Why do African countries take latitude and longitude as their national boundaries?

Looking at the world map, the straight borders of African countries will be clear at a glance. Why are African countries so straight? How is it delineated? Does it affect the tribal and social conditions in African countries? Now I will discuss these problems with you. There are two main ways to form the border between neighboring countries: one is formed by traditional customs, and the other is formed by treaties. Generally speaking, the combination of the two ways is gradually formed on the basis of traditional habits, through friendly consultations between neighboring countries and in line with the principle of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation. Generally speaking, there are two kinds of specific demarcation of national boundaries: one is natural boundaries, also known as natural boundaries, which are often marked by physical geographical entities, such as mountains, rivers and lakes; The second is artificial boundary, including mathematical boundary and cultural boundary. African nationals are purely artificial borders, which are the product of colonialists' understanding of the African continent. Before the colonialists invaded and carved up Africa, there were no national boundaries, because Africa was vast and sparsely populated, mainly nomadic people, and tribes often migrated, so it was unnecessary for them to adopt any borders. In many parts of Africa, the landform types are monotonous, and there are large areas of deserts and grasslands, such as the Sahara desert, which is the largest in the world, accounting for about 1/4 of the total area of Africa, and the ground lacks natural boundary signs (such as rivers and mountains). The topographic survey data is insufficient, so it is difficult to delimit the boundary.

After the colonial invasion, Africa was torn apart and 50 countries were created after adoption. 1885 at the Berlin conference, colonial powers such as Britain, France and Germany dismembered African corpses with red pencils at the negotiating table. The straight line goes through the settlements of many tribes mercilessly, regardless of many tribes, religions, languages, traditional habits and complex tribal contradictions in Africa. Most colonialists demarcate African borders by latitude and longitude (for example, part of the border between Egypt and Sudan is demarcated along 22 N, while 22 N becomes the 700 km border between Namibia and Botswana), and they also demarcate African borders by geometric methods of straight lines or curves, as well as natural signs such as rivers and mountains. According to statistics, 44% of the borders of African countries are divided by longitude or latitude; Divide 30% of the boundary by geometric method of straight line or curve; Only 26% of the boundary is a natural boundary line composed of rivers and mountains. This is why African men are so straight. It can be seen that the borders of African countries were imposed by a third country and drawn by external powers simply, hastily and rudely. This inevitably divides a tribe into many countries, or divides hostile tribes into one country.

In addition, from the time comparison of the formation of national boundaries, the national boundaries of African countries were formed only in a few decades. Moreover, 40% of Africa's borders are not specified and marked. Obviously, today's turbulent situation in Africa is caused by this. Then, why has the political situation in Africa been relatively calm for a long time since World War II, and there has not been such fierce competition as today? The reason is that the former sovereign state of African countries still cares about their vital interests. In addition, the new rulers of African countries believe that the borders stipulated by Europe have a history of more than a century and have played their due role. If we touch the border issue, it will definitely lead to great disaster. But now the reasons are different. With the changes of the times, the end of the Cold War, and the influence of the international climate and the wave of "democratization" in Eastern Europe, Africans are more free to solve their own problems according to their own wishes and ways.

According to the data, many tribes in Africa have the will and requirements to redraw their borders. But history has scattered tribes in different countries, and the consequences are unimaginable. According to its requirements, the same country may be divided into 2, 3, 4 or even 10 districts, each district belongs to a different country, and each country has its own territory in other countries. Moreover, tribes are not the criteria for dividing national boundaries, but also factors such as language, religion, traditional habits and history. If divided by tribes, there are more than 2,000 big tribes in Africa, not to mention the contradictions among tribes, parties and local forces. In addition, there are 1200 languages and countless religions in Africa. How can national boundaries change? In addition, 40% of Africa's borders are borderless land without specific demarcation and marking, which often leads to conflicts. At present, the Africa Bureau is in turmoil, and turmoil, conflicts, conflicts and civil wars have seriously affected economic development and people's lives. This situation is getting worse and worse. Imagine that if Africa's borders were not imposed by external forces, but formed through a long process of self-adjustment and gradual improvement, then Africa would not be as turbulent as it is today.