2. Africa’s climate is similar north and south of the Equator. Africa straddles the Equator and both the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. Starting in the center is Tropical Rainforest surrounded by Tropical Savanna which is bordered by Steppe which gives way to desert. On the windward side of mountain ranges is Mediterranean.

3. Governments Various forms of government can be found in Africa. Morocco is a monarchy. Virtually all other African countries claim to be republics - parliamentary democracy (European tradition), but many of them are dictatorships. Dictatorships are common because there is a high rate of illiteracy, there are very few trained leaders, and little unity within the countries. Force is used to stay in power

4. Dictators Isaias Afewerki (Eritrea) – 20 yrs in power – no constitutions. Males must work for national service (any job the gov. feels they need) or be jailed / killed. Religious minorities, journalists, and activists are imprisoned and tortured. (rank #1 “world’s worst dictators”) Omar al-Bashir (Sudan) – 22 yrs in power – bombed civilians, 100,000 refugees, accused of genocide (300,000 dead), war crimes, and crimes against humanity for Darfur conflict (ranked #2) Teodoro Obian Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea) – 34 yrs in power – funnels country’s wealth into own bank accounts (fast cars, mansions in US & France, buildings, clothing). Country has oil wealth, but 80% live on less than $2 a day and have the 2 nd highest child mortality rate (ranked #8)

5. Dictators continued Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe) – 33 yrs in power – 85% unemployment. Elections are rigged, put his people in all positions of power. 5,000 injured and 163 killed in opposition rally. Cholera is serious health concern (ranked #10) Paul Kagame (Rwanda) – 13 yrs in power – mass murders, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) – 27 years in power – fires on protestors, massacre of DRC citizens, child soldiers, kidnapping and torture of opposition. Controls the media.

6. Dictators Control media Restrict elections Opposition is not tolerated (death, imprisonment, torture) Controls the military Consolidate power through fear Human rights are not respected Nationalize resources Long waits for trials (most result in guilty) There is no Bill of Rights – freedom of speech, religion, movement, assembly, fair trials

7. Disunity Europeans drew borders without regard for the ethnic makeup of the people. When the colonies became independent, they inherited European drawn borders. Many African countries have populations consisting of members of a number of ethnic groups with different languages and cultural heritages. Ethnic unity would require redrawing national boundaries – countries do not want to lose land. Nationalism is on the rise.

8. Nationalism Desire of a group of people to be independent. Many nations are multi-ethnic and some groups want independence from the whole Some of the more active nationalist movements: –Cabinda – Angola –Katanga – DR Congo –Western Sahara – Morocco –Reunion – France –Boere – Afrikaners – South Africa –Canary Islands – Spain –Darfur – Sudan –Zanzibar - Tanzania

9. Environmental Change People that rely on subsistence agriculture or pastoral nomadism are more susceptible to environmental problems (drought, desertification, and shrinking water sources). Environmental migrant - people who are forced to migrate from their home region due to sudden or long-term changes to their local environment which compromises their well being or livelihood –increased droughts –desertification –sea level rise –disruption of seasonal weather patterns such as monsoons

10. Increased desertification, drought, and harsh working conditions will likely drive millions of people from their homes. Mass migration causes famine, rapid urbanization (slum growth), conflict, and failing development projects. The cycle of poverty will continue.

11. Plenty of rain in the early ’60’s prompted farmers to increase cattle herds. From the late 1960’s to 1980’s drought devastated this area. Overgrazing and removal of trees for housing and firewood has laid the ground bare. Planting trees and grass keeps the topsoil in place and slows the encroaching desert.

12. Land Grab – need for arable land has encouraged many foreign countries (China & South Korea top the list) to buy up land in African nations. African nations get money for the land. The land then becomes off limits to the home country and almost always puts small farmers (that have lived on this land for generations) out of business. China and South Korea can extract the minerals and farm instead of the home country. http://bcove.me/ii5b9ws9

13. Lake Chad Lake Chad is one twentieth of the size it was 35 years ago. Water has been diverted to irrigation canals for crops – Similar to problems with the Aral Sea.

14. Africa is rich in natural resources, but lacks the infrastructure to benefit from it. Much of the wealth is taken out of Africa to other areas (colonial powers). Investors are reluctant to put money into countries with unstable governments. The physical geography of Africa has made communication and transportation difficult. Cell phones and satellite use on the rise because they do not need as much infrastructure.

15. North vs South North Africa usually culturally linked with the Middle East (SW Asia) because they are predominantly Arabic, speak Arabic, and practice Islam. Oil and natural gas major resources. Africa South of the Sahara has many cultures, but many are linked to Bantu heritage. Speak regional languages (many derive from Bantu) and the language of the colonizing country. Practice Animism (natural objects, natural phenomena, and the universe itself possess spirits) and Christianity (brought by European powers) Diamonds and gold major resources.

16. Population Pyramids Majority of African nations have rapid population growth. North Africa’s is slightly slower than Africa South of the Sahara.

