2020 Unit 4: Geography of Africa

Congo River

2nd largest river in Africa; Located in Central Africa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) - flows into Atlantic Ocean; Too treacherous to be used for navigation / trade; Sustains tropical rain forest

Sahel

A narrow band of dry grassland/semi-arid steppe, running east (Red Sea) to west (Atlantic Ocean) separating the Sahara from the savanna, that is used for farming and herding. Land is being lost to desertification.

Atlas Mountains

Africa's longest mountain range. It extends across Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria and separates the Mediterranean sea from the Sahara Desert.

tropical rain forest

Forest biome that grows near the equator; Receive large amounts of rain and have dense growths of tall, leafy trees; weather is warm and wet year-round; Africa's tropical rain forest is being reduced each year; Habitat for species that do not exist anywhere else

irrigation

Humans supplying water to an area of land that does not receive enough rainfall from nature.

Second Largest Desert in Africa

Kalahari

Arable

Land that is good for farming

Niger River

Largest river in western Africa & 3rd largest on the continent; Flows through Guinea, Mali, Niger, Benin, & Nigeria, before entering the Atlantic Ocean

Kalahari Desert

Located in southern Africa - covers parts of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. It is not a true desert but is mostly semi-arid - it is sparsely populated.

World's Longest River

Nile

Natural Resource Found at Niger River Delta

Oil

Erosion

Process by which rock, sand, and soil are broken down and carried away

What physical features and climate/vegetation zones attract high population densities in Africa?

River valleys and rainier regions like the tropical savanna due to the arable land.

World's Largest Desert

Sahara

It is the Arabic word for "border" or "shore"

Sahel

Mount Kilimanjaro

Tallest mountain in Africa - located in Tanzania

Climate

The average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time

Lake Victoria

The largest lake in Africa - 2nd largest freshwater lake in the world. Source of the Nile River; Important source of fresh water and fishery

desertification

The process by which fertile land becomes desert. Occurring in the Sahel - the Sahara is expanding 2-5 kilometers south each year

deforestation

The removal of trees faster than forests can replace themselves. Occurring in the Sahel and in the tropical rain forest region

Why do many African governments do little to improve environmental issues?

They are afraid it will be too costly and slow down economic growth.

Savanna

Tropical grassland with sparse trees - rainy season in the summer. Covers much of Central Africa; Home to Africa's famed wildlife

drought

a long period without rain, People are unable to farm, resulting in famine and poverty

famine

a severe shortage of food resulting in hunger, starvation, and death

Great Rift Valley

area in Eastern Africa that is experiencing tectonic plate movement - creates new valleys and lakes

What are some effects of water scarcity / pollution in Africa?

decreased economic growth, famine, sickness from waterborne diseases

What are the causes of desertification?

deforestation, drought, overgrazing, agriculture

Name four factors that impact climate in Africa.

elevation; distance from the equator (latitude); distance from large bodies of water; land forms (mountains)

subsistence farming

farming in which only enough food to feed one's family is produced

Sahara Desert

located in northern Africa; Covers 31% of African continent; Covered in rolling hills, gravel, sand dunes; Expanding to the south at a rate of 2-5 kilometers a year due to desertification

What are the causes of deforestation?

logging, farming, cutting trees for firewood

What are the effects of desertification?

loss of farmland, grazing land, wildlife habitat, famine

What are the effects of deforestation?

loss of wildlife habitat, desertification

What contaminates African drinking water in rural areas?

microorganisms (bacteria, human waste); agricultural runoff (fertilizer); sewage runoff (water pollution); industrial runoff (chemicals)

Name four major environmental issues that impact Africa.

water scarcity (droughts); unsafe drinking water (pollution); deforestation; desertification

Nile River

which flows northward through East Africa into the Mediterranean Sea; Provides drinking water, irrigation, easily navigable trade route; Most densely populated areas in Africa