The definitive one-volume guide to all sub-Saharan African countries, providing invaluable economic, political, statistical and directory data.

New content for the 2012 edition includes:

• chapter on South Sudan
• coverage of recent elections, including those in Cape Verde, the Central African Republic, Chad, Nigeria, São Tomé and Principé, and Seychelles
• fully revised government lists for all countries
• details on major new stories over the past twelve months, including the secession of South Sudan, the famine in the Horn of Africa, events in Cote d'Ivoire following the disputed presidential elections of November 2010 and the return to civilian governments following the military coups in Guinea and Niger
• information on the transition of Mayotte to an Overseas Department of France.

Key Features:

• over 1,500 pages of analytical essays, economic and demographic statistics and wide-ranging directory material
• contributions from over fifty leading experts on African affairs.

General Survey

• thoroughly revised and updated analytical articles covering the issues affecting the area as a whole, including: Economic Trends in Africa South of the Sahara; Health and Medical Issues; State Failure in Africa; A Century of Development; Chinese Stakes in Sub-Saharan Africa; European Colonial Rule; Peace and Security Architecture
• new essays on The East African Community and Security Dilemmas in West Africa
• a political map of contemporary Africa and a chronological list of the dates of independence of African countries.

Country Surveys

Individual chapters on every country incorporating:

• an introductory survey, containing essays on the physical and social geography, recent history and economy of each country
• an extensive statistical survey of economic indicators, which include area and population, health and welfare, agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, industry, finance, trade, transport, tourism, communications media and education
• a full directory containing names, addresses and contact details for key areas such as the government, political organizations, diplomatic representation, the judiciary, religion, the media, finance, trade and industry, tourism, defence and education
• a useful bibliography, providing sources for further research

Regional Information

Detailed information on the following: regional organizations; major commodities; calendars; research institutes concerned with Africa; and select bibliographies of books and periodicals.