Tropical Africa occupies a marginal position in the world economic system yet it covers an area larger than North and Central America. The region has seemingly insurmountable problems. An inadequate understanding of its peoples and environments has led to inappropriate development strategies and projects often creating more problems than solutions. Tropical Africa reveals the region's diversity and dynamism, showing how its peoples and environments have interacted over time. Considerable social, economic and political instabilities still exist post independence; this book considers development strategies, the environment and cooperation between and within African states in light of past, present and future problems. Detailed case studies bring these patterns and processes to life.