1. Physical Features of Africa Notes

2. Mediterranean Sea Located North of Africa A nearly landlocked sea
Climate: warm to hot, dry summers; mild to cool, wet winters
Area: 2.5 million sq. kilometers
Had major impact in history as it has been a major trade route

3. Red Sea Seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean
Lies between Africa and Asia
Climate: desert and semi-desert
Area: 438,000 sq kilometers
Known for it’s marine life, specifically that it has 200 soft and hard corals

4. Atlantic Ocean Second largest of the world’s oceans
Area: 106,400,000 sq. kilometers
Covers approx. 22% of the earth’s surface
Ocean currents affect the climate of all areas that border it.
13 major Atlantic ports in Africa

5. Indian Ocean Third largest ocean Area: 73,556,000 sq. kilometers
Covers approx. 20% of the earths water surface
Warmest ocean in the world
The Red Sea is sometimes considered a part of the Indian Ocean

6. Cape of Good Hope
A rocky cape on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa
Cape: a piece of land jutting into the sea
Often thought to be the southern-most tip of Africa…but it’s not!
Diverse habitat that includes rocky mountain tops, beaches and open seas
Home to at least 250 types of birds, including one species of African penguin

7. Nile River A north-flowing river in North Africa
Longest river in the world at 6,650 km long
Two major tributaries: White Nile and Blue Nile
The northern portion of the river flows through a desert.
Egypt’s Civilization has always depended on the Nile River and its yearly floods

8. Niger River The main river in Western Africa
Third longest river in Africa at approx. 4, 180 km long
Clear river
Floods yearly
Unique Feature: has a “boomerang” shape

9. Congo River Deepest river in the world
9th longest river in the world at 4,700 km long
River flows through the Congo Rainforest
Located above and below the equator
Has several species of turtles and crocodiles

10. Sahara Desert The second largest desert in the world
9,400,000 sq. km - it covers most of Northern Africa and is almost as large as the United States
Mainly barren, hard, rocky plateaus with little sand
Large sand dunes cover only a part of it
Nile River flows through it

11. Kalahari Desert Located in the south of Africa Size: 900,000 sq. km
Actually a semi-desert, which has great grazing lands after a rain
Previously had animals such as elephants, giraffes, lions and cheetahs
Summer temperatures range from 98° to 113°F

12. Tropical Rainforests
Located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn
West Africa has a chain of rainforests that stretches 680,000 km
Rich bio-diversity: new species of animals are still being found
Even so, has less vegetation than other rainforests
Deforestation is an issue

13. Savanna
Savanna: A grassland eco-system characterized by small trees that are located far apart
Usually located in transition zones between forests and deserts
Famous African Savannah: Serengeti
Large mammals such as gazelles, zebras, and buffalo are found here
Kalahari Desert is sometimes considered a Savanna

14. Atlas Mountains Located in northern Africa Length: approx. 2,500 miles
Wildlife is more similar to wildlife found in Europe
Rich in natural resources such as iron ore, lead ore, copper, silver and gas
Seperates the Mediterranean and Atlantic Coastlines

15. Mount Kilimanjaro
A dormant volcano in Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania
Highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level
Part of the Great Rift Valley
Actually comprised of three distinct volcano cones
Popular destination for Mountain Climbers

16. Great Rift Valley A continuous geographic trench Approx. 6,000 km long
Rich source of fossils
Mountain Ranges form the edges (this is where Mt. Kilimanjaro is located)
The African Great Lakes are located in the valleys