The architecture of Africa, like other aspects of the culture of Africa, is exceptionally diverse. Many ethno-linguistic groups throughout the history of Africa have had their own architectural traditions. In some cases, broader styles can be identified, such as the Sahelian architecture of an area of West Africa. The Culture of Africa encompasses and includes all cultures which were ever in the continent of Africa. ... The History of Africa began in the Bronze Age with the earliest written records from ancient Egypt. ... This article is about building architecture. ... The Sudano-Sahelian is an architectural style common in the Sahel. ...  Western Africa (UN subregion)  Maghreb[1] West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. ...

The Great Pyramids of Giza are regarded as one of the greatest architectural feats of all times, and one of Seven Wonders of the 'Ancient World'.

As with most architectural traditions elsewhere, African architecture has been subject to numerous external influences from the earliest periods for which evidence is available. Western architecture has also had an impact on coastal areas since the late 15th century, and is now an important source for many larger buildings, particularly in major cities. Great Pyramid of Giza from a 19th century stereopticon card photo This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired in the United States and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years. ... Great Pyramid of Giza from a 19th century stereopticon card photo This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired in the United States and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years. ... 19th-century tourists in front of the Sphinx - view from South-East, Great Pyramid in background The Giza Necropolis stands on the Giza Plateau, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. ... For other uses, see Wonders of the World (disambiguation). ... Occident redirects here. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ...

Early architecture

Probably the most famous class of structures in all Africa, the pyramids of Egypt remain one of the world's greatest early architectural achievements, if limited in practical scope and originating from a purely funerary context. Egyptian architectural traditions also saw the rise of vast temple complexes and buildings. For other meanings, see pyramid (disambiguation). ...

By the Meroitic period, houses were of two rooms, forming large complexes. Notable buildings include the Meroitic Western Palace of Faras, built of sun-dried brick. Faras, known in ancient times as Pachoras, was a major city in Lower Nubia in modern Egypt. ...

Little is known of ancient architecture south and west of the Sahara. Harder to date are the monoliths around the Cross River, which has geometric or human designs. The vast number of Senegambian stone circles also evidence an emerging architecture. Cross River might mean: A river that flows through West Africa Cross River State in southeastern Nigeria which is named after the river above. ... The Senegambian stone circles lie in Gambia north of Janjanbureh and in central Senegal. ...

Napata and the Nubian pyramids

The Egyptians had over the centuries attempted to control the Nubians in order to secure the gold from the local mines. Despite being subject to the Egyptians, the Nubians, adopted many of the Egyptian customs, mainly as a result of the Nubian men who served in the Egyptian army. In the eleventh century BC, internal disputes in Egypt caused colonial rule to collapse and an independent kingdom arose based at Napata in Nubia. The kingdom was united by Alara (780-755 BC) with the kingdom growing in influence and coming to dominate the Southern Egyptian region. When the Assyrians invaded Egypt, in 671 BC, Kush, as the kingdom was known, became an independent state until 591 BC when the Egyptians under Psamtik II invaded Kush and sacked and burned Napata. Little is left today of the original city, but excavations have brought to light some thirteen temples and three palaces. Napata was a city on the west bank of the Nile river, some 400 km north of the present capital of Sudan. ... Aerial view of the pyramids at Meroe. ... Napata was a city on the west bank of the Nile river, some 400 km north of the present capital of Sudan. ... ALARA Alara king of Nubia The unifier of Kush and grandfather of king Taharqa ... It has been suggested that Assyrian people be merged into this article or section. ... This article is about the Nubian civilization. ... Psammetichus II (also spelled Psammeticus, Psammetich, and Psamtik II) was a king of the Twenty-sixth dynasty of Egypt (595 - 589 BC). ...

In 350 BCE, partially in response to Egyptian pressure, the kingdom’s capital was moved to further south to Meroë, with the city becoming an important iron producing center. Around 300 BC, the monarchs began to be buried there. The city - on the east bank of the Nile about 6 km north-east of the Kabushiya station near Shendi, Sudan, ca. 200 km north-east of Khartoum - is marked by over two hundred pyramids of different sizes in three groups. The pyramids were built of sandstone, and ranged from 10 to 30 m in height. Around AD 350 the area was invaded by the Ethiopian kingdom of Aksum and the kingdom collapsed. Aerial view of the pyramids at Meroë. Meroë is the name of an ancient city on the east bank of the Nile 16. ... Nickname: Khartoums location in Sudan Coordinates: , Government  - Governor Abdul Halim al Mutafi Population (2005)  - Urban Over 1 Million For other uses, see Khartoum (disambiguation). ... This is about the polyhedron. ... Axum, also Aksum, is a city in northern Ethiopia, located at the base of the Adoua mountains. ...

Ancient Ethiopia/Eritrea

The ruin of the temple at Yeha, Tigray region, Ethiopia.

