: more than 6 million people

The Malagasy are the people, the main population of the Republic of Madagascar (up to 20 million people).

Sudanese (Sudanese Arabs) are an Arab people, the main population of Sudan. The total number is over 18 million people.

Amhamra, Amharas, Amara are the most numerous people of Ethiopia; their number is estimated at 25-30 million people

• Among natural resources East Africa needs to highlight the availability of hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gems, gold, gas, nickel.
• Agricultural products - coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves, corn, grain, tapioca, bananas, fruits, vegetables; Cattle, sheep, and goats are raised.
• Kenya - these are flowers: for example, roses, carnations, alstroemeria, tuberose, arabicum, eryngia, etc.
• Coffee is Ethiopia's gift to the world. This country is main producer Arabica coffee in Africa. Second important culture-- tea.
• Ethiopia is the largest country in Africa in terms of livestock population and is also among the ten largest in the world in terms of this indicator. There are 35 million cattle, 12 million sheep and 10 million goats in Ethiopia.
• Ethiopia has 3.3 million beehives and is Africa's leading producer and exporter of honey and beeswax. This industry provides excellent investment prospects.
• Sudan accounts for more than half of the world's gum arabic production.

Agriculture is the main sector of the Ethiopian economy, providing 85% of jobs.

Fishing and forestry are also significant industries. In these industries there is great potential for investment.

Industry - in small quantities consumer goods are produced (batteries, fabrics, soap, cigarettes), and agricultural products are processed. Several oil refineries, cement production, and ship repair shops have survived from colonial times.

Main industries - processing of agricultural raw materials, production building materials, consumer goods.

Agricultural products account for 60-80% of GDP

East Africa is a dynamically developing region of international tourism. To the most popular destinations These include the following: Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Seychelles, Mauritius. You can also talk about others tourist destinations, in particular Namibia.

Weaknesses: low industrialization. Shortage of foreign currency to import energy and spare parts. Droughts. Poor transport infrastructure

Some historians believe that it was East Africa became the birthplace of human civilization. The borders of the subcontinent run mainly by water - it stretches along the coast Indian Ocean, where the most eastern point Africa - Cape Ras Hafun in Somalia. In the north it has access to the Red Sea, and in the west it is limited by the Nile. Today, this region is home to seventeen states, which also includes one of the largest island states - Madagascar and the Seychelles.

Weather and nature - local variations

There is no need to talk about any kind of uniformity when assessing the weather characteristics of this region - they are different countries East Africa are located in radically different climatic zones. The Seychelles is a humid sea tropics that depends on the power of the monsoons; on the continent, something similar can be found in Ethiopia or Tanzania. Somalia is mostly hot desert, and in Uganda there are more rainy days than dry days.

This variability affects the local flora. East Africa is home to savannas and tropical jungles, sub equatorial forests and practically dead sands (although there are relatively few of the latter here). Animal world extremely rich, the region is home to many large and small mammals(including primates), birds, amphibians. The territory contains large lakes (Tanganyika and Victoria), the Congo, the deep-sea Nile and the Zambezi originate here.

Economic Advantages of the Subcontinent

The abundance of land suitable for grazing has made East African countries the continent's leaders in livestock production. In general, agriculture brings most of the income to the budgets of these countries. Kenya exports fruits and tea, Madagascar - spices, Mozambique - citrus fruits, cashew nuts and cotton, Ethiopia - olives and coffee. Where there is access to the sea, industrial fishing is developed.

The natural resources of the countries of the subcontinent are less rich than those of their neighbors, but there are also important minerals here. The region produces rubies, diamonds and gold, fluorite and iron ore, cobalt and tungsten. The processing and textile industry. The most important industry that brings significant income to most countries (primarily island ones) is tourism.

Somalia is considered the poorest country in the region - mineral resources There are few and limited fertile soils here. In addition, constant armed conflicts and civil unrest make this state frankly unattractive for investors.

List of East African countries

Africa is a continent that is second in area after Eurasia. It is washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Indian oceans, the Red and Mediterranean seas. Together with the islands, the mainland occupies approximately 30.3 million square kilometers, which is about 6% of total area sushi on the planet. This is the most hot continent, its entire territory is located exclusively in hot zones and is intersected by the equator line.

