WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -European explorers were unable to penetrate the interior part of the continent-or much beyond coastal areas-for centuries due to the rich disease environment. Europeans possessed no immunity to, or protection for, malaria which was found across huge parts of the continent.

Detailed explanation-2: -Europeans could not navigate African rivers, which had many rapids, cataracts, and changing flows. The introduction of steam-powered river-boats in the early 1800s allowed Europeans to conduct major expeditions into the interior of Africa. Disease also discouraged European exploration.

Detailed explanation-3: -Before 1880, Europeans had only made small incursions into Africa, with forts and trading posts mainly around the coast, according to Richard Dowden, director of the Royal African Society in Britain. The interior until then remained largely inaccessible to Europeans because of disease and difficulty of travel.

Detailed explanation-4: -European travel into the interior of Africa on a large-scale basis was virtually impossible. Europeans could not navigate African rivers, which had many rapids, cataracts, and changing flows. Diseases that Africans had already been immune to discouraged European exploration.

Detailed explanation-5: -Raw materials like rubber, timber, diamonds, and gold were found in Africa. Europeans also wanted to protect trade routes. During the 1800s, Europeans moved further into the continent in search of raw materials and places to build successful colonies.