Question.2362 - Assignment 8: Summary and Reflection on Sub-Saharan Africa The summaries and reflections on the topics that we will discuss throughout the semester are designed to insure that you have reviewed the PowerPoint presentations carefully and thought about the important points and critical issues. All of the summaries and reflections will have the same format and include two sections: Part 1 - a simple list of important points and critical issues that we have covered in each of the subject or geographic areas, much like the table of contents of a book, an outline of a book chapter, or a list of key statements from each of the sections covered in one or more PowerPoint slides of each presentation, and Part 2 - your reflection or comments on each topic, or one or more selected elements of each topic. The first part clearly represents a brief overview of each topic. The second part is designed to show that you have seriously thought about some of the important points and critical issues and to demonstrate your thoughtful reactions or creative ideas. Abundant archaeological evidence indicates that Homo sapiens originated and evolved in Africa and migrated to the rest of the world in three major waves of expansion. Trade networks and concentrated human settlements/urban centers emerged in West Africa around 4,000 years ago and gradually spread to other parts of the continent, leading to the development of many empires and kingdoms such as the Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire, the Songhai Empire, the Kanem Empire, the Bornu Empire, the Ashanti Empire, the Kingdom of Nri, the Kingdoms of If? and Oyo, and the Kingdom of Benin. Then, the Sub-Saharan African countries were divided and ruled by colonial powers and devastated by the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Most of the Sub-Saharan countries have only become independent during the last 25-60 years. Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area and 20% of its land area. With 1.3 billion people as of 2018, it accounts for about 16% of the world's human population. Africa's average population is the youngest amongst all the continents; the median age in 2012 was 19.7, when the worldwide median age was 30.4. Today, many of the Sub-Saharan countries are among the least developed countries in the world. Many of them continue to suffer from new or intensified and protracted conflicts and face severe food insecurity or crisis. On the other hand, the Sub-Saharan region is rich in resources. As of 2011, Africa is one of the fastest developing regions in the world. Six of the world's ten fastest-growing economies over the previous decade were situated below the Sahara. For your commentary or reflection on Sub-Saharan Africa, please focus on the challenges,opportunities and best strategies for promoting sustainable economic development in the Sub- Saharan countries, providing food security to their people, and playing a much more significant andequitable role in regional and global affairs. Part 1 (simple list of important points and critical issues) should be about one-page long (single space). Part 2 (your commentary or reflection) should be about two pages (double space and 12-point size). Please submit your completed assignment as a WORD document or pdf file through the Blackboard by clicking “Assignments” and then following the on-screen instructions.

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