Africa South of the Sahara Chapter 10 I. Geography of Africa
Africa: One Continent Many Countries
A. African Continent Africa is three times larger (size) than the United States Africa has twice as many people Home to some of the world’s poorest countries The top 10 poorest countries in the world today are located on the African continent World's Poorest Countries
B. Landforms Mount Kilimanjaro – Highest mountain in Africa Located along the boarder of Kenya and Tanzania Peak is covered with snow year round even though it very close to the equator
Mount Kilimanjaro Mount Kilimanjaro Video
Most of Africa sits on a plateau Plateau – Raised area of relatively level land African tectonic plates are slowly pulling a part Great Rift Valley – Large area of steep-walled valleys
Satellite Image of the Great Rift Valley
C. Waterways Nile River – Longest river in the world Africa has many lakes and rivers providing water and fish Waterfall and rapids make boat travel almost impossible Victoria Falls – One of the highest waterfalls in the world
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Victoria Falls Video
D. Desert and Semiarid Climates Areas with little rain, high temperatures, and few plants and animals Sahel – Large semiarid region south of the Sahara Desertification – Process by which a desert spreads Drought – Lack of rainfall over an extended period
The Sahel
E. Tropical and Equatorial Savannas – Flat grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs Home to many of Africa’s most famous animals Equatorial regions are home to some of the world’s largest remaining rainforest
Cheetahs on the Savannas near Mount Kilimanjaro
F. Resources Africa is home to many types of resources Nonrenewable – Resources that can not be easily remade Renewable – Resources that can be replace in a short time period