This new edition of Understanding Contemporary Africa has been thoroughly revised to reflect the many significant events and trends of the past six years -- seismic political changes, the impact of the new information technology, the strong presence of China and other foreign powers, and much more. The authors provide current analyses not only of history, politics, and economics, but also geography, environmental concerns, population shifts, and social and cultural issues. Each topic is covered in an accessible style, but with reference to the latest scholarship. Maps, photographs, and a table of basic political data enhance the text, which has made its place as the best available introduction to this diverse and complex continent. -- Publisher description.

1. Introduction / April A. Gordon and Donald L. Gordon -- 2. Africa: a geographic preface / Jeffrey W. Neff -- 3. The historical context / Thomas O'Toole -- 4. African politics / Donald L. Gordon -- 5. The economies of Africa / Virginia DeLancey -- 6. African international relations / Peter J. Schraeder -- 7. Population, urbanization, and AIDS / April A. Gordon -- 8. Africa's environmental problems / Julius E. Nyang'oro -- 9. Family and kinship / Eugenia Shanklin and April A. Gordon -- 10. Women and development / April A. Gordon -- 11. Religion in Africa / Ambrose Moyo -- 12. African literature / George Joseph -- 13. Trends and prospects / April A. Gordon and Donald L. Gordon.