The Borders of Africa: How History Shaped the Continent’s Map

Africa’s map is unlike any other, its borders are a mix of straight lines, jagged edges, and landlocked nations. Unlike many other continents, where natural landscapes or historical divisions influenced boundaries, much of Africa’s map was drawn with little regard for its geography or the people who lived there. Today, the continent consists of 54 countries, many of which were shaped by decisions made by European colonial powers in the late 19th century.

A pivotal moment in this history was the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, where European nations divided Africa among themselves without African representation. The consequences of this meeting continue to be seen in the continent’s unusual borders. Here’s a look at some of the most intriguing territorial oddities and the stories behind them.

The Land No One Wants: Bir Tawil

In northeastern Africa, between Egypt and Sudan, lies a barren piece of land measuring around 2,000 square kilometers (795 square miles). What makes Bir Tawil unique is that neither country claims it.

The origins of this unclaimed land trace back to 1899 when Britain, which controlled both Egypt and Sudan at the time, established the border along the 22nd parallel north. However, just three years later, in 1902, Britain adjusted the borders, placing the fertile and strategically valuable Hala’ib Triangle under Sudan’s administration while giving Bir Tawil to Egypt.

After gaining independence, Egypt and Sudan each argued for the border that benefited their claims over the Hala’ib Triangle. Egypt preferred the original 1899 demarcation, while Sudan upheld the 1902 arrangement. Since claiming Bir Tawil would mean giving up the Hala’ib Triangle, neither country is willing to do so, making Bir Tawil one of the rare places in the world with no official owner.

The Gambia: A Narrow Nation Carved by Colonial Interests

On the western coast of Africa lies The Gambia, a long, slender country that follows the Gambia River and is nearly surrounded by Senegal. It is the smallest mainland African nation, home to around three million people.

The Gambia’s peculiar shape stems from its colonial past. In the 15th century, Portuguese explorers reached the region, which later became a significant hub for the transatlantic slave trade. By the 19th century, the British controlled The Gambia, while France ruled neighboring Senegal.

In 1889, Britain and France formally agreed on The Gambia’s borders, limiting British territory to approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) on either side of the river, extending inland to the farthest navigable point at Yarbutenda. A popular legend suggests that the British determined the country’s width by firing cannonballs from their ships, though there is no historical proof of this.

Cabinda: Angola’s Isolated Province

Moving down Africa’s western coast, a small enclave known as Cabinda sits geographically apart from the rest of Angola. It is separated by a narrow strip of land belonging to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Cabinda’s unusual status can be traced to European colonial rule. During the Berlin Conference, Portugal’s claim to Cabinda was recognized, though it was initially considered separate from Angola. Over time, Portugal merged Cabinda with Angola administratively.

When Angola gained independence in 1975, Cabinda’s future became a contentious issue. The Alvor Agreement, which established Angola as a sovereign state, did not include representatives from Cabinda, leading to ongoing separatist movements in the region. Cabinda remains part of Angola today, largely because of its valuable offshore oil reserves.

Namibia’s Panhandle: The Caprivi Strip

In southern Africa, Namibia features a peculiar extension known as the Caprivi Strip. This narrow stretch of land reaches eastward, connecting Namibia to the Zambezi River.

This strip was the result of German and British colonial negotiations in 1890. Germany, which controlled Namibia (then German South West Africa), sought direct access to the Zambezi River to establish a trade route to German East Africa (modern-day Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi). In exchange for Britain’s approval, Germany relinquished its claims over Zanzibar.

However, the plan proved futile, as the Germans had overlooked a significant obstacle, Victoria Falls. The massive waterfall, located about 65 kilometers (40 miles) east of the Caprivi Strip, rendered the Zambezi River impractical for navigation, making the land swap effectively useless.

Lesotho: A Country Within a Country

Completely surrounded by South Africa, the mountainous nation of Lesotho stands as one of the world’s few countries entirely enclosed by another.

In the 19th century, the Basotho people, led by King Moshoeshoe I, established their kingdom in the highlands to defend against Zulu and Boer incursions. Seeking protection from colonial expansion, Moshoeshoe allied with the British, leading to Basutoland becoming a British protectorate in 1868.

Attempts to integrate it into South Africa failed, largely due to resistance from the Basotho people. When South Africa formed in 1910, Basutoland remained under British rule, allowing it to avoid South Africa’s apartheid policies. It eventually gained independence as Lesotho in 1966.

Why Are There Three African Countries Named Guinea?

Several nations share the name “Guinea,” three of which are in West Africa:

– Guinea: Formerly French Guinea, it became independent in 1958.

The term “Guinea” is believed to have originated from the Portuguese word Guiné, which referred to the coastal region of West Africa.

The Two Congos: A Colonial Legacy

Two African nations, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of the Congo, lie on opposite sides of the Congo River, both named after it.

Their names stem from the powerful Kingdom of Kongo, which once thrived in the region. However, during the colonial period, Belgium controlled what is now the DRC (then called the Belgian Congo), while France ruled the Republic of the Congo (then French Congo).

Even after independence, both retained “Congo” in their names, though the larger country (formerly Zaire) later became the Democratic Republic of the Congo to differentiate itself from its smaller neighbor.

The Impact of Colonial Borders

Africa’s borders tell a story of colonial influence, arbitrary divisions, and geopolitical struggles. These boundaries, often drawn without considering the continent’s diverse cultures and landscapes, continue to shape the political and social realities of African nations today. While some disputes persist, these borders also reflect the resilience of the people who live within them, forging their own identities despite the legacies of the past.