The best known building of the period in the region is the ruined or eight century BC multi-story tower at Yeha in Ethiopia, believed to have been the capital of D'mt. Ashlar masonry was especially dominant during this period, owing to South Arabian influence where the style was extremely common for monumental structures. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (900x596, 185 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Ethiopia Yeha User:JialiangGao Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (900x596, 185 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Ethiopia Yeha User:JialiangGao Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner... Yeha is a town in the north of Ethiopia, located in the region of Tigray. ... Dmt is the Arabic name for a kingdom on the northern Ethiopian plateau that existed from around 800 BC until it was united in the Aksum kingdom around the birth of Jesus. ... South Arabian is a technical designation within Semitic linguistics for one of two main branches of South Semitic. ...

Aksumite architecture flourished in the region from the 4th century BC onward, persisting even after the transition of the Aksumite dynasty to the Zagwe in the 12th century, as attested by the numerous Aksumite influences in and around the medieval churches of Lalibela. Stelae (hawilts) and later entire churches were carved out of single blocks of rock, emulated later at Lalibela and throughout Tigray, especially during the early-mid medieval period (ca. 10th-11th c. in Tigray, mainly 12th c. around Lalibela). Other monumental structures include massive underground tombs often located beneath stelae. Among the most spectacular survivals are the giant stelae, on of which, now fallen (scholars think that it may have fallen during or immediately after erection) is the single largest monolithic structure ever erected (or attempted to be erected). Other well-known structures employing the use of monoliths include tombs such as the "Tomb of the False Door" and the tombs of Kaleb and Gebre Mesqel in Axum. Aksum was an important participant in international trade from the 1st century CE (Periplus of the Erythraean Sea) until circa the later part of the 1st millennium when it succumbed to a long decline against pressures from the various Islamic powers leagued against it. ... The Zagwe Dynasty ruled Ethiopia from the end of the Kingdom of Axum to 1270, when Yekuno Amlak defeated and killed the last Zagwe king in battle. ... The Bete Giyorgis, one of the many rock-hewn churches at the holy site of Lalibela, Ethiopia Lalibela is a town in northern Ethiopia. ... For the architectural structure, see Church (building). ... Tigray was a province of Ethiopia. ... Ancient Egyptian funerary stela A stela (or stele) is a stone or wooden slab, generally taller than it is wide, erected for funerary or commemorative purposes, most usually decorated with the names and titles of the deceased inscribed, carved in relief or painted onto the slab. ... Kaleb (c. ... Axum, properly Aksum, is a city in northern Ethiopia. ...

Church of Abune Aregawi, Debre Damo monastery, Ethiopia, constructed around the mid-6th century.

Most structures, however, like palaces, villas, commoner's houses, and other churches and monasteries, were built of alternating layers of stone and wood. The protruding wooden support beams in these structures have been named "monkey heads" and are a staple of Aksumite architecture and a mark of Aksumite influence in later structures. Some examples of this style had whitewashed exteriors and/or interiors, such as the medieval 12th century monastery of Yemrehanna Krestos near Lalibela, built during the Zagwe dynasty in Aksumite style. Contemporary houses were one-room stone structures or two-storey square houses or roundhouses of sandstone with basalt foundations. Villas were generally two to four stories tall and built on sprawling rectangular plans (cf. Dungur ruins). A good example of still-standing Aksumite architecture is the monastery of Debre Damo from the 6th century. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2848x2136, 1700 KB) Summary Monastery Debre Damo, Ethiopia (Church) taken from www. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2848x2136, 1700 KB) Summary Monastery Debre Damo, Ethiopia (Church) taken from www. ... Debre Damo is the name of a mountain and a monastery in northern Ethiopia, lying west of Adigrat in the region of Tigray. ... Roundhouse in 1909, turntable in the front Roundhouse in Uster, Switzerland Steam locomotives sit in the Chicago and North Western Railway roundhouse at the Chicago, Illinois freight yards, December 1942. ... Red sandstone interior of Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona, worn smooth due to erosion by flash flooding over millions of years Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-size mineral or rock grains. ... For the cities, see Basalt, Colorado and Basalt, Idaho. ... A foundation is a structure that transmits loads from a building or road to the underlying ground. ... Dungur ruins Dungur is the name of a series of ruins located in the western part of Aksum, Ethiopia, the former capital of the Kingdom of Aksum. ... Debre Damo is the name of a mountain and a monastery in northern Ethiopia, lying west of Adigrat in the region of Tigray. ...

