Unit 4: Geography of Africa

Swahili

"one who lives on the coast" Ethnic group that developed along the Eastern coast of Africa - influenced by Arab traders Language is a mix of Bantu & Arabic Majority of people are Muslim, some also follow traditional religions

Kalahari desert

2nd largest desert in Africa 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.

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

What are the causes and effects of desertification?

Causes: deforestation, drought, overgrazing, agriculture Effects: loss of farmland, grazing land, wildlife habitat, famine

What are the causes and effects of deforestation?

Causes: logging, farming, cutting trees for firewood Effects: loss of wildlife habitat, desertification

Bantu

Ethnic/language group Began in West Africa, but migrated to East, Central, & Southern Africa. Many groups can trace their heritage to this group. Known for iron-work skills (created tools) Religion dependent on where they settled - some Muslim, Christian, traditional

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.

Niger River

Largest river in western Africa & 3rd largest on the continent Flows through Guinea, Mali, Niger, Benin, & Nigeria, before entering the Atlantic Ocean River delta has a large oil reserve

Christianity

Religion based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth spread by European missionaries to many parts of Africa.

Islam

Religion based on the teachings of Muhammad that spread across North Africa by Arab conquests and to West and East Africa by trade with the Arabs.

traditional religions

Religions that often believe that different aspects of nature have divine powers (animism). A major type of religion in many parts of Africa.

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 (good for farming) land.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Tallest mountain in Africa - located in Tanzania

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

animism

The oldest known type of belief system in the world. It is still practiced in a variety of forms in many traditional societies. Animists practice nature worship. They believe that everything in nature has a spirit.

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

Sahara Desert

The world's largest 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

Nile River

The world's longest 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

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

slash and burn agriculture

a farming technique in which trees are cut down and burned to clear and fertilize the land

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 results of water scarcity / pollution in Africa?

decreased economic growth, famine, sickness from waterbourne deseases

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

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