BELLRINGER 1.List all the ways that you use water in a day. 2.How many gallons do you think you use in a day?

Where is Africa?

How would you describe the physical landscape of Africa?

How would you describe the climate of Africa?

Temperature  80% of the continent is in the tropics (between Tropic of Cancer & Tropic of Capricorn)  So, climate is generally warm throughout the year.

Africa’s Geography  So, because most of Africa is relative flat and warm, our only concern is: Rainfall

Four Major Climate Regions Tropical – Wet Tropical - Wet & Dry DesertTemperate

1. Tropical Wet Climate Region  Along the equator  Hot & humid all year  Avg 80 0  100 inches of rain  Rainforests Disadvantages?  Leaching- dissolving and washing away of the soil’s nutrients by constant heavy rains.

2. Tropical Wet & Dry Climate  Largest climate zone in Africa -covers 1/2 continent  Clear wet season and dry season  Savanna (grasslands)

3. Deserts  Hot & dry all year  Sahara (in north), Kalahari (in south)  40% of Africa Desertification: the spreading of desert conditions

Sahara Desert Location: Northern Africa Is the world’s largest hot desert Larger than the United States Temperatures can reach 130 degrees Fahrenheit Windswept rock, gravel and shifting sand dunes Average rainfall per year is less than 10 inches. Few areas have grass which support grazing animals.

Kalahari Desert Kalahari Desert: Southern Africa  Not as dry and harsh as the Sahara  Grasses and wild melon grow in a few places  Antelopes and other animals graze

Oasis  Live in desert made possible by oases (desert waterhole, spring)

4. Temperate Climate Zones  Northern & southern tips  Seasonal  Mild climate, fertile soil

Geography: Water Use  Water is a major concern.  It is a commodity  It is becoming more scarce  It is especially a problem in the areas bordering the Sahara – “the Sahel”

Geography: Water Use Country Domestic (gal/person/day) Total (gal/person/day) Ethiopia 437 Ghana 925 Kenya 1363 South Africa Africa average United States World average 43481

Geography: Water Use Read the first hand account about water in Africa. Answer: 1. In one complete sentence, summarize the most important main idea of your article. 2. Describe in detail similarities and differences between the water situation in Africa and the United States. 3. Using the ideas in your article and your own critical thinking, what are the larger impacts of scarce water?

BEFORE YOU LEAVE… Using complete sentences, describe the climate of Africa.

Why learn about the Geography of Africa? The continent of Africa is not densely populated  the land and climate discourage human settlement. Adaption to the land:  Africa is the home to an immense variety of cultures  These cultures have different histories, religious beliefs, values, and traditions.  The varied lands and climates of Africa have contributed to these diversities.