Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Fides Service)- “The World in my Pocket ”, is the title of a handbook of information on the world edited by Afriquespoir quarterly published by the Comboni missionaries in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The booklet, to be distributed in schools, gives information on the continents and countries of the world. For every country it gives area, population, capital, main cities, life-expectancy, literacy rate (men and women) number of radios, televisions, airports.
However the booklet offers more than dry figures and gives many interesting details. For example how urbanisation in Africa has progressed: “In 1950, only two African cities had a population of more than a million and both were in Egypt: Cairo and Alexandria of Egypt. At the time Cairo, with a population of 2.4 million was the only African city on the official list of great world cities. In 1995 Nigeria’s economic capital Lagos had a population of 10.3 million and reached and overtook Cairo which had 9.7 million inhabitants. By 2015 the population of Lagos may have grown to 24.4 million making it the world’s third most populated city. While Cairo with a probable population of 14.5 million may be 16th on the list and Kinshasa may added (as 28th) to the list of the world’s great cities.
Turning the pages of Le Monde dans ma Poche, we learn that “most Africans speak more than two languages, and 75% speak no less than 12 fundamental native tongues Nguni, Sesotho, Swahili, Amharic, Fulful, Mandenkan, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Luo, East Interlacustre and West Interlacustre .
‘The World in my Pocket’ also offers information on ills afflicting the continent of Africa and its development. The booklet says: “According to a report by the International Red Cross organisation, the two civil wars in Democratic Congo (1997-2002) must be listed among the tragedies of modern times since they caused the death of at least 3.3 million people. Of these only 10% died a violent death, most died of hunger or disease the consequences of war. Nevertheless the Democratic Republic of Congo could be a power station for development of a good part of Africa: if hydroelectric centres were built on the River Congo, they could generate at least 40,000 megawatts of electricity enough to feed the industrialisation of Africa and a surplus to sell in southern Europe. At present “526 million African live without electricity”, according to The World in My Pocket.
In conclusion, besides being informative and useful the booklet sparks interest and encourages reflection. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 9/11/2005 righe 40 parole 490)
