Due 28.NOV 2012
Have fun with this while you test your own basic African geography. Be sure to read the caption under each "correct" answer (in italics, above the photo on the answer pages). Then, take a moment to reflect either on a new piece of info you have acquired and it's relevance to you, or on the importance to the rest of the world any of the "factoids" posted.
Link (sorry, you have to cut and paste): http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2011/0127/Think-you-know-Africa-Take-our-geography-quiz/Question-5
I am here to emphasize a point: We, as students in the Democratic Republic of Congo, are an extremely cultivated group of individuals. While many around the world, specifically out of Africa, would have trouble answering even half of these questions, I’m sure each of us are/were capable of answering at least three-quarters of them. We’ve been exposed to the different backgrounds of our peers which we have integrated into our own learning experiences. This has given us a huge advantage over others. Many students, for example in the United States, haven’t been taught about Africa. They are completely oblivious to the beauty of this continent. It’s not their fault. They haven’t been taught the way we have been taught.
ReplyDeleteThe phrase that I have chosen is: “Ethiopia has its own calendar, which is based on the Coptic Calendar, which in turn is based on the ancient Egyptian calendar. In Ethiopia, the current year is 2003 AD”. To the rest of the world, this is a completely fascinating fact, but to someone like me who has lived in Ethiopia for seven years, this isn’t new information. However, it still is important to me and should be as well to the rest of the world. This fact emphasizes the uniqueness of this continent. Not only do they have their own calendar but they celebrate New Years on September 11. Here we go again with another fascinating fact. This is just to put to value how multicultural this continent is, and will always be. This continent possesses numerous mysteries ready to unfold and to share with the rest of the world. Africa: The source of diversity.
Jenn, Love your ending line: it's clean, to the point and sort of "magically" invites outsiders to share your love and respect with this continent. When I lived in Taiwan, I learned they also have their own calendar - based upon the year they celebrate their independence (whether or not China agrees). Was it difficult for you to constantly move back and forth between the Ethiopian calendar and the one so many other countries use? I'll bite: why is their new year on Sept 11?
ReplyDeleteAs far as the quiz was concerned, I know all of you will "ace" it. but I found the tags fun to read and wanted your opinions. Did you already know all the geography, or has your current African Studies classes helped you in this?
Thanks for sharing your passion for your homelands.
Wow. This is officially the longest blog because of the poor internet connection. I took the entire quiz and only making 2 mistakes. This indeed shows how good my African geography is. Almost all the new facts were interesting but the one I found the most interesting was: Sierra Leone is one of the top 10 diamond producing nations in the world.
ReplyDeleteThe girls reading this are probably like “yayy”, whereas the guys are probably like “meh”. Girls, in general, are more attracted to diamonds. I, personally, would never pay such large amounts for rocks found under the ground. But, I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to buy these so called “rocks” for my future wife.
This fact is interesting for me because I plan to purse a degree in business. The diamond business is excellent and can bring great profits but at the same time, it is costly and can result in a great loss of money. Getting these diamonds is a time-consuming and difficult process. The right machines are need to go underground; the machine must be put in the right place to ensure getting diamonds; permission must be gotten by government to enter the country and excavate minerals; etc.
To do business nowadays, you need good ideas and a reasonable amount of money. By the time I’m done with university, the diamonds in Sierra Leone will be all gone.
I’m going to pray that my future wife won’t be interested in diamonds.
Remember that diamonds are a perceived value, not an absolute one. Thus, the business angle. It's all marketing: remember "Blood Diamonds."
DeleteOh, and good luck with marrying a lady who would rather have new hiking boots!
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ReplyDeleteTaking the geography test of Africa was very interesting and informative. I learned a couple of new things about different countries. However, the country I choose to elaborate on is South Africa. The first attractive feature about South Africa is it has the same name as its continent, Africa. Before I go on, I would like to clarify to those who are not aware that, North Africa does not exist because Africa is not a country like most people believe. Africa is a continent and South Africa is one of its countries. Coming back to the geography test, it mentioned that South Africa has seven official languages, but there are actually eleven according to my research. Moreover, these various languages show how multicultural and diverse South Africa is. It is very impressive to see a country that has so many main languages and different cultural ethnicities in a single country.
ReplyDeleteDespite, the differences between South African people, there has been no conflicts causing them to break apart. Such unity and acceptance of other ethnic groups within a single country, is very rare in most countries. In fact, it has been the cause of many conflicts in many countries around the world. South Africans consider themselves as being part of the same nation, and from different cultures. For instance, if you ask Nonhlanhla where she is from? She will simply answer: I am South African and proud. But once you see her dance or, hear how she pronounces her name you will know she is ‘’Zulu’’. This also applies to most South Africans. Such unity and love among the people of a nation adds to its strength and beauty.
Another interesting feature about South Africa is that, English is one of the languages that are largely spoken, which allow outside people to feel comfortable. From different languages to different cities, Cape Town is one of the lovely places in South Africa. In the city of Cape Town, you find beautiful mountains, palm trees in the streets, and nice beaches. Each city is very diverse, which brings a different taste. In my opinion, the fact that South Africa is so diverse is mainly due to the mysteries of its continent Africa. There is no other place in the world that have space for everyone, different cultures and many languages such as Africa, especially South Africa.
Your point is well taken, but don't many African countries recognize several languages? I know now that DRC has French as it's "official" language, but each area/tribal area/district has it's own language as well. many European countries also recognize severall different official languages, as does Singapore - with 4 very specific ethnic groups living together.
ReplyDeleteI found the quiz relatively easy, and I think most people that have knowledge of the world, especially of Africa would also. While taking the quiz however, I could not help but wonder why the website would have the quiz. I wondered if it was to show the readers how little they know about the African continent, or if the goal of the quiz was to remind the readers about the things that make-up the African continent. I think it’s latter, for the simple reason that the quiz is quiet long, and I cannot seem to picture a person with little interest in Africa ever taking the time to answer all the questions. Especially if they are getting most of them wrong.
ReplyDeleteThough I found the quiz easy, there were two questions that I found tricky. Not because I did not know my geography, but because the questions were paired with a picture that I was supposed to know the location of. One of the pictures was not even of a major landmark, but of a bridge at night. It didn’t help that the countries I could have picked from didn’t give me any hints, as they all had bridges that I assume can all be seen at night. Those questions only prove my point that the quiz is to remind and perhaps also educate readers with already prior knowledge of Africa. The quiz serves to show and to remind the readers of its diverse landscapes, and also to educate the readers on facts they might not know about this immensely diverse continent.
Well written and thoughtful response, but recheck the prompt. Your task was to write a response to one of the "factoids" listed about the countries. I do, however, like the way you mulled over the purpose of the quiz and the way to explain how you came to the conclusion you did. Hope to see you soon after school begins.
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