Africa: The Shape of the Land

Quick Facts Second largest continent – Largest Asia – 3 times the size of US More independent nations than any continent on earth – 55

Location Centrally located on Earth’s Surface Straddles Equator – Extends thousands of miles North and South of it Bordered by: – Between 2 Oceans Atlantic (West) and Indian (East) – 2 Seas to its North Mediterranean Sea (North) Red Sea (North East – Water bodies link Africa with the rest of the world In Ancient Times these waters helped transfer people, goods, and ideas between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Today they place it in the center of world transportation routes.

Regions Many distinct regions exist in Africa Geographic features give each its own identity Variety exists within regions Regional differences create cultural diversity Main Regions: – North Africa- closely linked to Middle East and Europe – The rest are referred to often as Sub-Saharan Africa West Africa East Africa Central Africa Southern Africa

Landforms Most of Africa is a vast Plateau Mountain Ranges exist on the Edges of the Continent – Atlas Mountains- Northwest – Drakensberg Mountains- Southeast Narrow Plains along the Coast

Plateaus – Lie at many different elevations Highest in East and South – Continent tilts gradually downward towards west and north. – Large basins, swamps, and lakes are scattered across the plateaus. – Land drops sharply as you move from the plateaus toward the coast. – Escarpments- steep cliffs divided plateaus from coastal plains in some places. – Changes in elevation effect the course of African Rivers Often contain a series of cataracts- large waterfalls and rapids due to elevation change. – Africans have migrated across the plateaus over thousands of years – Traders followed well traveled routes across the continent – Early Europeans were discouraged from exploring the continent because of the blockage by cataracts.

Great Rift Valley – Slices through the Eastern part of the continent – A giant fault or break in the Earth’s crust – Runs from Red sea to Zambezi River – Creates a series of mountains and valleys formed millions of years ago. – Flanked by high cliff-like walls Rich soils have washed down from these highlands over centuries – Creates some of Africa’s Most fertile farmland – Rich in minerals and metals, but mining and transportation is difficult – May be the site of human origin

Rivers Provide fish, water for irrigation, and a source of transportation Used today for Hydroelectric power to provide cities with electricity

Key Rivers: – The Nile River Longest in world 4,160 Miles Perfect for farmlands to support a large population (Ancient Egypt) Now a source of power with the Aswan Dam (Mixed Blessing) – The Congo River Empties into Atlantic from Central Africa Used for hydroelectric power Not useful fro transportation – Niger River In West Africa First flows north then south. Used for irrigation, fishing and some travel – Zambezi River In southern Africa Rushes over Victoria Falls Provides a border and power to Zimabwe and Zambia

Natural Resources River’s are a source of precious metals – Gold and diamonds West Africa caught European interest for its gold Today African Nations sell many other valuable resources to the industrial world – D.R. of Congo and Zimbabwe- copper – South Africa, D.R. of Congo, Botswana- platinum and cobalt – Nigeria and Angola- offshore oil platforms – Libya, Algeria, Gabon and Sudan- Oil deposits Many resource profits flow out of Africa due to lack of money Resources in Africa are unevenly distributed Some can farm like Uganda, but most is not fertile and rainfall is inconsistent