East Africa

This part of the continent includes countries located east of the river Nile. There are 4 language groups in the region and there are about 200 nationalities. That is why there are huge cultural and social differences and frequent conflicts, leading to real civil wars. The borders of currently existing states are in most cases set by colonial countries, without taking into account any cultural interests of the people living here. What negatively affected economic development region. Especially difficult situation in countries that do not have access to the world's oceans. East Africa, like the entire continent as a whole, is also called the “cradle of humanity.” Many anthropologists are completely confident that it was here that man appeared and the development of civilization began.

East African countries

Today, there are 22 countries located in the eastern part of the continent (UN classification), of which 18 are completely independent. The remaining 4 countries are located on islands or a group of islands and are controlled territories of one or sometimes a state located outside the continent.

Independent states

Burundi is the capital of Bujumbura. The country is home to about 11 million people. The state gained independence from Belgium in 1962. The country's territory is predominantly a mountainous plateau located at an altitude of 1.4 to 1.8 thousand meters above sea level.

Zambia. A medium-sized country with a population of 14.2 million people, it does not have its own access to the sea. The capital is Lusaka. The state freed itself from British oppression in 1964.

Zimbabwe. About 14 million people also live here, the capital is Harare. It gained independence in 1980; in fact, from this date the country was ruled by Roberto Mugabe, who was removed as a result of a military coup last year.

Kenya. A small country located in South East Africa, with a population of 44 million people, the capital is Nairobi. Gained freedom from Great Britain in 1963. The country is famous for its national parks, where they are trying with all their efforts to preserve virgin nature.

Madagascar. One of the large states in eastern Africa, with a population of 24.23 million people. The capital is Antananarivo. It is also an island state, with magnificent nature and good tourism infrastructure.

Malawi. The country has a population of 16.77 million and its capital is Lilongwe. This country is also called the “warm heart of Africa” due to the fact that very friendly people live here. However, there are problems with obtaining a visa, so in terms of tourism, the country is not so attractive for Russian citizens.

Mozambique. More than 25 million people live here. The capital is Maputo. This is a former Portuguese colony. The crime situation in the country is still quite serious, so bars are even installed on the 15th floor. By the way, it was here that the famous architect of the Eiffel Tower erected an iron structure, in which no one could live - it was too hot.

Rwanda. The population is more than 12 million people, the capital is Kigali. In terms of development rates, the country has already surpassed even Luxembourg. In this East African country, 4G Internet connections have been operating for a long time, and children are taught using interactive information technologies. But back in 1994, there was a massacre of the local population, when more than 800 thousand people died.

Tanzania. Population - 48.6 million people. The capital is Dodoma. First of all, the country is unique with 2 interesting facts:

• here is the largest concentration of representatives of the wild animal world;
• The territory contains the highest African peak - Kilimanjaro, 5895 meters high.

Uganda. It is also a fairly large country, population 34 million, capital Kampala. The country managed to survive the civil war and the economic “chasm”. Today, peace has reigned here and even stability is observed.

Ethiopia. Large state, home to 90 million people, the capital is Addis Ababa. Enough attractive country in terms of tourism. An interesting fact is that in Ethiopia the calendar is divided into 13 months.

South Sudan. Population - 12.34 million people. The capital is Juba. The country is quite poor, and only 30 kilometers of roads are covered with asphalt. Most of the population works in quarries. It is very dirty here, because no one even knows about the word garbage dump, garbage is simply thrown out on the road, there is no running water, and there is no gas.

Eritrea, with a population of 6 million people, the capital is Asmara. The state does not have its own access to the sea, but the people have achieved complete freedom of speech and action. There is no theft here, no one fastens bicycles with chains, and forgotten things are brought to the police.

Small states in terms of population

Djibouti. The country liberated itself from France in 1977. The territory is home to 818 thousand people, the capital is Djibouti. The state is famous for its magnificent nature; it is here that the unique monuments nature: the Mabla and Goda mountain ranges, the Boura ridge, the Garbi and Hemed mountains, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Lake Assal. A particularly unique place in East Africa is the Boina fumarole field. These are holes and cracks in the ground at the foot of the volcano, which is 300 meters high. Hot gases are constantly released from these funnels, and their depth reaches 7 meters.

Comoros or Comoros Islands. With a population of 806 thousand people. The capital is Moroni.

Mauritius. Population 1.2 million people, capital - Port Louis. Today it is a real tourist Mecca. The state itself is located on several islands and the Carcados-Carajos archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Here unique nature, very contrasting, with forests and steep cliffs, lakes and waterfalls.

