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Discover Africa's diverse regions, major landforms, rivers, climate influencers, vegetation regions, agriculture, and natural resources. Learn how Africans utilize their resources and countries work to enhance economic health.
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Africa: Physical Geography Chapter 11
Lesson 1 Objectives • Learn about Africa’s four regions and its major landforms. • Find out about Africa’s major rivers.
Africa’s Four Regions • North Africa • Rocky mountains • Sahara Desert • West Africa • Most populated area • Mostly grasslands • East Africa • Mountains and plateaus • Large, raised areas of mostly level land • Central and Southern Africa • Thick rain forests, mountains, and swamps • Namib Desert and Kalahari Desert
The Plateau Continent • Much of the continent is made up of raised areas that drop off near the sea • Great Rift Valley in West Africa • Mount Kilimanjaro in West Africa • Tanzania • Africa’s tallest mountain • 19,341 feet
Africa’s Rivers • The Nile River • The Niger River • The Congo River • The Zambezi River
The Nile River • Longest river in the world • More than 4,000 miles long • Twice the length of the Mississippi • Flood cycle helps farmers with crops • Silt makes fertile soil • Rich in substances that plants need to grow
The Others • The Congo • Africa’s second longest river • Flows through the rain forest of Central Africa • The Niger • Africa’s third longest river • Begins in Guinea • The Zambezi • Africa’s fourth longest river • Home of Victoria Falls
Lesson 1 Objectives • Learn about Africa’s four regions and its major landforms. • Find out about Africa’s major rivers.
Lesson 2 Objectives • Discover the factors that influence Africa’s climate. • Learn the characteristics of each of Africa’s vegetation regions. • Find out how climate can affect the health of people living in Africa.
Africa’s Climate and Vegetation • What influences climate in Africa? • Distance from the Equator • Elevation • Nearness to large bodies of water
Distance From the Equator • Much of Africa lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn • Tropical climate • Difference in seasons • North of Equator • Same seasons as U.S. • South of the Equator • Opposite seasons as U.S.
The Role of Elevation • Mount Kilimanjaro • Close to the Equator • Ice and snow-covered year round • Somalia and Ethiopia • Same distance from the Equator • Ethiopia on a high plateau • Receive plenty of rain • Somalia at lower elevation • Little rain • Can only farm near an oasis • A fertile place in a desert, with water and vegetation
Africa’s Vegetation Regions • Tropical Rain Forests • Tropical Savannas • Deserts
Tropical Rain Forests • Rain falls often during the year • Covers 20% of Africa • People live in cities, towns, or on farms • Grow cacao and cassava • Fish, hunt, and harvest timber
Tropical Savannas • A region of tall grasses with scattered trees • Most common vegetation region in Africa • Home to large herd animals: • Lions • Elephants • Zebras • Two seasons • Dry • Farming is impossible • Wet • Farmers plant crops
Deserts of Africa • The Sahara Desert • The Namib Desert • The Kalahari Desert • Few people live in the desert • Nomads • People who have no permanent, settled home • Normally herders of goats, camels, or sheep • Set up tents near oases
Climate and Health • Sleeping Sickness • Tsetse fly • One bite can kill cattle and cause a serious disease in humans • Malaria • Infected mosquitoes
Lesson 2 Objectives • Discover the factors that influence Africa’s climate. • Learn the characteristics of each of Africa’s vegetation regions. • Find out how climate can affect the health of people living in Africa.
Lesson 3 Objectives • Discover the ways in which Africans make use of their agricultural resources. • Learn about the mineral and energy resources found in Africa. • Find out what African countries are doing to improve their economic health.
Africa’s Agricultural Resources • Subsistence farming • Raising just enough crops to support one’s family • North Africa • Barley and wheat • Saharan oases • Dates • West Africa • Corn and rice
Crops For Sale! • Cash crops • Crops that are raised for sale • West Africa • Coffee • Cacao • East Africa • Tea
Africa’s Natural Resources • Each African country has its own economy • A system for producing, distributing, consuming, and owning goods and services • Farming • Mining • Petroleum • Gold • Copper, silver, uranium, titanium, and diamonds
Improving Africa’s Economy • Specialized economy • Farming • Africa relies on rainfall and crop prices • Trying to diversify • Add variety • More flexible economy • Not dependent on only one product
Lesson 3 Objectives • Discover the ways in which Africans make use of their agricultural resources. • Learn about the mineral and energy resources found in Africa. • Find out what African countries are doing to improve their economic health.