Medieval architecture

The conical tower inside the Great Enclosure in Great Zimbabwe, a medieval city built by a prosperous culture

Great Zimbabwe is the largest medieval city in sub-Saharan Africa. Great Zimbabwe was constructed and expanded for more than 300 years in a local style that eschewed rectilinearity for flowing curves. Neither the first nor the last of some 300 similar complexes located on the Zimbabwean plateau, Great Zimbabwe is set apart by the terrific scale of its structure. Its most formidable edifice, commonly referred to as the Great Enclosure, has dressed stone walls as high as 36 feet extending approximately 820 feet, making it the largest ancient structure south of the Sahara Desert. Houses within the enclosure were circular and constructed of wattle and daub, with conical thatched roofs. Image File history File links Great-Zimbabwe-2. ... Image File history File links Great-Zimbabwe-2. ... Great Zimbabwe is the name given to the remains of stone, sometimes referred to as the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, of an ancient Southern African city, located at in present-day Zimbabwe which was once the centre of a vast empire known as the Munhumutapa Empire (also called Monomotapa or Mwene... Great Zimbabwe is the name given to the remains of stone, sometimes referred to as the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, of an ancient Southern African city, located at in present-day Zimbabwe which was once the centre of a vast empire known as the Munhumutapa Empire (also called Monomotapa or Mwene... For other uses, see Sahara (disambiguation). ... Categories: Stub | Construction ...

Farther south, increased trade (namely with Arab merchants) and the development of ports saw the birth of Swahili architecture. Developed from an outgrowth of indigenous Bantu settlements^[1], one of the earliest examples is the Palace of Husuni Kubwa lying west of Kilwa, built about 1245. As with many other early Swahili buildings, coral was the main construction material, even the roof consisting of coral on timbers. Contrastingly, the palace at Kilwa was a two-story tower, in a walled enclosure. Other notable structures from the period include the pillar tombs as Malindi and Mnarani in Kenya, and elsewhere, originally built from coral but later from stone. Later examples include Zanzibar's Stone Town, with its famous carved doors, and Kilwa's Great Mosque. For other uses, see Port (disambiguation). ... Swahili architecture is a style of building along the Eastern and Southeastern coasts of Africa. ... The Palace of Husuni Kubwa is a ruined structure on the island of Kilwa Kisiwani, in Tanzania. ... Kilwa is one of the 6 districts of the Lindi Region of Tanzania. ... Extant Subclasses and Orders Alcyonaria    Alcyonacea    Helioporacea Zoantharia    Antipatharia    Corallimorpharia    Scleractinia    Zoanthidea [1][2]  See Anthozoa for details For other uses, see Coral (disambiguation). ... Kilwa Kisiwani is an Islamic community on an island off the coast of East Africa, in present day Tanzania. ... A pillar tomb is a monumental grave the central feature of which is a single, prominent pillar or column, often made of stone. ... Malindi is a city in Kenya that has been a Swahili settlement since the 14th century. ... Extant Subclasses and Orders Alcyonaria    Alcyonacea    Helioporacea Zoantharia    Antipatharia    Corallimorpharia    Scleractinia    Zoanthidea [1][2]  See Anthozoa for details For other uses, see Coral (disambiguation). ... Map of Zanzibars main island Zanzibar is part of Tanzania Coordinates: , Country Tanzania Islands Unguja and Pemba Capital Zanzibar City Settled AD 1000 Government  - Type semi-autonomous part of Tanzania  - President Amani Abeid Karume Area  - Both Islands  637 sq mi (1,651 km²) Population (2004)  - Both Islands 1,070... Stone Town or Mji Mkongwe, in Swahili, is the old part of Zanzibar City, the capital of the island of Zanzibar, a part of Tanzania. ... Kilwa Kisiwani is an Islamic community on an island off the coast of East Africa, in present day Tanzania. ...

The Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali, first built in the 13th century and reconstructed in 1906–1909, is the largest clay building in the world.

The Islamic conquest of North Africa saw Islamic architecture develop in the region, including such famous structures as the Cairo Citadel. ImageMetadata File history File links Great_Mosque_of_Djenné_3. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Great_Mosque_of_Djenné_3. ... The Great Mosques signature trio of minarets overlooks the central market of Djenné. The Great Mosque of Djenné is the largest mud brick building in the world and is considered by many architects to be the greatest achievement of the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style, albeit with definite Islamic influences. ... The interior of the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne. ... The Saladin Citadel of Cairo (Arabic: قلعة صلاح الدين) is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Cairo. ...

Islamic merchants played a vital role in the Western Sahel region since the Kingdom of Ghana. This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... The Ghana Empire (existed c. ...

