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reinholddoppeldecker · 36-40, M
You can say colonialism, corruption, and various developments in recent history are to blame, and I don't want to dispute any of that.
But the truth is also that most of Africa, barring a few kingdoms here and there, has always been behind Europe and Asia in development. From what I've heard, the reason for that is Africa's geography. Africa has few large rivers, and few natural ports. As a result, long distance trade becomes difficult. And trade is of vital importance for building sucessful civilizations. Most places in the world have everything you need to survive locally, but not everything you need to thrive. Without trade, you can't move around surpluses. That means you're less capable of relieving famines, and you can't as easily build wealth. You're cut off from certain resources, and from the knowledge of the rest of the world.
Already in antiquity, Rome was conducting trade with China. Africa was lagging behind back then already. It's no coincidence that the most illustrious and long-lived civilization on African soil, Egypt, was centered around a big river, the Nile, had access to the Mediterranean, and was close to several other great civilizations.
But the truth is also that most of Africa, barring a few kingdoms here and there, has always been behind Europe and Asia in development. From what I've heard, the reason for that is Africa's geography. Africa has few large rivers, and few natural ports. As a result, long distance trade becomes difficult. And trade is of vital importance for building sucessful civilizations. Most places in the world have everything you need to survive locally, but not everything you need to thrive. Without trade, you can't move around surpluses. That means you're less capable of relieving famines, and you can't as easily build wealth. You're cut off from certain resources, and from the knowledge of the rest of the world.
Already in antiquity, Rome was conducting trade with China. Africa was lagging behind back then already. It's no coincidence that the most illustrious and long-lived civilization on African soil, Egypt, was centered around a big river, the Nile, had access to the Mediterranean, and was close to several other great civilizations.
