Physical Features of Africa Notes Mediterranean Sea Located

Physical Features of Africa Notes

Mediterranean Sea • Located North of Africa • A nearly landlocked sea • Climate: warm to hot, dry summers; mild to cool, wet winters • Area: 2. 5 million sq. kilometers • Had major impact in history as it has been a major trade route

Red Sea • Seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean • Lies between Africa and Asia • Climate: desert and semi-desert • Area: 438, 000 sq kilometers • Known for it’s marine life, specifically that it has 200 soft and hard corals

Atlantic Ocean • Second largest of the world’s oceans • Area: 106, 400, 000 sq. kilometers • Covers approx. 22% of the earth’s surface • Ocean currents affect the climate of all areas that border it. • 13 major Atlantic ports in Africa

Indian Ocean • Third largest ocean • Area: 73, 556, 000 sq. kilometers • Covers approx. 20% of the earths water surface • Warmest ocean in the world • The Red Sea is sometimes considered a part of the Indian Ocean

Cape of Good Hope • A rocky cape on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa • Cape: a piece of land jutting into the sea • Often thought to be the southern-most tip of Africa…but it’s not! • Diverse habitat that includes rocky mountain tops, beaches and open seas • Home to at least 250 types of birds, including one species of African penguin

Nile River • A north-flowing river in North Africa • Longest river in the world at 6, 650 km long • Two major tributaries: White Nile and Blue Nile • The northern portion of the river flows through a desert. • Egypt’s Civilization has always depended on the Nile River and its yearly floods

Niger River • The main river in Western Africa • Third longest river in Africa at approx. 4, 180 km long • Clear river • Floods yearly • Unique Feature: has a “boomerang” shape

Congo River • Deepest river in the world • 9 th longest river in the world at 4, 700 km long • River flows through the Congo Rainforest • Located above and below the equator • Has several species of turtles and crocodiles

Sahara Desert • The second largest desert in the world • 9, 400, 000 sq. km - it covers most of Northern Africa and is almost as large as the United States • Mainly barren, hard, rocky plateaus with little sand • Large sand dunes cover only a part of it • Nile River flows through it

Kalahari Desert • Located in the south of Africa • Size: 900, 000 sq. km • Actually a semi-desert, which has great grazing lands after a rain • Previously had animals such as elephants, giraffes, lions and cheetahs • Summer temperatures range from 98° to 113°F

Tropical Rainforests • Located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn • West Africa has a chain of rainforests that stretches 680, 000 km • Rich bio-diversity: new species of animals are still being found • Even so, has less vegetation than other rainforests • Deforestation is an issue

Savanna • Savanna: A grassland ecosystem characterized by small trees that are located far apart • Usually located in transition zones between forests and deserts • Famous African Savannah: Serengeti • Large mammals such as gazelles, zebras, and buffalo are found here • Kalahari Desert is sometimes considered a Savanna

Atlas Mountains • Located in northern Africa • Length: approx. 2, 500 miles • Wildlife is more similar to wildlife found in Europe • Rich in natural resources such as iron ore, lead ore, copper, silver and gas • Seperates the Mediterranean and

Mount Kilimanjaro • A dormant volcano in Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania • Highest mountain in Africa at 5, 895 meters (19, 341 feet) above sea level • Part of the Great Rift Valley • Actually comprised of three distinct volcano cones • Popular destination for

Great Rift Valley • A continuous geographic trench • Approx. 6, 000 km long • Rich source of fossils • Mountain Ranges form the edges (this is where Mt. Kilimanjaro is located) • The African Great Lakes are located in the valleys