Africa Climate Terms

SteppeArid grassland with few or no treesNot as dry as a desertSimilar to the Prairie and parts of the Great Plains in the US

SavannaCombination of woodland and grasslandNot as dry as steppeTrees are not densely packed as a rainforest

Rain ForestAn abundance of rain and vegetationThreatened by logging and clearing land for farmingPoaching as threatened many species

HighlandsMountainous RegionCombination of mountains and plateausEthiopian Highlands

Great Rift ValleyLarge valley that stretches from the Red Sea to the foot of Mt. KilimanjaroEarliest human origins

DesertificationProcess of degrading the arid and semi-humid landsLand becomes more dryCausesOver using land by agricultureCattle over grazing compacting landDeforestationOverusing water suppliesClimate Change