Somalia. The capital is Mogadishu, the total population of the state is 10.2 million people. It is the easternmost state of East Africa itself. Modern history countries are inextricably linked civil war, which has been going on here since 1988. Other countries, the United States and UN peacekeepers have already been drawn into the military conflict.

Seychelles. The capital of the state is the city of Victoria. The country has a population of just over 90 thousand people. This is peculiar

French dependent countries

One of the overseas regions is Mayotte. France and Comoros are still arguing about ownership. More than 500 thousand people live here, the capital is the city of Mamoudzou. It consists of the large island of Mayotte and several nearby smaller islands.

Reunion. Another island in East Africa, part of the Mascarene Islands archipelago, home to more than 800 thousand people. The administrative center is the city of Saint-Denis. Here is the Piton de la Fournaise volcano, which periodically wakes up, but it is absolutely safe to observe it.

On southern lands There are no permanent residents, only scientific expeditions come here.

Africa is a part of the world with an area of ​​30.3 million km 2 with islands, this is the second place after Eurasia, 6% of the entire surface of our planet and 20% of the land.

Geographical location

Africa is located in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres (most of it), a small part in the Southern and Western. Like all large fragments ancient continent Gondwana has a massive outline, large peninsulas and there are no deep bays. The length of the continent from north to south is 8 thousand km, from west to east - 7.5 thousand km. In the north it is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, in the northeast by the Red Sea, in the southeast by the Indian Ocean, in the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Africa is separated from Asia by the Suez Canal, and from Europe by the Strait of Gibraltar.

Main geographical characteristics

Africa lies on an ancient platform, which causes its flat surface, which in some places is dissected by deep river valleys. On the coast of the mainland there are small lowlands, the northwest is the location of the Atlas Mountains, the northern part, almost entirely occupied by the Sahara Desert, is the Ahaggar and Tibetsi highlands, the east is the Ethiopian Highlands, the southeast is the East African Plateau, the extreme south is the Cape and Drakensberg mountains The highest point in Africa is the Kilimanjaro volcano (5895 m, Masai plateau), the lowest is 157 meters below ocean level in Lake Assal. Along the Red Sea, in the Ethiopian Highlands and to the mouth of the Zambezi River, the largest fault in the world stretches earth's crust, which is characterized by frequent seismic activity.

The following rivers flow through Africa: Congo (Central Africa), Niger ( West Africa), Limpopo, Orange, Zambezi ( South Africa), as well as one of the deepest and longest rivers in the world - the Nile (6852 km), flowing from south to north (its sources are on the East African Plateau, and it flows, forming a delta, into the Mediterranean Sea). Rivers are characterized by high water content only in equatorial belt, thanks to the fallout there large quantity precipitation, most of them differ high speed currents, have many rapids and waterfalls. In lithospheric faults filled with water, lakes were formed - Nyasa, Tanganyika, the largest freshwater lake in Africa and the second largest lake in area after Lake Superior ( North America) - Victoria (its area is 68.8 thousand km 2, length 337 km, maximum depth - 83 m), the largest salty closed lake is Chad (its area is 1.35 thousand km 2, located on the southern edge of the world's greatest desert, the Sahara).

Due to Africa's location between two tropical zones, it is characterized by high total indicators solar radiation, which gives the right to call Africa the hottest continent on Earth (the hottest high temperature on our planet was registered in 1922 in Al-Aziziya (Libya) - +58 C 0 in the shadow).

On the territory of Africa, such natural zones are distinguished as evergreen equatorial forests (the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, the Congo basin), in the north and south turning into mixed deciduous-evergreen forests, then there is a natural zone of savannas and woodlands, extending to Sudan, East and South Africa, to In northern and southern Africa, savannas give way to semi-deserts and deserts (Sahara, Kalahari, Namib). In the southeastern part of Africa there is a small zone of mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, on the slopes of the Atlas Mountains there is a zone of hard-leaved evergreen forests and shrubs. Natural areas mountains and plateaus are subject to the laws of altitudinal zonation.

African countries

The territory of Africa is divided between 62 countries, 54 are independent, sovereign states, 10 dependent territories, belonging to Spain, Portugal, Great Britain and France, the rest are unrecognized, self-proclaimed states - Galmudug, Puntland, Somaliland, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic(SADR). For a long time Asian countries were foreign colonies of various European states and only gained independence by the middle of the last century. Depending on geographical location Africa is divided into five regions: Northern, Central, Western, Eastern and Southern Africa.

