A dutch map of Africa dividing it into different regions,
that may help you get your bearings.
I love maps. I know the geography of the United States cold. I know where the state boundaries are, the rivers, the mountains, the cities.
I also know South America pretty well, no doubt due to four years of español in high school.
Europe gets me a little fuzzy on the eastern side where there are all those new countries since I was in school, but I have that down well also.
But Africa. I know that there are lots of countries and I have a rough idea of where my favorite animals live. I know the names of African countries - for example, I knew Cameroon was in Africa. But does it have a coast? Until recently, I didn't know.
Learn more about Africa at Wikivoyage!
1885 map of Africa by John Bartholomew, showing the situation on the eve of the European scramble for Africa. States shown include Alaouite Morocco, Ottoman Algeria, Tunis, Tripolitania and Egypt, Abyssinia, and in the south Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal. Detail shown in the interior of the continent is based on then-recent expeditions, such as the exploration of Lake Victoria by Henry Morton Stanley in 1871
This interactive quiz was a great study tool for me:
Do You Know Africa? - Washington Post
The first time I did it, I got maybe a third right. Then, I did it every day for a week - with a labeled map to reference. Now, I can get 100% without any references. As a bonus, I find my understanding of and interest in issues in Africa is significantly improved even in the last few weeks. Instantly I know where the country is, with some idea of its climate and terrain and access to the ocean and major rivers. It's very pleasing to me.
This modern map will help you do the quiz! Warning: even with this map to reference, I bet you'll still find the quiz is difficult.
Since I started studying, I've also taken more time to pick up random articles about the culture and general background about countries where I know little.
Aerial view of Victoria Falls from 2006. Can you find it on the map?
So, let's help each other learn more about Africa. Tell us something about a place you know about, and help us all pin that story on a mental map so we know where that place is.