East AfricaDalili ya mvua mawingu.

Clouds are the sign of rain. Swahili Proverb

East Africa: Political Map

East Africa Region

Includes countries of Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania.

Physical Features•Southern fringes

of Sahara

•Horn of Africa

•Ethiopian

highlands

•Rainforest to the

West

•Volcanic

mountains

•Savanna

grasslands

•Large rift valley

lakes

Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, is an ancient volcano. At 19,341 ft above sea level, Kilimanjaro sustains snow and ice year-round near the equator. Lake Tanganyika,

the world’s longest lake, is also the second largest fresh-water lake by volume.Tanganyika was caused by two continental plates separating along the Great Rift Valley.

Great Rift ValleyThe separation of plates of the Earth’s crust has resulted in long, slender lakes and volcanoes.

Seismic activity along the valley causes frequent earthquakes.

In several million years the eastern part of the African continent will split from the rest of Africa, similar to the way South America split from Africa millions of years ago.

East African LakesLake Victoria •Africa’s largest lake •World’s largest tropical lake•Source of water for the Nile RiverLake Tanganyika •The world’s longest lake•World’s second largest fresh-waterLake Malawi (Lake Nyasa)•Third largest lake in Africa•Home to more species of fish than any other lake in the world.

The many lakes serve as transportation routes and sources for food and water.

Many unique species of fish, including many cichlids, have evolved in the lakes.

European Colonization of East

AfricaBy the beginning of the 20th century most of Africa had been colonized by European nations. Europeans were there to exploit Africa’s rich natural resources. Metals and minerals mined in Africa helped make European nations wealthy.

Iron ore mining in Africa

While France colonized much of North and West Africa in the 19th century, Italy and Britain colonized East Africa. Italy established colonies in Ethiopia and Somalia, while Britain colonized Kenya.

Italian troops and Mussolini celebrate victory over Ethiopia in 1936.

The Maasai are a traditional nomadic ethnic group of Kenya and Tanzania.

East African CulturesArab traders

established port cities along the East coast of Africa and influenced local cultures.

Ethiopian Christianity

Ethiopia has one of the oldest Christian traditions in the world.

Swahili Language

The Swahili language is a traditional spoken language. When written, Swahili must use the Arabic or Roman alphabets.

Wildlife of East AfricaMany people travel to the savannas of East Africa for a safari to see the animals and nature.

Unstable Governments

Lawlessness, piracy, and terrorism threaten the potentially high tourist trade in East Africa.

East Africa Population

DensityGrowing populations threaten the environment in East Africa.

MAJOR CITIES IN EAST AFRICA AND THEIR POPULATIONS

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 1,651,000Nairobi, Kenya 1,504,000Khartoum, Sudan 925,000Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 3,500,000