Human Geography Unit 6: South of the Sahara

AFRICA TODAY Population: 1.1 Billion (15% of world’s total population) Population under age 25: 71% Spoken languages: 2,000 Population dependent on agriculture: 66% Average income: 50% live on less that $1 a day. Literacy rates (15y+): 60% Most common cause of death: AIDS Average Life Expectancy: 46: Sub-Saharan 67: North African Religions: Muslims: 358 million Christians: 410 million

Transition Zone

History and Government Many empires and kingdoms ruled the subregion, in the past, including the Egyptians, the Kush, and the Mali Empires. Mali Empire: Founded by SUNDIATA KEITA Name means: “Lion Prince” Wealth: build on Gold-Salt trade Brought to Islam by Mansa Musa Ruled Went on hajj in 1324 and converted Mali Peoples Famous trading city: Timbujktu Mansa Musa wanted to make this a center of Islamic learning and culture: built mosques, attracted scholars, religious leaders, artists, and doctors

History and Government: 1800s--Europeans saw: Minerals!! Gold, Diamonds, Rubber Slavery At the Berlin Conference, European rulers created artificial boundaries putting all of the Sahel under their control without regard to cultural, religious, or traditional boundaries. “The Scramble for Africa” Started by Denmark (one of the SMALLEST countries in Europe!)

Population Patterns The area is a cultural, as well as geographical, transition between Muslim North Africa and the animist and Christian south.

Population Patterns Population density remains low with uneven distribution and high growth rates; these cause concern as resources cannot support continual increases.

Population Patterns There are relatively few cities: the ancient city of Timbuktu still stands, and Nouakchott, Khartoum, and Port Sudan have many residents.

Society and Culture Today Many different African languages are spoken throughout the subregion, with French also widely used because of colonial rule. Islam is the dominant religion in the north, while Christianity is practiced south of the Transition Zone, along with many indigenous religions throughout the region. WHY??? **SUGAR PRIZE**

Society and Culture Today Rural-to-urban migration has increased as drought and overworked land force people into cities to find jobs. Poverty, lack of access to clean water, and sanitation are major health concerns. What other health scares are they having in Africa now and most recently? What process is causing water scarcity?

Economic Activities Subsistence farming, where the farmer consumes most of what is produced leaving little to sell, and semi-nomadic herding continue as the traditional economy of the subregion. Nigeria is the subregion’s only member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Most of area is rich in natural resources, such as oil, gas, and minerals, but these resources have yet to be fully developed.

East Africa

History and Government With access from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, traders established colonies in East Africa. This brought a growth of Islam in 7 th and 8 th centuries Arab and Persian trading ports: Mogadishu, Mombasa Kilwa: Grew rich because it was as far South as a ship could sail from India In one monsoon season. Ibn Battuta: “one of the most beautiful towns in the world”

History and Government Colonial European powers, looking to expand trade routes and capitalize on new opportunities, created enormous problems for Africa. Although many countries gained independence in the 1960s, long- standing challenges persisted.

History and Government Conflict between indigenous, or native, peoples resulted in extraordinary dislocations. Jun1940—Nov 1941 East African CampaignEast African Campaign Feb1972—Mar1981 Eritrean Civil Wars Jul1977—Mar1978 Ethio-Somali WarEthio-Somali War 1986—1991 Somali RebellionSomali Rebellion Jan1991—ongoing Somali Civil WarSomali Civil War Nov1991—Dec1994 Djiboutian Civil War May1998—May2000 Eritrean-Ethiopian War Jun2008 Djiboutian-Eritrean Border Conflict

Population Patterns Today’s population reflects the many languages, belief systems, and ways of life in the subregion. In many countries, one ethnic group is the majority of the population. Most cities are located on coasts or rivers, although some inland cities developed along trade routes; however, in general, rates of urbanization are low. Population densities are high on fertile lands near water where better irrigation of crops is possible.

Society and Culture Today Most people in the subregion are either Christian or Muslim, but traditional animist religions are also practiced. Levels of education vary, with literacy rates higher among men than women, and many students leave school so they can work and contribute to family income.

Society and Culture Today Poor nutrition, famine, overpopulation, and the inability to treat common diseases, such as AIDS, are chronic issues in East Africa. Rift Valley Fever: Occurs in irregular patterns for adequate planning when it comes to managing epidemics Socio-ecological drivers and impacts Management: requires multi-disciplinary approaches and partnerships HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis

Economic Activities The majority of jobs are in agriculture, with most products earmarked as exports, commodities sent from one country to another. The focus on cash crops, such as coffee, instead of food staples has created food-supply issues. Ecotourism, highlighting the many unique attributes of the subregion, has become a key part of the economy. China’s investment and trade within the subregion has skyrocketed since 2001, encouraging positive changes.

