Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa or sub-Saharan Africa refers to sub-Saharan part of the African continent.

Origin and cause of the demarcation

The Sahara represented a natural climatic zone that is separated geographically, ecologically, ethnically and culturally through the Sahel zone from the rest of Africa. While North Africa stood with the rest of the Mediterranean region in the economic and cultural exchange, was sub-Saharan Africa, despite the very old trans-Saharan trade routes, largely isolated. Therefore, the European designation "Dark Continent " of Africa refers primarily to this part of Africa south of the Sahara, and touch not only on the skin color of the people here, but also by the lack of European knowledge of the interior until well into the second half of the 19th century.

Term review " Black Africa "

The coined especially during the colonial era term " Black Africa " comes partly from the skin color of the inhabitants of this region, the "black Africans", but partly also by the then view of Europeans, sub-Saharan Africa is completely uncultured, while the North at least a minimum culture having. Also misrepresent what is suggested by the spin-off of the north of Africa, it was stated that the rest of Africa to a homogeneous unit. Therefore, the term is now often regarded as racist.

For this reason, the term " Black Africa", one derived from the English-speaking language area trend is following ( here has "Sub -Saharan Africa" ​​the former " Black Africa" ​​almost completely replaced), used in the official language of authorities little more and also by many private organizations and the media often replaced by other names mentioned above.