Down with stereotypes: TOP-17 myths about Africa

It is necessary to stop perceiving Africa as a slave-holding continent, where, except for aggressive people, wild animals, hunger and terrible diseases, there is nothing. Such stereotypes have long been inadequate, since progress is moving the world.

Despite the development of television and the Internet, many people have left the wrong perception of the hottest continent - Africa. There are those who are sure that they live in huts, go without clothes and kill whites. All these are myths that are time to debunk once and for all.

1. Myth # 1 - Africa is backward

On the hot continent there are developed countries, so innovation and high technologies are not alien to them. According to the indicator of the number of mobile payments and the prevalence of mobile banking, East Africa is the world leader. 90% of Africans have mobile phones. In Africa, there are programmers who have developed several useful gadgets for the population, for example, a service that provides farmers with advice on pastoralism and rapid notification of a natural disaster. In countries such as Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa, production of their own cars has been established.

2. Myth №2 - Ebola fever is spread all over the place

Many tourists refuse to travel to this continent, fearing a deadly disease. It is important to know that Ebola fever is prevalent in the country of Sierra Leone and the surrounding areas, and in other countries there is no virus.

3. Myth # 3 - Africans live in huts

Progress has not bypassed this continent, so large cities have a well-developed infrastructure with modern architecture. At the moment, at the lowest stage of development are tribes of Bushmen, who really live in huts.

4. Myth number 4 - the existence of the African language

In fact, there is no single language on the territory of this continent that everyone enjoys. Hundreds of different languages ​​are concentrated here, for example, only in Namibia 20 languages ​​are national, among which German, English, Portuguese, hemb, san and so on.

5. Myth # 5 - conflicts and wars always occur in Africa

A similar stereotype arose back in the 90s, when the continent was really embroiled in cruel proceedings. There were times when 15 wars unfolded simultaneously. Since that time, everything has changed, and at the moment no bloody conflicts have been fixed. The hardened situation is in eastern Nigeria, where the government is conducting a counter-terrorist operation against militants from Boko Haram. Misunderstandings in most cases arise because of the colonial heritage, as the previous rulers defined the boundaries as they liked. Studies have shown that only 26% of borders in the African region are natural.

6. Myth # 6 - only black people live in Africa

Mixing races is observed on different continents, and Africa is no exception. The first white people who settled here were the Portuguese. They chose Namibia for life, and it happened about 400 years ago. On the territory of South Africa, the Dutch settled, and the wild jungles of Angola liked the French. In addition, it should be noted that even Africans differ from each other in skin color.

7. Myth # 7 - everyone in Africa is starving

Yes, the problem of hunger is urgent, but not global, because in many cities people eat normally. In addition, Africa accounts for 20% of all fertile soils on the planet, while more than 60 million hectares, suitable for agriculture, is not used.

8. Myth # 8 - tourists eat lions and other animals

The statistics are inexorable: in the wild nature of the lions there are not so many, and it's almost impossible to visit them to tourists. To see the majestic cats, you need to go to the national park, pay money and go on a safari under the guidance of the guide. Deaths were not recorded.

9. Myth # 9 - Africa does not have a history

People are sure that this continent of slaves, which is constantly colonized and plundered, so there can not be historical monuments on it. All these are stereotypes. Do not forget about the great ancient Egyptian pyramids and other monuments located in the north. This is not all that can be seen while traveling on this earth. For example, you can visit the beautiful ruins of Great Zimbabwe and Timbuktu, where universities were located in the 12th century. Incredible is the city of Fez, which is called "Athens in Africa". What else deserves attention is the oldest educational institution in the world - Madrasah Al-Karaviyin and rock churches in Lalibela of Ethiopia. Does anyone else doubt that Africa has no history?

10. Myth # 10 - Africans hate whites and even kill them

The division into white and black among the African people is present, but aggressive perception is extremely rare. In developed countries and, especially, at resorts to people with a different skin color are completely calm. If you do not want problems, you do not need to leave the hiking trails and yourself aggressively behave yourself.

11. Myth # 11 - Africa is a continent of tyranny

A huge number of people believe that there is no democracy on the African continent, but this is an unjustified stereotype. The American president in 2012 confidently stated that Ghana and Senegal can be considered examples of the development of democracy. The level of democratic regimes across the continent is different. It is worth noting that, given the mentality of Africans, it is much more comfortable for them to live when the ruler-father is at the head.

12. Myth number 12 - high risk of dying from malaria

Of course, malarial mosquitoes on this continent are present, but if you follow the rules of protection, that is, use repellents, wear closed clothes in the evenings, use mosquito nets and take medicines, then you can not be afraid of infection. In hotels and hostels above the bed, mosquito nets are always hung, which protects against mosquitoes.

13. Myth # 13 - Africa - poor continent

Yes, many countries have problems, and a large number of people are beyond the poverty line, but the continent itself is rich. Minerals, oil, gold and fertile land - all this brings huge profits. Formed in Africa, the middle class (it includes 20-40 million people), where the income per person is more than $ 1 thousand per month.

14. Myth # 14 - snakes - at every turn

A common phobia is the fear of snakes, which, according to many people, are very numerous in Africa. Do not think that at every step you will be waiting for a meeting with a cobra, boa and other reptiles. Yes, there are many of them, but only in the jungle, and if you are in tourist places, then there is no danger.

15. Myth number 15 - not enough drinking water

Photographs depicting African children who are thirsty are horrible, but this state of affairs is not common. If a tourist has money, then there will be no problems with buying a bottle of water. Interestingly, Coca-Cola is sold even in remote Masai villages.

16. Myth # 16 - it's better not to hitchhike

Hitchhiking is very common in Europe and America, and in Africa it is possible. In addition, according to reviews, it is much easier and quicker to catch a car here than in developed countries on other continents. It is important to address the driver before landing and to stipulate that the trip will be free, then there will be no problems.

17. Myth # 17 - there is no couchurfing

Millions of people around the world travel on the principles of couchsurfing: before you go on the road, the Internet is a variant of free housing. This is possible in Africa. In addition, the percentage of positive responses is much higher than in Europe. Of course, do not count on luxury terms, but they will accept you unequivocally sincerely.