SSWG4 a Describe the location of major physical features and their impact on Sub-Saharan Africa.

Learning Target I can describe the location of major physical features in Africa I can explain major physical features impacts on how and where people live in Africa.

Great Rift Valley Stretches from Syria in Southwest Asia to Mozambique in the southeastern part of Africa Formed by the shifting of tectonic plates Lakes Tanganyika, Malawi, and Victoria located in or near Great Rift Valley.

Niger River Main artery in western Africa; a major means of transportation for people in the area. Splits into a large delta in southern Nigeria. Flows through tropical and dry climates. Used for agriculture.

Nile River World’s longest river located in northeastern corner of Africa. More than 90 percent of Egypt’s population lives along the Nile Delta and Nile River on fertile land.

Congo River Forms largest network of navigable waterways on the continent. Reaches the sea through a deep estuary, which is easily navigable by oceangoing ships. Flows through rain forest in tropical wet climate region.

Kalahari Desert Located in interior of southern Africa. Hot weather with little rainfall. Desert supports some plant, animal, and human life.

Sahara Desert World’s largest desert; covers most of North Africa. Droughts have expanded the Sahara in recent decades. Little plant, animal and human life found in interior.

Victoria Lake Largest Lake in Africa. Located between the eastern and western branches of the Great Rift. Source of the White Nile River. Provides hydroelectricity through dams. Supports largest inland fishery in Africa.

Ticket Out the door Describe where the Nile, Congo and Niger River are located in Africa? How is Lake Victoria going to impact people living in Africa? How do the Kalahari and Sahara Deserts impact where people live?