At Kumbi Saleh, locals lived in domed-shaped dwellings in the king's section of the city, surrounded by a great enclosure. Traders lived in stone houses in a section which possessed 12 beautiful mosques (as described by al-bakri), one centered on Friday prayer. ^[2] The king is said to have owned several mansions, one of which was sixty-six feet long, forty-two feet wide, contained seven rooms, was two stories high, and had a staircase; with the walls and chambers filled with sculpture and painting.^[3] Sahelian architecture initially grew from the two cities of Djenné and Timbuktu. The Sankore Mosque in Timbuktu, constructed from mud on timber, was similar in style to the Great Mosque of Djenné. The rise of kingdoms in the West African coastal region produced architecture which drew on indigenous traditions, utilizing wood. The famed Benin City, destroyed by the Punitive Expedition, was a large complex of homes in coursed mud, with hipped roofs of shingles or palm leaves. The Palace had a sequence of ceremonial rooms, and was decorated with brass plaques. Koumbi Saleh was the capital of the Ghana Empire. ... Abu Abdullah al-Bakri (1014–1094) (Arabic: أبو عبد الله البكري) was a Spanish-Arab geographer and historian. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Sudano-Sahelian is an architectural style common in the Sahel. ... Djenné (also Dienné or Jenne) is a historically and commercially important small city in the Niger Inland Delta of central Mali. ... Timbuktu (Archaic English: Timbuctoo; Koyra Chiini: Tumbutu; French: Tombouctou) is a city in Tombouctou Region, Mali. ... Sankoré Madrasah, The University of Sankoré, or Sankore Masjid is one of three ancient centers of learning located in Timbuktu, Mali, West Africa. ... Timbuktu (Archaic English: Timbuctoo; Koyra Chiini: Tumbutu; French: Tombouctou) is a city in Tombouctou Region, Mali. ... The Great Mosques signature trio of minarets overlooks the central market of Djenné. The Great Mosque of Djenné is the largest mud brick building in the world and is considered by many architects to be the greatest achievement of the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style, albeit with definite Islamic influences. ... Location of Benin City in Nigeria Benin City, a city (2006 est. ... The Punitive Expedition of 1897 was a military excursion by a British force of 1,200 under Admiral Sir Harry Rawson that captured, burned, and looted the city of Benin, incidentally bringing to an end the highly sophisticated West African Kingdom of Benin. ... Look up shingle in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Benin Bronzes are a collection of more than 1,000 brass plaques from the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin. ...

Drawing of Benin City made by an English officer, 1897

Early European colonies developed around the West African coast, building large forts, as can be seen at Elmina Castle, Cape Coast Castle, Christiansborg, Fort Jesus and elsewhere. These were usually plain, with little ornament, but showing more internal creativity at Dixcove Fort. Other embellishments were gradually accreted, with the style inspiring later buildings such as Lamu Fort and the Stone Palace of Kumasi. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Location of Benin City in Nigeria Benin City, a city (2006 est. ...  Western Africa (UN subregion)  Maghreb[1] West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. ... For the fortification of food, see Food fortification. ... St. ... Cape Coast Castle is a fortification in Ghana. ... Christiansborg Palace on Slotsholmen in Copenhagen was built for the countrys three supreme powers: the royal power, the legislative power, and the judicial power. ... Fort Jesus, Mombasa Fort Jesus is a Portuguese fort built in 1593 on Mombasa Island to guard the Old Port of Mombasa. ... Lamu town is the largest town on Lamu Island, which in turn is a part of the Lamu Archipelago in Kenya, (coordinates ). Lamu town is also the headquarters of Lamu District. ... Kumasi is the capital city of the Ashanti region of Ghana. ...

Ashanti architecture is perhaps best known from the reconstruction at Kumasi. Its key features are courtyard-based buildings, and walls with striking reliefs in mud plaster brightly painted. An example of a shrine can be seen at Bawjwiasi in Ghana. Four rectangular rooms, constructed from wattle and daub, lie around a courtyard. Animal designs mark the walls, and palm leaves cut to tiered shape provide the roof. The Yoruba surrounded their settlements with massive mud walls. Their buildings had a similar plan to the Ashanti shrines, but with verandahs around the court. The walls were of puddled mud and palm oil. Kumasi is the capital city of the Ashanti region of Ghana. ... A court or courtyard is an enclosed area, often a space enclosed by a building that is open to the sky. ... This article is about the building material. ... Shrine is also used as a conventional translation of the Japanese Jinja. ... Categories: Stub | Construction ... A court or courtyard is an enclosed area, often a space enclosed by a building that is open to the sky. ... Genera Many; see list of Arecaceae genera Arecaceae or Palmae (also known by the name Palmaceae, which is taxonomically invalid. ... The Yoruba (Yorùbá in Yoruba orthography) are a large ethno-linguistic group or ethnic nation in Africa; the majority of them speak the Yoruba language (èdèe Yorùbá; èdè = language). ... The defensive wall of Braşov, Romania. ... A verandah or veranda is a roofed opened gallery or porch. ... Palm oil from Ghana with its natural dark color visible, 2 litres Palm oil block showing the lighter color that results from boiling. ...

The monolithic church Bete Gebriel-Rufa'el in Lalibela.

Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,136 × 2,848 pixels, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,136 × 2,848 pixels, file size: 2. ...

Medieval Ethiopia

Bete Medhane Alem, Lalibela, the largest monolithic church in the world.

