This revised and updated thirty-third edition provides a complete survey of the region including:
* Over 1,300 pages of economic and demographic statistics, wide-ranging directory material and authoritative articles
* Contributions from over 50 leading experts on African affairs
* Incisive analysis of the latest available information.

General Survey* Thoroughly revised and updated analytical articles written by acknowledged experts covering the issues affecting the area as a whole: Reforming Africa: Continuities and Changes; Economic Trends in Africa South of the Sahara 2003; The Privatization of Security in Sub-Saharan Africa and European Colonial Rule in Africa* New for this edition: Health and Medical Issues in Sub-Saharan Africa
* A political map of contemporary Africa and a chronological list of the dates of independence of African countries.

Country SurveysIndividual chapters on every country incorporating:

* An introductory survey, containing essays on the physical and social geography, recent history and economy of each country
* An extensive statistical survey of economic indicators, which include area and population, health and welfare, agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, industry, finance, trade, transport, tourism, media and education
* A full directory containing names, addresses and contact numbers for key areas such as the government, political organizations, diplomatic representation, the judiciary, religion, the media, finance, trade and industry, tourism, defence and education
* A useful bibliography, providing sources for further research.

Regional Information* Detailed information on the following: regional organizations; major commodities; calendars, time reckoning, and weights and measures; research institutes concerned with Africa and a select periodicals bibliography.