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Egypt is a country of great contrasts. Case studies taken across its landscapes, from its deserts to its cities, introduce us to the lives of many Egyptians.

Full-color throughout, the six-volume ""Peoples and Cultures of Africa"" set provides a comprehensive, authoritative, and thoroughly up-to-date review of one of the world's largest and most fascinating continents. Five of the six volumes cover large geographical regions, namely North Africa, West Africa, southern Africa, East Africa, and Central Africa. These volumes contain regional introductions, including a series of maps, language family trees, and an illustrated timeline, followed by A-to-Z...

As a child in a small rural village in Sierra Leone, Mariatu Kamara lived peacefully surrounded by family and friends. Rumors of rebel attacks were no more than a distant worry. But when 12-year-old Mariatu set out for a neighboring village, she never arrived. Heavily armed rebel soldiers, many no older than children themselves, attacked and tortured Mariatu. During this brutal act of senseless violence they cut off both her hands. Stumbling through the countryside, Mariatu miraculously survive...

At the start of the 21st century, there is a mood of optimism in Nigeria. A civilian government, led by President Obasanjo, has passed laws to reduce corruption and promote foreign investment. There are signs that the economy is improving. But will this lead to good healthcare, strong education and reduced poverty for Nigeria's youthful and rapidly growing population? Meet the people of Nigeria and learn about the diversity of their lives from a mobile phone saleswoman in Abuja to a conservation...

A journey up the Nile River is a voyage along the largest river in the world. We travel the entire 6,670km, from the enormous Lake Victoria in East Africa, to the huge fan-shaped delta where the Nile joins the Mediterranean Sea. Along the way we will see some beautiful landscapes, exotic wildlife and learn more about the people and places that line this extraordinary river. In this title, the river has been divided into six sections and each section begins with a map showing the area that will b...

It started as an assignment. Everyone in Caitlin's class wrote to an unknown student somewhere in a distant place. Martin was lucky to even receive a pen-pal letter. There were only ten, and forty kids in his class. But he was the top student, so he got the first one. That letter was the beginning of a correspondence that spanned six years and changed two lives. In this compelling dual memoir, Caitlin and Martin recount how they became best friends--and better people--through their long-distanc...

Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton gives American kids a firsthand look at growing up in Kenya as a member of a tribe of nomads whose livelihood centers on the raising and grazing of cattle. Readers share Lekuton's first encounter with a lion, the epitome of bravery in the warrior tradition. They follow his mischievous antics as a young Maasai cattle herder, coming-of-age initiation, boarding school escapades, soccer success, and journey to America for college. Lekuton's riveting text combines exotic deta...

Noted for its European and indigenous cultural influences, beautiful physical setting, and biological diversity, Cape Town is a major seaport and legislative capital of South Africa. Having endured apartheid for 50 years, with the ruling white population enjoying the privileges of power and wealth, the city is now coming to terms with its past. Still, a tenth of its citizens live in slums without plumbing or electricity. Slum dwellers have high rates of infectious diseases; HIV/AIDS is a serious...

Nations and Personalities provides details on every African country and continent-wide international organizations. Invaluable reference featured in this volume include an extended glossary, further resources, a set index, and short biographies on famous and infamous Africans, from Idi Amin to notables such as Nelson Mandela, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and Nobel Prize-winning novelist, Wole Soyinka. Sections included are: Making History/Music/Art; Speak; The Diaspora; Roots; Connections; Proverbs/Sa...

Africa is well known for its fascinating wildlife and its abundant natural resources. However, the continents resources are shrinking rapidly as a result of industrialization and population growth. In recent years scientists have seen a dramatic loss in wildlife and habitat, an increase in air and water pollution, and disturbing signs of climate change. This book discusses the ecological issues facing Africa today, including deforestation and desertification, threats to the continents biodiversi...