Côte d'Ivoire

During Medieval times, the region that is now Côte d’Ivoire was at the centre of several major African trade routes, linking the empires which then existed in Ghana and Mali. European traders had been present in the region since the 15th century, but it was not until the 19th that the French undertook a determined penetration of the region.

The territory was later incorporated into French West Africa until it was granted independence in August 1960. The leadership of the country was taken over by Félix Houphouët-Boigny, a quirkily effective politician who dominated the country’s political life for the next 30 years. Houphouët-Boigny retained close links with the West – especially France, but also apartheid South Africa.

During his time in office, Côte d'Ivoire was renowned as the most prosperous and most stable country in the West African region. It also hosted the largest French community in francophone Africa. His rule was shaken by economic recession in the 1980s, when commodity prices of the main exports, cocoa and coffee, plunged. Domestic pressure for democratisation produced further stresses.

The first multi-party elections since independence were held in 1990 which Houphouët-Boigny easily won against veteran opposition leader Laurent Gbagbo.

Houphouët-Boigny died in December 1993 and was replaced by the former speaker of the National Assembly, Henri Konan Bédié. The careful ethnic and regional balance which Houphouët-Boigny had nurtured, together with his welcoming of immigrant workers, was soon compromised. Bedie introduced the concept of 'Ivoirite' (Ivorian nationalism) into the political discourse, which quickly acquired xenophobic connotations. This began a sequence of events which was to deprive the country of its long record of stability and prosperity.

An armed rebellion in 2002 split the nation in two, and the main players in the conflict have so far failed to find a political solution. Although the fighting has stopped, the country remains divided and peacekeepers patrol the buffer zone between the rebel-held north and the government-controlled south.

Congo (Democratic Republic Of)

Congo (Dem Rep) has many beautiful landscapes, with lakes and forests, waterfalls and wildlife. However, this is a vast country, with an almost non-existent transport infrastructure. It is mired in conflict and a long and intricate history.

A five-year civil war from 1998 to 2003 resulted in the deaths of around 3 million people, not only through the fighting itself, but also through hunger and disease.

Joseph Kabila, son of assassinated former president Laurent Kabila, was installed as president in 2001 and elected by the people in a historic presidential election in 2006. He now faces the formidable job of bringing back some level of normality to this scarred country, where the threat of civil war has not disappeared

Comoros

The Comoros islands' vegetation is rich and varied: 65% of the world's perfume essence comes from here, being processed from the blossoms of ylang-ylang, jasmine and orange. Spices, including nutmeg, cloves, pepper, basil and vanilla, are another mainstay of the economy. The islands are of volcanic origin and are surrounded by coral reefs and the more energetic travellers will be eager to climb to the top of Mount Karthala, an active volcano on Ngazidja, or enjoy a vast range of watersports.

A former French Overseas Territory, the Comoros only became fully independent in 1975, despite consistent pressure on the French from the islands’ government. The main reason was the position of Mayotte, one of the original Comoros island group, which insisted upon retaining its links with France.

With Mayotte going its own way, the Comoros islands joined the United Nations as the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros, comprising three islands: Ngazidja (formerly Grande Comore), Nzwani (formerly Anjouan) and Mwali (formerly Mohéli). Mahoré (Mayotte) is administered by France but is claimed by the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros.

Since independence, instability has characterised post-independence politics on the islands, with several coup attempts.

Chad

There is much to recommend in Chad. Its capital, N'Djamena, is a friendly and laid-back city with a wonderful Central Market, where the whole experience of haggling for African produce is exceptionally good fun.

Lake Chad, once one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, is still a serene sight to behold, despite its gradual shrinkage due to climate change and increased demands. It is still of huge economic importance, providing water to millions of people in surrounding countries. Indeed, Chad itself, although one of the poorest of Africa's nations, is still geographically staggering, ranging from desert in the north to fertile farmland in the south.

