Mineral resources and industry of africa

African countries have abundant natural resources. They possess some of the world's richest deposits of certain minerals, gold and diamonds are among the most important. South Africa is the world leading supplier of diamonds and gold. Gana used to be called Gold Coast. Some gold is still being mined there. Zaire and Zambia supply most of the cobalt and copper used throughout the world. Other minerals important to the modern nations include chromium, platinum, bauxite, iron ore, phosphate, tin and manganese. The newest resource for development is oil. Nigerian oil is especially important.

Many countries, however, have not yet developed the technology to use these resources efficiently. Africa still has few manufacturing industries and the governments try to set up more processing plants. Economists classify all the countries of Africa except South Africa as developing nations. There are, however, definite signs of the economic growth of the African nations. One of them is urbanization. Some cities are growing very fast. Lagos, for example, has the highest rate of growth in the world.

The Republic of South Africa. Today South Africa has Africa's largest, most diversified and most developed economy. European interest in South Africa began with the Portuguese in the 15th century. They explored the coast in search of gold and the sea route to the East. In 1488 the ships of Bartolomeu Dias were blown round the Cape of Good Hope during a storm. Ten years later another Portuguese explorer, Vasco de Gama, rounded the Cape before successfully reaching India. Other Europeans, mainly the English and the Dutch, used the Cape as a base for taking on meat and water. In 1652 they established a settlement on the Cape.

South Africa is very rich in mineral resources. Gold and diamonds are the best known, and together with coal have traditionally had most economic importance. Most of South Africa's diamonds come from diamond fields near Kimberley. Almost all the gold comes from the High Veld, especially from a region called The Rand. Johannesburg, the most populated city in Sub-Saharan Africa, is in The Rand. South Africa also has many other commercial mineral deposits, including uranium, copper, nickel, platinum, uranium, asbestos, chromium, phosphates, vanadium, tin, titanium, beryllium, manganese, and iron ores.

The chief manufactured goods are clothing, processed foods, chemicals, and metal items, including iron and steel products. South Africa does not have to depend on other countries for these items. Most of the factories in South Africa are in or near the cities of Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town. The gold and diamonds allowed South Africa to become a modern, industrial nation. South Africa can pay for expensive irrigation systems for dry farmland. It has capital to support good schools and universities and is able to construct good houses with modern facilities. Some South Africans live a very comfortable life.

South Africa has some of the best farmland in the world. Many kinds of crops are grown here. This is because there are several different climates in South Africa. The first type of climate and farmland is Mediterranean. The Mediterranean climate is good for growing fresh fruit, especially grapes, and wheat. Farther inland is quite dry. Here sheep and cattle are raised. The second type of climate and farmland is the subtropical sugar lands. They are in the coastal area near the city of Durban.

The upland hilly grassland of the plateau in South Africa is the High Veld. It is the third type of climate and farmland. The rainfall is seasonal, but the High Veld has a good underground water supply. Farmers of the High Veld grow most of the corn in South Africa. They feed the corn to beef cattle.

The country has a well-developed tourist industry. The tourists are attracted by numerous natural reserves, sunny beaches and excellent service. The internationally famous Sun City resort, the entertainment mecca of Africa, attracts some three million visitors a year. It offers everything one could ever want from a holiday in Africa: luxury accommodation, entertainment (such as parasailing, jetskiing, and balloon flights), wildlife and superb climate. There is also the Lost City, one of the world's most exciting tourist destinations. It is set in a man-made rain forest. The Lost City Golf Course has a colony of 33 crocodiles as a permanent hazard, which helps to make an interesting game. Another clement of the Lost City is the Valley of Waves, the world's most advanced water park which offers dramatic water slides and an enormous wave pool on which 2 m surfing waves are generated.