Sub-Saharan Africa Travels - Essay Example

?Sub-Saharan Africa Travels First and College First and Department..., of... [Student’s First and Last Name] is now at Department of..., University of... This research was in part supported by the grant awarded to [Student’s First and Last Name] by [Sample Grant Programme]. Correspondence concerning this research paper should be addressed to [Student’s First and Last Name], Department..., University of..., [Address] Contact: Sub-Saharan Africa Travels Serengeti The beginning of my travels through the Sub-Saharan Africa took me across the Serengeti region, which, with its vibrant ecosystem, is one of the most important and diverse parts of the African environment. The Serengeti mammal population is considered the largest one in the world, which makes it a perennial visiting site for tourists from across the whole world (Partridge, 2006, May 20). From the purely aesthetic point of view, Serengeti is one of the most picturesque territories in the whole African continent. Topographically, Serengeti encompasses a stretch of wide plains and open woodlands in southern Kenya, northern Tanzania, with the Olduvai Gorge, famous site where the fossils of first prehistoric hominid species were found, cutting across its territory (Sinclair & Norton-Griffiths, 1979, p. vii). Serengeti’s nature is its main treasure, with the host of certain mammalian species being more prevalent there than elsewhere in the continent. The migrant herbivore mammals are the most likely encounters for any tourist or traveler wishing to cross the Serengeti. The ecosystem of Serengeti, covering more than 25,000 sq. km, possess the well-defined natural boundaries that restrict these grazing animals’ migratory movements and effectively explain the abundance of their various species there. To the north, the Loita plains of Kenya, with their dry conditions, limit the possible northward movements of the mammal herds, while to the east and south the Gol Mountains present further complications for any would-be migrant grazers (Sinclair & Norton-Griffiths, 1979, p.31). The only part of geographical surroundings that allow relatively safe connection to the external environment is the south-east crater highlands, with the Ngorongoro Crater hosting a variety of resident mammal population due to its abundant grass vegetation (p.32). The animal world of the Serengeti region is extremely diverse. When passing through the area, I encountered large herds of Blue Wildebeests, zebras and Thomson’s gazelles, in addition to less prominent, but not less diverse, herds of various lesser wildebeests and gazelles. The wildebeests of all types are the special attraction for all the visitors of Serengeti area, as they are increasingly involved in gargantuan-scale migrations that may encompass up to one million animals in them. The Serengeti region is one of the most picturesque and interesting areas of East Africa. It represents the best example of the still flourishing fauna of this part of the continent and, as such, can be recommended for further visits by the curious travelers. Ngorongoro Crater Area The next sight to be visited in the course of my travels across the Sub-Saharan Africa was the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which presents an example of combination of the geologically complex landscape and the lively and diverse ecosystem. The history of the Ngorongoro area is rather interesting, as this region was one of the most ancient places of human settlement, as well as of the highly volatile relations between different local peoples and tribes. Nonetheless, the main attraction of the Ngorongoro region lies in its spectacular geological features, as well as in its rich variety of fauna. From the geological standpoint, the Ngorongoro Crater attests to the volatile processes of mountain building that used to occur in this area millions years ago. Judging from the data produced by modern geologists, about 2 million years ago, the Ngorongoro Peak may have been equal to that of Kilimanjaro in its grandeur. However, later a terrible catastrophe took place, with the remains of the peak forming the cauldron-like crater, which is currently oftenmost associated with the Ngorongoro region. The Ngorongoro Crater itself is gigantic, being 2,000 ft deep and covering 100 sq mi on its floor (Pavitt, 2001, pp.135-139). It appears that the original volcano’s height may have reached the level of range 19,000 feet above the sea level (Briggs, 2006, p.197). In total, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area that is based on the crater and its environs encompasses up to 8,280 km2, making this preserve one of the largest secluded areas of natural conservation in Africa. The enclosed character of the Ngorongoro ecosystem makes it a splendid example of the East African fauna that has been largely marginalized or eradicated in other parts of the region. The natural world of