List of African countries

Nature

Mountains and plains of Africa

Most of the African continent is plain. Available mountain systems, highlands and plateaus. They are presented:

• the Atlas Mountains in the northwestern part of the continent;
• the Tibesti and Ahaggar highlands in the Sahara Desert;
• Ethiopian Highlands in the eastern part of the mainland;
• Drakensberg Mountains in the south.

The highest point of the country is the Kilimanjaro volcano, 5,895 m high, belonging to the East African Plateau in the southeastern part of the continent...

Deserts and savannas

The largest desert zone of the African continent is located in the northern part. This is the Sahara Desert. On the southwest side of the continent is another smaller desert, the Namib, and from there into the continent to the east there is the Kalahari Desert.

The savannah territory occupies the main part Central Africa. In area it is much larger than the northern and southern parts of the mainland. The territory is characterized by the presence of pastures typical of savannas, low shrubs and trees. The height of herbaceous vegetation varies depending on the amount of precipitation. These can be practically desert savannas or tall grasses, with a grass cover from 1 to 5 m in height...

Rivers

The longest river in the world, the Nile, is located on the African continent. The direction of its flow is from south to north.

The list of major water systems of the mainland includes the Limpopo, Zambezi and Orange River, as well as the Congo, which flows through Central Africa.

On the Zambezi River is the famous Victoria Falls, 120 meters high and 1,800 meters wide...

Lakes

On the list large lakes On the African continent there is Lake Victoria, which is the second largest freshwater body of water in the world. Its depth reaches 80 m, and its area is 68,000 square km. Two more large lakes continent: Tanganyika and Nyasa. They are located in faults of lithospheric plates.

There is Lake Chad in Africa, which is one of the world's largest endorheic relict lakes that have no connection with the world's oceans...

Seas and oceans

The African continent is washed by the waters of two oceans: the Indian and the Atlantic. Also off its shores are the Red and Mediterranean Seas. From the outside Atlantic Ocean in the southwestern part the waters form the deep Gulf of Guinea.

Despite the location of the African continent coastal waters cool. This is influenced by the cold currents of the Atlantic Ocean: the Canary in the north and the Bengal in the southwest. From the Indian Ocean, the currents are warm. The largest are Mozambican, in northern waters, and Agulnoye - in the southern...

Forests of Africa

Forests make up a little more than a quarter of the entire territory of the African continent. Here are located subtropical forests, growing on the slopes of the Atlas Mountains and valleys of the ridge. Here you can find holm oak, pistachio, arbutus etc. Grow high in the mountains conifers, represented by Aleppo pine, Atlas cedar, juniper and other types of trees.

Closer to the coast there are cork oak forests; evergreens are common in the tropical region. equatorial plants, such as mahogany, sandalwood, ebony, etc...

Nature, plants and animals of Africa

Vegetation equatorial forests is distinguished by its diversity, about 1000 species of various types of trees grow here: ficus, ceiba, wine tree, oil palm, wine palm, banana palm, tree ferns, sandalwood, mahogany, rubber trees, Liberian coffee tree, etc. Many species of animals, rodents, birds and insects live here, living directly on the trees. On the ground live: brush-eared pigs, leopards, African deer - a relative of the okapi giraffe, large great apes- gorillas...

40% of Africa's territory is occupied by savannas, which are huge steppe areas covered with herbs, low, thorny bushes, milkweed, and separately standing trees(tree-like acacias, baobabs).

Here there is the largest concentration of such large animals as: rhinoceros, giraffe, elephant, hippopotamus, zebra, buffalo, hyena, lion, leopard, cheetah, jackal, crocodile, hyena dog. The most numerous animals of the savannah are herbivores such as: hartebeest (antelope family), giraffe, impala or black-footed antelope, various types gazelles (Thomson's, Grant's), blue wildebeest, and in some places rare jumping antelopes - springboks - are also found.

The vegetation of deserts and semi-deserts is characterized by poverty and unpretentiousness; these are small thorny bushes and separately growing tufts of herbs. The oases are home to the unique Erg Chebbi date palm, as well as plants that are resistant to drought conditions and salt formation. They grow in the Namib Desert unique plants velvicchia and nara, the fruits of which feed on porcupines, elephants and other desert animals.