17. HDI The majority of African countries South of the Sahara are in the “low” category (LDCs) with a few exceptions. South Africa is a NIC. North African countries are “medium” or “high” due to wealth from natural resources (oil & natural gas). Things were improving in N. Africa, but a series of civil wars has rocked this part of the world (Arab Spring)

18. Levels of Development LDCs – Lesser Developed Country (low levels of technology because technology costs money) Highest birth and death rates in the world Lowest literacy rates in the world Highest infant mortality rate in the world Rapid population growth Lowest per capita income in the world North African nations are generally better off than Africa south of the Sahara Per Capita GDP

19. Economics Main economic activity in many countries (especially in Africa south of the Sahara) is primary (subsistence farming or pastoral nomadism) Africa is a resource-rich continent but many African people are poor. Most economies are based on export of raw materials. Environmental hazards (drought, tsunami, floods, etc.) have greater impact because it immediately affects primary production.

20. Rapid Urbanization growth of urban areas from rural areas –In search of jobs –Access to more products in urban areas –Large urban slums Problems of rapid urbanization: –Loss of tradition –Governments can not meet demands (housing, water, sanitation, roads, hospitals, schools, etc. –higher taxes, inflation, and unemployment

21. LANGUAGES – Grouped into Arabic (Blue) and Bantu (red & Orange). Yellow, green, and purple are indigenous languages. Afrikaners in South Africa speak Afrikaans (indo-European). Almost every country also speaks the language of the colonial power that conquered the area.

22. Notice that the ethnic groups are similar to the language groups. Arab to the north and Bantu to the south.

23. Some of the world’s oldest art pieces are fro Africa. Masks, dolls, idols, and other pieces of sculpture are common. African music and dance has had a huge impact on culture in the Americas. Kente cloth, known as nwentoma in Asante, is a type of silk and cotton fabric made of interwoven cloth strips and is native to the Ashanti and Ewe people of Ghana. The colors have meaning.

24. Sports Soccer is #1 Ethiopians and Kenyans have excelled in long distance running. Track and field is also popular. Cricket in British colonies.

25. Culture Nile River Valley – Culture hearth As people move to the cities to find jobs there is a loss of tradition and cultural ties. As more technology is available – life changes. Extended families & traditional economies are common in the rural areas. Variety of housing from huts to very large cities.

28. Standard of Living Australia and New Zealand are MDCs – More developed countries. The main economic activities are tertiary and quaternary Oceania – most are LDCs – Lesser Developed Countries because they have to import the majority of goods.

29. languages Around 1,000 languages are spoken in Oceania. Classified into three groups: the Austronesian languages the non-Austronesian languages of Papua New Guinea English in New Zealand and Australia Strine is Australian English – slang English mixed with Aborigine words

30. governments All the countries are democracies – either republics, constitutional monarchies, or parliamentary democracies

31. Papua / Irian Jaya: Also known as Irian Jaya, was told by the Dutch that they could have independence when they left the colony. The following year, Indonesia invaded the area. The Free-Papua movement has been fighting a secessionist battle ever since. Indonesia has stationed a large military presence in order to quell violence. The local people are mainly Christian and Animists and have been in conflict with the Indonesian Muslim government. In 2001, Indonesia tried to appease Papua by allowing them to keep more of the profits from its sale of minerals and agricultural products, but the conflict still remains.

32. sports Cricket – brought by the British Australian rule football Soccer

33. Architecture Sydney Opera House is a famous architectural building Longhouses are common in the Pacific Islands. They are common homes for many generations (extended family)

34. Transportation, Technology & Communication

35. Issues Great Barrier Reef in danger Rights of native peoples Extended drought Invasive animal and plant species are destroying native animals

36. Arts Rock art – aborigine drawings Didgeridoo – musical instrument Boomerang – hunting weapon with artistic designs Maori – tattoo art. Male and female (including face)

37. Dreamtime – Aboriginal belief that spirits created land, animals, plants, and humans. All natural things have spirits and are interrelated - Animism Uluru – Europeans called it Ayres Rock. Sacred to the Aborigines, the name has been changed, and the area administered by the tribes. Native People Australia = Aborigine Native People New Zealand = Maori Family clans are common (extended family) on the islands and the indigenous populations.

38. Religion & Ethnicity Australia & New Zealand Oceania is a mix of indigenous peoples, Europeans, and Asians.

39. Technology, Transportation, and Communication Australia and Oceania has vast areas to cover. Much of the interior of Australia is very sparsely populated. Computer classrooms are not uncommon on the islands and in Australia’s outback. One teacher (at base) can instruct 30 students across a vast area via internet. Cell phone usage also on the rise (cheaper infrastructure) Air doctors – fully stocked airplanes / helicopters that can help patients far away (life flight) With increased technology there is a danger of losing the indigenous population’s culture.

41. The majority of this region is dry – either desert or steppe. Israel, Lebanon and parts of Syria are Mediterranean. Availability of water is a serious concern. Oil rich nations and Israel can afford desalination plants and other water technology.

