Updated: December 05, 2011
Widespread hunger, AIDS and enduring ethnic and political conflict have created one of the most intractably violent regions on the planet. Recently, the region has seen some increased stability, but it's important to remember and understand what happened there as development continues.Explore the history of some countries with our interactive pieces here.
Use the interactive map to explore Africa's crisis country by country.
From British independence to a booming economy, see the events that have shaped Kenya's history
It's the poorest region on Earth, where most people survive on less than $1 a day. Find out what your spending habits could buy in Africa, and how many lives you could save.
Understand what life is like in the richest and poorest nations of the world.











