Development of African Civilizations Chapter Topic 2 Lesson 5

Starter What geographic factors do you think affected the development of African civilizations?

Climate, land, and access to water Answer Climate, land, and access to water

The Impact of Geography Main Idea: Africa includes a wide variety of landforms and a number of different climate zones that have influenced its history and culture.

Landform Africa is the second largest continent. The continent is almost completely surrounded by two oceans and two seas. (Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and the Red and Mediterranean Sea) Northern area is mountainous. South of the mountains is the largest desert on Earth, the Sahara. To the east is the Nile River

Grasslands in interior Africa; tropical jungles along the coast Far to the east is a very different terrain of snow-capped mountains, upland plateaus, and lakes. A distinctive feature Is the Great Rift valley, where mountains loom over deep canyons.

Climate Four distinct climate zones: 1. Mild – stretches across the northern coast and southern tip of Africa. Moderate rainfall, warm temperatures, fertile land. 2. desert – covers 40% of Africa, The Sahara and the Kalashari are the two largest deserts. 3. rain forest – makes up 10% of the continent, heavy rains, warm temperatures, and dense forests. 4. savannas – broad grasslands dotted with small trees and shurbs, covers 40% of Africa’s land area.