Essay from the year 2005 in the subject Cultural Studies - North African Studies, grade: 1.0, Institute of Technology, course: Cultural Studies, language: English, abstract: Africa, the third biggest continent consisting of 53 different countries, is the poorest in the world, with approximately 42 percent of all Africans living under the poverty line. Disastrous effects of this state for the population - including illnesses and a high mortality rate - are various and so are the reasons for this continent, which is so rich in beauty and natural resources, being that poor. This essay deals with the current situation on the African continent and the roles that politics and the influence of the rest of the world are playing in the process. Furthermore the results of development aid and strategies for effective support for lesser developed countries as well as ‘The Enlightenment’ will be discussed. The facts are based on different articles published in German “Spiegel” magazine supported by opinions and statements by European author and director Henning Mankell.