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In Central Africa, there are many different areas that make up their culture. One of the most unique is their music. A big part of their music is the Kongo drum. A Kongo drum is a drum with leather skin on the top and wood as the body. On the wood, there are many geometric patterns. The sound makes a deep, loud sound when played. This drum is also played in Cuba. In Central Africa, the people not only have different music than we do, but also different clothing. It is very simple, and often the people will put on anything they can find because they do not have extra money for clothes. =====

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Another area that makes up their culture is their exotic foods but, unfortunately, they do not get to have these often due to the poverty in their region. In Central Africa, they eat crocodile, monkey, antelope, and warthog! It is also very popular to have plantains and cassava. These are starchy foods and many people enjoy eating this alongside grilled meat and sauces. =====

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Central Africa is also well known for is their exotic dances. Each Central African tribe dances to express their beliefs. For example, the Bwiti tribe in Gabon dances using fire. The fire symbolizes the “spirits” and the bow instrument they play symbolizes the road of life. Another example is the Nawa tribe in Cameroon. In this tribe, palm leaves are wrapped around the dancers’ bodies. The palm leaves represent respect and a holy presence. =====

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As for sports, football (soccer) is very popular in their region. In fact, Central Africa is so into football, that they hold a major tournament each year called the Central African Games. =====

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Over the past years, agriculture has become popular in Central Africa. Many of the people, farm as their main source of income. The way of life in Central Africa is much different from ours. As I mentioned earlier, Central Africa is a very poor. Hopefully, in the future, Central Africa won’t be as impoverished as it is now so that tourists can go to this magnificent region and appreciate all its culture has to offer. =====  There are many famous people in Central Africa. One important person is David Dacko. He is the President of the Central African Republic. Another famous person is Paul Biya. He is the President of Cameroon. There also is Christelle Ndila, a famous model from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Patience Dabany, another famous Central African, is a famous singer in Gabon. Another famous Central African singer is Alexander Siddig, from Sudan. José Eduaredo Agualusa is another Central African, and is famous for his writing in Angola. One more famous Central African is Fradique De Menezes. As you can see, there are many famous Central Africans!
 * Important/Famous People**

In some areas of the region of Central Africa the climate is humid tropical. This region is the area with the countries of Cameroon, Sao Tome and Principe, and Equatoiral Guinea. Here, all year long, it is rainy and warm. IN the other areas of Central Africa, it is dry and gets little rainfall, all year long.
 * Climate**

**Central African Republic **  is mostly in the savanna part of Africa and the northern part of it is totally treeless. It also has a rainforest that is also home to many different animals. They include elephants, buffalo, and baboons that are found in Savannas, or desert areas. In **Congo ** the animal life includes land and water animals. Over 230 different types of fishes have been identified. Some of the water animals in Congo include a variety of reptiles like crocodiles and different species of water snakes. They also have some manatees. As for the land animals, they consist of many birds that live in forests like pelicans, storks, herons and ducks. Other land animals include chimpanzees, gorillas, elephant, monkeys and baboons. A big portion of **Sao Tome and Principe’s ** animal life has many unique types of birds such as the ibis, shrike, and grosbeak. They have a nice place to live because most of Sao Tome and Principe is a tropical rainforest. Although much of this rainforest is disappearing which is a threat to the many birds, small mammals and reptiles that live there.  **Gabon’s ** animal life is a lot like the animal life in Congo. Some of the land animals in Gabon are antelope, gorillas, monkeys, elephants and tropical birds. Much of this land supplies a good safe home for these animals since a lot of it a rainforest. **<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cameroon ** <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">has a variety of animals. From monkeys to pelicans Cameroon’s land is home to many animals. It has chimpanzees, rodents, bates, elephants, baboons and antelope. These are just a few of the animals in Cameroon. The **<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Democratic Republic of Congo’s **<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> animal life has many different types of animals. It has forest giraffes, and forest antelope. There are also leopards, elephants, buffalo, monkey and chimpanzees. One of the animals that the Democratic Republic of Congo is famous for is the Congo peacock.
 * Animal Life**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Equatorial Guinea **<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">has a variety of different types of wildlife. It is covered by a tropical rain forest. Some of the abundant wildlife in Equatorial Guinea is gorillas, chimpanzees, leopards, buffalo, elephants, crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and rare species of monkeys and snakes. Equatorial Guinea is a home to many interesting animals.

