world geo: chapter 18
how much diversity can be found in a square acre of rain forest?
100 different types of trees and bird species
how many countries does the African rainforest cover?
37
how long can dry spells last in desert regions?
5-6 years
how do most Africans earn their living?
66% in farming
why is so much of Africa tropical?
90% of the continent lies between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn
what region receives the most rain?
Central Asia
which lake is the longest freshwater lake in the world?
Lake Tanganyika
which lake is Africa's largest lake, but is only 270 feet deep?
Lake Victoria
what mountains are the highest in Africa that are also volcanoes?
Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya
who produces 80% of the world's platinum?
South Africa
delta
a fanlike landform made of deposited sediment, left by a river that slows as it enters the ocean
what is africa's most prominent feature?
a huge plateau
what is the Great Escarpment?
a steep slope marking the edge of the continents plateau in southern africa
Serengeti
a vast plain in Africa that has some of the tallest grasslands in the world
why does oil-rich Angola have a poor public infrastructure?
because oil money is used on civil war
why is the Serengeti still covered with wild grass?
because the climate is too dry and the soil is too hard for crops
Ring of Fire
chain of volcanoes that line the Pacific Rim, known for frequent volcanic eruptions in Southeast Asia
mediterranean coast climate
coast in Southwest Asia, suitable climate for growing citrus fruits, olives, and vegetables
what are two profitable commodities besides oil?
coffee and lumber
what made Nigerian government later impoverish the nation?
corruption, mismanagement, poor planning, and borrowing
what problem does logging cause?
deforestation
what process threatens the Sahel?
desertification
what important materials are found in africa?
gold, platinum, chromium, copper, phosphates, cobalt, and diamonds
where are the most distinctive landforms found, and what are they?
in east africa, they are rift valleys
what can be done to slow the process of desertification?
increase tree planting and using the land more efficiently
how did construction of the dam affect the surrounding area?
it increased farming by 50% and gave water to areas that desperately needed it
how might africa's difficult rivers affect the economy?
it's difficult to trade because you cannot transport goods
what have been negative effects of the dam?
many people had to relocate, ancient treasures were lost, increased salt in the soil, decreases soil fertility, and increased rates of diseases
how did foreign oil companies harm Nigeria?
not cleaning up the oil spills has caused fires, acid rain, and respitory problems
what relationship do rainfall patterns in Africa have to the equator?
rainfall is heaviest near the equator
what danger exists from the slash and burn farming method?
rainforests may gradually disappear
how is Africa ranked in continent size?
second largest continent
what happens when livestock over-graze vegetation and farmers clear land to plant crops?
soil is exposed and erosion may occur
what was built on the Nile River and increased Egypt's farmland by 50%?
the Aswan High Dam
which river is located in Africa's rainforest and extends over nine countries?
the Congo River Basin
which river extends over ten countries and is 2,600 miles long?
the Niger River Basin
which river is the longest in the world, that 95% of Egyptians depend on for water?
the Nile River
what deserts are located in Africa?
the Sahara, Calahari, and Namib
what is an area in east Africa that contains some of the best grasslands in the world and many grazing animals?
the Serengeti
what made Nigeria one of africa's wealthiest countries?
the discovery of oil and later high oil prices
describe the Sahara Desert.
the largest desert in the world, stretching about 3,000 miles across the continent. temperatures can get as high as 136°F(hot enough to fry an egg on the sand) and fall below freezing.
what has often been considered a threat to national security in the US?
the possibility of unguarded Russian nuclear materials
why are Africa's rivers difficult to navigate?
they have many waterfalls, rapids, and gorges
what vegetation covers most of Africa?
tropical grasslands
what vegetation is typical of Central Africa?
tropical rainforests
which animals thrive in the Serengeti?
wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras
