Africa’s Geography

Africa’s Diverse Geography Sahara Desert Largest world’s desert Large desert in northern Africa Desertification – expansion of dry, desert like conditions into fertile areas Fewer than 10 inches of rain a year Atlas Mountains act as a barrier between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean The Sahara divides the continent into two regions: North Africa and sub- Saharan Africa

Africa’s Diverse Geography Savannas Flat grasslands with few trees Closer to the equator, the climate becomes hot and features both rainy and dry seasons Cover the regions just north and south of the rainforests that lie along the equator Hot, dry grasslands Grass is tall and thick Trees are short and scattered Largest in the world Covers almost half of Africa

Africa’s Diverse Geography Rain Forests Along the equator lies the Congo Basin, home to the world’s second largest tropical rainforest A rainforest, is a dense evergreen forest with an annual rainfall of at least 60 inches In the Congo, trees are so thick and tall that sunlight never reaches the forest floor Found in parts of the world that are warm and humid and usually in an area near the earth’s equator Unfortunately, the rainforest has shrunk substantially because of deforestation and destructive farming practices

Africa’s Diverse Geography Vegetation Zone Soil and precipitation region Has distinctive types of plants Interactive Vegetation Zone Map Click on the link below to access the animated map at Record two facts for each of the five vegetation zones in your notes