Come explore...Africa with Lonely Planet Kids

Lonely Planet

21 Sept 201501:02

Summary

TLDREmbark on a thrilling journey across Africa's 54 diverse countries, where ancient traditions and wildlife coexist. From Morocco's snake charmers to Egypt's revered cats, each region offers unique experiences. Explore Gabon's Loango National Park, where hippos ride the waves, and venture underwater for an extraordinary walk among the coral reefs. Discover the remarkable strength of Africa's dung beetle, capable of pulling over 1,100 times its weight, a testament to the continent's wild and wondrous nature.

Takeaways

🌍 Africa is home to 54 countries, making it a vast and diverse continent.
🧬 Africa is the oldest continent and is considered the birthplace of the human race.
🐍 In Morocco, snake charmers mesmerize snakes with music, making them dance.
🐱 In ancient Egypt, cats were seen as sacred and mythical creatures, with the word for cat being 'meow'.
🏖️ Loango National Park in Gabon offers the chance to see hippos body surfing in the ocean.
🌊 The undersea walk in Mauritius allows visitors to walk among coral reefs underwater.
💪 The dung beetle is Africa’s strongest creature, capable of pulling 1,141 times its body weight.
🚍 The strength of a dung beetle is comparable to a human pulling six double-decker buses.
🏛️ Egypt has a rich cultural history where cats played an important mythical role.
🐋 Africa's wildlife, from hippos to underwater coral ecosystems, showcases the continent's biodiversity.

Q & A

How many countries are there in Africa?
-There are 54 countries in Africa.
What is unique about the continent of Africa?
-Africa is the oldest continent in the world and the place where the human race began.
What activity can one experience in Morocco involving snakes?
-In Morocco, one can experience the music of snake charmers as they hypnotize snakes and make them dance.
How were cats regarded by ancient Egyptians?
-The ancient Egyptians thought of cats as mythical and sacred creatures.
What is the ancient Egyptian word for cat, and how is it pronounced?
-The ancient Egyptian word for cat was pronounced 'meow'.
Where can one observe hippos body surfing in the waves?
-One can observe hippos body surfing in the waves at Loango National Park.
What underwater activity is mentioned in the script?
-The script mentions an undersea walk in Maius where one can walk among coral reefs.
Which creature in Africa is known for its strength, and what is a notable fact about it?
-The dung beetle is known for its strength in Africa, being able to pull 1,141 times its own body weight, which is comparable to a human pulling six double-decker buses.
What kind of music is associated with snake charmers in Morocco?
-The music associated with snake charmers in Morocco is described as hypnotic, used to charm and make snakes dance.
What is a fun fact about the ancient Egyptian perception of cats?
-Ancient Egyptians considered cats to be so sacred that the word for cat was pronounced similarly to 'meow', indicating a special connection with these animals.
Why might one need their biggest muscles in Africa, as mentioned in the script?
-One might need their biggest muscles in Africa to compete with the strength of the dung beetle, which is known for its remarkable ability to pull heavy loads relative to its size.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Introduction to Africa's Diversity

The video begins with a brief introduction to Africa, a continent with 54 countries. It highlights Africa's rich history as the birthplace of humanity, emphasizing its age and diversity. The music sets a tone for the adventure as viewers are invited to explore the wild and ancient aspects of the continent.

🐍 The Charm of Morocco's Snake Charmers

In Morocco, the video presents the fascinating world of snake charmers. These performers use music to hypnotize snakes, making them sway and 'dance.' The scene captures the mystique and cultural uniqueness of Morocco, where such performances are a blend of tradition and entertainment.

🐱 Egypt: Reverence for Cats

The focus shifts to Egypt, where ancient Egyptians revered cats as sacred beings. Cats held a mythical status, and the ancient Egyptian word for 'cat' was pronounced 'meow.' This part of the video highlights the spiritual and cultural significance of cats in Egyptian history.

🏖️ Gabon's Loango National Park: Surfing Hippos

The video takes us to Loango National Park in Gabon, where one of the most unusual sights is hippos surfing the ocean waves. This rare and captivating scene showcases the unique natural wonders found in Gabon's diverse ecosystems, where wildlife and coastal landscapes intersect.

🐠 Mauritius: The Undersea Walk

Next, the video transports viewers to the underwater world of Mauritius, where coral reefs abound. The 'undersea walk' offers an up-close experience with marine life, allowing people to walk along the ocean floor and witness the vibrant, thriving coral ecosystems beneath the surface.