Chad was first defined as a national territory in 1910, as one of the four making up French Equatorial Africa. Chad achieved independence in 1960 with François Tombalbaye, leader of the Parti Progressiste Tchadien (PPT), as prime minister. Its history since then has been characterised by political instability and tensions, largely due to religious and cultural divisions between the Muslim north and Christian/animist south - a pattern that may be found in many other African countries, including Nigeria and Sudan

Central African Republic

The public face of the Central African Republic is one that is both politically brutal and environmentally savage, troubled by recurrent Harmattan winds. Yet the private face of this country is one with an attractive countenance of forests, waterfalls and magnificent national parks that teem with wildlife. Despite the dangers that lurk in a city such as Bangui, the country's capital is friendly, with a strong emphasis on arts and crafts.

Cape Verde

The Cape Verde Islands are a bewitching blend of Portuguese and West African influences, with European-style architecture mingling alongside traditional African scenery.

Made up of ten volcanic islands and five tiny islets, Cape Verde combines spectacular mountain ranges with deserted beaches. Each individual island has its own character, from lush and lively Santiago to the quiet diving islet of Boa Vista. The islands have some of the best windsurfing conditions in the world, and diving is a treat, with many 16th century shipwrecks lining the ocean floor.

Many visitors' first impression of Cape Verde comes through the mournful songs of Cesaria Evoria, the island's best known singer. The ‘barefoot diva' is the best exponent of morna, a lovelorn type of folk music similar to Portuguese fado. Music is a key component of life on Cape Verde, and several islands stage exuberant carnivals, with the best known being the Baia das Gatas Festival.

Since achieving independence from Portugal in 1975, Cape Verde has struggle economically. However, the government is now focused on attracting tourist to the islands, and with the beauty of its scenery and friendliness of its people, they should have no problem in succeeding.

Cameroon

It is now a cliche to say that Cameroon is Africa in miniature but, as with cliches sometimes, there is an element of truth in the statement: everything you would expect from the African continent seems to be consolidated in Cameroon. The south has tropical rainforests and deserted golden beaches, whilst the northern parts have great expanses of desert, vast lakes and savannah, and volcanic mountains in-between. Wildlife is scattered throughout the country, with ample opportunity to view elephants, lions and other creatures large and small.

With such diversity and the possibility of game-viewing, it comes as a surprise to many that Cameroon is not a more frequently visited tourist destination. Yet poverty continues to blight the country and much of Cameroon's infrastructure is underdeveloped, from transport to accommodation. The unemployment rate is high and those who are employed perform mostly agricultural tasks.

The major spoken languages are French and English but a multitude of more than 200 ethnic languages are also in circulation, with various tribes populating the country. In recent years, divisions have once again been accentuated, particularly on account of opposition to President Biya from Muslim communities in the north and anglophone regions that fear discrimination at the hands of the predominately francophone regime.

Relations with Nigeria, Cameroon’s powerful neighbour, are also awkward as the result of several outstanding border disputes (linked in part to control of the oil-rich Niger delta); the main one, involving an area known as the Bakassi peninsula, has seen occasional small-scale military clashes between the two sides.

Despite its troubles, Cameroon has a wealth of activities and beautiful destinations to keep any traveller enthralled. Go, before it becomes 'discovered'.

Burundi

Burundi is geographically at the heart of Africa but, sadly, has also been at the heart of African horrors in recent years. Here is a country of wonderful landscapes, from mountaintops to forests, huge lakes to tropical plateau. Yet this topographical patchwork mirrors Burundi's cultural patchwork, one which has interwoven both Hutu and Tutsi tribal strands, often with violent consequences.

Burundi's situation is improving. President Nkurunziza, democratically elected in 2005, is engaged in peace talks and has announced applauded measures, such as that of introducing free education. However, there is still a danger of indiscriminate attacks from rebel groups in Burundi. Until these incidents are fully quashed, many will miss out on seeing the beauty of Burundi for themselves.

Burkina Faso

The landlocked state of Burkina Faso remains poor even by West African standards. However, the government is investing in tourism and measures have been taken to increase the accommodation available in the country and to make tourist destinations more attractive.

Wildlife is a key element of this objective in the eastern part of the country while the central part around Ouagadougou concentrates on business tourism. The west focuses on cultural tourism, the north on the discovery of nomadic populations and traditions.

Botswana

Outstandingly dramatic, Botswana encompasses striking salt pans, diamond-rich deserts and fertile flood plains which teem with game. The north, in particular, offers superb wildlife-watching opportunities, making this one of southern Africa's top safari destinations.

