Africa

Angola

Angola is a large, developing country in south-west central Africa. The capital city is Luanda. Portuguese, the official language, is widely spoken throughout the country. Despite its extensive oil and mineral reserves and arable land suitable for large-scale production of numerous crops, Angola has some of the world's lowest social development indicators. Development was severely restricted by a 27-year long civil war that broke out upon independence in 1975, which destroyed the majority of the country's infrastructure. Since the conflict's conclusion in 2002, the government has initiated extensive infrastructure reconstruction and development projects, and there are growing signs of economic recovery. However, Angola still faces challenges with its infrastructure and with providing government services, especially in basic social services, aviation and travel safety, accommodation availability and quality and communications. Facilities for tourism, particularly outside the capital of Luanda, are often rudimentary.

Benin

Benin is a developing country in West Africa. Its political capital is Porto Novo. However, its administrative capital, Cotonou, is Benin's largest city and the site of most government, commercial, and tourist activity.

Botswana

Botswana is a country in southern Africa with a stable democratic government and a growing economy. Facilities for tourism are widely available.

Cameroon

Cameroon is a developing country in central Africa. Although there are many natural and cultural attractions in Cameroon, facilities catering to Western-style tourism are quite limited. The capital is Yaoundé, though Douala, the country's largest city, is its main port and commercial center. Official languages are French and English, though French predominates in most of the country. English may be used in Cameroon's two Anglophone provinces of Southwest and Northwest, and the larger cities. The staff of major hotels in Cameroon’s large cities is usually bilingual. In February 2008, social and political unrest led to civil unrest, although the immediate threat of violence has now receded.

Cape Verde

The Republic of Cape Verde consists of nine inhabited and several uninhabited volcanic islands off the western coast of Africa. Most are rugged and mountainous; three (Sal, Maio, and Boa Vista) are flat, desert islands with sand beaches. Praia, the capital, is on the island of Santiago, and Cape Verde’s major shipping port is Mindelo on the island of Sao Vicente. Portuguese is the official language. Praia’s new international airport opened on October 6, 2005, from which Cape Verdean Airlines (TACV) now offers direct flights between Praia and Boston once or twice a week, depending on the season. Cape Verde has another international airport (Amilcar Cabral Airport) located on Sal Island, more than 100 miles northeast of the capital. While the tourist industry brings ever-growing numbers of visitors, facilities on many islands remain limited. Sal has the most developed tourist industry. See the section “Special Circumstances” below regarding issues that impact inter-island transport.

Cape Verde enjoys a stable, democratic government with an elected president as head of state, a prime minister nominated by the National Assembly (the national legislative body) as head of government, and elected members of the unicameral National Assembly. The judicial system is comprised of numerous courts, culminating in a Supreme Court.

Ethiopia

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is a developing country in East Africa. It is comprised of nine states and two city administrations (Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa). The capital is Addis Ababa. Tourism facilities can be found in the most populous regions of Ethiopia, but infrastructure is basic. National elections held in May 2005 returned the ruling EPRDF party and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to power. Although the opposition gained a significant number of seats in Parliament, some of its leaders protested election irregularities, which lead to public protests and a clamp-down on political activity. While political tensions persist, stakeholders are refocusing on building national institutions and combating poverty.

Kenya

Kenya is a developing East African country known for its wildlife and national parks. The capital city is Nairobi. The second largest city is Mombasa, located on the southeast coast. Tourist facilities are widely available in Nairobi, the game parks, the reserves, and on the coast.

Liberia

Liberia is a country in West Africa that suffered from years of instability and conflict from 1990 - 2003, with attendant destruction of buildings, roads, and infrastructure and public institutions. A comprehensive peace accord ended the conflict in August 2003 and a United Nations peacekeeping force (UNMIL) was deployed to facilitate disarmament and demobilization, help arrange democratic elections and provide for security of the country. In late 2005, Liberians went to the polls and elected Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as president. The new government was inaugurated in January 2006, and has made tremendous progress towards restoring security and stability to the country.

Madagascar

Madagascar is a developing island nation off the east coast of Africa. The primary languages are French and Malagasy. French is less spoken outside of major cities. Facilities for tourism are available, but vary in quality. Travelers seeking high-end accommodations should make reservations in advance.

Mauritania

Mauritania is a developing country in northwestern Africa. Arabic is the official language, but French is widely used and several local languages are also spoken. Tourist facilities in the capital, Nouakchott, are adequate, but limited or non-existent elsewhere.

Nambia

Namibia is a southern African country with a moderately developed economy. Facilities for tourism are good and generally increasing in quality. The capital is Windhoek.

Nigeria

Nigeria is a developing country in western Africa that has experienced periods of political instability. It has the largest population on the continent, estimated at 144 million people, and its infrastructure is not fully functional or well maintained.

Senegal

The Republic of Senegal is a developing West African country. The capital is Dakar. Facilities for tourists are widely available but vary in quality.

South Africa

South Africa is in many respects a developed country, but much of its population lives in poverty. All major urban areas have modern, world-class hotels and tourist facilities. Game parks and areas most often visited by tourists have a wide range of facilities. Food and water are generally safe, and a wide variety of consumer goods and pharmaceuticals are readily available. The capital is Pretoria, while the seat of parliament is located in Cape Town. Johannesburg is the financial capital and largest city in South Africa. Durban is home to Africa’s busiest port and is the number one tourist destination for South Africans.

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