The physical geography of sub-Saharan Africa

Factors of Isolation Almost all unbroken and irregular coastlines…few natural harbors for ships to anchor for trade and exploration. Most rivers have falls and rapids because of the elevation – people could not sail up the rivers to explore. The Sahara is the largest desert in the world. Prevents movement between northern Africa and southern Africa.

Plateau Continent with Escarpments and Rift Valleys Most of the continent is 1000 ft above sea level!

Escarpment—steep slope with a nearly flat plateau on top

Great Rift Valley Rift valleys—places on the Earth’s surface where the crust stretches until it breaks

Sahara Desert The largest desert in the world!! The name Sahara comes from the Arabic word for “desert.” Occupies 1/3 of the continent and is still growing…

Desertification: —a process by which a desert spreads Drought Overgrazing Overuse of land

Sahel—a transition zone between the dry areas in the north and the tropical areas of the south Sahel means “shore of the desert” in Arabic High temperatures but more rainfall than the desert

Kalahari Desert Located in Southern Africa – covered by reddish sand, lies between the Orange and Zambezi rivers

*No Major Mountain Chain!* Major Highlands: Ethiopian Highlands/ Plateau, Mt. Kilimanjaro

Major Highlands Ethiopian Highlands were created because of volcanic eruptions long ago Mt. Kilimanjaro is an inactive volcano.

Peak of Stone Mountain 1,686 feet Let’s Compare… Peak of Stone Mountain 1,686 feet Mt Kilimanjaro 19,341 feet

Lakes Most lakes are precious water sources and have high population density around them. Lake Victoria is the largest African lake. Lake Chad is shrinking because of its location.

Lake Chad Lake Victoria

Rivers Major Rivers: Nile, Congo, Zambezi, Senegal, Niger, Orange The Congo River Most African rivers contain many waterfalls, making them useless for transportation.

Victoria Falls: Two times the height of Niagara Falls On the Zambezi River

Nile River The longest river in the world!! It is formed by two rivers, the Blue Nile and the White Nile, and flows northward!! Lake Victoria is the major source of the Nile River.

Let’s Compare…. From the west coast of the U.S. to the East coast of the U.S. – 2,700 miles! The Nile is 4,160 miles long! Sacramento  Washington D.C.

Assignment Finish all of the African maps we have been working on so far (population, climate, physical, political etc.) Using the project from earlier, the students will write a five paragraph essay that explains how Sub-Saharan physical features have had an impact on the distribution of its population.