Animals here include various species of antelopes and gazelles, adapted to the hot climate and capable of traveling vast distances in search of food, many species of rodents, snakes, and turtles. Lizards. Among mammals: spotted hyena, common jackal, maned sheep, Cape hare, Ethiopian hedgehog, Dorcas gazelle, saber-horned antelope, Anubis baboon, wild Nubian ass, cheetah, jackal, fox, mouflon, there are resident and migratory birds.

Climatic conditions

Seasons, weather and climate of African countries

The central part of Africa, through which the equator line passes, is located in the region low pressure and receives sufficient moisture, the territories north and south of the equator are in subequatorial climatic zone, this is a zone of seasonal (monsoon) moisture and dry desert climate. The far north and south are in the subtropical climate zone, the south receives precipitation brought air masses from the Indian Ocean, here is the Kalahari Desert, north - minimum quantity precipitation due to the formation of the area high pressure and the characteristics of the movement of trade winds, the largest desert in the world is the Sahara, where the amount of precipitation is minimal, in some areas it does not fall at all...

Resources

Natural Resources of Africa

By reserves water resources Africa is considered one of the least affluent continents in the world. The average annual volume of water is only sufficient to satisfy primary needs, but this does not apply to all regions.

Land resources are represented by large areas with fertile lands. Only 20% of all possible lands are cultivated. The reason for this is the lack of adequate water volume, soil erosion, etc.

African forests are a source of timber, including valuable species. The countries in which they grow, export raw materials. Resources are being used unwisely and ecosystems are being destroyed little by little.

In the depths of Africa there are deposits of minerals. Among those sent for export: gold, diamonds, uranium, phosphorus, manganese ores. There are significant reserves of oil and natural gas.

Energy-intensive resources are widely available on the continent, but they are not used due to the lack of proper investment...

Among the developed industrial sectors of the countries of the African continent, the following can be noted:

• the mining industry, which exports minerals and fuels;
• the oil refining industry, distributed mainly in South Africa and North Africa;
• chemical industry, specializing in the production of mineral fertilizers;
• as well as the metallurgical and engineering industries.

Main products agriculture are cocoa beans, coffee, corn, rice and wheat. Oil palm is grown in tropical regions of Africa.

Fishing is poorly developed and accounts for only 1-2% of the total agricultural output. Livestock production indicators are also not high and the reason for this is the infection of livestock by tsetse flies...

Culture

Peoples of Africa: culture and traditions

About 8,000 peoples live on the territory of 62 African countries and ethnic groups, which totals about 1.1 billion people. Africa is considered the cradle and ancestral home of human civilization; it was here that the remains of ancient primates (hominids) were found, which, according to scientists, are considered the ancestors of people.

Most peoples in Africa can number several thousand people or several hundred living in one or two villages. 90% of the population are representatives of 120 nations, their number is more than 1 million people, 2/3 of them are peoples with a population of more than 5 million people, 1/3 are peoples with a population of more than 10 million people (this is 50% of the total population of Africa) - Arabs , Hausa, Fulbe, Yoruba, Igbo, Amhara, Oromo, Rwanda, Malagasy, Zulu...

There are two historical and ethnographic provinces: North African (the predominance of the Indo-European race) and Tropical African (the majority of the population is the Negroid race), it is divided into such areas as:

• West Africa. Peoples speaking the Mande languages ​​(Susu, Maninka, Mende, Wai), Chadian (Hausa), Nilo-Saharan (Songai, Kanuri, Tubu, Zaghawa, Mawa, etc.), Niger-Congo languages ​​(Yoruba, Igbo, Bini, Nupe, Gbari, Igala and Idoma, Ibibio, Efik, Kambari, Birom and Jukun, etc.);
• Equatorial Africa . Inhabited by Buanto-speaking peoples: Duala, Fang, Bubi (Fernandans), Mpongwe, Teke, Mboshi, Ngala, Como, Mongo, Tetela, Cuba, Kongo, Ambundu, Ovimbundu, Chokwe, Luena, Tonga, Pygmies, etc.;
• South Africa. Rebellious peoples and speakers of Khoisani languages: Bushmen and Hottentots;
• East Africa. Bantu, Nilotes and Sudanese people groups;
• Northeast Africa. Peoples speaking Ethio-Semitic (Amhara, Tigre, Tigra), Cushitic (Oromo, Somali, Sidamo, Agaw, Afar, Konso, etc.) and Omotian languages ​​(Ometo, Gimirra, etc.);
• Madagascar. Malagasy and Creoles.

