Geographic Understanding Africa Geographic Understanding SS7G3a The student will explain how the characteristics in the Sahara, Sahel, Savannah, and Tropical Rain Forest affect where people live, the type of work they do, and how they travel.

Largest desert on Earth and covers 3.5 million square miles. Few people are able to live in the harsh environment. Climate is hot and dry; with very little rainfall.

Most people living in the Sahara are nomads (move from place to place). Travel by camel looking for food or water.

Desert nomads led caravans across the desert before air travel and vehicles were available. Salt and gold came across the desert from Central Africa to markets along the Mediterranean coast.

The Sahel Area south of the Sahara Desert and forms a wide band stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. Covers about 1.8 million square miles. Flat with few mountains and hills Climate is hot and arid. Rainfall varies from year to year ranging from 6 – 20 inches

Farming is difficult even when rainfall is plentiful. Vegetation is sparse; grasses and shrubs are unevenly distributed to support grazing animals. Other areas are dry. Desertification is a problem because people cut down trees for fuel and shelter.

Savannah Area were grass grows naturally. Water is not enough to sustain trees and forests. Grasslands are important because they support many animals Grasses and grains: wheat, oat, and sorghum grow in the regions

African Savannah is the largest in the world. Covers almost half of Africa During the summer rains, the savannah is green and the grass is thick. During the winter (dry) season, the grass is brown and grass fires occur.

Tropical Rain Forest Africa has the world’s second largest area of rainforest. The largest is in the Congo River Basin. Rich plant life and water is plentiful. The rainforest floor is home to thousands of varieties of insects; including butterflies.

Butterflies pollinate flowers and make it possible for them to reproduce. Rivers and streams support fish, alligators, and crocodiles In the canopy of the rainforest, birds, monkeys, snakes, frogs, and toads make their homes.

Rainforest has been home to a small amount of people who lived by gathering food from the forest or living on small subsistence farms. In 1800s, land was cleared to make room for large plantations and the people were forced to work and traditional methods of living disappeared.

Rainforest are destroyed today due to commercial logging (deforestation). Timber needs roads and heavy equipment to move trees from the forest into the city. Deforestation leads to extinction of special animals and plants. Extinction means a species no longer exist anywhere in the world