Sub-Saharan Africa Physical Geography

The Transition Zone

What and Where? It is an area of climate change from the Sahara of North Africa to the Tropics of Equatorial Africa. In a band of land that crosses from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, the deserts of North Africa meet the tropical savanna of Equatorial Africa. A border of vegetation produces a shore-like appearance, giving the area the name Sahel, meaning “shore” or “coast.”

The Land It is mainly flat with plateaus, and it receives very little rainfall. Vegetation is mostly low-growing grasses, shrubs, and acacia trees, making it a pastoral zone that is good for raising livestock. This raised, flat area is a plateau.

Droughts They have plagued the area, which depends on the limited amount of rain it receives. Its lakes, rivers, and wetlands are important resources. Some lakes, however, like Lake Chad and its wetlands, are shrinking. During December and January, a hot, dry wind called a harmattan blows from the Sahara.

Droughts

Harmattan It is a hot, dry wind that blows in from the Sahara to the north, carrying sand and dust.

It is a man-made lake that was created to store water for hydroelectric power and irrigation. Preventing the annual floods from the river and halting the course of flow, however, have reduced soil fertility and increased diseases.

They provide irrigation and transportation, and create fertile soil for agriculture and wetlands that support life. For most of the year, the land is dry and animals roam in search of water, but in the rainy season, plants come alive providing abundant food.

East Africa What and Where?

Landscape Shifting tectonic plates caused great faults in the Earth, forming the Great Rift Valley that extends through East Africa. The diverse landscape also includes plateaus with steep cliffs and waterfalls, grassy plains, and volcanic mountains such as Kilamanjaro.

Water The Indian Ocean offers a convenient entry point for products, people, and different cultures. The Great Rift Valley features many lakes which provide transportation, fresh water, abundant fishing, and fertile soils.

Latitude and Elevation A range of latitudes and elevations cover East Africa, resulting in diverse climates. The northeastern desert has limited rainfall, vegetation, and wildlife. A semi-arid steppe zone, which includes the pastures of the Sahel, separates the desert from the tropical savanna to the south.

Wildlife Soil erosion, deforestation, and desertification plague the Sahel, while the savanna receives seasonal rainfall that supports the wildlife and a variety of vegetation.

Wildlife The Serengeti Plain, one of the world’s largest savanna plains, is home to zebras, gazelles, hyenas, lions, giraffes, and more.

West Africa

What and Where? West Africa is a land of rivers and lakes, low plains, and highlands. It is located on the Atlantic coast of Africa.

Vegetation Most countries in West Africa are partially in the Transition Zone. From north to south, the environment changes from hot, dry Sahara to steppe with its low-growing shrubs, then transitions to the rainier savanna, and finally to tropical rain forests.

Landscape Coastal regions include sandy beaches, mangrove swamps, lagoons, and broad coastal plains. Beyond the plains, are the Guinea Highlands: high plateaus with several mountain ranges, savannas, and rainforests.

Volcanoes A chain of former volcanoes makes up part of the Cameroon Highlands, which feature forests and grasslands rich in biodiversity. To the north lies the Sahara. The stamp above depicts one of the now dormant volcanoes of Cameroon.

Water Lagoons and mangrove swamps provide food and shelter for fish, shellfish, mollusks, wildfowl, and marine animals. They are an important food source for coastal people. Mangroves

Water The Atlantic Ocean is an important source of food and commercial fishing revenue. Though significantly reduced in size, Lake Chad, along with human-made Lake Volta, supply irrigation for farming.

Equatorial Africa What and where is it? The hot, humid subregion lies at the center of Africa. It is home to the Congo River, dense rainforest, volcanoes, and exotic wildlife.

Landscape Located on and near the Equator, the climate is mostly warm with rarely a dry season. Its landscape is dominated by the Congo Basin, the second largest river basin on Earth. The basin is mostly flatland covered in rainforest.

The Congo Basin It is surrounded by a number of highland areas that feature plateaus, hills, and mountains. The Congo is one of the longest rivers in the world, and with its tributaries, forms a network of navigable waters broken by rapids and waterfalls.

The Atlantic Coast This coastal region features low plains with lagoons and beaches. Along the coasts of the Gulf of Guinea, the fishing industry helps support the five countries.

The Rainforest It is home to a variety of animals and the source of valuable foods, medicines, fibers, oils, rubber, and wood.

Natural Resources Heavy rainfall makes water a major natural resource in the subregion. Mineral resources are also abundant, such as cadmium, cobalt, gold, copper, silver, and diamonds.

South Africa What and where is it? It is known for its elephants, lions, giraffes, and zebras, and for its diamonds. Its climates vary from marine to tropical to desert, giving rise to diverse biomes.

The Mainland It is surrounded by ocean on three sides. The u-shaped Great Escarpment rises up from the coastlands and is comprised of steep cliffs. The land inside is mostly hills and plateaus, including the striking Highveld plateau, which is over a mile high.

Madagascar It is a series of plateaus surrounded by and escarpment. It also includes a group of volcanoes.

Rivers The main rivers feature many rapids and waterfalls, making them mostly non-navigable. They are a valuable source of hydroelectric power and are home to a variety of aquatic life.

Vegetation and Wildlife Inside the Great Escarpment, savannas cover the north and east, and are home to giraffes, zebras, lions, leopards, elephants, and more. The south and west are mostly desert, with some regions able to support grasses and animals such as antelope and ostriches.