AFRICA

AFRICA Plateau (upside down pie) Over 200 million years ago dinosaurs walked through this continent Africa and South America were connected at one time

4 Regions Of Africa North West East Central and Southern

NORTH AFRICA Marked by Rocky Mountains Endless Stretches of desert Sahara Desert-world’s largest

WEST AFRICA Most populated region Grasslands Soil is good for farming

EAST AFRICA Many Mountains and Plateaus (large raised areas of mostly level land) Grasslands Hills

CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN AFRICA Flat Grassland Thick Rain Forests Mountains Swamps

Plateau Continent Elevation of land is high Mt. Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain, 19,341 feet Coastal plains edge the continent Escarpment is a steep cliff The Great Rift Valley- a rift is a deep trench

Africa’s Rivers Useful for traveling Cataracts-rock filled rapids, make it impossible for ships to sail to sea

NILE RIVER Longest river in the world, more than 4,000 miles and twice the width of the U.S. Excellent farmland surrounds the Nile (overflows its banks) Dam water makes electricity Floods make fertile soil

CONGO RIVER Africa’s second largest river (2,900 miles) Flows through the rain forest Tributaries-small rivers and streams that flow into larger rivers

NIGER RIVER Africa’s third largest river Provides water for farms in the river valley People make a living catching fish

ZAMBEZI RIVER Africa’s fourth largest river Boats travel this river Runs through six countries Use strong current to make electricity Plunges into a canyon, creating Victoria Falls Can see the mist and spray from the falls almost 40 miles away

What Influences Climate Location near the equator How close to large bodies of water Major landforms affect climate Elevation (height above sea level) ESSAY QUESTION

CLIMATE IN AFRICA Tropical climate region (rainy) Usually very hot, but not always Some children NEVER see rain Deserts go years without rain Most places have 2 seasons of winter and summer in Africa

Methods of Farming Irrigate- to artificially water your crops Oasis- a place where springs and fresh underground water make it possible to support life. Usually in areas that receive little rainfall

Vegetation Tropical Rainforests-rains all the time, trees, plants, and animals Tropical Savannas-tall grasses, thorny bushes, scattered trees, dry and wet seasons Deserts-hot and very dry,4-8 inches of rain per year, sand everywhere ESSAY QUESTION

Nomads Make their living in the Sahara Move around to make a living They are traders and herders who hunt food Travel to places for water and food Herds of goats, camels, and sheep No sunscreen, they use long, loose robs

Health Problems Disease is everywhere Insects carrying diseases Tsetse fly-kills cattle with a single bite and brings the disease of sleeping sickness to humans