African Geography Webquest This is your chance to

African Geography Webquest This is your chance to experience the world’s most fascinating continent. You will discover African culture, physical geography and environmental problems with this interactive tool. Page 1

AFRICA Introduction What other continent can you find the treasures of the Nile, fight the blazing heat of the Sahara Desert, and explore the tropical rainforests? Africa is a climate of diversity and beauty, home to a multitude of unique wildlife and resources. Africa is a continent which necessitates exploration of its varied regions to unravel the mysteries of its geography. “For centuries, Africa has mesmerized the world with it’s stunning scenery, its ancient civilizations, and its hypnotizing music (PBS). ” Page 2

Task Over the next week you will research different regions, countries, environmental issues, climate and cultures of Africa. Please follow the directions and links to complete the assigned task. This webquest will introduce the following standards; SS 7 G 1 a. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: the Sahara, Sahel, savanna, tropical rain forest, Congo River, Niger River, Nile River, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Atlas Mountains, and Kalahari Desert. SS 7 G 1 b. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map the countries of Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire), Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, , Sudan, and South Sudan. SS 7 G 2 a. Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacts irrigation, trade, industry, and drinking water. SS 7 G 2 b. Explain the relationship between poor soil and deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa. SS 7 G 2 c. Explain the impact of desertification on the environment of Africa from the Sahel to the rainforest. SS 7 G 3 a. Explain how the characteristics in the Sahara, Sahel, savanna, and tropical rain forest affect where people live, the type of work they do, and how they travel. Page 3

Part 1 SS 7 G 1 a. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: the Sahara, Sahel, savanna, tropical rain forest, Congo River, Niger River, Nile River, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Atlas Mountains, and Kalahari Desert. SS 7 G 3 a. Explain how the characteristics in the Sahara, Sahel, savanna, and tropical rain forest affect where people live, the type of work they do, and how they travel. Africa Physical Feature Chart: Follow the links and fill in each square with details about each physical feature, where it’s located, and how the feature impacts people. The Sahara Nile River The Sahel Niger River Savanna Lake Tanganyika Tropical Rain Forest Lake Victoria Congo River Atlas Mountains Kalahari Desert Page 4

Part 2 SS 7 G 2 a. Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacts irrigation, trade, industry, and drinking water. Choose 1 out of the 2 articles below from your assigned group to read. After reading the article choose one of the following things to do. You will present this to the class on Thursday: 1. Write/Type a summary of the major issues in your article 2. Create a poster (on paper or Microsoft Publisher) that summarizes the article 3. Create an interactive presentation (Prezi or Microsoft Power. Point) 4. Create a word poster (wordle) Giraffe Group • • Elephant Group Africa’s Potential Water Wars People Dead After Drinking Water • • World Warned on Water Refugee South Africa Water Crisis Lion Group • • A Fight to the Last Drop Food as Risk as Water Drips Away Page 5

Part 3 SS 7 G 2 b. Explain the relationship between poor soil and deforestation in Sub-Saharan Africa. SS 7 G 2 c. Explain the impact of desertification on the environment of Africa from the Sahel to the rainforest. Use the following websites to examine a few of the Environmental Issues in Africa. Create a NEWSLETTER or BROCHURE detailing the problems of desertification, deforestation, and water scarcity in Africa. Choose a segment of the news story to address several facets of the problem from the perspective of various news departments. • • • The Science Correspondent: This person should focus on the geographic, meteorological, and other human factors producing desertification. Graphics illustrating the problem should be included. The Economic Correspondent: This person should focus on the impacts of desertification and deforestation upon the local and national economies of Africa as well as the global economy. The Political Correspondent: This person should focus on the various political tensions created by these problems Newsletter Template Brochure Template WEBSITES Desertification Environmental Issues Deforestation Create your Own Template Rubric Page 6