Geography of Africa Africa Unit

Guiding Questions for AFRICA (Write these down) 1. What physical processes and relationships support different African biomes? 2. How are people, places and the environment in Africa connected and interdependent? 3. How does the history of colonization continue to affect African countries today, especially in terms of culture, conflict and ability to profit from their vast natural resources?

The Continent of Africa

Africa’s Size Second largest continent  11,700,000 sq. mi. 4 6 0 0 M I L E S 5 0 0 0 M I L E S Second largest continent  11,700,000 sq. mi. 10% of the world’s population. 2 ½ times the size of the U. S.

The African Plateau

Bodies Of Water Mediterranean Sea Red Sea Nile River Niger River L. Chad--> <--Gulf of Aden L. Albert--> Congo River L. Victoria L. Tanganyika-> Indian Ocean Atlantic Ocean Zambezi River Limpopo River Orange River Pacific Ocean

The Mighty Nile River: “Longest River in the World”

Mountains & Peaks Atlas Mts. Δ Mt. Kenya Δ Mt. Kilimanjaro Ruwenzori Mts. Drajensburg Mts.

Libyan Desert Deserts Sahara Desert Sahel Namib Desert Kalahari Desert

The Sahara Desert

The Sahel

Five Geographic Regions of Africa Africa Unit

North Africa Mountain Ranges (Atlas Mountains, Ahaggar Mountains) Sahara desert (world’s largest) Sahel region

North Africa

Ahaggar Mts.

Atlas Mountains

West Africa Grasslands Most populated

West Africa

Lagos, Nigeria

East Africa Mountainous Plateaus (Ethiopian Plateau) Grasslands Serengeti Plain Hills

East Africa

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Snow on the Equator?

The African Savannah: 13 million sq. mi.

South Africa Namib & Kalahari Deserts Drakensberg Mountain Range

South Africa

Namib Desert

Kalahari Desert

Central Africa Equator Rain forests

Central Africa

African Rain Forest Annual rainfall of up to 17 ft. Rapid decomposition (very humid). Covers 37 countries. 15% of the land surface of Africa.

Countries of Africa Africa Unit

How well do you know the countries of Africa? Click on the words above to play a review game.

Desertification Desertification – The spreading of a desert region The region of Sahel is most affected by the spreading desert.

Desertification

Great Rift Valley Great Rift Valley – 4,000 mile giant fault, or break in the earth’s crust. From Red Sea to Zambezi River. Evidence has found that the earliest Humans first lived in this area.

Great Rift Valley 3,000 miles long

Major Rivers Nile River – world’s longest (4,000 + miles) Sources: White Nile (Uganda) & Blue Nile (Ethiopian highlands) flows into the Mediterranean Congo River – Central Africa – through rain forests, 2,720 miles long Niger River – Africa’s third longest- 2,600 miles long. Begins in West Africa (Guinea) Zambezi River – Fourth longest 2,200 miles – Southern Africa; contains Victoria Falls; flows into the Indian Ocean

Rivers in Africa are plenty, but very difficult to navigate due to cataracts. What are cataracts? Series of waterfalls How does this affect transportation and communication? Very difficult historically to travel and trade.

Climate and Diversity The equator runs nearly through the center of Africa 80% of the nation is tropical Further from equator = colder Higher Elevation = colder

Climate of Africa

Africa: The “Tropical” Continent Tropic of Cancer 20° N Africa: The “Tropical” Continent Equator 0° Tropic of Capricorn 20° S

Geography of Africa Review Interactive Map of Africa

Human Environment Interaction 1. Agriculture Difficult in many regions of Africa due to elevation and climate.

2. Hydroelectric Power

Extraction of Natural Resources today: OIL

Aswan High Dam 1970 Positive: Gives region of Egypt and Sudan regular supply of water. Increased agriculture through irrigation. Negative: Many people displaced when built. Mosquitoes cause Malaria

So now what? Open notes quiz over Ch 18 Sec 1&2 (Africa) on Tuesday, 9/25. Complete Summary of Landforms worksheet over Africa. Label Africa and Southwest Asia Maps Finish up Vocabulary Packet – will be checking for completion within the next few weeks.