Mapping Africa

Fascinating look at Africa through its cartological history...note the point about how the Sahara was not always desert, it was the breadbasket of the Roman Empire.

The audio slideshow cannot be embedded, so watch it here:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12675464

Sourced from the BBC, 14 March 2011

'From one of the earliest depictions of the continent - to the colonial scramble for land - the maps of Africa reveal a great deal about the people who have lived there through the centuries.

To try to shed new light on the African archives held by the Royal Geographical Society, London-based African community groups were asked for their views on the documents.They spoke to Cliff Pereira and Zagba Oyortey - both African-born - who explain here how the maps tell the story of a changing continent.'