WEST AFRICA TOP FACTS

πŸ‡§πŸ‡― πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬ πŸ‡³πŸ‡ͺ πŸ‡¬πŸ‡² πŸ‡²πŸ‡± πŸ‡±πŸ‡· πŸ‡¨πŸ‡» πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡±πŸ‡¬πŸ‡­

1. Benin πŸ‡§πŸ‡― is named after the body of water on which it lies – the β€˜Bight of Benin’.
People of the country do not like to be photographed. They believe that a photograph can be used to cast a sell or a course.

2. The Benin Empire of Nigeria πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬ was one of the oldest and most highly developed states in west Africa, dating back to the 11th century. The walls of Benin City and its surrounding kingdom were a man-made marvel described as β€œthe world’s largest earthworks prior to the mechanical era”.

3. In Benin πŸ‡§πŸ‡―, With over twelve thousand students enrolled, the University of Benin in Cotonou is the only post secondary institution in the country.

4. Nigeria πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬ has the highest GDP in Africa

5. Nigeria πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬ has the largest population in Africa

6. Nigeria’s πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬ Lagos city is the largest city in West Africa

7. The Gambia πŸ‡¬πŸ‡² once sat at the centre of the slave trade, Kunte Kinte Island, formerly known as James Island, was once a major waypoint of the transatlantic slave trade.

8. Gambia πŸ‡¬πŸ‡² Is named after the River Gambia, one of West Africa’s major rivers.

9. In Gambia πŸ‡¬πŸ‡² During elections, Gambians vote using marbles.

10. Gambia πŸ‡¬πŸ‡² Is the smallest country in mainland Africa.

11. Gambia πŸ‡¬πŸ‡² is known for the beaches along its small Atlantic coastline and for being home to Jufureh (Juffure), the reputed ancestral village of Kunta Kinte.

12. Burkina Faso πŸ‡§πŸ‡«is a leader in African art and culture and hosts the largest craft market in Africa.

13. Burkina Faso πŸ‡§πŸ‡«is Africa’s largest producer of cotton.

14. In Burkina Faso πŸ‡§πŸ‡«Gold is Burkina Faso’s main export, followed by cotton and animal products.

15. Sierra Leone πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡±is rich in mineral deposits, especially diamonds, and has long relied on the mining industry

16. In Mali πŸ‡²πŸ‡±, Mansa Musa, was Mali’s ever greatest ruler who was estimated to be the richest man ever in the world

17. Niger πŸ‡³πŸ‡ͺ is considered one of the hottest nations. It is known as the β€œFrying Pan of the World.”

18. Ghana πŸ‡¬πŸ‡­ was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence post-colonialism.

19. πŸ‡¬πŸ‡­ Ghana was ranked as Africa’s most peaceful country by the Global Peace Index.

20. πŸ‡¬πŸ‡­ Lake Volta, in the Volta region of the country, is the world’s largest man-made lake.

21. πŸ‡¬πŸ‡­ The currency unit in Ghana is called the cedi and its the strongest currency in the region

22. Nigeria πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬ is the most populous country in Africa.

23. In Nigeria πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬ Over 500 indigenous languages are spoken throughout the country.

24. Nigeria πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬ is Home to the richest man in Africa πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬

25. Oil is one of the biggest exports of the country πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬

26. Lagos is the largest city in Africa but it’s not the capital of Nigeria πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬

27. In Nigeria πŸ‡³πŸ‡¬, The movie industry is known as Nollywood

28. Liberia πŸ‡±πŸ‡· was created for freed slaves. The American Colonization Society founded Liberia in 1821 as a place for free African Americans to migrate to. More than 10,000 made the journey across the Atlantic.

29. Liberia πŸ‡±πŸ‡· some sources indicate Liberia was the first African country to gain independence in 1847.

30. Cape Verde πŸ‡¨πŸ‡»has many volcanoes, the highest of which is Pico do Fogo

31. In Cape Verde πŸ‡¨πŸ‡», Boa Vista’s waters are a breeding ground for humpback whales

32. In Cape Verde πŸ‡¨πŸ‡» The archipelago was uninhabited until the 15th century. Portuguese explorers colonised the islands in 1456, establishing the first European settlement in the tropics.

33. Guinea πŸ‡¬πŸ‡³ has abundant natural resources including 25% or more of the world’s known bauxite reserves. Guinea also has diamonds, gold, and other metals. The country has great potential for hydroelectric power. Bauxite and alumina are currently the only major exports.

34. In Senegal πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡³ There is a pink lake! Lake Retba in Senegal is Pink.

35. In Senegal πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡³ There are 7 UNESCO sites.

36. In Senegal πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡³ You can find goats and sheep everywhere in Senegal!

37. In Togo πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡¬ The Portuguese arrived in Togo in the 15th century but did not settle.

38. In Togo πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡¬ Traditional healing methods are widely used in Togo. Each center has an herbalist.

Β© African Voice

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