A sizable proportion of the country - over 40% - is given over to national parks, reserves and private concessions, where tourists crane their necks out of jeeps to check out the roving animals. But Botswana's policy of favouring low-impact luxury tourism ensures that even the most famous game-viewing areas rarely feel crowded.

The jewel in Botswana's crown is, without a doubt, the Okavango Delta - the largest inland delta in the world. Its seasonal lagoons and waterways are crammed with hovering birds, while zebras and giraffes amble across vast grass flats. Northeast of here is Chobe National Park, home to gigantic elephant herds, some of them 400-strong.

Botswana is one of Africa's success stories. Since gaining independence in 1966, it has achieved steady economic growth through successful exploitation of its agricultural potential and its enviable diamond reserves. It has not escaped controversy - the HIV/AIDS pandemic and alleged maltreatment of the Kalahari Bushmen have caused international concern - but it remains a peaceful and stable nation of remarkable natural beauty.

Benin

Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, was one of the first countries in the 1990s to successfully effect the transition from dictatorship to a pluralistic political system. Today, it is one of the most stable countries in Africa.

Although Benin has seen economic growth over the past few years and has a high standing with the international community, it remains among the world's poorest countries. Within West Africa, Benin enjoys stable relations with Nigeria, the main regional power. The only significant problem has been a long-running border dispute with Benin’s northern neighbour, Niger, over ownership of islands in the Niger River. This was finally resolved by the International Court of Justice in July 2005, which awarded 16 islands to Niger and nine to Benin. Both countries accepted the ruling.

Angola

Angola is re-emerging from decades of civil war, and adventurous travellers are beginning to tentatively discover its Portuguese architecture, 1650km (1025 miles) of coastline and little-visited wildlife parks.

Thick forest, elevated plains and forceful rivers define the country's landscape - along with the sands of the Namibe desert. Visitors can search for African wildlife, including the black palanca antelope, a species unique to Angola.

A ceasefire was finally achieved in 2002, paving the way for a final political settlement and, in April 2003, the people and government of Angola celebrated their first year of continuous peace for more than a quarter of a century.

Although there is still some sporadic fighting, notably between government forces and separatist groups in the oil-rich Cabinda enclave, most of the country has now embarked upon the monumental task of reconstruction.

Algeria

With more than four-fifths of its territory covered by the Sahara desert, the Sahara is Algeria's most striking feature and is drawing increasing numbers of tourists. Several flights operate from Algiers, the capital, to Ghardia, Djanet and Tamanrasset, as well as to smaller towns, oases and oil settlements.

Algerian oases generally defy the European cliché of a small patch of palms forever threatened by encroaching dunes as they are often fairly large towns with highly organised, walled-in gardens with date palms, and mosques, shops and monuments. Les hommes bleus, blue-robed Touaregs, who are the ancient nomadic inhabitants of the Hoggar Mountains, can be seen making their way in camel caravans around the inscrutable desert.

A large country, Algeria was originally inhabited by the Berbers until the Arabs conquered North Africa in the seventh century. Staying mainly in the mountainous regions, the Berbers resisted the spreading Arab influence, managing to preserve much of their language and culture until the present day. Today, they make up some 20% of the total population.

Part of the Turkish Ottoman empire from the 16th century, Algeria was conquered by the French in 1830. The country was given the status of a département in its own right. The struggle for independence began in 1954 headed by the National Liberation Front, which came to power on independence in 1962.

In the 1990s, Algerian politics was dominated by the struggle involving the military and Islamic militants. In 1992, a general election won by an Islamic party (FIS - Islamic Salvation Front) was annulled, marking the beginning of a bloody campaign which saw the slaughter of more than 150,000 people.

An amnesty in 1999 led many rebels to lay down their arms. Violence has largely abated, although a state of emergency remains in place. In 2001, the government agreed to a series of demands by the minority Berber community, after months of unrest involving Berber youths pressing for greater cultural and political recognition.

It should be noted that Algeria faces a serious internal security problem from terrorist insurgency and that travellers by road in northern Algeria are at risk of attack by terrorist groups. It is advised that all travellers be extra cautious with personal security arrangements throughout their stay. All travel to the southeastern provinces of Tamanrasset, Djanet and Illizi is currently advised against.