My Science School

AFRICA

The discovery of fossilized remains in Africa has led experts to agree that the world’s first humans originated from this continent millions of years ago. Today, the population stands at about 1.3 billion, with many people living in rural regions of the 54 countries: Africa’s diversity is seen in its varied cultures, long-standing customs, striking scenery, and wildlife. This captivating mix attracts a steady stream of visitors.

• FOOD

Africa’s staple foods are crops such as maize, yams, cassava, and plantains. Fish and meat are rarely eaten as a main dish but are added to other ingredients, including beans and lentils. In towns all over Morocco and Tunisia, people sell their home-grown produce at local markets.

• INDUSTRY

Nigeria, Algeria, and Libya are major sources of oil and natural gas, while gold and diamonds have made South Africa prosperous. Minerals are mined in the Congo and Zambia, and copper and tin are exported from Namibia.

• MUSIC

Celebrations in Africa are usually accompanied by music, with percussion instruments the most popular. Many types of drums are used to create traditional beats, with animal horns and shells blown to make different sounds. Stringed instruments, such as the kora, and double bells, such as the kuge, are also played.

• LANDSCAPE

North Africa boasts the world’s largest desert, the Sahara, where temperatures can top 50°C (122°F). Africa’s centre is mainly rainforest and rivers, a contrast to the grassy plains down south. Natural landmarks include Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest mountain), the Nile (the longest river), and Lake Victoria (the largest lake).

• TOURISM

Visitors to Africa go on safari to see the wildlife at close range. The economy is also boosted by tourists soaking up the sun on the beaches of Tunisia, Morocco, and South Africa, as well as the islands of the Seychelles. One of Africa’s most visited historic sites is the ancient pyramids of Giza in Egypt, built some 4,500 years ago.

• WILDLIFE

Game reserves in Kenya and Tanzania have been established to protect Africa’s wildlife. Today, zebras, giraffes, elephants, and big cats roam freely without fear of human hunters. The continent’s largest island is also rich with wildlife. Three-quarters of Madagascar’s animals are found nowhere else.

• FARMING

Many Africans in rural villages grow root vegetables and maize (corn) to sell at markets. Northern Africa has the best climate for cultivating dates, olives, and citrus fruits. Kenya’s rainfall yields high tea production, while the Ivory Coast and Ghana put together produce more than half the world’s cocoa. Cotton is grown for export.

Picture Credit : Google

ASIA

Asia is the world’s largest continent and has the world's two largest countries by population – China and India. The largest continent is a land of extremes. From the ice of the Arctic to the heat of the Indian Ocean islands, Asia takes in treacherous mountains, desolate dunes, treeless steppes, fertile plains, and tropical rainforests. The continent’s 48 countries show many contrasts, with businesses booming in the expanding cities, while rural communities farm the fields. Today, more than 60 per cent of the world’s population calls Asia their home.

• SPORT

There is a long tradition of martial arts in Asia, which includes judo, karate, and sumo wrestling in Japan and kung fu in China. Mongolians and Tibetans were once expert horse-riders and racing remains a common pursuit. India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka excel at cricket, while table tennis is also popular.

• INDUSTRY

By exporting resources of oil and natural gas, Asian nations such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait have become wealthy. Japan, too, has seen rapid economic growth from its cutting-edge technology. India, China, and other Asian countries have benefitted from mass-producing cars, clothes, and electronics for export.

• WILDLIFE

Some of the world’s most endangered mammals are found in Asia, including the snow leopard, red panda, and Asiatic black bear. The forests of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Borneo shelter elephants, tigers, and orang-utans from the heat. Sharks, turtles, and manta rays live among the reefs off the coast of Southeast Asia.

• FOOD

Asia’s dishes are derived from the rich mix of cultures. Culinary delights from India (unique blends of spices for curries), China (fried rice, meat, and vegetables), Thailand (curries with coconut milk and rice or noodles), and Japan (raw or cooked fish dishes called sushi) have made Asian cuisine a hit with locals and tourists alike.

• CULTURE

India’s successful “Bollywood” film industry produces more than 1,000 films a year from its base in Mumbai. Art, music, and dance are also deep-rooted in Asian culture, with Bhutan’s masked temple dancers, Cambodia’s classical dances, and Indonesia’s shadow puppets.

• RELIGION

All the main religions started in Asia. Although religions differ from country to country, the three faiths most followed today are Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. People worship by chanting or praying, at home, in temples, or in mosques. Buddhism and Hinduism focus is on spiritual enlightenment.

• CITIES

The economic boom in Asia has produced super-cities. Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong are now centers of finance, culture, and tourism, where ancient temples sit next to high-rise offices. Many people leave rural areas for cities, resulting in a combination of slums and luxury living.

Picture Credit : Google

NORTH AMERICA

Before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century, tribes of native peoples were the only inhabitants of North America. Since then, waves of immigration to both Canada and the USA have made these countries pioneers of financial growth and contemporary culture. The mainly Spanish-speaking countries of Central America have lush, mountainous landscapes and are rich in tradition and culture.

• FOOD

The USA is famous for its fast food, especially hamburgers, hot dogs, and soft drinks. These foods can be prepared and served quickly. A wealth of fresh fruit and vegetables grown in California and Florida provide a healthy option. Down Mexico way the preference is for spicy foods with chilies.

• CULTURE

American movies and TV shows are popular around the world. Many famous music styles, such as rock-and-roll, jazz, blues, country, and soul, have their roots in the USA. Canada’s annual Calgary Stampede celebrates its cattle-trading roots, while Mexico has parades and feasts on saints’ days.

• SPORT

The highlight of the American football calendar is a championship game called the Super Bowl. This is the most watched television event in the USA. Baseball and basketball are also longstanding favourites. The colder climate of Canada has made skiing, ice skating and ice hockey the main winter pursuits.

• LANDMARKS

New York’s Statue of Liberty welcomed immigrants arriving by boat, while the one World Trade Center is the city’s tallest building. Another feature is Mount Rushmore, where the faces of four US presidents are carved into the rock. Far older landmarks can be found in Central America with the ruins of Aztec and Mayan civilizations.

• LANDSCAPE

One-third of Canada lies inside the Arctic Circle and stays frozen most of the year. Heading down through North America’s snowy Rocky Mountains and forested Appalachians, the scenery turns into grassy plains, known as prairies. The USA is a mix of plains, deserts, and national parks such as Yellowstone and Yosemite. Further south are the beaches of Mexico and the Caribbean.

• INDUSTRY

The USA grew wealthy by producing vast quantities of wheat, iron, steel, electronics, cars, and aircraft. Fishing is an important industry along the Pacific Coast, with salmon canned for export. Canada is the largest exporter of forest products, mainly softwood used in construction, while Mexico sells its natural gas and oil reserves.

• WILDLIFE

Northern parts of Canada host more animals than people, including bears, elk, and moose in the Rocky Mountains. Across the USA, national parks protect bison, antelope, and deer. Florida’s Everglades is a unique wetland area, with many rare animals such as the Florida panther and manatee. Snakes and scorpions can survive the heat of Mexico’s Sonoran desert.

Picture Credit : Google