The recent dramatic emergence of tropical Africa to the center stage of international affairs has raised African studies to a position of grave national concern. If the new African nations are faced with the problems of adjusting in all too short a time to the responsibilities and tasks of independence, we on our side are faced with equally grave problems in meeting our responsibilities to them. In diplomatic relations, business and industrial contacts, and education and technical assistance programs, our critical need now is for a detaile understanding of these diverse nations.