Beanie Books

Welcome to Casablanca, Morocco! An Old Friend  History - Morocco has a unique place in early American history. In 1777, it was the first foreign country to recognize the United States. The Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship of 1786 remains our oldest unbroken alliance treaty.  Casablanca , Morocco’s largest city, also has a special place in American culture. The 1942 movie by that name, starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart, won the Academy Award for Best Picture. It is widely regarded as an American classic.   Tourism  - Morocco’s economy is stable, and tourism is an important industry, just behind agriculture. Each year the country welcomes millions of visitors. Many flock to the urban cafés, where they can sip mint tea and enjoy the spectacle. Morocco is culturally diverse, and several languages are commonly spoken here, including Arabic, Berber, French and Spanish. It’s not unusual for Moroccan speakers to move from one language t...

Algiers, Algeria ‘Algerian Pompeii’ Size - Algeria’s land mass is the largest of any African country, and the 10th largest in the world. Its area exceeds 900,000 square miles — four times the size of Texas — although nearly 90% of this land is in the Sahara Desert, and mostly uninhabited. History - Algeria has a long and fascinating history. It was a Phoenician trading hub, and later a Roman colony. Prior to French occupation in 1830, it was a stronghold for Barbary pirates. In Algiers, you can visit the Martyrs’ Memorial to those who fought and died for Algeria’s independence, won in 1962. The 300-foot memorial features three giant palm fronds joined at the top by a dome that protects an eternal flame. It’s just one of many impressive monuments and architectural treasures in the city. Others include: Great Mosque of Algiers. Built in 1097, it is the oldest mosque in the city, and a rare remaining example of Almoravid architecture. Djama’a al-Djedid Mosque . Bui...

Welcome to Bamako, Mali! To Timbuktu and Back Mali has been a democracy since 1992. With only 18.5 million people, it is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Africa. This is partly because the northern third of the country is in the Sahara Desert, where temperatures during the day can reach nearly 140° F. H olidays  -  Mali celebrates several holidays each year — some religious, including Christmas, Easter, and the end of Ramadan — and some civic, such as Armed Forces Day, National Independence Day, and “National Complaints Day,” when citizens are able to bring complaints to the government without fear of reprisal. (This might sound strange in America, where complaining to the government is an inalienable right every day!) Dance - Mali likes to dance. It has a ballet company that performs worldwide. But the country is most famous for its traditional dancers, sometimes portraying animal spirits and donning masks that are as intricate and compelling ...

Welcome to Accra, Ghana! A True Homecoming Museums   -  Like Nigeria , Ghana also has its museums — among them, the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles. Set on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, these bright, stately buildings have a dark history: Along with 30 other castles and forts on Ghana’s coast, these were the points of departure for millions of African men and women captured and sold into bondage during the slave trade. History - Many of the surviving fortresses are now museums. They tell the painful story of slavery and its brutality. They also are part of an ambitious government program to increase tourism in Ghana from 1 million visitors a year to 8 million by 2027. The intent is not to exploit the crimes of history. Rather, it is to ensure that this horrific chapter is never forgotten. As the first sub-Saharan African nation to win independence from colonial rule, Ghana has a tradition of reaching out to foreigners of African descent. Its Right of Abode...

Abuja, Nigeria Art, Antiquity … and Bukas! Population Nigeria has by far the largest population in Africa, with about 200 million people. It also has one of Africa’s largest economies, with much of its wealth coming from oil reserves. English is the official language in Nigeria, although there are literally hundreds of languages spoken here. Independence Nigeria gained independence in 1960, and after decades of military rule it now has a civilian government. Despite wide economic inequality, Nigeria is classified as a middle-income country. It is America’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. All of this means Nigeria is open for business. It maintains a brisk tourism trade, with lots to see and do. Idanre hills Let’s start with the Idanre hills in the southwestern part of the country. Evidence of human habitation in Nigeria dates back thousands of years. You can see remnants of this ancient activity as you hike up the hills, including the 667 steps ...

Kinshasa, Congo Heart of Africa The Congo River -  The legendary and literal “heart” of Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is inherently linked to the river that runs through it. The Congo River basin covers an area of more than a million square miles — including most of the country. The Congo is the world’s deepest river, and one of the longest. It is essential to the region’s economic and cultural existence.   Rainfall - Located on the equator, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has an annual rainfall of about 60 inches. The country contains the world’s second-largest rain forest — only the Amazon rainforest is larger. Like Zimbabwe, the DRC is rich in natural resources, including cobalt, copper, cadmium, zinc, manganese, iron ore and many other heavy metals — in addition to diamonds, gold and silver. Unfortunately, these resources have invited both exploitation and corruption, leaving the DRC one of the poorest countries in the world....

Harare, Zimbabwe! Zimbabwe’s recent history is marked by civil unrest that has severely weakened the country’s economy. Between 2003 and 2009, inflation spiraled out of control, causing the collapse of many public and private institutions and resulting in widespread unemployment. Life can be hard in this country of about 13 million, whose natural resources ironically include diamonds, gold and platinum. In recent decades, tourism in Zimbabwe has plummeted. For those who have stayed away, here is what they have been missing: Victoria Falls . Located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and dropping 355 feet, Victoria Falls is among the most impressive waterfalls in the world. In fact, the falls have been included among the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Safari . Zimbabwe is still one of the best safari destinations in Africa. Hwange National Park, which opened in 1928, features 400 bird and 100 mammal species, including many large carnivore and herbivore specie...

Cape Town, South Africa Sea to Shining Sea South Africa , a country of 57 million people, has one of the largest economies in Africa. It also has an unemployment rate of over 25% and significant income inequality. This contrasting picture reflects the challenges South Africa faces in the wake of apartheid, a system of institutional racial segregation that ended in 1994. Despite these challenges, South Africa is a vibrant, colorful country, with varied terrain and climatic regions, and more than 1,700 miles of coastline that stretches from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. The country features modern cities, beautiful beaches, and large game reserves, where visitors can view lions, leopards, wildebeests, hyenas, white rhinos, zebras, impalas, hippos, and giraffes.  Imagine viewing some of this exotic wildlife from a hot air balloon as it drifts above the Magalies River Valley! That’s just one of the many recreational offerings you’ll find in Africa’s southernmost country...

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Mountain Country Population - Located in the horn of Africa, Ethiopia is Africa’s oldest independent country. With over 100 million people, it is the second-most populous. It once had miles of coastline along the Red Sea through the Eritrea region, but it became landlocked when Eritrea won its independence in 1993. Hiking - So you won’t do much snorkeling in Ethiopia. But if hiking in high altitudes appeals to you, you’re in luck. Some 70% of Africa’s mountains are in Ethiopia, including the Bale and Semian ranges. It’s one reason the country produces so many world-class distance runners. The mountains are also home to the gelada baboon, one of several wildlife species unique to Ethiopia. Religion - Ethiopia was one of the first countries in the world to convert to Christianity, in the 4th century. It’s famous churches in Lalibela were carved out of solid rock in the 12th and 13th centuries. They attract thousands of visitors each year. He...