West Africa facts

Liberia was created in 1847 by freed slaves from the United States. They established a government modelled on that of the United States and named its capital city, Monrovia after James Monroe, a prominent supporter of the colonization.

In Mauritania. Today up to 600,000 Mauritanians, or 20% of the population, are still enslaved, mainly the "black Moors" of Haratin people. Though legally abolished in 1981, slavery did not become a crime until 2007, and since then only one person has been prosecuted for owning slaves. The issue of slavery is still powerful theme in the country's political debate.

Sahara. The Richat Structure in Mauritania, also known as the Eye of the Sahara, was interpreted as an asteroid impact structure, but no evidence of shock metamorphism has been found. Today, scientists believe that it is a huge (40 km in diameter) and deeply eroded geologic dome.

In Africa. The sandstone cliff in Bandigara Escarpment rises about 500 meters high and has a length of approximately 150 kilometers. The area of the escarpment is inhabited today by the Dogon people, but small houses attached to the cliff face were built by the Tellem people, who were pygmies or "small red people". Tellem people dissapeared for unknown reason before the area was discovered by Europeans. Dogons describe the Tellem as possessing the power of flight.

Senegal. The country of Senegal is named after the Senegal River that borders it to the east and north.

Islam has been widespread in the region since the 10th century. Today, about 96.4% of the total population of Senegal are Muslims.

Islam has been widespread in the region since the 10th century. About 99% of the total population of Niger are Muslims.