Africa: Climate and Vegetation Chapter 1, Section 2

Africa’s Climate Because Africa lies on the equator, much of it is warm. However, the equator is not the only thing that impacts weather and climate. Some things that influence climate are: Closeness to the ocean or great lakes Winds carrying ocean or lake water over the land can help keep the climate temperate and the land fertile Elevation of the land Higher lands are cooler, because the air pressure is lower Landforms, like mountains, rainforests or snowcaps Mountains can act as a natural barrier, blocking winds. Rainforests can help to trap heat, making them more lush, while snowy mountaintops reflect light away, making them cooler.

Africa’s Climate: The Equator Much of Africa’s climate is influenced by its position on the globe. The Equator runs directly through Africa, as do the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. All of the land between the Tropics have tropical climates. What does this tell us about weather there?

Africa’s Climate: Elevation However, the Equator alone isn’t the only thing that impacts Africa’s climate. One thing that plays a major role is elevation: The height of land above sea level The higher a place’s elevation, the cooler it tends to be.

Africa’s Climate: Elevation A good example of this is Ethiopia and Somalia. Though they’re neighbors, and about the same distance from the Equator, they have very different climates. Ethopia has a high elevation. Because of that, it has very mild temperatures and lots of fertile farmlands. Somalia, on the other hand, has a low elevation. The country is very dry, which makes farming difficult. Farming in Somalia is possible only near an oasis, a fertile place with an underground water source. Oases make irrigation of farm lands possible.

Africa’s Climate: Rainfall Rainfall also has a major impact on climate. However, how much rain falls varies widely across Africa. Some places, especially in coastal West and Central Africa, get lots of rain – as much as 100 inches a YEAR! Others, like the Sahara in Northern Africa, may not get rain for several years in a row.

Africa’s Climate Because Africa is so large and has so many different kinds of landforms, it is home to many, many different climate types. Some places in Africa are warm and dry, like deserts, steppes and savannas. Others, however, are warm and wet, such as rainforests, subtropical zones, and Mediterranean regions. Some, like highland plateaus and marine climates, are cool and damp.

Africa’s Rain Forests What is a rainforest like? Much of central Africa – about 20% - is covered in rainforests. These rainforests are home to many species native to Africa. However, Africa’s rainforests are shrinking. Much of the rainforest has been cleared for farmland and human habitations, as plants like cacao and cassava grow very well there.

Africa’s Savannas Large sections of Africa are covered in savannas, lands which have tall grass, bushes, shrubs and scattered trees. The savanna has two distinct seasons: a dry season, which has too little rain to farm, and a wet season, which allows for good farming. On the savanna, you will find many of Africa’s big animals as well: giraffes, lions, rhinos, and elephants.

Africa’s Deserts The third major climate type in Africa is deserts. Africa has three major deserts – the Sahara desert, which is the largest in the world; the Namib, and the Kalahari. The Sahara desert is bordered by a region known as the Sahel, where the desert and the savanna meet. The Sahel is hot and dry, and receives just 4-8 inches of rain a year!