Africa Part 2 Geography B

Continent Africa is the 2 nd largest continent (1/5 th of the total land surface in the world) Africa is surrounded by the following bodies of water –North – Mediterreanean –East – Red Sea and Indian Sea –West – Atlantic Ocean –South – Atlantic and Indian Ocean

Continent Both the Prime Merdian and the Equator cross through Africa The name Africa comes from the Romans who used the Latin word aprica – sunny Greek word aphrike – without cold

Major land forms Most of the African continet can be considered a plateau rising 500-4,500 feet in elevation –North – Sahara Desert –Northwestern – Atlas Mountains –East – The Highlands including the Great Rift Valley and Mount Kilimanjaro

People Africa contains about 10% of the world’s population The greater part of the continent has been inhabited by black people –Throughout History immigrants from Asia and Europe have come to Africa

People 2 Six major types of societies developed in Africa before colonial rule in –Hunting and gathering –Cattle-herding –Forest dwellings –Fisherman –Grain-Raising –City or Urban

People 3 Nearly 70% of the African people live in rural areas –(Note approximately 75% of the people in the U.S. live in cities/urban areas)