Final answer:
The partition of Africa by European colonizers describes the division of the continent by European powers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, culminating in the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. This event led to the demarcation of colonial boundaries disregarding local ethnic and cultural divides, contributing to ongoing geopolitical challenges in Africa.
Step-by-step explanation:
The partition of Africa by European colonizers refers to the period during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when European nations divided the continent among themselves for colonization. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 was a key event in this process, where European powers met without any African representation to agree upon colonial boundaries. This was part of the "Scramble for Africa", which saw European countries stake claims over the continent to access raw materials and markets, enhance national prestige, and establish military supremacy.
Colonial boundaries often disrupted the existing ethnic and cultural divisions within Africa, leading to long-term geopolitical issues. Local communities were disregarded as European colonizers sought to extract resources and establish control through often brutal means. Some of the most troubled areas in Africa today can be traced back to the violence and conflict engendered by colonial rule. The current borders of African countries largely reflect the demarcation lines established during the European colonization period.
By the early 20th century, almost all of Africa was under European control, with the notable exceptions of Ethiopia and Liberia. However, the legacy of colonization remains evident in the continent's ongoing struggles with political instability, economic underdevelopment, and social turmoil, due largely to the artificial boundaries imposed during the partitioning.