Central Africa7th Grade UBD - Unit 2 - Africa

Preview

People and Their Environment- Rainforests and the

Congo River and its tributaries dominate the landscape of

Central Africa. Population is scattered throughout the region.

Government and Economy- Transition from colonial rule

has been difficult. The region’s water, forest, and mineral

resources are only partly developed.

Society and Culture- Life in forests, on farms, and in cities

creates different customs among the region’s many ethnic

groups.

Reach Into Your Background

Make a list of things you would need to bring if you were planning a journey by foot through the African rainforest.

(5 minutes)

Partner Activity

Work with a neighbor and compare your answer with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

             

            

Key Ideas- Climate and Vegetation

The Equator cuts through Central Africa.

Heat and abundant rain have created a

rainforest that dominates the region.

Central Africa is the continent’s most

lightly populated region.

The region’s water, forest, and mineral

resources are not yet developed.

Key Term

Equator- An

imaginary line

circling the

earth halfway

between the

North and South

Poles, dividing

the earth into

two

hemispheres.

People and Their Enviroment

All the countries of

Central Africa lie on or

near the Equator.

Their location

influences their

climate and

vegetation.

It is usually hot and

wet year round.

Climate and Vegetation

Average annual

temperature is near 80˚

Fahrenheit.

Most of the region gets

more than 80 inches of

rainfall per year.

Rainforests in Central

Africa cover an area four

times the size of France.

Climate and Vegetation

Few forests have been

cut down because

they are difficult to

reach.

Roads and railroads

are costly to build and

maintain in a region

with such heavy rains.

Climate and Vegetation

Despite having rich plant and

animal life, rainforest soil is

poor.

Heavy rains wash away

nutrients in the soil. When

the soil is cleared of trees,

underbrush, and vines,

leaching removes more

nutrients.

The soil becomes unsuitable

for farming.

Climate and Vegetation

As you move away

from the Equator

to the North or

South, rainforests

disappear.

Congo RiverVideo- Artery of the Forest

Congo River: Lifeline for a Region

Fifth longest river in the world.

The river and its tributaries provide

miles of navigable water running

through the region’s interior.

Waterfalls and rapids can make

travel difficult.

Many countries are developing the

Congo River so that dams and

power plants can be built and the

river can be a source of

hydroelectric power.

A Sparsely Populated Region

Central Africa has fewer

people living in it than other

parts of Africa.

This is especially true of rain

forests. Those who do live in

rain forests often live along

riverbanks or near rail lines.

Poor soils and difficulties of

clearing land have kept

people out of these areas.

Questions

1. What is the weather like for countries

that lie on or near the Equator?

2. Boats on the Congo River provide

vital links for river settlers. Besides

transportation, how can the river be

used?

Answers

1. What is the weather like for countries that lie on or

near the Equator?

Countries that lie on or near the Equator are usually hot and

wet year round.

2. Boats on the Congo River provide vital links for river

settlers. Besides transportation, how can the river be

used?

The river can be used for fishing, bathing, and washing

clothes.

Key Ideas- Government and Economy

Nations in Central Africa have had a difficult

transition from colonial rule.

Central Africa has rich water, forest, and

mineral resources awaiting development.

Many regions in Central Africa are moving

towards democracy and multiparty elections.

Central Africa has an export economy.

Economy

Most people in the region

are farmers.

Tropical forests provide

timber.

Copper is the most

important mineral in the

region.

Other resources include

oil, natural gas, coal,

uranium, tin, zinc,

diamonds, and gold.

Central African Countries

Central African countries

need to develop their

natural resources more

effectively.

Agricultural production has

declined in many areas.

As a result malnutrition—

the condition of not

getting enough nutrients

from food—has increased.

Key Term

Malnutritio

n- A disease

caused by a

lack of food

or an

unbalanced

diet.

World VisionVideo- Hunger

Central African Countries

Forests are being cut down

for timber.

Mining destroys the

landscape.

Organizations around the

world are working to find

ways to help Central

Africans improve their use of

resources and protect their

environment at the same

time.

Eyewitness To HistoryReading Activity- Eyewitness To History 5

Key Term

Export

Economies-

An economy

based upon

the sale of

raw

materials

abroad.

Key Term

World Bank- The

World Bank is an

international

financial

institution that

provides loans to

developing

countries for

capital programs.

Key Term

International

Monetary Fund

(IMF)- Is an

international

financial institution

that promotes

international trade

by increasing the

stability of the

major currencies.

Questions

1. Why does it benefit a nation to

process its own minerals?

2. Organizations around the world

are working to find ways to help

Central Africans do what two

things?

Answers

1. Why does it benefit a nation to process its own

minerals? Nations can make more profit selling their own

processed minerals.

2. Organizations around the world are working to

find ways to help Central Africans do what two

things? Organizations want to help Central Africans improve

their use of resources and protect their environment.

Key Ideas- Society and Culture

Central Africa is home to diverse

people speaking many languages

and following different customs.

The region’s diversity is heightened

by different ways of life in forests, on

farms, and in cities.

Society and Culture

Central Africa has many

ethnic groups, each with

different languages and

customs.

A unifying factor is the

French language, spoken

and read in the former

French colonies.

Most Central Africans

live in villages, but cities

are growing.

Technology Allows for Exploration

Exploration and

development in Central

Africa was nearly

impossible for European

explorers prior to the

1800s .

The development of

new medicines that

could fight diseases like

malaria allowed for

further exploration.

Key Term

Abeng- Is

a small

house

used by

travelers

and

visitors.

Coming Together Through Soccer

Soccer is a popular

sport throughout Africa.

National teams unite

people from many

backgrounds.

Sports are just one way

that people can come

together.

Questions

1.Where do most people in

Central Africa live?

2.Why is French a unifying

factor in Central Africa?

Answers

1. Where do most people in Central Africa live?

Most Central Africans live in villages, but cities are

growing.

2. Why is French a unifying factor in Central

Africa?

French is a unifying factor in Central Africa

because many Central African countries are

former French colonies.

Independent Activity

What has been

the “muddiest”

point so far in this

lesson? That is,

what topic remains

the least clear to

you?

(4 minutes)

Partner Activity

Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)