42. Culture Mesopotamia – culture hearth (earliest cities) Majority of the people in this region are Arab. Majority of the people in this region speak some form of Arabic Majority of the people in this region practice Islam Petroleum & natural gas are major products. Exceptions: –Israel (Hebrew people, speak Hebrew, Jewish, tertiary) –Iran (Persian) –Turkey (Turkic) –Stan-lands (homelands of different groups) 3 major religions (Abrahamic religions) grew out from this area: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity

43. Resources Petroleum & natural gas are the main natural resources of this area. Availability of WATER is the #1 priority

44. Population Pyramids Rapid growth because life is better in most countries due to oil wealth. Bahrain has many “guest” workers – mostly male of working age Israel is an MDC – most growth is by Palestinians.

45. Most countries in this region are medium or high HDI. Israel, Qatar, and UAE are Very High (MDCs). OPEC nations do not fit into a clear MDC / NIC category. They have wealth but lack public infrastructure.

46. Architecture Arches Courtyards Influenced Spain - New World Many new cities being built – mostly in oil wealthy nations Mosques – domes & minarets

47. Economies Israel, UAE, Qatar are MDCs Yemen, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan are LDCs OPEC nations are wealthy, but lack infrastructure. OPEC nations are primary production (mining of petroleum and natural gas) Have money to invest in projects, but many of the “average” people do not feel the effects Not MDCs nor NICs. –Iran –Iraq –Saudi Arabia –Libya –Kuwait

48. Advances / adaptations Large projects made possible by oil wealth. Pivot irrigation - crop irrigation in which equipment rotates around a pivot and crops are watered with sprinklers. Saves on cost of water by using less. Desalination – taking salt from sea water to make it usable for humans and animals. Great Man-made River - a network of pipes that supplies water to the Sahara Desert in Libya, from the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System fossil aquifer. It is the world's largest irrigation project Land reclamation – Taking land from the sea (polders) or by building land from landfill.

49. Terrorism Groups that do not feel strong enough to openly challenge a government may resort to committing acts of violence against civilians (non government). This attracts attention to the cause and creates a sense of terror among the enemy. Terrorists demand concessions in order to halt their acts of violence.

50. OPEC Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries right of all countries to exercise sovereignty over their natural resources (not oil companies) The 1973 oil embargo - US & Western Europe's support of Israel against Arab nations in the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Also, King Feisal of Saudi Arabia imposed an oil embargo against the West. In doing so, the oil pricing for the United States went from 3 dollars a barrel to 12 dollars a barrel, spurring gas rationing. OPEC decisions on production have had considerable influence on international oil prices Founding members – Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela

51. Iraq US – Iraq War (March 20, 2003 to December 18, 2011) OUTCOMES: Overthrow of Ba’ath Party government and execution of Saddam Hussein Insurgents, foreign terrorist operations, and sectarian violence disrupted efforts by allies. Allied group tried to make improvements in public security Re-establishment of democratic elections and formation of a new government President Jalal TALABANI

52. Afghanistan Operation Enduring Freedom October 7, 2001 – present US aim to eliminate al-Qaeda Taliban removed from power. People given the right to vote. USSR occupied Afghanistan 12/1979- 2/1989 President Hamid Karzai Afghani women in burqas

53. Israel Hamas won election in Gaza Strip Some Israelis are trying to return land to the Palestinians in exchange for peace Palestinian suicide bombs continue and are met with force by Israel Israel builds “Defensive Fence” Palestinians call it the “Apartheid Wall” The wall keeps the Palestinians in the refugee camps – not citizens so no vote. Only allowed into Israel to work. UN Security Council (US has veto power) unanimously passes Resolution 1515 that calls for a two state solution to the Palestinian – Israeli conflict. President Shimon Peres Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu President of the Palestine National Authority Mahmoud Abbas

54. Syria Government – Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party (Same as Saddam Hussein) Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says Syria's President Bashar al-Assad fits the definition of a war criminal. Over 7,500 civilians have died within the last year in violence. Citizens want a constitution & Democracy President Dr. Bashar al-Assad

55. Iran Islamic Revolution 1979 – theocracy established - US hostages taken Shiite leadership has called for the destruction of Israel and US Iran claims nuclear program is to produce electricity. US & others are skeptical. US proposed sanctions – Iran threatens to close Straits of Hormuz Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syyed Ali- Khameni President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

56. Saudi Arabia Home of the two most holy mosques in Islam – Mecca and Medina Absolute monarchy – King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. Voting is permitted on issues, but not on leadership. Citizen votes are considered, but not always enacted. 2011-12 reforms granted women the right to vote, but not to drive (starting in 2015). Shiite minority has very few rights. 2 nd largest oil reserves (Venezuela is #1) and 2 nd largest oil exported (Russia is #1)

57. Arab Spring Define: a wave of revolutions and demonstrations occurring in the Arab world from Dec. 2010 to present. To date, rulers have been forced from power in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen. Civil uprisings have erupted in Bahrain and Syria Major protests have broken out in Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, and Oman Minor protests have occurred in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan.

58. Nationalism Kurds – Create Kurdistan from Turkey, Iran, Iraq & Syria

59. Nationalism – create Palestine from land occupied by Israel. This area was Palestine prior to British & UN intervention.