Great Lakes & Islands
A photo of Lake Michigan for the post "Great Lakes & Islands"
Editor’s note: This post will continue to evolve as I do.
Welcome, explorers! Whether you’re a guest, a traveler, or just a curious soul collecting stamps of knowledge instead of passports. Our Around the World journey continues with “Great Lakes & Islands,” where vast waters meet quiet coastlines and every wave carries a story.
This chapter takes us to the countries shaped by the rhythm of water. Where islands hum with life, lakes stretch toward endless horizons, and connection flows like the currents that bind them. Here, geography isn’t just landscape, it’s a lifestyle. And every shoreline tells a story of resilience, trade, and beauty that touches the heart of Africa and beyond.
With bags packed and tickets in hand, today, we’re setting off to explore six nations where water shapes identity and every shoreline tells a story.
East Africa’s lakes and Indian Ocean coasts: Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar.
GUINEA-BISSAU
Official name: Republic of Guinea-Bissau
Pronunciation: GIN-ee-bi-SOW
Capital: Bissau
Official language: Portugese
Location: In West Africa along the coast in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: The Gambia and Guinea
Climate: Hot, tropical
Most known for: Being the world top producer of cashew nuts
Fun fact: A rite of passage for boys to transform into men occurs when they have to go into the forest for several months to live alone. This ceremony is called “Vaca Bruto,” which means Strong cow. While there is no set age or date, boys are supposed to go when it feels right (24 Interesting Facts about Guinea-Bissau, Caitriona Maria).
Recent news article: Guinea-Bissau: Catholics called upon to initiate dialogue and fraternity
My knowledge: Only that is one of the four countries containing “Guinea” in the world. Here is the BBC’s country profile on Guinea-Bissau if you’re interested in learning more, click here.
KENYA
Official name: Republic of Kenya
Pronunciation: ken-yuh
Capital: Nairobi
Official language: English and Swahili
Location: In East Africa on the Equator, so located in both Northern and Southern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Tanzania
Climate: Tropical
Most known for: World famous wildlife safari’s, such as Maasai Mara National Reserve. For more information, read here.
Fun fact: Known for being “cradle of humankind.” Mainly due to the high number of early human fossils found there. To find out more, click here.
Recent news article: NEWS IN BRIEF 10 OCTOBER 2025
My knowledge: I’m familiar with the name of Kenya and have been for a while but I don’t know much information from the top of my head.
LESOTHO
Official language: The Kingdom of Lesotho
Pronunciation: luh-soo-too
Capital: Maseru
Official language: Sesotho and English
Location: In Southern Africa in the Southern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Surrounded by South Africa
Climate: Temperate climate (hot summers and cold winters)
Most known for: The “Mountain Kingdom of the Sky” for its high altitude, spectacular landscapes, and waterfalls (What to know about Lesotho, the country Trump said “No one has ever heard of,” Kate Bartlett)
Fun fact: According to the article, What to know about Lesotho, the country Trump said “No one has ever heard of” Has the highest pub on the continent. In other words, visitors can get a beer more than 9,000 feet above sea level (Kate Bartlett, 2025).
Recent news article: Access to safe water transforms life in Ha Khoali
My knowledge: I only knew that it was a landlocked country after playing my geography games
LIBERIA
Official name: The Republic of Liberia
Pronunciation: lai-bee-ree-uh
Capital: Monrovia
Official language: English
Location: In West Africa along the coast in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire
Climate: Hot, humid Tropical
Most known for: Being Africa’s first and oldest republic
Fun fact: Country was established by American Colonization Society in 1821 as a colony for formerly enslaved people from the U.S.
Recent news article: A cacao rush drives ‘alarming’ deforestation in Liberia
My knowledge: I’m not familiar with Liberia.
LIBYA
Official name: The State of Libya
Pronunciation: li-bee-uh
Capital: Tripoli
Official language: Arabic
Location: In North Africa, part of the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Chad, and Niger
Climate: Hot, Arid
Most known for: Vast Sahara Desert landscapes
Fun fact: Home to Great Man-Made River. For more information on this feat, click here.
Recent news article: Libya Human Rights Violations 2025: ICJ Calls for UN Action Amid Persistent Abuses
My knowledge: I haven’t had the opportunity to meet anyone from Libya nor do I know much information on Libya
MADAGASCAR
Official name: The Republic of Madagascar
Pronunciation: ma-duh-ga-skaar
Capital: Antananarivo
Official language: Malagasy and French
Location: Island country off the Eastern coast in the Southern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Near Mozambique
Climate: Subtropical
Most known for: Unique, native wildlife
Fun fact: Home to over 100 lemur species, so if you’re a big fan, this is the place to go.
Recent news article: What you need to know about Madagascar’s Gen Z protests
My knowledge: I don’t have much knowledge of the country
Today’s journey took us from the Atlantic whispers of Guinea-Bissau to the island rhythms of Madagascar, weaving through Kenya’s Great Lakes, Lesotho’s mountain waters, Liberia’s coasts, and Libya’s desert shores. Each country offered its own reflection, proof that water, like culture, always finds a way to connect and sustain life.
The lesson? Every place, no matter how distant or different, is linked by something deeper than borders. Whether it’s a lake, an ocean, a shared story, we’re all connected by the currents that move us. Traveling, even through words and maps, reminds us to look for those connections instead of the divides.
If today’s Around the World stop left you curious, keep your passport handy. Our next flight is already boarding. Don’t forget to like, share, or drop a comment about which country surprised you the most, and follow along for the next chapter of our global adventure.
As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!
***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***
