Geography of AfricaGeography of AfricaUnit 2 : AfricaTable of Contents # 2

LocationLocationAfrica is central on the Equator Between two major oceans

◦Atlantic Ocean on the West Coast◦ Indian Ocean on the East Coast

Other surrounding bodies of water◦Mediterranean Sea to the north◦Red Sea to the northeast

Water sets Africa apart from other regions, but also links it with the rest of the world.

Location ContinuedLocation ContinuedWater Divides

◦ Separates the land from other continents including culture, people, etc.

Water Unites◦ Allows for easy

transportation via ships

◦ Ships carried people, goods, and ideas to Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia

RegionsRegionsNorth Africa

◦ Stretches from Morocco to Egypt◦ Close contact with Europe and Middle East

West Africa◦ Bulges into the Atlantic◦ Stretches from Mauritania to Nigeria

East Africa◦ Stretches from Kenya to Tanzania◦ Also includes Uganda

Central Africa◦ DR Congo

Southern Africa◦ Stretches from Atlantic Ocean to Indian Ocean◦ Includes Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa

Regions ContinuedRegions ContinuedRegion diversity

contributes to the diversity of African people

Geographic features give each region its own identity

LandformsLandformsPlateaus

◦Highest plateaus are in the South and East

◦Continent then tilts gradually downward toward the west and north

◦Basins, swamps, and lakes scattered across the plateaus

Escarpments◦Steep cliffs divide the plateau from the

coastal plain ◦Affect the course of Africa’s rivers

making travel harder◦Rivers tumble over cataracts : large

waterfalls or rapids

Landforms ContinuedLandforms ContinuedGreat Rift Valley

◦Giant fault in Earth’s crust in eastern Africa

◦Runs from Red Sea to Zambezi River◦Rich soil of highlands around the Great

Rift Valley have fallen down into the valley making it a rich and fertile area

◦Transportation of rich minerals and soil is difficult due to cliffs and canyons

◦Landforms create a barrier to the European explorers

RiversRiversProvide fish, irrigation,

transportation, and hydroelectric power (energy produced by moving water)

Nile ◦Longest river in the world◦Aswan Dam prevents the yearly flooding

Traps the rich minerals from flowing down stream – causing the soil to be not as fertile

◦Very fertile land surrounds it

Rivers ContinuedRivers ContinuedCongo

◦ Central Africa, empties into the Atlantic

◦ Very powerful, used for electricity

◦ Most of it is to dangerous to travel

Niger◦ Through the

Sahara to the Ocean

◦ Source of trade, travel, food, and irrigation

Rivers ContinuedRivers ContinuedZambezi

◦South Africa◦Falls over Victoria Falls◦Dam is a source of power

Effects◦Area surrounding the rivers is rich in

minerals and creates fertile farmlands◦Due to the small amount of rivers on the

continent, they have been a source of war and efforts to control by bordering countries

Natural ResourcesNatural ResourcesRivers and land are a source of

precious metals◦ Copper, Diamonds, Cobalt, and Oil are in

abundance◦ Caused the drive of Europeans to colonize

Africa◦ Influence by outside forces due to lack of

money to fund harvesting the resourcesUneven Distribution

◦ Resources are unevenly distributed◦ Causes tensions and uncertainty

Tropical Wet Climate ZoneTropical Wet Climate ZoneMade up of RainforestsNarrow belt around the Equator,

covering only 8% of AfricaGuinea to Great Rift ValleyHot and Humid all year

◦Allows for plant growth◦Home to many animals◦Disease is carried due to the

standing water

Tropical Wet Climate ZoneConstant rain washes the

nutrients out of the soil◦Soil not fertile, farming is not

possibleNew types of buildings had to be

constructed due to the dampness and the termites

Tropical Wet and Dry Climate Tropical Wet and Dry Climate ZoneZoneLargest Climate ZoneSavanna and GrasslandsWet season and a Dry seasonRainfall is unpredictable and spotty

◦Drought, too much rain, and desertification (the turning of semi desert land into desert) are all a result of unpredictable rainfall

Causes great poverty and devastation

DesertsDesertsCover 40% of AfricaSahara

◦ Larger than the United States

◦ Stretches from Atlantic to the Red Sea (North Africa)

◦ Few parts have plants◦ Sahara was a trade

highway through Northern Africa and connected Western Africa to the World

Deserts ContinuedDeserts ContinuedKalahari

◦ Not as dry as the Sahara

◦ More plant life◦ Southern Africa

Namib◦ one of the driest

places on earth◦ Southwest Africa

Created another barrier to travel and unite cultures and societies

Mediterranean Climate Mediterranean Climate ZoneZoneSouthern tip and Northern CoastMild Climate, similar to L.A.Summer hot and dryWinter cooler-moistSoil and climate support fertile

soil and good cropsAttract Europeans due to the

weather and soil