1. Land of Contrasts By K. Suresh, sa, ss Srikalahasti
Africa
Land of Contrasts
By K. Suresh, sa, ss
Srikalahasti

2. The continent of Africa means many different things to people in Africa and around the world.
To some people it is the home they love. To others it is a mysterious, far off land that they know little about.
To geography students, Africa is a large, diverse land meant to explore.

3. Things to know about Africa
53 independent countries
732 million people
800 ethnic groups
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
Second largest of the Earth’s continents
Africa has an area of 11,798 square miles

4. Vocabulary for the Study of 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
Plain – a large, flat area of land
Savanna – large area of grassy plains with small shrubs
Rain Forest – area of great rainfall, tall evergreen trees
Desert – an area where almost no rain falls, where almost nothing grows, and no one lives permanently

5. Africa is a large continent with many different land regions
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.

6. 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.

7. Africa’s rivers seem to swirl with life, like this huge crocodile, quietly sunning himself on a rock.

8. 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.

9. From the rocky coastline…to the sandy desert…

10. …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.

11. Africa’s people are as diverse as the land in which they live
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.

12. 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.

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

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

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. Africa – Land of Contrasts We end as we began this presentation.
Africa is a very diverse land with many different kinds of people and many different kinds of problems. There is no one solution that will solve all the problems.
Africa and the rest of the world will have to work together to solve these problems that may one day affect all of us.
Keep your eye on the second largest continent!