UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Africa (Part 2) Quiz

Answer: Algeria

The entrances to the Tassili n'Ajjer region are in the Algerian towns called Illizi and Tamanrasset. There are over 15,000 cave paintings in this cave area that is spread over 72,000 square kilometres. The phrase 'Tassili n'Ajjer' means 'plateau of the rivers' in Arabic.

The cave paintings are really old, with some dated back to the early Neolithic era. The paintings depict animal life such as antelopes and crocodiles, as well as humans hunting and dancing.

Answer: Egypt

Saint Catherine's Area is located at a mouth of a gorge at the foot of Mount Horeb, in the South Sinai Governorate in Egypt. Saint Catherine's Monastery is part of the Church of Sinai, which is affiliated to the Eastern Orthodox Church. The monastery was built under the orders of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I and hosts a library that is widely believed to be one of the world's longest continually-operating libraries. Mount Horeb is particularly significant in Christianity, as it is believed that Moses received the Ten Commandments of God here.

Answer: Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is located on the western bank of Lake Kivu, near the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It covers an area of about 6000 square kilometres. It is one of the few remaining habitats of the eastern lowland gorilla species.

In the past, the biodiversity of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park was threatened by activities such as deforestation and illegal poaching.

Answer: Chad

The lakes of Ounianga consist of eighteen lakes located in the Sahara desert in the Ennedi region in north-eastern Chad. The existence of the lakes are remarkable considering that the region experiences less than two millimeters of rain per year. The lakes can be broadly grouped under three categories: the Ounianga Kébir group consisting of six lakes, the Ounianga Sérir group consisting of eleven lakes, and Lake Motro, which is relatively isolated.

Answer: Namibia

Twyfelfontein is located in the Kunene region in northwestern Namibia. The region has been a site of human settlement for over 6000 years, especially by people belonging to the Khoikhoi tribes. The name '|Ui-||Ais' means 'jumping waterhole' in the local Damara language.

The languages spoken by the Khoikhoi people have several click sounds in them, and in fact, '|' represents a sound called a dental click. The numerous petroglyphs in this region are usually made of desert varnish on sandstone rock.

The petroglyphs contain images of humans and animals, as well as geometric and artistic patterns.

Answer: Tanzania

The Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara are located in the Kilwa district in Tanzania. Kilwa Kisiwani was the main power centre of the Kilwa Sultanate, which controlled a large portion of the Swahili coast area from the 10th to the 15th centuries AD.

The Great Mosque of Kilwa and the Palace of Husuni Kubwa, built by Sultan al-Hasan ibn Sulaiman, are two notable attractions here. The nearby stone-town of Songo Mnara is noted for its mosques and cemeteries. The two port cities were used for trade across the Indian Ocean, mainly during the 13th to 16th centuries AD.

Answer: Tunisia

The Punic town of Kerkuane is located in the Nabeul Governorate in Tunisia. Kerkuane has a unique influence of Phoenician and Punic cultures. Coins from the 4th to 3rd centuries BC have been found here. The Necropolis of Kerkuane consist of vaults, four primary-chamber tombs and a surrounding burial area.

The city of Kerkuane was abandoned in 250 BC during the First Punic War fought between Ancient Carthage and the Roman Republic, and was not rebuilt.

Answer: Togo

Koutammakou is located in the Kara region in Togo. The mud tower houses are built by the Tammari people, or Batammariba. The Tammari people are related to the Somba people, and their native language is classified as an Oti-Volta language. The mud tower houses, called 'Tata Somba', mostly have two floors. The lower floor is used to house livestock, while the upper floor is used to store and dry grain. Many of these mud tower houses have flat roofs.

Answer: Senegal

The Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary is located in the Saint-Louis region in Senegal. It is a wetland area of a delta formed by the Senegal River, and consists of numerous backwaters, lakes and streams. Famous species of birds found here include the purple heron, the great white pelican and the African spoonbill. The region is also home to crocodiles and manatees.

Answer: Ethiopia

Fasil Ghebbi is located in the Gondar region in Ethiopia. Fasil Ghebbi is a fortress-city that was built by Emperor Fasilides of Ethiopia in the 17th century. The remains of the city consist of sites like Fasilides's castle and the palace of Emperor Iyasu I. Notably, the remains of the city consist of buildings whose architecture has the influence of Hindu and Arab styles. Later, Jesuit missionaries incorporated Baroque architecture in these buildings.