In the North African province, the main peoples are considered to be Arabs and Berbers, belonging to the southern European minor race, mainly professing Sunni Islam. There is also an ethno-religious group of Copts, who are direct descendants of the Ancient Egyptians, they are Monophysite Christians.

The group of East African states demonstrates an even greater degree of differences, even contrasts, and here individual countries stand out noticeably from the rest, as if out of the ordinary. This applies to Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and some other countries. In general, the countries of the East African region deserve special attention in this sense.

1. Ethiopia- the largest and oldest of them. Its history goes back centuries and has been discussed more than once in previous parts of the work. In the 60s of our century, Ethiopia was an independent and highly respected state in Africa, led by the revered monarch Emperor Haile Selassie I. True, this populous (over 50 million people) and resource-poor country was constantly plagued by natural disasters, especially droughts, almost regularly bringing her economy to a catastrophic state. Droughts, famines, and failures with agrarian reform led the country to an acute political crisis in 1973, which resulted in the deposition of the emperor. Since 1974, power passed to the Provisional Military Administrative Council, whose leaders destroyed each other in a bitter internecine struggle, until M. Haile Mariam came to power in 1977, firmly committed to development according to the Marxist-socialist model.

The nationalization of industry and land, the authorities’ strict control over the population led the country’s economy to complete degradation over the course of a decade and a half. Droughts became more frequent and their consequences became more and more severe. Millions of people died from basic hunger and disorder in the country, while the ruling bureaucracy was mired in lawlessness and corruption. Decisive blow to ruling party and its leadership were damaged by events in our country related to perestroika and a general change in ideological and political orientation, as well as stopping the flow of supplies from the USSR. The weakening position of the government, aggravated by defeats in the fight against separatists and rebels in the north, led to the collapse of the regime in 1991. The dictator fled, and his successors inherited a difficult inheritance. There was no longer any talk about the Marxist-socialist model. Ethiopia now faces the difficult task of finding its new face and returning to normal life.

2. Somalia, located east of Ethiopia, on the coast, in the Horn of Africa, it is a relatively small state (population approx. 6 million people). The inhabitants of British Somalia gained independence in I960; a democratic parliamentary republic was established on a multi-party basis, one of the first of its kind in Africa. But multi-party democracy led to a weakening of the political structure, which was also undermined by tribalism and clan patron-client ties. The 1969 coup brought to power S. Barre with his dreams of a Greater Somalia and his orientation towards the Marxist-socialist model of development. In 1977–1978 In the war with Ethiopia for the Ogaden, Somalia was defeated, and this was reflected in a change in orientation: the Somali authorities abandoned their previous bet on the USSR, whose leadership preferred to take the side of Ethiopia, and began to seek support in the West. In 1984, Somalia was forced to renounce its claims to the part of Kenya inhabited by Somalis. The idea of ​​Great Somalia has collapsed. An era of acute internal crisis has arrived, caused by military spending, devastation, and inflation that is unsustainable for a small country. Rebel protests began against the regime of S. Barre. In 1989, he tried to soften his regime, took a course towards economic liberalization and privatization, promised a multi-party system and democracy, and even introduced a new constitution in October. But it was already too late. In early 1991, Barre's regime fell to rebel attacks. In 1992, bloody civil strife began in the country. The instability of power during the struggle for political dominance of various ethno-political groups created a situation of dangerous instability in Somalia and led the country to famine.

3. Kenya Located south of Ethiopia and southwest of Somalia, a former British colony, it became quite widely known in the first post-war years, when a broad national movement led by D. Kenyatta developed here. This movement was closely connected with the terrorist actions of the Mau Mau society, which terrified the British. In 1953, the Mau Mau movement was defeated, and Kenyatta ended up behind bars. In 1960, the country gained independence, and Kenyatta became its president. In 1978, after his death, the country was headed by D. Moi. The one-party presidential system suffered serious disruptions under this president: corruption became noticeable, and the opposition became more active, demanding a multi-party system. In 1990, Moi made concessions and at the end of 1991 announced the introduction of a multi-party system. The country's economy is still in a difficult situation, the standard of living of the population (about 25 million people) is low, but in the recent elections (1993), Moi was again elected president.

