1. Sub - Saharan Africa

2. Leading countries of the area GDP GDP South Africa South Africa Gabon Gabon Botswana Botswana

3. Leading countries of the area cont. Land size Land size Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) Sudan Chad Mozambique Madagascar

4. Leading countries of the area cont. Population Population Nigeria Ethiopia Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) Tanzania Kenya

5. Physical characteristics Continent composed of a huge plateau and escarpment Continent composed of a huge plateau and escarpment River transportation is impeded by waterfalls and rapids River transportation is impeded by waterfalls and rapids Smooth coastline provides few natural harbors Smooth coastline provides few natural harbors

6. Plateau--raised area of land with a generally level surface. At least one side of the plateau rises steeply above the surrounding area Plateau--raised area of land with a generally level surface. At least one side of the plateau rises steeply above the surrounding area escarpment--a steep cliff that separates two level areas of differing elevations escarpment--a steep cliff that separates two level areas of differing elevations

7. The location of the equator in the middle of the region provides similar climate patterns on both the North and South sides of the equator The location of the equator in the middle of the region provides similar climate patterns on both the North and South sides of the equator Climate zones Climate zones 1. Rainforest 1. Rainforest 2. Tropical Wet and Dry 2. Tropical Wet and Dry 3. Semi Arid 3. Semi Arid 4. Arid 4. Arid

8. The region has a large number of landlocked countries The region has a large number of landlocked countries landlocked--a country which is completely cut off from a sea and surrounded by land or other countries landlocked--a country which is completely cut off from a sea and surrounded by land or other countries

9. The area is a storehouse of minerals The area is a storehouse of minerals The land of the rainforest has limited fertility in the soil because the rainforest leaches the nutrients out The land of the rainforest has limited fertility in the soil because the rainforest leaches the nutrients out Two main deserts-- Kalahari and the Namib Two main deserts-- Kalahari and the Namib

10. The region has many preserves and national parks The region has many preserves and national parks

11. Economic Charateristics Large percentage of the population is engaged in agriculture (primary activity. Large percentage of the population is engaged in agriculture (primary activity. Mainly subsistence agriculture and nomadic herding Mainly subsistence agriculture and nomadic herding They use slash and burn agriculture They use slash and burn agriculture

12. Slash and burn agriculture--cutting down trees and vegetation to clear a field for planting. The field is only good for a few years before you have to do it again. The land you leave is useless because you have depleted it of nutrients Slash and burn agriculture--cutting down trees and vegetation to clear a field for planting. The field is only good for a few years before you have to do it again. The land you leave is useless because you have depleted it of nutrients

13. There is some plantation agriculture where cash crops and food crops are raised. There is some plantation agriculture where cash crops and food crops are raised. Cash cropscoffee, tea, sugar, peanuts, cocoa Cash cropscoffee, tea, sugar, peanuts, cocoa Food cropsmillet, sorghum, wheat, corn Food cropsmillet, sorghum, wheat, corn

14. Poorly developed infrastructure. Poorly developed infrastructure. Large numbers of landlocked states. Large numbers of landlocked states. Makes it difficult to trade with the rest of the world Makes it difficult to trade with the rest of the world

15. The area does have substantial mineral wealth. The area does have substantial mineral wealth. EX: diamonds, gold, alloys EX: diamonds, gold, alloys The region is a major exporter of raw materials, but this leads to a high trade deficit. The region is a major exporter of raw materials, but this leads to a high trade deficit.

16. There is a wide range of per capita income in the region. There is a wide range of per capita income in the region. Production of products lags behind the growing population of the area and many goods have to be imported. Production of products lags behind the growing population of the area and many goods have to be imported.

17. The area is suffering from desertification. The area is suffering from desertification. Desertification--the process of destroying the grassland and other vegetation regions and having them turn into desert Desertification--the process of destroying the grassland and other vegetation regions and having them turn into desert

18. Demographics are typical of a developing nation Demographics are typical of a developing nation low per capita GDP low per capita GDP low life expectancy low life expectancy High population growth rates High population growth rates High infant mortality High infant mortality large percentage of the population under the age of 15 large percentage of the population under the age of 15 low literacy rates low literacy rates

19. Cultural Characteristics Uneven population distribution Uneven population distribution large numbers of refugees due to constant conflict in many countries large numbers of refugees due to constant conflict in many countries Many conflicts are caused by the many ethnic groups with different languages and customs Many conflicts are caused by the many ethnic groups with different languages and customs

20. There are very few cities with populations over one million There are very few cities with populations over one million There knowledge of their history is based on an oral tradition There knowledge of their history is based on an oral tradition Many of the country names today are based on historical empires such as Mali, Ghana & Zimbabwe Many of the country names today are based on historical empires such as Mali, Ghana & Zimbabwe

21. The diversity of Africans are reflected in their cultural heritage The diversity of Africans are reflected in their cultural heritage maskssculpture maskssculpture dancemusic dancemusic colorful dress colorful dress jewelry jewelry

22. Centers of Culture and Trade Centers of Culture and Trade Lagos, Nigeria Lagos, Nigeria Dakar, Senegal Dakar, Senegal Johannesburg, South Africa Johannesburg, South Africa

23. Markets Markets churches churches mosques, and minarets mosques, and minarets villages villages modern city cores modern city cores

24. Waterfalls (Blue Nile Falls, Ethiopia)

25. African escarpment

26. African masks

27. African clothing

28. Village

29. Masks

30. African Mask

32. Catholic Church in Mali

33. Market Scene, Selling dry fish

34. Market Scene

35. Statue in Burkina Faso

36. Crops being transported for the market

37. Grande Mosque in Mali

38. Mud Brick Village in Mali

39. Market in Ghana

40. Market in Mali, notice clothing

41. Namibia Villagethatched roof

42. Shantytown outside S. Africa