I beg to differ [that Africa is a harsh land], Africa's physical conditions are this: a climate that allows one to be nude all year round, plentiful food and other resources.
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Africa is one of the harshest regions on Earth. It comprises Earth's largest deserts, rainforests in which people are afraid to keep cows lest they attract tsetse flies, drought-ridden savannas, and the #1 breeding zone for new diseases.
It could be argued that we needed a harsh environment to force us to evolve intelligence.
I've traveled in Africa, and regarding climate and resources, its not especially more "harsh" than the other continents (in fact, significantly less so than Australia or Antarctica). What is harsh is the oppressive poverty following 400+ years of colonial rule.
Does this inconsistent thinker mean "land" as in "country"? If so, big fail! Oh, and also big fail on plentiful food and resources. It might be true for some parts of the continent of Africa, but something close to half of it is just sand and sand and more sand. And most of the resources that were there we white people have robbed and exploited during the latest 400 years or so.
Plus, not much similarites between South Africa or Zimbabwe on one side, and Libya or Egypt on the other side.
Vast deserts (Sahara, Kalahari) and widespread desertification in semi-arid areas, water- and vector-borne diseases (dysentery, cholera, typhus, malaria) are rampant. There is no infrastructure for development, roads are impassable during the rainy season. In this information age, most have never made a phone call or watched TV or can read. Radio may be a communal one, if any. This is a short list why such a potentially wealthy place is an economic basket case, in addition to corruption and mismanagement. But poential like agriculture or minerals (oil, gold, diamonds) go untapped because conditions make getting them and making a return on an investment so much more difficult than anywhere else.
Can we say "highest infant mortality rate"?
Or Malaria, West Nile Virus, AIDS....the list goes on...
"Consistent Thinker" seems to like to give his name no justice.
Wish I hadn't missed this one.
How on Earth can you believe that? Hasn't he ever seen the news, ever? That's not possible to believe. No way.
I smell Poe and B.S.
As a resident of Africa, I can honestly say that you have no idea what you are talking about. You might want to Google "Tiffindell", South Africa's ski resort. I wouldn't want to be nude all year in the snow, although I guess you wouldn't know that.
I even agree that at least certain parts of Africa are incredible fertile, and this continent could easily feed its inhabitants. The regular hunger crises there are mainly caused by corrupt elites, exploitation, and sometimes hunger is employed deliberately as an instrument of war.
One of the most tragic examples is Zimbabwe. A country of vast beauty, ideal for agriculture. But it was completely run down by the irresponsible politics of a power-hungry, ruthless old man. Who is a devout catholic, if I may mention this.
And not to mention that religion also has a huge impact on the constant misery of Africa. For example, the former president of the Ivory Coast prefered to build a copy of St. Peters Basilica in the middle of the jungle, wasting incredible amounts of money which better had been spend in developing his country. Several hundred million dollars down the drain for an completely crazy building which is now crumbling down.
I beg to differ [that the Deep South is a harsh land], The South's political conditions are this: a climate that allows one to be ignorant all year round, plentiful food & guns via Wal-Mart and marrying your sister.
fixed
Malaria, no domesticable animals, highly variable climate and rainfall. Yes, sounds ideal for civilization.
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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