the Ngorongoro is dominated by grazing mammals that are really ubiquitous there. Such species as Thompson’s gazelles, wildebeest, and many others are present here. The Ngorongoro’s most vivid attraction in this respect is the endangered species of black rhinoceros, which is generally limited to this area in their movement. As is the case with the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro is the territory through which the great migratory movements of large herds of wildebeest and similar grazers take place annually. Up to several million animals may pass the caldera every year. The Ngorongoro region offers a relatively wide array of African predators as well. Lions are especially prominent attraction of the area. Even though they are generally marginalized by the developments that are found in modern conditions, the Ngorongoro lions are famous among the travelers engaging in safari pursuits. Nonetheless, their decline due to increasing genetic isolation and the lack of external breeding partners may prove disastrous for their population. The Ngorongoro crater area is incredibly beautiful and variegated. When crossing the region I have seen a lot of vistas that warrant further visits in the future. The safari routes across the Ngorongoro are very much worth visiting, as the The City of Mombasa Having enjoyed the variety of Kenya’s wildlife, it is useful to get a look at the ancient culture of this nation, which is intermingled with Arab and European influences, while retaining its unique African flavor. In order to do so, one should go no further than Mombasa, the second largest Kenyan city and the important attraction for the foreign tourists coming into nation. Mombasa’s old town is situated in the island of the same name, which has historically played an important role in securing the town’s role as a trading hub on the route from the Red Sea to Indian Ocean and, later on, for the European colonial endeavors along East African coast. While it was relatively sparsely populated at the time of Kenya attaining formal independence from Great Britain, nowadays Mombasa boasts the population of more than 850,000 people. The city’s main industries include cement manufacturing and salt processing, yet its main attraction for a Western traveler is arguably the architecture of Mombasa’s historical quarters, colloquially known as Mombasa’s Old Town. The Old Town occupies a not insignificant area of 72 hectares and is situated to the east of the Mombasa Island. The bulk of its buildings originated in the era of Great Discoveries, as well as in the 17th century, due to the fact that it was at this time that Portuguese traders and government-sponsored explorers began settling (and trying to control) the territory of Mombasa. The architecture of this period features a curious intermix of Arab and European styles, which is by itself enough to draw the curiosity of tourists. The area’s most prominent sight is, without doubt, Fort Jesus, a 16th century Portuguese fortress that has historically been contested and won by the plethora of nations competing over the dominance along East African coast. Fort Jesus was erected in the year of 1593 for the express purpose of safeguarding the Mombasa Island, then under the Portuguese control, from the possible depredations by rival powers. The peculiarity that marks this fort, separating it from the other structures of the same purpose, lies in the fact that it was constructed to emulate the shape of a human body. This gives its architectural layout a greater sense of complexity, and this, in addition with the simple fact that Fort Jesus is the oldest well-preserved fortification structure built by the Portuguese in the East, makes Fort Jesus so interesting to visit and explore. In purely architectural sense, Fort Jesus presents a powerful testimony to the talents of the 16th century European builders. Designed by famous Milanese architect Giovanni Battista Cairati, it was the formidable obstacle to the attempts by Portugal’s foes to smash the latter’s dominance over the coast. The red-colored brick walls of the Fort underscore its connectedness with the Arab tradition of architecture, though, as it was the material most often utilized by Arab and other Islamic architects of the area. Fort Jesus presents a variety of diverse buildings on its territory and is open to tourists. In addition, it hosts a museum of the regional history, which may be of interest to anyone wishing to know more about the incredibly diverse and complicated history of East Africa. Finally, the Fort is a principal site for several Mombasa city offices, so anyone wishing to get to know more about the city in general may just as well visit it. Gondar Having left the territory of Kenya, with its many majestic vistas and rich cultural heritage, I decided to examine the ancient land of Ethiopia, which is one of the oldest and most original of the civilizations born by