Geography of Africa Continent of Extreme and Diverse Environments

2 nd Largest Continent

Stationary Part of Pangaea  Rugged coastline  Not many high mountains like in S. Asia, (Kilimanjaro is highest)  Many plateaus inland – 90% of Africa is 500ft. or higher

Victoria Falls  One of the Largest Waterfalls in the World

Sahara Desert  Northern Plateau – Sahara Desert covers 30% of continent (size of US)

Sahel  Dry semi-arid scrubland home to nomadic herders

Savanna  inches of rainfall a year – where zebras, antelopes, giraffes and elephants etc. live.

Tropical Rainforests  From West Africa through Democratic Republic of Congo  70 in. rain annually  Gorillas, exotic birds and plants – all in danger today

Africa’s Rivers  40% of the world’s potential hydroelectric power  Nile –4,100 miles (longest) –Two sources, Blue and White intersect  Niger –2,600 miles –In West Africa, center of ancient kingdoms  Congo –3,000 miles –Central location

Rich in Mineral Deposits  diamonds, gold, platinum, oil, copper, coal, cobalt, uranium, bauxite and iron-ore…why so poor?  What turned out to be Africa’s most lucrative trade industry?

Agriculture  African societies are primarily based on agriculture  Subsistence farming & cash crops  Cash crops are problematic – Why?

Great Rift Valley –Africa's most diverse region –Habitats include deserts to snowfields, active volcanoes to deep water abyss, lowland rainforest to savanna, and soda lakes –It is growing continuously

Clip on Great Rift Valley  Discovery Streaming Atlas 4D GRV –Geology of the GRV –The Danakil Depression –White Gold –How the Great Lakes Formed –The Food Chain in the Serengeti –The Masai –The future of the GRV

Environmental Issues of Africa

Desertification  Degradation of: –Arid –Semi-Arid –Sub-humid Lands

Sahel region is very susceptible

Causes  Drought  Desiccation---irreversible damage to soil after long periods of drought

Ramifications  Limited crop production –Damage food supply  Disruption of various cultures

Deforestation  13 million acres of forest lost from

Causes  Cleared for Agriculture  Flooded b/c of dams built  Pollution and development

Ramifications  Loss of environment  Cultures disrupted

Traditional African Culture  Some important points

Traditional African Religion ANIMISM 1. Belief in one remote Supreme Being. 3. Ancestor veneration. 4. Belief in magic and charms 5. Diviner  mediator between the tribe and God. 2. A world of spirits (good & bad) in all things.

 Islam and Christianity also make up a large percentage of the population of Africa

An African’s “Search for Identity” 1. Nuclear Family 2. Extended Family 3. Age-Set 4. Clan 5. Lineage (ancestry) TRIBE (communal living)

1000 different languages; different tribes

Problems of Tribalism Today 1. The tribe is more important than the nation. 2. Communication problems. 3. Inter-tribal warfare  civil wars. 4. Tribal favorites for government jobs: Nepotism Urbanization: Breaks down tribal traditions. Tribal intermingling on the job.

Slavery What were some of the reasons Europeans sought to enslave Africans? Why did some Africans sell fellow Africans into slavery? How were enslaved Africans treated by traders and their masters? Read – Letters from Affonso, Olaudah’s experience

Slave Trade? What were the African Advantages?  Protection – middle man  Availability of foreign goods  Get rid of enemies  $$$$ What were the African disadvantages?  Slow down other/traditional trading  Hurt Africa in the long run – took focus off of other business ventures  Lost intelligent and strong people  Decrease in population  Cultures destroyed  Slave experience

What were the European Disadvantages?  Resentment from Africans  Increased contact – lead to more disease  Slaves were cheaper labor force, competition for job  Morality What were the European Advantages?  US and Europe eventually take on some African culture  $$$$$$  Faster colonization of the New World

Why did Slavery End?  After a little over 300 years, why did European countries eventually abolish the slave trade and slavery?

The White Man’s Burden – Social Darwinism

Effects of Colonialism  What were the overall effects of colonialism on the development of Africa? (Use Maps, DBQ, and Parable of the Eagle)