Africa-French Connection

Database

 Countries & U.S.A. states

Websites

BBC Country Profile
Select Country Profiles and use the deopdown menus.

CIA - The World Factbook
Website provides up-to-date information about countries around the world.

Columbia University Libraries: African Studies: West Africa by Region and Country
Select Databases tab

Countries of the World by Language
Terrific website. Very user-friendly.

U.S. Department of State
Scroll to Country Profiles and select from the dropdown menu.

Webpath created from Destiny Catalog

Background Note: Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is home to approximately 12 million people. Get to know these people, their cultural groups and their country. The land conditions in this area are described along with information on how the majority of the population earns a living. A very detailed look at Burkina Faso's history, government and political conditions are also provided. You will learn the economic problems the country struggles with and their relationship with the United States plus much more.
Topic: Africa, French-speaking West, Burkina Faso, French-speaking West Africa http://www.state.gov

Central African Republic
Dating back to the 7th century, you will be introduced to leaders and conflicts which led to the formation of French Equatorial Africa. Discover what led to France gaining control of this area and how their government tried to preserve this area for France. The local people did not like French control and sought to make changes. This led to a thirty year revolt. Learn what the outcome was as you read further and also discover why crime is so high in the region.
Topic: Central African Republic, French-speaking Equatorial Africa http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu

Background Note: Guinea
The U.S. Department of State offers some background notes on the country of Guinea. These notes have been used to compose a profile of the country that first offers a link to a map of Guinea that points out the embassy and includes more related links. Other facts of interest are the country's geography, people, government, economy, history, defense, travel and business, foreign relations, and relations with the United States. Some of these topics can be found twice; once using a list of facts and another time followed by a written explanation. This allows for readers to access quick facts or read for more content.
Topic: Guinea, French-speaking West Africa Lexile: 1460  http://www.state.gov

Background Note: Mali
With a per capita gross domestic product of $470, Mali is among the world's ten poorest countries. It is not a nation, however, without promise: It possesses potential in the form of mining, agriculture, and livestock. One of eight nations that were once French West Africa, Mali secured its independence from France in 1960, although it inherited its legal system from France. Learn this and more through the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs, background note--an excellent introduction to the geography, economy, people, culture, and history of Mali.
Topic: Africa, French-speaking West, French-speaking West Africa, Mali  http://www.state.gov

Cote d'Ivoire - Ivory Coast
One of the more comprehensive resources on Cote d'Ivoire, this site contains close to one hundred sources. This is an incredible amount of available sites to search for interesting and credible facts. Each source listed also contains a description of the site's contents, and most also serve as links to that appropriate site. Besides serving as a guide to relevant sites this page also leads to sites that contain additional links to even more information on Cote d'Ivoire.
Topic: Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Language: English Lexile: 1360 http://library.stanford.edu

Mauritania
Located in the Sahara Desert, Mauritania is found in northwestern Africa. This country gained its independence from France and then tried rather unsuccessfully to annex additional territory. Government power changed hands through coups in 1984 and 2005. Mauritania has experienced free multiparty and parliamentary elections as well as an autocracy. Ethnic tensions have continued even in the 21st century. Find out what language is spoken and how many people live in Mauritania. Learn about the climate and see where Mauritania is on a map.
Topic: Mauritania http://www.worldatlas.com

Senegal: People & Culture
Learn about the people and the culture of Senegal by visiting the Africa Guide web site. You will find out about the major ethnic groups of this western African country. There is a section on languages in which you can learn some common phrases in French, the official language, as well as in Wolof, one of the native dialects. This site includes authentic Senegalese recipes, information on the music of Senegal and its musical instruments, and links to tourist information.
Topic: Africa, French-speaking West, French-speaking West Africa, Senegal http://www.africaguide.com

Country Profile - Togo
BBC News presents an article about Togo, small country located in West Africa. Togo is a target for criticism over human rights record and political power. The history of this country states that Togo was part of the Slave Coast, where captives were shipped abroad by slavers during the 17th century. Togo's only television station is the government owned Togolaise. The constitution of Togo provides for freedom of the press, but the government does not follow this practice.
Topic: Togo http://news.bbc.co.uk

Destination: West and Central Africa
Watch a video that highlights the best tourist destinations in west and Central Africa. This video explores the main attractions found in the twenty countries and many different types of landscapes. You are told of the best places to view wildlife in their natural habitats and you will learn about both religious and cultural festivals that take place during different parts of the year. You will also be cautioned against touring West and Central Africa without first checking on the status of local conflicts that may halt tourism.
Topic: Africa, Central, Africa, West, Central Africa, West Africa http://video.nationalgeographic.com

West Africa, the Land and Its People
This online tour of people and places in West Africa has general information about the four major countries found along the circuitous routes taken by the great Niger River: Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria. Presented by the "Cora Connection," a traditional music Web site that focuses primarily on a West African instrument called the "cora" or "kora," the article "West Africa, the land and its people" emphasizes local arts and culture, and features a regional map in color, national flags, and site links to detailed country profiles for Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, and Senegal.
Topic: Africa, West, Africa--Description and travel, Africa--Social life and customs, Music--African influences, West Africa http://www.coraconnection.com