African continent. The Ethiopian traditional civilization was both similar and distinct from its Egyptian and generally Mediterranean cousins, and that is why it may be useful to see by oneself, which features of traditional Ethiopian culture are the most striking and unique for our contemporaries. In order to do so, I decided to visit the ancient city of Gondar. Situated southwest of the Semien Mountains that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, this city is unique, as it rises 2113 metres above the sea level, making it one of the most ‘mountainous’ of historical capital cities of the world. Gondar’s most important attractions lies in its legacy as the capital of Solomonic Emperors of Ethiopia, the ancient dynasty of the nation’s rulers that claimed descent from the Biblical King Solomon (Getamun, 2005). Gondar features a host of castle-style palace buildings that historically hosted the imperial family during their stay in the city. Among the most prominent of the former, one should mention the Fasilides Castle that was built by the city’s effective founder, Emperor Fasilides, as early as 1635. This castle is one of the finest examples of Ethiopian traditional stone architecture. It is an integral part of the Fasil Ghebbi complex that encompasses the wide array of buildings that played both ceremonial and functional role for the Ethiopian imperial court in the 17th to 18th centuries. The castle itself has several towers, with the largest one dominating the bulwark around the building. The total territory of Fasil Ghebbi comprises some 70,000 square metres (Munro-Hay, 2002). The city of Gondar astonished me by its sophisticated stone architecture and the general sense of the spirit of old times, when the Ethiopia was dominated by the ancient ruling dynasty, which traced its origins back to King Solomon and the Queen of Ophir. The city itself is worth visiting under any weather conditions, as it presents a picturesque and unforgettable memory for a traveler. Simien Mountains While Ethiopia is commonly viewed in the West as the country of sands and arid farmlands, this is far from the truth, as the nation may boast some of the more picturesque landscapes of all found in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Simien Mountains, which form the crux of the Ethiopia’s national park of the same name, are particularly interesting in this respect. The mountain range itself offers a variety of vistas that may capture the imagination of anyone wishing to venture there. The Ras Dashen peak, which is the tallest in the Simien Mountains, reaches the height of 4,550 metres above the sea level. Ras Dashen may have used to be a part of the larger volcanic mountain in the remote past, before some geological catastrophe split it from its peers. This hypothesis is underpinned by relatively volcanic landscape of the mount. Nonetheless, despite its formidable height, Ras Dashen’s environs are really hospitable, featuring the remains of the older pastoral settlements and even the ruins of the 19th century fort that may be of interest to anyone fond of pre-modern architecture. With respect to the wildlife, the Simien Mountains feature a relatively large sample of otherwise unique animals that cannot be found in other parts of Africa. Among these species, the Ethiopian wolf, also known as the Simien fox, is one of the most interesting ones, with the total population, unfortunately, having been reduced to some hundreds. The Ethiopian wolves are more common in the south of the country, yet I have had a chance to glance at one of these relatively frail canine beings while visiting the Simien Mountains National Park. The preservation of this species, like in the case of its other peers, depends directly on the concerted efforts of the humankind. Having a rest in one of the Addis Ababa hotels, I have continued reminiscing on the immense variety of African continent’s landscapes and cultures that are both similar and distinct from those of Europe and North America. The maintenance of this cultural and biological diversity is, in my view, instrumental to the continuing existence and well-being of the human species, and I believe that informing the others on the necessity thereof is an integral part of it. References Briggs, P. (2006). Northern Tanzania with Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar: The Bradt safari guide. Guilford, CON: The Globe Pequot Press.  Getamun, S. (2005). History of the City of Gondar. Lawrenceville, NJ: Africa World Press. Munro-Hay, S.C. (2002). Ethiopia, the unknown land: A cultural and historical guide. London: I.B. Tauris. Partridge, F. (2006, May 20). The fast show. The Independent, pp. 2A. Pavitt, N. (2001). Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Boston, MA: Harry N. Abrams. Sinclair, A., & Norton-Griffiths, M., eds. (1979). Serengeti: Dynamics of a ecosystem. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Read More