Ethiopian architecture (including modern-day Eritrea) continued to expand from the Aksumite style, but also incorporating new traditions with the expansion of the Ethiopian state. Styles incorporated more wood and rounder structures in commoner's architecture in the center of the country and the south, and these stylistic influences were manifested in the construction of churches and monasteries. Throughout the medieval period, Aksumite architecture and influences and its monolithic tradition persisted, with its influence strongest in the early medieval (Late Aksumite) and Zagwe periods (when the churches of Lalibela were carved). Throughout the medieval period, and especially during the 10th-12th centuries, churches were hewn out of rock throughout Ethiopia, especially during the northernmost region of Tigray, which was the heart of the Aksumite Empire. However, rock-hewn churches have been found as far south as Adadi Maryam (15th c.), about 100km south of Addis Abeba. The most famous example of Ethiopian rock-hewn architecture are the 11 monolithic churches of Lalibela, carved out of the red volcanic tuff found around the town. Though later medieval hagiographies attribute all 11 structures to the eponymous king Lalibela (the town was called Roha and Adefa before his reign), new evidence indicates that they may have been built separately over a period of a few centuries, with only a few of the more recent churches having been built under his reign. Archaeologist and Ethiopisant David Phillipson postulates, for instance, that Bete Gebriel-Rufa'el was actually built in the very early medieval period, some time between 600 and 800 A.D., originally as a fortress but was later turned into a church.[1] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,136 × 2,848 pixels, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,136 × 2,848 pixels, file size: 1. ... Tigray was a province of Ethiopia. ... Addis Ababa (Amharic new flower) is the capital of Ethiopia. ... Gebre Mesqel Lalibela (also called simply Lalibela, which means the bees recognise his sovereignty in Old Agaw) was negus of Ethiopia, and a member of the Zagwe dynasty; he is also considered a saint by the Ethiopian church. ...

Gondarine architecture

Fasiledes's castle, Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar.

During the early modern period, the absorption of new diverse influences such as Baroque, Arab, Turkish and Gujarati Indian style began with the arrival of Portuguese Jesuit missionaries in the 16th and 17th centuries. Portuguese soldiers had initially come in the mid-16th century as allies to aid Ethiopia in its fight against Adal, and later Jesuits came hoping to convert the country. Some Turkish influence may have entered the country during the late 16th century during its war with the Ottoman Empire (see Habesh), which resulted in an increased building of fortresses and castles. Ethiopia, naturally easily defensible because of its numerous ambas or flat-topped mountains and rugged terrain, got little tactical use from the structures compared to their advantages in the flat terrain of Europe and other areas, and so had until this point little developed the tradition. Castles were built especially beginning with the reign of Sarsa Dengel around the Lake Tana region, and subsequent Emperors maintained the tradition, eventually resulting in the creation of the Fasil Ghebbi (royal enclosure of castles) in the newly-founded capital (1635), Gondar. Emperor Susenyos (r.1606-1632) converted to Catholicism in 1622 and attempted to make it the state religion, declaring it as such from 1624 until his abdication; during this time, he employed Arab, Gujarati (brought by the Jesuits), and Jesuit masons and their styles, as well as local masons, some of whom were Beta Israel. With the reign of his son Fasiledes, most of these foreigners were expelled, although some of their architectural styles were absorbed into the prevailing Ethiopian architectural style. This style of the Gondarine dynasty would persist throughout the 17th-18th centuries especially and also influenced modern 19th century styles and later. Image File history File linksMetadata Gonder. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Gonder. ... King Fasilides Castle. ... Overview of the city with Fasilides castle in the center. ... Seal of the Society of Jesus. ... Combatants Ethiopian Empire Kingdom of Portugal Adal Sultanate Ottoman Empire Commanders Dawit II of Ethiopia Wasan Sagad Eslamu Gelawdewos of Ethiopia Cristovão da Gama Ahmad Gran Sayid Mehmed Garad Emar The Ethiopian-Adal War was a military conflict between the Ethiopian Empire and the Adal Sultanate from 1529 until... Habesh (Turkish: ) was an Ottoman province that bordered the Red Sea. ... Amba was the eldest daughter of King of Kashi. ... Sarsa Dengel (Amharic Sprout of the Virgin) (1550 - 1597) was negus (throne name Malak Sagad I) (1563 - 1597) of Ethiopia, and a member of the Solomonid dynasty. ... Lake Tana (also spelled Tana, Amharic: ጣና ሐይቅ Ṭānā Hāyḳ,Lake Tana, originally Tsana, Geez ጻና Ṣānā; sometimes called Dembiya after the region to the north of the lake) is the source of the Blue Nile and is the largest lake in Ethiopia. ... King Fasilides Castle. ... Overview of the city with Fasilides castle in the center. ... Susenyos (also Sissinios, as in Greek; throne name Malak Sagad III; 1572 - September 7, 1632) was (1607 - 1632) of Ethiopia. ... The Beta Israel (Geez ቤተ፡ እስራኤል Bēta Isrāēl, modern Bēte Isrāēl; ‎), also known by the term Falasha (Amharic for Exiles or Strangers, as they were called by non-Jewish Ethiopians — a term that is considered pejorative) are Jews of Ethiopian origin. ... Fasilides or Basilides (throne name `Alam Sagad), b at Magazaz, Shewa, in 1603 before 10 November, was (1632 - October 18, 1667) of Ethiopia, and a member of the Solomonid dynasty. ...

