1. SUBSAHARAN AFRICA

2. Major Geographic Qualities A plateau continent that is physiographically unique Comprised of dozens of nations and hundreds of ethnic groups A realm of people dependent on farming for their livelihood State boundaries represent colonial legacies Dislocated peoples and refugees Raw materials and resource potential Largest refugee population worldwide

3. Africa’s Physiography

4. Rift Valley in Kenya A. WinklerPrins

6. Plate Boundaries

7. Climate

8. Medical Geography Millions suffer from: – Malaria – Yellow Fever – AIDS

10. Medical Geography Endemic - Exists in equilibrium with the population - Many develop an immunity of sorts - Saps energy, lowers resistance, shortens lives Epidemic - Sudden outbreak at local, regional scale Pandemic - Worldwide spread

11. A global view of HIV infection in 2007 SOURCE: WHO/UNAIDS

12. What can be done about AIDS in SSA? Awareness and acceptance of the problem Political will Lowering of cost of drugs A. WinklerPrins

13. Importance of Farming in SS Africa Still main livelihood for the majority Mostly subsistence Vulnerable to famine Green revolution by-passed this realm

14. Early Kingdoms

15. The Atlantic Slave Trade

16. Colonialism European colonial objectives –Supply ports along the West African coast –A water route to South Asia and Southeast Asia –1500’s- looking for resources; Slaves –1850- industrial revolution occurs in Europe Increased demand for mineral resources Need to expand agricultural production

17. Berlin Conference 1884 European states divided up Africa without consideration of indigenous cultures Results of superimposed boundaries: –African peoples: divided –Unified regions: ripped apart –Hostile societies: thrown together –Migration routes: closed off When independence returned to Africa after 1950, the realm had already acquired a legacy of political fragmentation.

19. Independent states in Africa

20. The Legacy Several hundred languages are spoken Antagonism between tribes (e.g., Rwanda) Low level of development is linked to colonization Poor Infrastructure High Poverty levels Low Standard of Living

21. Cultural Patterns Population distribution Urbanization African languages –Lingua franca –Multilingualism Religions –Christianity –Islam –Tribal religions

22. Languages of Africa

23. Population Distribution

24. Urban Africa This is not an urban realm with relatively low overall urbanization (34%) changing rapidly as rate of urbanization is high City living is harsh –informal sector