Sub - Sahara Africa

Leading countries of the area GDP: Gross Domestic Product: The total value of goods produced and services provided in a country during one year South Africa Gabon Botswana

Leading countries of the area cont. Land size Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) Sudan Chad Mozambique Madagascar

Leading countries of the area cont. Population Nigeria Ethiopia Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) Tanzania Kenya

Physical characteristics Continent composed of a huge plateau and escarpment River transportation is impeded by waterfalls and rapids Smooth coastline provides few natural harbors

Plateau--raised area of land with a generally level surface Plateau--raised area of land with a generally level surface. At least one side of the plateau rises steeply above the surrounding area Escarpment--a steep cliff that separates two level areas of differing elevations

Central Africa Climate zones 1. Rainforest 2. Tropical Wet and Dry The location of the equator in the middle of the region provides similar climate patterns on both the North and South sides of the equator. Climate zones 1. Rainforest 2. Tropical Wet and Dry 3. Semi Arid 4. Arid

Central Africa The region has a large number of landlocked countries. landlocked--a country which is completely cut off from a sea and surrounded by land or other countries

Central Africa The area is a storehouse of minerals such as gold and diamonds. The land of the rainforest has limited fertility in the soil because the rainforest leaches the nutrients out. Two main deserts-- Kalahari and the Namib The region has many preserves and national parks.

Economic Characteristics Large percentage of the population is engaged in agriculture (primary activity). Mainly subsistence agriculture and nomadic herding. They use slash and burn agriculture

Slash and burn agriculture--cutting down trees and vegetation to clear a field for planting. The field is only good for a few years before you have to do it again. The land you leave is useless because you have depleted it of nutrients.

There is some plantation agriculture where cash crops and food crops are raised. Cash crops—coffee, tea, sugar, peanuts, cocoa Food crops—millet, sorghum, wheat, corn

Challenges & Advantages: Poorly developed infrastructure. Large numbers of landlocked countries. Makes it difficult to trade with the rest of the world

The area does have substantial mineral wealth. EX: diamonds, gold, alloys The region is a major exporter of raw materials, but this leads to a high trade deficit.

There is a wide range of per capita income in the region. Production of products lags behind the growing population of the area and many goods have to be imported.

The area is suffering from desertification. Desertification--the process of destroying the grassland and other vegetation regions and having them turn into desert

Demographics are typical of a developing nation low per capita GDP low life expectancy High population growth rates High infant mortality large percentage of the population under the age of 15 low literacy rates

Cultural Characteristics Uneven population distribution large numbers of refugees due to constant conflict in many countries Many conflicts are caused by the many ethnic groups with different languages and customs

There are very few cities with populations over one million There knowledge of their history is based on an oral tradition Many of the country names today are based on historical empires such as Mali, Ghana & Zimbabwe

The diversity of Africans are reflected in their cultural heritage masks •sculpture dance •music colorful dress jewelry

Major Cities Centers of Culture and Trade Lagos, Nigeria Dakar, Senegal Johannesburg, South Africa

Markets churches mosques, and minarets villages modern city cores

Waterfalls (Blue Nile Falls, Ethiopia)

African Escarpment

African Masks

African Clothing

Village

Masks

African Mask

Catholic Church in Mali

Market Scene, Selling dry fish

Market Scene

Statue in Burkina Faso

Crops being transported for the market

Grande Mosque in Mali

Mud Brick Village in Mali

Market in Ghana

Market in Mali, notice clothing

Namibia Village—thatched roof

Shantytown outside S. Africa