From the exodus of early modern humans to the growth of African diasporas, Africa has had a long and complex relationship with the outside world. This book attempts to outline internal geographic, environmental, sociopolitical and economic factors over the long period of modern human history, to find their commonalities and development over time.

From the exodus of early modern humans to the growth of African diasporas, Africa has had a long and complex relationship with the outside world. More than a passive vessel manipulated by external empires, the African experience has been a complex mix of internal geographic, environmental, sociopolitical and economic factors, and regular interaction with outsiders. Peter Mitchell attempts to outline these factors over the long period of modern human history, to find their commonalities and development over time.