Africa

It’s strange to see how “Africa” went from the 18th century stereotypes of ‘mystery’ and ‘intrigue’ to 20th century stereotypes of poverty and famine.

I won’t repeat my oft-touted belief that “anywhere is somewhere” because I don’t want to belittle the vast richness of this incredible continent. The Pyramids of Giza. Safaris and wildlife. The vast Atlantic coast.

And stories. So many stories.

Articles about Africa, by country

Select one of the African countries to drill down and see articles and stories connected to it.

All my Africa articles

• The Mystery of Cicero and Malta August 26, 2026 - Did Cicero, the father of modern politics, the greatest Roman orator ever visit Malta which he wrote so much about? This article separates myth from the historical reality. Continue Reading
• When Napoleon Conquered Malta in 72 Hours December 11, 2025 - Think the fall of powerful nations takes months? Napoleon Bonaparte dismantled 268 years of Knights' rule over Malta in three days. If you want to understand how empires truly fall, keep… Continue Reading
• The Phantom Time Hypothesis October 29, 2025 - There are dark corners of the internet where I've found mentions of "The Phantom Time Hypothesis". This suggests that the years between 614 AD and 911 AD didn't exist. But… Continue Reading
• Creating the Emirates June 5, 2025 - The United Arab Emirates exist because of a reaction to Britain's loss of power, post-Word War II. That power, in turn, came about because of geography, rather than outright politics.… Continue Reading
• The lost Cathedral of St Sophia March 5, 2025 - In occupied Cyprus, across the demilitarised zone in Nicosia, the French gothic cathedral of St Sophia is now Selimiye mosque. The building was at the heart of Cypriot crusader history,… Continue Reading
• Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories February 5, 2025 - During World War II, the USA and UK plotted to place France under Allied administration after the war, instead of restoring the French government. Why would they consider this, and… Continue Reading
• RAF hijacking in Prague May 22, 2024 - In 1950, three ex-RAF pilots, persecuted by the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia, coordinated the hijacking of three flights, leading to a daring escape to the West. Continue Reading
• The siege of Barbastro – the pre-crusade June 22, 2023 - In the 11th century, Musim-controlled Spain was under attack from Roman Catholic Europe. One key siege was a turning point in how the church viewed war as a tool of… Continue Reading
• Learn how Portugal helped Malta in its time of need July 20, 2020 - If you ask people how Malta fought against French occupation, most will talk about how the British helped the Maltese out. Few know that the Portuguese navy played the decisive… Continue Reading
• The powerful Anglo-Egyptian Bank in Malta May 4, 2020 - In the 19th century an offshore British bank in Malta issued its own banknotes. It's unusual to think of a private company issuing banknotes, more so in a small country… Continue Reading
• Preserving Malta’s money supply March 23, 2020 - European geopolitics in the 1930s caused plenty of uncertainty. The British worried about riots in the Middle East, and the possibility of another major war with Germany. They hatched a… Continue Reading
• The mysterious secret of Dr James Barry December 2, 2019 - There weren’t many female physicians in the 19th century. Irishwoman Margaret Bulkley pretended to be a man for over 40 years to practise medicine. This article explains how this happened,… Continue Reading
• In exile in Malta November 11, 2019 - The town of Sliema, Malta, is marked with high-rise apartment blocks and frustrating traffic. It was not always so and people have fond memories of days gone by. Few talk… Continue Reading
• The Revolting Slaves of Malta October 14, 2019 - Malta is not known for its revolutions. Unlike other countries, the people preferred other ways of changing history. This article describes one unsuccessful plot to overthrow the Knights of Malta. Continue Reading
• The hidden secret of the Leiden explosion December 3, 2018 - Standards around handling gunpowder were lax in the early 19th century. In the Netherlands this led to the Leiden explosion that rocked the city. The authorities immediately covered up the… Continue Reading
• How to find the hidden mysteries of alchemy in Prague November 12, 2018 - Prague has alchemical symbols hiding in plain sight. Regular readers will be familiar with some of these. There is a larger pattern of alchemical symbols hiding in the streets of… Continue Reading
• How did the British take control of Malta? October 8, 2018 - I often discuss Maltese history with others and have written about unusual parts of it here. Often people claims that ‘the British illegally took control’ of the Maltese islands. This is… Continue Reading
• The shock of the 1908 tsunami in Malta August 20, 2018 - One side effect of an earthquake in a coastal region is a tsunami that rips through the sea around it. Malta is close to a major earthquake fault line. In… Continue Reading
• The Buskett Forest and the Maltese Falcon June 5, 2017 - When the Knights were given the Maltese islands they were asked to pay tribute of a Maltese Falcon every year to the monarch of Sicily. It's a strange request, and… Continue Reading
• Egypt and Malta – Unusual Historical Connections March 20, 2017 - Ask anyone in Malta to direct you to the Mosta Dome and you'll get immediate directions. Not all churches on the island are as well-known as this one is. Not… Continue Reading
• The Obelisk that Moved December 26, 2016 - In Malta, driving towards Valletta, you see a large obelisk amidst the many lanes of traffic fighting their way to work. This monument is Spencer Obelisk and has a connection… Continue Reading
• Istanbul’s Galata Tower March 21, 2016 - Like any self-respecting city, Istanbul is not short of towering city blocks providing incredible views. One of the oldest towers is the Galata Tower which overlooks the Bosphorus straits. This tower… Continue Reading
• Betraying your Brother in Leiria February 29, 2016 - The long walk up to the castle of Leiria, in Portugal, is paved with cobblestones that are slippery when wet. I gingerly trekked up until, gasping for air, I reached the… Continue Reading
• Evidence of The Prussian Invasion of Prague August 17, 2015 - The Seven Years' War took place between 1756 & 1763 when Prussian troops invaded Bohemia under King Frederick II. The story behind most wars is usually found in history books… Continue Reading
• Revealing the House of the Black Madonna June 15, 2015 - Behind the hustle and bustle of Prague's shopping district, just off the Fruit Market (Ovocny Trh), the House of the Black Madonna stands watch at the junction of the market… Continue Reading
• Revealing my 5 Ambitious Travel Resolutions June 8, 2015 - Over the New Year, while I was peacefully driving through the hills and valleys of Andalusia, it occurred to me that I had not really made any fixed plans for… Continue Reading
• How to Drink Coffee Like a Local June 1, 2015 - You can study the tourist guide as much as you like, you can make sure to avoid looking at a map when you're on holiday and you can even perfect your… Continue Reading
• The Simple and Exciting Crossing to Africa February 9, 2015 - Over the New Year, I travelled through 5 countries and 2 continents by crossing over from the European mainland to Africa. The crossing itself should have been a routine boat… Continue Reading
• Iberian Road Trip Review January 19, 2015 - In December, I wrote about my plans to go on a road trip for my New Year's holiday. The reality did not disappoint as I drove, drank and ate my… Continue Reading
• New Year’s Road Trip December 15, 2014 - A few months' ago, just as the summer was peaking, I turned my mind to thoughts of a New Year's holiday. It's worth planning ahead, even if there are always… Continue Reading
• Hypogeum – The Land that Time Forgot November 18, 2013 - If you're planning a trip to Malta and fancy visiting the oldest prehistoric temple that is completely underground, I would highly recommend a visit to the Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni in… Continue Reading