1. The geography of Africa is very diverse.
What do you think of when you think of Africa?
If hyperlink does not work go to Discovery Education and type in Geography of Africa. 4:43

2. How big is Africa?

3. Tropical Rain Forests Located mainly near the equator
Tropical Rain Forests Located mainly near the equator. Thick trees and roots make this region unsuitable for farming.
How does this affect the Africans: Most Africans do not live in the rain forests because farming is very difficult here. Sun light does not reach the floors of the rain forests. Covers less than five percent of the land.

4. Savannas- grassy plain Most populated and largest climate zone in Africa. The savanna stretches north and south of the forests zones. Generally has good soil and enough rainfall to support farming. Irregular periods of rainfall sometimes leads to drought. In parts of the savanna the tsetse fly infects people and animals with sleeping sickness.
How did this affect the Africans? Savannas supported abundant farming and herding.
How did this affect the Africans? The tsetse fly prevented the use of some animals and also prevented invaders from going into infested areas.

5. Deserts….not dessert The Sahara, Namib and Kalahari deserts are in Africa. The Sahara is located in the north and is the largest desert in the world. The Namib and Kalahari deserts are in the south of Africa. Desertification has become a major concern for people in Africa. The desert is slowly becoming larger! Five thousand square miles a year.
How did this affect Africans? The deserts hampered movement of people but the camel did help trans-saharan trade. Desertification is a current problem for people in Africa.

6. Fertile Farmland Along the Mediterranean coast of North Africa and at the tip of southern Africa lie areas of fertile farmland. The Nile River valley offered a favorable environment for early farmers.
How did this affect the Africans? Fertile land and a mild climate supported a large population of farmers and herders. Some of the earliest civilizations lived near the Nile river and built irrigation ditches.

7. Regular Coastline Africa does not have a lot of natural harbors
How did this affect the Africans? Early trade was difficult in Africa but this also made it difficult for invaders.

8. Rapid Waters The interior of Africa is on a high plateau so as rivers flow down to the coast, they cascade through a series of rapids and cataracts
How did this affect Africans? Made navigation impossible to and from the coast.

9. Deforestation- to clear forests
Natural Resources Salt, iron, gold and copper were important commodities in early trade networks..(Trans- Saharan trade). More recently oil has been big……..and Diamonds too 
If hyperlink does not work go to Discovery Education. Type in Ghana and there is a clip about deforestation in Ghana 3:44
Deforestation- to clear forests
How did this affect early Africans: Other countries saw value in these natural resources and came into Africa and began making colonies

10. Let’s go back……way back!
I want the new I-Phone
Traditional Culture: old-fashion. Subsistence Agriculture: grow only what you need Slash and burn farming: cutting down an area of trees and using the ashes and land for farming. Physical v. Political maps: elevation v. capital cities and boundaries Terrace Farming- growing crops along mountains or hills