Africa’s Geography Before we study the culture and history of African American people, we must start at the beginning…Africa.

AFRICA WHEN YOU THNK ABOUT AFRICA, WHAT COMES TO YOUR MIND?

LET’S GET STARTED GET READY TO TAKE NOTES. PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS BEING SAID AND SHOWN .

PAY ATTENTION LIKE THIS

AFRICA IS A CONTINENT NOT A COUNTRY IT IS MADE UP OF MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES . OFFICIALLY : 54

The original name of Africa is ALKEBULAN which means: “mother of mankind”. It was later renamed “Africa” by invaders who wished to erase the great history of this continent.

Let’s see…… If you only thought of jungles with all sorts of wild animals, very dark skin people, and extremely hot weather……You are 100% WRONG!

THE TRUTH IS… Africa is a very huge land mass with many different climates and people.

SIZE S I Z E Africa is the 2nd largest continent in the world ( only Asia is bigger) The area of Africa is 11,668,598 square miles. The United States can actually fit inside of Africa 3 times

(covers most of the northern portion) THE SAHARA DESERT (covers most of the northern portion) largest desert in the world. Very hot in the day (recorded the hottest temperature in history in 1922 when it was 136 degrees in the shade one day!) But can also reach freezing temperatures at night during winter months. In January of 2012 it actually had snow blown in.

SAHARA CAMEL ARE PREFERRED MEANS OF TRAVEL BECAUSE THEY CAN WITHSTAND THE CLIMATE.

SAHARA DESERT VERY DRY AND FULL OF CACTUS, WHICH DO NOT REQUIRE WATER TO GROW.

THE SAHEL ( is a region that is directly south of the Sahara that stretches across the entire continent) known as a semi-desert. Has more vegetation than the Sahara The zone of transition which separates the Sahara Desert from the savanna/grasslands.

The Savanna/Grassland Region where trees are small and widely spaced out. Place of wildlife such as (lions, elephants, zebras, giraffe, cheetahs, etc.) Located south of the Sahel and again in South Africa.

RAINFOREST Located in the CENTER of Africa. Also known as the Congo. Very rainy and humid climate with many trees. Home of the Pygmies (shortest group of people in Africa, the average male height is 4’ 11”); and they are also cannibals! Home of gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees, snakes and tigers.

PYGMIES

MOUNTAIN RANGES There are many mountain ranges spread throughout the large continent of Africa. However, we will examine only ONE. Which is the highest mountain in Africa. Does anyone know what it is called or where it is located?

MT. KILIMANJARO Located in east Africa (country of Tanzania) It is 3.6 miles high. (tallest mountain in all of Africa) Is actually a volcano (but is currently dormant) 25 thousand people attempt to climb to the top every year, but only a few make it.

SURRONDING WATER The Red Sea (northeast) separates Africa from Asia The Mediterranean Sea (borders the north) The Atlantic Ocean (borders entire west side) Indian Ocean ( borders the southeast)

NILE RIVER Although there are many bodies of water in relation to Africa, we will examine her most valuable resource. Arguably the longest river in the world. Over 4 thousand miles long. That’s longer than the width of the entire USA. Flows through 9 countries and is popular for vacationing cruise ships The Nile flows from South to North

BEACHES Mozambique Egypt South Africa Islands of Cape Verde Africa is also home to some of the most attractive beaches in the world. Mozambique Egypt South Africa Islands of Cape Verde Are just to name a few popular places to go for sand and relaxation

Mozambique Beachfront

Tanzania beach

Gambia

AFRICA’S BEAUTY DID YOU KNOW THAT AFRICA ALSO HAS A VARIETY OF BEAUTIFUL DARKSKIN MODELS. THUS, PROVING THAT WOMEN CAN BE OF ANY SKIN TONE AND STILL BE BEAUTIFUL!