The Geography, People, and Cultures of Africa

World Studies

Africa Africa is the 2nd largest continent in both land area and population after Asia.

Approx. 1 billion people live in Africa.

The continent is made up of a diverse mix of human, physical and political features.

Some misconceptions about Africa

1. Everyone lives in poverty/ has a disease.

2. Everyone is black. 3. Most Africans share

the same culture. 4. Most people live in

rural areas. 5. Africa is a country. 6. Africa is dangerous.

Nairobi, Kenya

Political Africa Africa is made up of

54 countries. The countries vary in

terms of language, ethnicity, religion, government, economy, and level of wealth.

Regions of Africa

Physical Africa Africa is made up of a

variety of physical features including:

rivers (Nile, Congo) lakes (Victoria) deserts (Sahara,

Kalahari) mountains (Atlas) The continent also

has many natural resources including minerals, oil, gold, and diamonds.

The Sahara Desert (N. Africa)

The Nile River

Break #1

Take 2 mins to review w/ your partner

How many countries are in Africa? What are the main regions in Africa? What are the major physical features of

Africa?

Religion in Africa

Christianity (40-45%)and Islam (40-45%) are both dominant.

Approx. 15% practice traditional Animist religions.

Has led to conflict in certain areas of Africa (Ex. Nigeria)

Language in Africa

Between 1,000 and 2,000 languages are spoken in Africa.

Many Africans speak one or more African languages, as well as a European language.

Major African languages: Swahili, Yoruba, Afrikaans, Berber, Hausa.

Major non-African languages: English, French, Arabic.

Break #2

With your partner, discuss the following:

What two religions are most common in Africa?

What are some common non-African languages spoken in Africa?

Desertification in Africa

What is it? Land borders a desert becomes drier over

time and eventually becomes a part of the desert. Like a receding hairline!

Major problem in the Sahel region, just south of the Sahara desert.

Humans can cause desertification

The Sahel

Climates of Africa- Savanna The African continent is

made up of 4 major climate zones.

Tropical Wet and Dry Savanna- Grassland with

scattered trees and bushes.

Enough rain to support some farming but when it does not rain, drought occurs.

Makes up about 50 % of Africa.

Most Africans live here.

Climates of Africa- Desert

Desert is extremely dry, unable to support most forms of life.

Two major deserts in Africa include the Sahara and the Kalahari.

Desert makes up about 40 % of Africa.

Climates of Africa- Rainforest

Tropical Wet Dense, hot, and

humid forest located along the equator.

60-120 inches of rain/ year

Soil is bad due to leaching.

About 10% of Africa is rainforest.

Climates of Africa- Mediterranean

Northern coast and Southern tip of Africa

Similar to LA, Cali. Good farming

conditions Very small amount of

total land.

Africa’s Climate Zones

Vegetation in Africa

Environmental challenges facing Africa

Deforestation Desertification Drought Pollution