Modern architecture

Architecture in Fes, Morocco

By the late nineteenth century, most buildings reflected the fashionable European eclecticism and pastisched Mediterranean, or even Northern European, styles. Examples of colonial towns from this era survive at Saint-Louis, Senegal, Grand-Bassam and elsewhere. A few buildings were pre-fabricated in Europe and shipped over for erection. This European tradition continued well into the twentieth century with the construction of European-style manor houses, such as Shiwa Ng'andu in what is now Zambia, or the Boer homesteads in South Africa, and with many town buildings. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1200x900, 409 KB) Fez, Morocco 2004 september camer=KODAK 7440 Source: Csörföly Dániel File links The following pages link to this file: Fes, Morocco ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1200x900, 409 KB) Fez, Morocco 2004 september camer=KODAK 7440 Source: Csörföly Dániel File links The following pages link to this file: Fes, Morocco ... Fes redirects here. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Saint-Louis, or Ndar as it is called in Wolof, is the capital of Senegals Saint-Louis Region. ... Grand-Bassam is a city in Côte dIvoire, lying east of Abidjan. ... now. ... Ightham Mote For the London district, see Manor House, London. ... Shiwa Ngandu is an estate in north eastern Zambia. ... This article is about the Boer people (Boerevolk). ...

The revival of interest in traditional styles can be traced to Cairo in the early 19th century. This had spread to Algiers and Morocco by the early twentieth century, from which time colonial buildings across the continent began to pastiche elements of traditional African architecture, the Jamia Mosque in Nairobi being a typical example. In some cases, architects attempted to mix local and European styles, such as at Bagamoyo. For other uses, see Cairo (disambiguation). ... This article is about the capital of Algeria. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s The 20th century lasted from 1901 to 2000 in the Gregorian calendar (often from (1900 to 1999 in common usage). ... Multan, Pakistan boasts of having some of the oldest mosques, which were once considered as the jewels of the city. ... Nairobi (pronounced IPA: ) is the capital and largest city of Kenya. ... The town of Bagamoyo is the oldest town in Tanzania, founded by the end of the 18th century. ...

The impact of modern architecture began to be felt in the 1920s and 1930s. Le Corbusier designed several unbuilt schemes for Algeria, including ones for Nemours and for the reconstruction of Algiers. Elsewhere, Steffen Ahrens was active in South Africa, and Ernst May in Nairobi and Mombasa. Modern architecture, not to be confused with contemporary architecture, is a term given to a number of building styles with similar characteristics, primarily the simplification of form and the elimination of ornament. ... Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, who chose to be known as Le Corbusier (October 6, 1887 – August 27, 1965), was a Swiss-born architect and writer, who is famous for his contributions to what now is called Modern Architecture. ... Nemours is a town and commune of the Seine-et-Marne département, in France. ... This article is about the capital of Algeria. ... Ernst May (July 27, 1886, Frankfurt am Main—September 11, 1970, Hamburg) was a German architect and city planner. ... Mombasa is the second largest city in Kenya, lying on the Indian Ocean. ...

The Italian futurists saw Asmara as an opportunity to build their designs. Planned villages were constructed in Libya and Italian East Africa, including the new town of Tripoli, all utilising modern designs. Perspective drawing from La Citta Nuova by SantElia, 1914. ... Asmara (English) (Geez: አሥመራ Asmera, formerly known as Asmera, or in Arabic: Asmaraa) is the capital city and largest settlement in Eritrea, home to a population of around 579,000 people. ... Map of Italian East Africa Italian East Africa or Empire of Italian East Africa (Italian: Africa Orientale Italiana, AOI) was a short-lived (1936-1941) Italian colony in Africa consisting of Ethiopia (recently occupied after the Second Italo-Abyssinian War) and the colonies of Italian Somaliland and Eritrea. ... Tripoli (Arabic: طرابلس Tarābulus) is the capital city of Libya. ...

After 1945, Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew extended their work on British schools into Ghana, and also designed the University of Ibadan. The reconstruction of Algiers offered more opportunities, with Algiers Cathedral, and universities by Oscar Niemeyer, Kenzo Tange, Zwiefel and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. But modern architecture in this sense largely remained the preserve of European architects until the 1960s, one notable exception being Le Groupe Transvaal in South Africa, who built homes inspired by Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier. Impington Village College Edwin Maxwell Fry, usually known as Maxwell Fry (born 2 August 1899; died 3 September 1987) was an English modernist architect. ... The University of Ibadan is Nigerias oldest university, and is located five miles (8 kilometres) from the centre of the major city of Ibadan in Western Nigeria. ... Oscar Niemeyer Oscar Niemeyer Soares Filho (born December 15, 1907) is a Brazilian architect who is considered one of the most important names in international modern architecture. ... Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office, Shinjuku-ku Tokyo Kenzo Tange (丹下健三, Tange Kenzō; September 4, 1913 - March 22, 2005) was a Japanese architect, and winner of the 1987 Pritzker Prize for architecture. ... Shaklee Terraces, San Francisco, designed in 1982 with a flush aluminum and glass facade and rounded corners. ... Walter Adolph Georg Gropius (May 18, 1883 – July 5, 1969) was a German architect and founder of Bauhaus. ...