West Africa

History and Government Many empires, such as the Ghana, Mali, Songhai, and Benin, flourished in West Africa. As more Europeans arrived, they began to exploit West Africa’s resources and colonize the continent. Europeans set African peoples against one another, adding to internal tensions and strengthening European rule. Even after achieving independence, these emerging countries faced daunting challenges, as many of them still do today.

Population Patterns West Africa is a very populous subregion, with Nigeria having the continent’s largest population. Many are moving to urban areas to find better opportunities, healthcare, and education. With the world’s fastest rate of urbanization, the subregion’s rapid growth has placed tremendous strain on existing infrastructure, or the set of systems that affect how well a place operates. Governments are attempting to improve living conditions.

Society and Culture Today The subregion is home to numerous ethnic groups which speak many different languages. Poverty limits access to healthcare, leading to high death rates from poor sanitation and nutrition. The role of women is changing, with some beginning to open their own businesses and enter professions. The arts reinforce cultural heritage, such as performances by griots, oral historians and storytellers.

Economic Activities The major focus is agriculture, but some small businesses sell locally made products via e-commerce, or buying and selling via the Internet. A small percentage practices commercial farming, with cacao being the most important cash crop. Mining of natural resources plays an important economic role, as do Nigeria’s oil reserves. Trade within the region is expanding.

Equatorial Africa

History and Government In the 1400s, European explorers arrived in Equatorial Africa to expand their trade networks. The slave trade ensued, taking young people away and harming the societies left behind. By the 1900s, European powers established colonies that promoted European culture and weakened traditional African cultures. Resistance to colonial rule grew, resulting in all of the countries achieving independence in 1960.

Population Patterns Society is mostly rural but has pockets of dense, urban populations. Most people exist by subsistence agriculture, or eating most of what they grow, and raising cattle. Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the political, cultural, and economic hub, or center of activity. Gabon is the most urbanized country, while South Sudan is the most rural.

Society and Culture Today The subregion contains hundreds of ethnic groups and languages, with French being the most dominant language, reflecting France’s colonial influence. Swahili Mixed African-Arabian culture As Muslims intermarried w/ Africans, their cultures blended Applies to area’s major language Nat’l language of Kenya & Tanzania Religion and family life are intertwined, with Christianity, Islam, and indigenous religions, such as animism, all practiced in the subregion. Due to its lack of financial resources, Equatorial Africa struggles to stop the spread of preventable diseases. Ethnic conflicts continue in the subregion.

Economic Activities Farming is the main economic activity with most of the population practicing subsistence farming. Countries along the Congo and on the coasts rely on fishing for economic support. Although the subregion is rich in mineral resources, corruption and governmental mismanagement have prevented the people from benefiting from these natural resources. Manufacturing output is low, but investment from foreign countries will push industrialization.

Southern Africa

History and Government The Bantu people settled Southern Africa about 3,500 years ago and eventually established the influential city of Great Zimbabwe B.C. farming peoples who spoke dialects of the Bantu languages moved from the Niger River region into E. Africa Spread iron-smelting techniques across Africa Bantu speakers move to find farmland, flee growing Sahara Within 1,500 years they reach southern tip of Africa ** As a result of Bantu migrations, today there are at least 60 million people who speak one of the Bantu languages. **

History and Government European colonization varied from colony to colony. The Dutch established colonies in the 1600s and, after a few generations, referred to themselves as Afrikaners, meaning “Africans.” Shaka was an important Zulu leader in African history, known for his military might and strength as a leader.

Population Patterns The population increases as one moves from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean because of the physical geography. Natural resources also affect the population distribution, with people settling near resources. Urbanization, or the migration of people from rural areas to urban areas, continues to affect the subregion as people search for a better quality of life.

Society and Culture Today The effects of European colonialism still permeate life in Southern Africa, including the main languages used for communication. Christianity is the most common religion as a result of Christian missionaries in the subregion. Poverty is prevalent and affects all aspects of life, even shortening life spans and sometimes inciting riots. Traditional laws often prohibit women from owning or inheriting property.

Economic Activities The majority of people are farmers, with most participating in subsistence farming, or small-scale agriculture that provides for the needs of a family but little more. Commercial farming, or growing large quantities of crops in order to sell them, has gained importance with the increased influence of global markets. Mining is also important, with minerals and diamonds being major exports.

KAHOOT Put everything but your notes away and pull out your phones and go to kahoot.it You may not use an inappropriate name (this means no making fun of classmates too) You may not block each other or kick someone off the game. Winner gets a Sugar Prize!!!