Features of Africa
Complete this statement… “Africa’s physical geography is”….
How large is Africa?
5000MILES5000MILES M I L E S Africa’s area = USA India Argentina Europe New Zealand China
How many facts about Africa from this video clip can you list?
Many European nations ruled Africa throughout history… Can you name any of these countries? What legacies did these European countries give to the African continent?
Which European countries ruled each region? What might have influenced their choices?
Where do most Africans live?
What attracts people to live in these areas of Africa?
Natural resources such as diamonds have an effect on the continent’s population density.
How do the continent’s climates influence population density in Africa?
Let’s identify these climate regions in our notes…
What are some facts about Africa’s major climates? Steppe- The Sahel (semi-desert) is shrinking daily from desertification becoming part of the Sahara Desert Desert- Our world’s greatest areas of desert are found in Africa. Tropical Savanna- Endangered animals such as elephants and lions graze in these grasslands which experience wet and dry seasons. Tropical Rainforest- Hot, humid climate with daily rainfall. The forests are experiencing deforestation.
Picturing the climates! Desert? Tropical Rainforest? Steppe? Tropical Savanna?
Let’s look at some of Africa’s physical features… What effect do these features have on population density?
How would you Describe Africa’s topography…
Where is the Sahel?
Shade and label the Ethiopian Highlands How would you describe this area’s climate?
What is Africa’s tallest mountain peak? Label this mountain on your map
Mt. Kilimanjaro: Snow on the Equator?
What is the Great Rift Valley?
What formed the Sodium Lakes and Pink Flamingos?
Where am I? What do the colors on this map show? Nile River Delta - Egypt
The Mighty Nile River: “Longest River in the World”
Name this Western African river delta… Niger River Delta- Nigeria
The Niger River Basin # Covers 7.5% of the continent. # Extends over 10 countries. # 2,600 miles long.
Hydroelectric power is generated along Africa’s rivers.
Where is Timbuktu? Why is it an important city in African history?
Lake Chad… you’ve changed!! What caused this change?
Where am I? Why is this an important water body in our world ?
Can you spot the mouth of the Congo River? What do you see in the water near this area of the Atlantic Ocean?
Valleys & Plains Great Rift Valley
How did these Rift Valley Lakes form?
These waterfalls are found along the Zambezi River…Where am I ?
This is the world’s longest lake. Can you name it ?
Which character’s reaction would likely match your attitude when visiting Africa?
What can we say about Lake Tanganyika?
What is this man doing? Where is he in Africa?
How does the Rift Valley benefit Nairobi, Kenya? What might tectonic activity bring to the Rift ‘s geography?
The Drakensberg Mountains have been named many things…use the photo to the left to guess why it was called “Drakensberg. From this view the mountain resembles a piece of kitchen furniture…. Another group named it for its resemblence to a hunting tool and weapon….
Name these animals. In which African region do they live?
The Serengeti-How do the animals in this area adapt to the climate of the Serengeti?
The Namib Desert
Match each animal to its habitat location… Namib Desert Lake Victoria Ethiopian Highlands Congo Basin Namaqua Chameleon Flamingoes Baboon Gorilla
Hunting and Fishing in Africa… Fifty pound carp from Lake Albert Kudu Bull of Kalahari Desert
Cape of Good Hope or Cape of Storms?
Unique Scenes from Africa
Physical Map of Africa Nile River Congo River Zambezi River Niger River Mediterranean Sea Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Indian Ocean Red Sea L. Victoria L. Albert--> L. Chad--> L. Tanganyika-> <--Gulf Aden Drakensburg Mts. Ruwenzori Mts. Ethiopian Highlands Δ Kilimanjaro Sahara Desert Sahel Kalahari Desert Namib Desert Great Rift Valley Atlas Mts. Tropic of Cancer 20° N Tropic of Capricorn 20° S Equator 0° La Lake Malawi Cape of Good Hope Serengeti Plain Victoria Falls Cape of Good Hope
Copy and define these words in your notebook. Climate Ecosystem Tectonic Arid Savanna Oasis Semi-arid Predator Adaptation Region