A number of new cities were built following the end of colonialism, while others were greatly expanded. Perhaps the best known example is that of Abidjan, where the majority of buildings were still designed by high-profile non-African architects. In Yamoussoukro, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro is an example of a desire for monumentality in these new cities, but Arch 22 in the old Gambian capital of Banjul displays the same bravado. It has been suggested that Benign colonialism be merged into this article or section. ... Freeway along the Ébrié Lagoon near the Plateau, Abidjans business district and centre of the city. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro, also known as Basilique de Notre Dame de la Paix de Yamoussoukro, is a Roman Catholic church in Yamoussoukro, the administrative capital of Côte dIvoire (Ivory Coast). ... Location of Banjul in The Gambia Street in Banjul city Banjul (formerly Bathurst) is the capital of The Gambia. ...

Experimental designs have also appeared, most notably the Eastgate Centre, Harare in Zimbabwe. With an advanced form of natural air-conditioning, this building was designed to respond precisely to Harare's climate and needs, rather than import less suitable designs. Neo-vernacular architecture continues, for instance with the Great Mosque of Nioro or New Gourna. The Eastgate Centre is a shopping centre and office block in central Harare, Zimbabwe. ... Vernacular architecture is a term used to categorize a method of construction which uses locally available resources to address local needs. ...

Other notable structures of recent years have been some of the world's largest dams. The Aswan High Dam and Akosombo Dam hold back the world's largest reservoirs. In recent years, there has also been renewed bridge building in many nations, while the Trans-Gabon Railway is perhaps the last of the great railways to be constructed. This article is about structures for water impoundment. ... Map showing reservoir The hydroelectric power station of Aswan Dam Aswan is a city on the first cataract of the Nile in Egypt. ... The Akosombo Dam is a hydroelectric dam in southeastern Ghana. ... The Ashokan Reservoir, located in Ulster County, New York, USA. It is one of 19 that supplies New York City with drinking water. ... This article is about the edifice (including an index to articles on specific bridge types). ... The Trans-Gabon Railway (French: Transgabonais) is the only railway in Gabon. ...

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina at Shatby, Egypt -- a large airy spacious regional public library, built overlooking the Mediterranean -- completed in 2001 and designed by Snøhetta, in association with Hamza Associates of Cairo, is a good example of a modern granite-cladding construction. A commemoration of the Library of Alexandria, once the largest library in the world but destroyed in antiquity, the new Library's architecture is ultramodern and very non-traditional. Bibliotheca Alexandrina The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a major library and cultural center located on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea in the Egyptian city of Alexandria. ... Inscription regarding Tiberius Claudius Balbilus of Rome (d. ...

See also

• Ancient Egyptian architecture
• Heliopolis style
• Islamic architecture
• List of World Heritage Sites in Africa

