Physical Geography of Africa Landforms of Africa Africa

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Physical Geography of Africa

Physical Geography of Africa

Landforms of Africa ● Africa is a huge plateau with several basins (depressions) where

Landforms of Africa ● Africa is a huge plateau with several basins (depressions) where water collects ○ Called “Plateau Continent” ● Most distinctive landforms are in East Africa ○ Rift Valleys (long, thin valleys) ● Many volcanic mountains ○ Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro ○ Great Escarpment (steep slope with a nearly flat plateau on top)

Deserts of Africa ● Northern Africa ○ Sahara: largest desert in the world ■

Deserts of Africa ● Northern Africa ○ Sahara: largest desert in the world ■ Contains aquifers (underground water) 6, 000 feet under which can come to the surface in an oasis ○ Sahel: “Shore of the desert” ■ Narrow band of dry grassland good for farming and herding along the edge of the Sahara ● Southern Africa ○ Kalahari and Namib

Tropics of Africa ● Africa has the largest tropical area of any continent ●

Tropics of Africa ● Africa has the largest tropical area of any continent ● Tropical grasslands cover most of the continent ○ Serengeti Plain in northern Tanzania contains some of the best grasslands in the world ● Central Africa receives the most precipitation ● Major rainforest in the Congo Basin

Importance of Agriculture ● Agriculture is the single most important economic activity in Africa

Importance of Agriculture ● Agriculture is the single most important economic activity in Africa ● Coffee is 2 nd most profitable commodity in Africa after oil ● Other major commodities: sugar, palm oil, and cocoa

Bodies of Water of Africa ● Nile River ○ Africa’s longest river ○ Egyptians

Bodies of Water of Africa ● Nile River ○ Africa’s longest river ○ Egyptians depend on it ○ Faces environmental problems ● Rivers are difficult for transportation because they contain many waterfalls and rapids

Africa’s Wealth of Natural Resources ● Has a huge amount of the world’s minerals

Africa’s Wealth of Natural Resources ● Has a huge amount of the world’s minerals ● Many African countries lack the industrial base and money to develop them ● Gold, platinum, chromium, cobalt, copper, phosphates, diamonds ● Ores and minerals account for more than half of the total value of Africa’s exports ● Nigeria, Libya, Algeria, and Angola are Africa’s leading petroleum producers ● Many African nations have been slow to develop their economies due to European colonial rule in the 19 th and 20 th centuries ● Mining and drilling for these resources causes environmental problems

Directions 1. Poster due TODAY! 2. African Imperialism Reading and Reading Questions due WEDNESDAY.

Directions 1. Poster due TODAY! 2. African Imperialism Reading and Reading Questions due WEDNESDAY. 3. Case Study: Effects of Colonization in Africa due THURSDAY. You will need a textbook for this. 4. Africa Physical Map Quiz FRIDAY. 5. Terracotta Packet due FRIDAY. This is extra credit.