political affairs, economies and geography of these important countries. The information included encompasses a variety of data on sub-Saharan Africa, including background information on the region with essays written by specialists on the region on economic trends, European colonial rule and reforming Africa. Details are also provided on calendars, time reckoning and weights and measures; information about the major commodities of Africa; a political map of contemporary Africa; dates of independence of African countries; a directory of research institutes concerned with Africa; and a select bibliography. Coverage of regional organizations includes details of their activities, finances, publications and full directory data. Individual country surveys provide essays on physical and social geography, recent history and the economy; a statistical survey covering area and population, agriculture, mining, industry, finance, trade and education; and a directory of useful contacts from such fields as government, politics, diplomatic representation, religion, broadcasting and communications, finance, trade and industry, and transport. A bibliography provides sources for further reading on the region.

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