Introduction

Abstract

Part I presents data on over 300 variables in 154 tables for 41 Black African countries. By “variable” is meant a measurable aspect of these countries which varies over a range of possibilities such as telephones per 10,000 population (Table 4.20) which varied in 1977 from 10 to 620 across the countries represented in this book. The variables are grouped by topic into six chapters. Each chapter includes: (a) a brief discussion of the topic and its theoretical importance for an understanding of contemporary Black Africa, (b) references to some of the recent and most important references on the topic, (c) an explanation of the selection of variables,* and (d) an evaluation of the data sources for these variables plus, if possible, our assessment of the reliability of the data. Chapters in this section are not intended to interpret the meaning of the data patterns themselves, however.