When Europeans first began to explore Africa, <u>they found a great diversity of cultures</u>.
<h3>Further explanation</h3>
Before the fifteenth century, European explorers moved to the east to trade with China and Central Asian countries. This road was called the Silk Road. However, from 1453, the Europeans could no longer pass by it because the Ottoman Empire refused them to go. So they had to find a new way to reach Asia from the west.
Arriving in Africa, the Portuguese, French, British, and Dutch explorers discovered a great diversity of languages and cultures. There are more than 2000 languages and dialects on this continent and 5 major language families such as:
1. Afro-Asiatic languages
Located in the north and east of Africa. Egypt, Middle East, Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea.
2. Nilo-Saharan languages
Located in the center and east of Africa. Chad, Sudan, Niger, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania.
3. Niger-Congo languages
Located in the center, the whole west, and the east of Africa. It is the most important language family of the continent, it is spoken in many countries.
4. Khoisan languages
Located in the east and south of Africa. Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Angola, Kenya, and Tanzania.
5. Austronesian languages
Located on the islands of East Africa, such as Madagascar, Mayotte, Reunion, and Comoros.
The Europeans also met two great religions in Africa, the animism and Islam. It was because Muslim countries of Asia had arrived in Africa a long time before the countries of Europe.
<h3>Learn more</h3>
- Relationships between Europe and Africa: brainly.com/question/4780855
- The Bantu Education Act: brainly.com/question/4912689
- Sumerian language: brainly.com/question/751210
<h3>Answer details</h3>
Subject: History
Chapter: European explorations
Keywords: languages in Africa, the cultures and religions of Africa, European exploration of Africa, the diversity of Africa