Download high resolution version (1624x1824, 535 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Image File history File links Portal. ... For at least ten thousand years, the Nile valley has been the site of one of the most influential civilizations in the world which developed a vast array of structures known as Ancient Egyptian architecture. ... Heliopolis style is an architectural style specific to an Egyptian district in eastern Cairo. ... The interior of the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne. ... This is a list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa. ... This is an alphabetical list of the sovereign states of the world, including both de jure and de facto independent states. ... Subcategories There are 2 subcategories to this category shown below (more may be shown on subsequent pages). ... World map of dependent territories. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Types of administrative and/or political territories include: A legally administered territory, which is a non-sovereign geographic area that has come under the authority of another government. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... The Culture of Africa encompasses and includes all cultures which were ever in the continent of Africa. ... This is a list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa. ... Yoruba bronze head sculpture, Ife, Nigeria c. ... This film, television, or video-related list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it. ... Cinema of Africa A list of African films by country of orign: // A proposito dellAngola (1973) Burned By Blue (2001) Camarada Faz la Coregem Caravana (1992) Carnaval da vitoria (1978) Comboio da Canhoca (1989) Des fusils pour Banta (1970) O Desassossego de Pessoa (2002) Dissidence (1998) O Golpe O... Cuisine of Africa reflects indigenous traditions, as well as influences from Arabs, Europeans, and Asians. ... Ignorance about African cultures can lead to accidental breaches of etiquette. ... African literature generally refers to the novels, short stories, and poetry written by African writers during the 20th century. ... African Writers (by country): This is a list of prominent and notable literary figures from the African continent, listed by country, including poets, novelists, childrens writers, essayists, and scholars, listed by country. ... Hand drumming is significant throughtout Africa The music of Africa is as vast and varied as the continents many regions, nations and ethnic groups. ... This is a list of African musicians and musical groups. ... For other uses, see Africa (disambiguation). ... This is a list of African countries/dependencies by population. ... This is a list of African countries/dependencies by population density in inhabitants/km2. ... The HIV/AIDS epidemics spreading through the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa are highly varied. ... The following is a list of the 50 most populous cities in Africa. ... This is a list of the countries in Africa in order of Gross domestic product (GDP), Values are given in Billion USDs. ... Human Development Index is a comparative measure of life expectancy, literacy, education, and standards of living for countries worldwide. ... Countries using CFA franc There are two African currency unions; the West African Banque Centrale des Etats de lAfrique de lOuest (BCEAO) and the Central African Banque des Etats de lAfrique Centrale (BEAC). ... African nations typically fall toward the bottom of any list measuring economic activity, such as per capita income or per capita GDP, despite a wealth of natural resources. ... The developing nations of Africa are ideal locations for the application of renewable energy technology. ... This is an alphabetical list of African countries and dependencies. ... The vegetation of Africa follows very closely the distribution of heat and moisture. ... This List of impact craters in Africa includes all confirmed impact craters as listed in the Earth Impact Database. ... This is a list of islands of Africa. ... This is a list of rivers of Africa. ... The continent of Africa can be conceptually subdivided into a number of regions. ... The History of Africa began in the Bronze Age with the earliest written records from ancient Egypt. ... Map showing European claimants to the African continent in 1913. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... It has been suggested that Impact of Slave Trade on Africa be merged into this article or section. ... Cecil Rhodes: Cape-Cairo railway project. ... The Decolonisation of Africa was the withdrawal of colonial powers from Africa after World War II.[1] // Main article: Scramble for Africa Cecil Rhodes: Cape-Cairo railway project. ... It is today believed that humanity originated in Africa and as soon as human societies formed so did economic activity. ... The military history of Africa includes many diverse civilizations from antiquity to the modern day. ... A, thus far incomplete, list of conflicts in Africa (arranged by Country), including; Wars between African nations Civil Wars within African nations Colonial Wars/Conflicts in Africa Wars of Independence in African nations Secessionist/Separatist Conflicts in Africa Major episodes of violence (riots, massacres, etc. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa. ... Anthem Let Us All Unite and Celebrate Together [1] Administrative Centre Largest city Cairo, Egypt Working languages Arabic English French Portuguese Swahili Membership 53 African states Leaders  -  Chairman John Kufuor  -  Alpha Oumar Konaré Establishment  -  as the OAU May 25, 1963   -  as the African Union July 9, 2002  Area  -  Total 29... This page lists the most recent (direct) national elections in African countries. ... The situation of human rights in Africa is generally reported to be highly mixed at best, and typically seen as an area of grave concern according to the UN, governmental, and non-governmental observers. ... Pan-Africanism is a term which can have two separate, but related meanings. ... African Philosophy is a disputed term, used in different ways by different philosophers. ... Countries in Africa who have societies with caste systems within their borders include Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Niger, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Algeria, Nigeria, Chad, Ethiopia and Somalia. ... This is a list of radio stations in Africa. ... This is a list of African television stations. ... The African Cricket Association is an international body which oversees cricket in African countries. ... The All-Africa Games, sometimes called the African Games or Pan African Games, are a regional multi-sport event held every four years, organized by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA). ... Australian rules football in Africa is currently only played at an organised level in South Africa, although there have been attempts to introduce the sport in other African nations. ... The 53 member CAF (Confederation of African Football) , (French : Confédération Africaine de Football) , (Arabic : الإتحاد الأفريقى لكرة القدم) represents international football in Africa, and organises the African Cup of Nations, CAF Confederation Cup and the African Champions League. ... The African Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Nations Cup (ANC) is the main international football competition in Africa. ... The CAR logo. ... The Africa Cup is an annual rugby union tournament involving African nations, organised by the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR). ... FIBA Africa is a zone within the FIBA association which contains all 53 national African FIBA federations, it was founded in 1961. ... Stade des Martyrs has the joint largest capacity in Africa. ... The Tour dAfrique is one of the longest and toughest bicycle races in the world. ... // International organisations African Union See also : African Union The first summit of chiefs of state of the African Unions Peace and Security Council was held in Libreville (Gabon) on January 10 and January 11, 2005. ... ... 2007 in Africa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

References

Further reading

• Sir Banister Fletcher's A History of Architecture (20th Edition, 1996), Ed Dan Cruickshank
• African Art, Frank Willett

The Gillette Factory on the Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex. ... Dan Cruickshank Professor Dan Cruickshank (born 1949) is an architectural historian and television presenter, currently working for the BBC, and lives in Spitalfields, London. ...

External links

• Architecture of Africa - Great Buildings Online