<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The governments in Central Africa are all mostly similar. For the most part all of the countries in Central Africa have a Republic government. These countries are Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Cabinda, Central African Republic, and Sao Tome Principe. Only two countries do not have a Republic government. One country is the Democratic Republic of The Congo, which has a Dictatorship government, but their government is trying to transition into Representative Government. The other country is the Equatorial Guinea, which has a Dictatorship government also.
 * Government** <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">

There are a variety of religions in Central Africa. The most common religion is probably Christian. Other main religions include the African religion, Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim. There are other religions that are of small percentage including Kimbanguist, Banda, and others. But, mostly the religions are commonly known.
 * Religion**

For most of the countries in Central Africa the literacy rate is relatively low compared to the United States. The average literacy rate of all the countries in Central Africa is 58.4%. The country with the highest literacy rate is São Tomé and Príncipe with a literacy rate of 84.9%. The country with the lowest literacy rate is Cabinda with a literacy rate of 42%.
 * Literacy Rate**

In Central Africa, French is probably the most dominate language. Six of the eight countries have French as the official language. Portuguese is another popular language in Central Africa. Although it is not as dominate as French, Portuguese is the official language in two countries in Central Africa. Other Central African languages include Spanish, English, and many other African languages.
 * Languages**

<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are many important days in Central Africa. Many countries celebrate Republic Day, which is a National Holiday in two Central African countries. This important day celebrates the day when that country became a republic. Another very important day for many Central African countries is Independence Day. This important day is a national holiday for FIVE African countries. Independence Day celebrates the day that that country gained its independence from another country. For example Cabinda gained its independence from Portugal on August 1, 1975. So, Cabinda celebrates Independence Day every year in memory of this great day.
 * Important Days**

The climate of central Africa has a big impact on the vegetation. Some of the different types of vegetation in central Africa are lowland rain forest, African forest and bush, mangrove that are different types of shrubby trees that are over muddy creeks, and woodland and grassland. Some of the different crops that grow in Central Africa are peanuts, coffee, bananas, and olives. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> =<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Economic Problems = <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> =<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Central African Republic = <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> There are currently some economic problems in the Central African Republic. One of the problems is that the water isn’t drinkable. Another problem is that poaching has diminished the country’s reputation as one of the last great wildlife refugees. One last problem is deforestation. = = =<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Democratic Republic of the Congo = <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> There have been a number of complex reasons, including conflicts over basic resources such as water, access and control over rich minerals and other resources as well as various political agendas. This has been fueled and supported by various national and international corporations and other regimes which have an interest in the outcome of the conflict. =<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congo = <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The economy in the Congo is based on petroleum and oil. It has company there from France, Italy, and America. There is a problem because the oil production is expected to decline a lot over the next fifteen years.
 * Vegetation**

Forestry was Congo’s leading export but with all of the fighting and war taking place in the rain forests, deforestation has almost completely stopped. It now counts for only 7% of Congo’s earnings.

=<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sao Tome & Principe = <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The small poor island economy has been increasingly dependent on the production and selling of cocoa since independence over 34 years ago. However cocoa production has really declined because of drought and poor management. There is significant debt because they have to export almost everything manufactured. The country is trying to set up resorts for tourism to bring the area some money. Equatorial Guinea Subsistance farming is a big part of the economy here. With violent windstorms and flooding common, the weather hurts the economy. The water is not drinkable which comes from the flooding also. Often these countries do not have proper drainage or sewer systems. Unhealthy water can lead to various sicknesses.

=<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cameroon = <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Fishing and farming are main businesses. Over fishing has become a big environmental problem so that catches are getting smaller and harder to find. The water is not healthy so that farmers have trouble atering fields and feeding farm animals. Overgrazing and poaching is a great problem towards their animals.