4. Uganda- a state west of Kenya with a population of 16–17 million people. In 1962 it gained independence and became a republic with the former King of Buganda Mutesa II as president and M. Obote as prime minister. In 1966, Obote took full power, and the 1967 constitution abolished the monarchy in the country. In 1971, as a result of a military coup, he came to power bloody dictator Go Amen. The Amin regime was overthrown in 1979 with the support of Tanzania, and in 1980, Obote, who won the elections, again became president. A military coup in 1985 removed Obote; Since 1986, the country has been led by I. Museveni. Uganda is one of the few African countries where for quite a long time, albeit with ^ in fits and starts, the multi-party system has operated and continues to operate. The country's economy is undeveloped, the standard of living of the population is very low. Economic liberalization at the turn of the 80s–90s, however, began to produce positive results (6–7% growth per year).

5. Tanzania, located south of Kenya and Lake Victoria, was created in 1964 as a result of the unification of Tanganyika, which had been independent since 1961, with the island of Zanzibar, which gained independence in 1963. This is perhaps the only case in which this kind of unification turned out to be viable. Population approx. 25 million people Tanzania is a presidential republic with a very stable political system. For many years, the president of the country was D. Nyerere, under whom experiments were undertaken related to an orientation toward the Marxist-socialist model (nationalization, cooperation in the Ujamaa style, etc.). President A.H., who replaced Nyerere in the late 1980s. Mwinyi is inclined to support the economic revival program adopted in 1986, associated with economic liberalization and a move away from socialist experiments.

6–7.Rwanda(approx. 7 million) and Burundi(approx. 5 million people) in 1908–1912 were included in German East Africa, from 1923 they became a mandatory territory of Belgium, and in 1962 - an independent republic and a monarchy, respectively. Rwanda's republican structure has proven resilient. Burundi, having experienced a number of military coups, also became a republic. Both states have a one-party system, the economy is poorly developed, and the standard of living is low.

8–12. Djibouti(0.5 million population), as well as a number of island states - Reunion(0.6 million), Seychelles(0.07 million), Comoros(0.5 million), Mauritius(1.1 million) - are small independent countries of East Africa that gained their independence relatively late, in 1968–1977. (Reunion remains an overseas department of France). Mauritius is a multi-party parliamentary republic that formally recognizes the Queen of England as its head of state. Djibouti is a one-party presidential republic. On Seychelles The 1979 coup brought to power a party oriented towards the Marxist-socialist model. In the Comoros, a similar coup in 1975 had a different fate: another coup in 1978 returned the government of A. Abdallah to power, which then steadily ruled the country for many years. What all these small states have in common is their comparative youth as independent structures (this does not apply to Reunion), a fairly noticeable degree of political stability and, with the exception of Djibouti, remoteness from the mainland, which greatly affects their destinies. It is important to note that Arabs predominate in Comoros, Indo-Pakistanis in Mauritius, Christian Creoles in the Seychelles and Reunion.

13. Madagascar, a large island east of Africa, gained its independence in I960. Population - over 11 million people. Initially, the leader of the Social Democrats, F. Tsiranana, was the head of the state and government. The 1972 coup brought the military to power; in 1975, the Supreme Revolutionary Council, headed by D. Ratsiraka, set a course for development along the Marxist-socialist model. The National Front for the Defense of the Revolution, created by the council, united 7 political parties, banning the activities of the rest. The economy has been nationalized and the public sector is absolutely dominant. In the early 90s, Ratsiraka's power and his political course collapsed. A powerful opposition movement developed in the country.

So, among the 13 large and small countries in the region, four large ones (Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Madagascar) and at least two others (Seychelles, Comoros) attempted to develop according to the Marxist-socialist model, and in three cases (Ethiopia, Tanzania and Madagascar) these were long-term experiments, counting in decades. The experiment could have turned out to be just as lengthy in Somalia if the political situation had not prompted S. Barre to change his earlier orientation. And only in Uganda, and even then only intermittently, did a multi-party system function. All large countries in the region are underdeveloped and have a low standard of living. Only a few of the islands (Mauritius, Reunion and tiny Seychelles) stand out against the general bleak background in better side. With reservations, the same can be said about Djibouti. Slightly higher than others large countries region, the standard of living in politically relatively prosperous Kenya.