Geography of Africa

Geography Africa is the second largest continent is the world. Africa has 54 countries. The largest country is Algeria. The largest was Sudan until July 9, 2011, when South Sudan became a country

Africa is divided into five regions: North Africa (desert) West Africa( resources) East Africa(lakes) Central Africa(rainforest) South Africa (some desert)

The Sahara divides Africa into two parts: North Africa Sub- Sahara (all countries south of the Sahara)

Major Climate Zones South of Sahara desert-extremely dry, less than 10 inches of rain a year semiarid- more rainfall than desert , but still receives very little tropical-gets 70 inches of rain per year and temperatures average 80 degrees

Temperatures along the coast and the in the mountains are more moderate. Highlands-cool climate and rich soil because of plentiful rainfall South Africa –temperatures can be cold during the winter

Rivers and Lakes Important because: Water source Food source Trade/travel

Rivers Nile River: starts in E. Burundi and flows north emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. world’s longest river. Nile flows over six cataracts on its way to sea

Rivers Congo River: largest river in western central Africa flows through the second largest rain forest in the world

Rivers Niger River: principal river in western Africa runs through Guinea, Mali, Niger, Benin and Nigeria significant water source for the city of Timbuktu

Lakes Lake Victoria largest lake in Africa 2nd largest fresh water lake in the world vital in supporting the millions of people that live nearby

Lakes Lake Tanganyika deepest lake in Africa located in central Africa divided between Burundi, DRC, Tanzania, and Zambia

Deserts Sahara desert in northern Africa covers almost 1/3 of the continent largest desert in the world

Deserts Kalahari desert in Southwestern Africa not a “true” desert because it receives 3-10 inches of rain per year plants and animals are able to live in this desert due to an underground water supply

Mountains Atlas Mountains range stretches along the Northwestern part of Africa between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara desert