=**<span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gabon **= <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The only problems in Gabon are deforestation and poaching. They also have many problems with their drinking water and water to water their plants. The water is causing sickness to the people.

A historical person in Central African Republic is Barthelemy Boganda. He was a dynamic leader of Central African nationalism. He worked toward independence and attained virtually complete political power.
 * Historical People** <span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">

Two more famous historical people are Leon Mba and Omar Bongo. Leon Mba was the president of Gabon from 1960, to 1967. Omar Bongo was the president as of early 2000. He has been the president since Mba’s death.

In the period of transition to independence, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, two Zairian political leaders emerged as national figures, Joseph Kasavubu who became the first chief of state. Another famous person is Patrice emery Lumumba, who became the nation’s first premier. Joseph Kasavubu influenced Central Africa in a very positive way and was a very powerful historical influence. He was the first president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He also helped led to independence for the Congo. Later, he became the Congo's fisrt head of the state. <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">

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<span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maddie: NOT HERE Nik: Citizen Adam: Interviewer Kelly: Citizen Anders: Anchor Man/ Interviewer Anders: Hello Wisconsin. This is Mason Linhart from Channel 11 News. Today we have a special program on Central Africa. On sight we have Anders Bjork and Adam Hobbs interviewing two Cameroon citizens. Lets go to Madeline. Anders: Thanks Mason. I am here with Christille Adia (CHRIST-el Idea) Adam: And Mahiri Ndegwa (MA-hee-ree DEG-wah), who are citizens of Cameroon in Central Africa. They are going to tell us a little about life in the region of Central Africa. Kelly: Hello. We are very happy that you chose to interview us. What would you like to ask us? Anders: We have many questions. Our first will be: What type of home do you live in? Kelly: It is very small, but cozy. I am just very fortunate to have a place to call home. Some people are being forced out of their homes because of the climate change here in Cameroon. Anders: Oh, that's too bad! I wonder if the United States will ever be in that situation. Adam: What is your home like, Mr. Ndegwa? Would you like to add to the information Ms. Adia gave us? Nik: My home is much like hers. I have a small home with a straw roof. Whenever it rains, though, water leaks through the roof, which can get annoying. Adam: Have you always lived in Cameroon? Anders: If you haven't, where else have you lived? Kelly: No, actually, I just moved 6 years ago, in 2003. I used to live in the Central African Republic, but then a war broke out, and I thought it best to move. Adam: What was the war about? Kelly: The President of the Central African Republic, Michel Detodia, became over powerful, and a rebellion broke out. Adam: Do you know what that war is called? Nik: Oh, I know. It's called the Central African Bush War. Anders: What about you, Mr. Ndegwa? Adam: Have you always lived here in Cameroon? Nik: Yes. You see, I belong to a Tikor tribe. My ancestors have lived here for many years. Some say my family has lived here for thousands of years! Maddie: What are the Tikors' beliefs? Nik: We believe that the soil is sacred. It has provided our ancestors for food, it provides us with food, and it will provide our decsendents with food for many years to come. Adam: Interesting. Are there any other interesting things you would like to tell us about Central Africa? Anders: Yes, I am curious about that too Kelly: Yes, actually there is. Here in Central Africa, there is a country called Gabon. Gabon holds 4/5 of all of Africa's gorillas! Nik: That is interesting. Even I didn't know that! One thing I do know is that here in Central Africa, there are two of the poorest countries in the world. Those countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic. Adam: That is so sad. I hope it isn't always like that. Anders: I agree with you, Adam. And we would love to stay and learn more about this region, but that is all the time we have. Kelly: Thanks again! Nik: Yes, it was an honor! Adam: The pleasure was all ours. Let's head back to Station 11, where Mason Linhart has been watching patiently. Back to you, Mason. Anders: Thank you, Adam, Maddie, Christelle, and Mahiri. And thank you, Wisconsin, for watching Station 11's special on Central Africa. Coming up next..., is that Central African country Gabon always going to be a home to many of Africa's gorillas? Or, are they going extinct? Stay tuned on Station 11 News!