💪 Africa's Strongest: The Dung Beetle

The video wraps up with a surprising fact about Africa's strongest creature—the dung beetle. Known for its incredible strength, this tiny insect can pull 1,141 times its own body weight, which is comparable to a human pulling six double-decker buses. This impressive feat underscores the extraordinary capabilities of even the smallest creatures in Africa.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Africa

Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, known for its diverse cultures, wildlife, and landscapes. In the context of the video, Africa is portrayed as a 'wild continent' and the 'oldest in the world,' emphasizing its historical significance and natural wonders. The script highlights various countries and activities that showcase the continent's rich heritage and biodiversity.

💡Morocco

Morocco is a country located in North Africa, known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscapes. The video script mentions Morocco in relation to snake charmers, suggesting a cultural practice where musicians play traditional music to hypnotize snakes, making them appear to dance. This example illustrates the unique cultural experiences one can encounter in Africa.

💡Egypt

Egypt is a country in the northeastern part of Africa, famous for its ancient civilization and iconic monuments like the Pyramids of Giza. The script refers to Egypt as a place where 'cool cats' might be found, drawing a connection to the ancient Egyptians' reverence for cats as sacred and mythical creatures. This highlights the historical and cultural significance of animals in African societies.

💡Loango National Park

Loango National Park is a protected area in Gabon, known for its pristine beaches and diverse wildlife. The video script describes a scene where hippos are seen 'body surfing' in the waves, which not only showcases the park's unique wildlife but also provides a glimpse into the continent's natural beauty and ecological diversity.

💡Underwater walk

An underwater walk refers to an activity where participants can walk or swim among marine life and coral reefs while wearing specialized equipment. The script mentions an underwater walk in Mauritius, which allows viewers to imagine the breathtaking marine experiences Africa has to offer, emphasizing the continent's rich underwater ecosystems.

💡Dung beetle

The dung beetle is an insect known for its ability to roll and bury animal dung, which it uses as a food source and for breeding. The video script highlights the strength of the dung beetle, which can pull 1,141 times its own body weight, comparing it to the human ability to pull six double-decker buses. This showcases the remarkable physical capabilities of African wildlife and adds an element of awe and curiosity to the video's narrative.

💡Coral reefs

Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems composed of corals, algae, and various marine species. They are vital for marine biodiversity and are often considered the 'rainforests of the sea.' The script's mention of coral reefs during the underwater walk in Mauritius underscores the importance of these ecosystems and the unique marine life that inhabits them.

💡Snake charmers

Snake charmers are individuals who perform with snakes, often using music to influence the snakes' behavior. In the video script, snake charmers in Morocco are mentioned, suggesting a traditional art form that has cultural and entertainment value. This example ties into the broader theme of Africa's rich cultural heritage and the diverse practices found across the continent.

💡Hippopotamus

The hippopotamus, or 'hippo,' is a large semi-aquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. The script describes hippos 'body surfing' in the waves at Loango National Park, which not only highlights the playful behavior of these animals but also emphasizes the unique wildlife experiences that can be found in Africa's national parks.

💡Mauritius

Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, known for its beautiful beaches and clear waters. The video script mentions Mauritius in the context of an underwater walk, suggesting a destination for tourists seeking to explore marine life and coral reefs. This inclusion showcases the island's natural beauty and its appeal as a tourist destination.

💡Gabon

Gabon is a country on the west coast of Central Africa, known for its lush rainforests and biodiversity. The script refers to Loango National Park in Gabon, which is home to a variety of wildlife, including hippos. This mention highlights Gabon's ecological significance and its role in preserving Africa's natural habitats.

Highlights

Africa is home to 54 countries, making it a diverse and wild continent.

Africa is considered the oldest continent in the world.

The human race is believed to have originated in Africa.

Morocco is known for its snake charmers who can hypnotize snakes.

In Egypt, cats were considered mythical and sacred creatures.

Ancient Egyptians had a word for cat, pronounced 'meow'.

Gabon's Loango National Park is a beach where hippos can be seen.

Hippopotamuses are known to body surf in the waves at Loango National Park.

Mauritius offers an undersea walk among coral reefs.

Dung beetles in Africa are the strongest creatures, able to pull 1,141 times their own body weight.

The strength of a dung beetle is compared to a human pulling six double-decker buses.

The continent offers a variety of unique cultural experiences, such as snake charming in Morocco.

Egypt's ancient civilization revered cats, viewing them as sacred.

Loango National Park provides a unique opportunity to observe hippos in their natural habitat.

Mauritius's undersea walk allows visitors to explore coral reefs up close.

The strength of Africa's dung beetle is an impressive natural phenomenon.

The transcript provides a glimpse into the rich cultural and natural wonders of Africa.