Africa is the 2 nd largest continent in the world, next to Asia.

Africa is HUGE! Africa is almost an island. Egypt connects to Asia. Africa is about 2.5 times the size of the United States.

Africa is home to 54 countries 900 million people live here They speak over 2,000 languages Hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth, was degrees F., in Libya in 1922 The Nile is the world’s longest river at a distance of 4,145 miles long

Vocabulary for Africa Continent – one of seven large land masses of the earth Equator – an imaginary line around the Earth, halfway between the North and South poles Tropical – a warm, rainy area near the equator Tropical Wet-Dry – wet season in summer, dry in winter Arid – very dry climate Semi-Arid – dry climate Plain – large area of flat land

Vocabulary for Africa (continued) Sahel – semi-arid area that lies between the Sahara Desert and moister regions in northern Africa Savanna – large area of grassy plains with small shrubs Rainforest – warm area of great rainfall with tall evergreen trees Arable land – land that can be used for farming Desert – area of almost no rainfall, where almost nothing grows, where no one lives permanently Desertification – the change from arable land to desert Deforestation – loss of forest that occurs when trees are removed faster than they can grow back

Countries in Africa have presidents like we do USA’s President Barack Obama South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma

The grassy lands in much of Africa are known as savannas. A good climate and the right amount of rain make the savanna a good place to live. The African savanna region is home to large herds of animals like these giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests, as well as lions, gazelles, and others.

Africa is a large continent with many different land regions. Elephants play in the water in the tropical region along the equator where there is plenty of food to feed the large herds. The African elephant has very large ears that are as unique as a human’s fingerprints.

Africa’s rivers swirl with life…..

Mount Kilimanjaro, at 19,340 feet, seems to watch over the herds of animals grazing on the plains below. This mountain in Tanzania is Africa’s highest point.

Africa’s people are as diverse as the land in which they live. These desert nomads in Egypt still live the same nomadic life as their ancient ancestors, moving from place to place in search of food and water.

While many Africans have adopted a more practical form of dress, these girls continue to dress in the traditional African clothing of their family group.

Most of the people of North Africa are Arabs, following the Muslim religion after their lands were conquered by the followers of Muhammad.

Africa is a land in a state of transition… trying to change and modernize while keeping the traditional values and customs of their people.

This woman in Mali continues to wear traditional clothing and prepare food in the familiar ways of her ancestors. Her customs have preserved her land and heritage through the centuries, while some efforts to modernize have led to disaster.

Poverty, pollution, crime, and disease are all problems that trouble the people of Africa as they begin to develop a more modern way of living. Many think the old ways were better.

From the rocky coastline…to the sandy desert…

… and from the lazy flowing Nile River…to the roaring waters of Victoria Falls…Africa seems to defy description…to refuse to be tamed…even by words.