Question

Why had Europeans called African Dark country?

Answer 1

Earlier it was thought that it is because of the dark complexion of African population that Africa is called a dark continent.

Although Africa was under colonization until late 19th century, most of its part was hardly mapped and explored. This is why most of its parts were not known, this may be the reason behind calling it a Dark Continent.

But the most important reason I think is the slump economic and social development of Africa. Slaves were captured and transported to Europe and America by colonizer western powers. Natural resources of Africa were exploited unsustainably and extensively. As a result Africa remained underdeveloped with a huge population suffering with hunger, diseases and malnutrition etc. This is the reason Africa was known as a Dark Continent because European economy was flourishing like anything and Africa on the other side was showing a bleak picture.

Answer 2

The campaigns against slavery worked in Africa which intensified Europeans racial ideas about African people in 1800s.They called Afric a as dark country because of the mysteries and the savagery they expected to find in the 'Interior'.
Hope it helps u