Africa & The Five Themes of Geography

AFRICA 2nd Largest Continent 54 independent nations More than 1000 languages spoken Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, Australia/Oceania

Africa: Geographic Diversity

Location: Position on Earth’s Surface Tropic of Cancer: the most northerly position at which the sun may appear directly overheard Tropic of Capricorn: the most southerly position Relative: Centrally Located – Interconnected Exact: 80+% between tropics Cancer and Capricorn

Place: Physical/Human Characteristics: Lakes and Rivers Major source of transportation and communication Transportation routes often developed along river valleys. Escarpments and rapids make some rivers unnavigable Provide food and irrigation for crops Population density is higher near water sources Transportation routes developed along river valleys because… Escarpments: Steep cliffs near coasts Unnaviagable: Not able to be sailed on by ships or boats

Place: Topography, Vegetation, & Climate Majority of continent: plateau- high flat raised land Escarpments- steep cliffs (off sides of plateaus) Cataracts- Waterfalls over escarpments 80% of Africa has tropical climate – Between Capricorn and Cancer Rainy season in north and dry season in the south Plateau: high plain consisting of flat terrain Further from equator is shorter rainy season and longer dry season Rain is uneven and varies from year to year so it is difficult for farmers.

LOCATION North and South of the equator are mirror images in terms of climate Steppe: Extensive Plain without trees Savanna: Grassland with widely spread trees Mediterranean: No freezing temp in winter and dry summers

Human-Environment Interactions Aswan Dam: Across the Nile River in Egypt Suez Canal- man made waterway in Egypt connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas Desertification: turning semidesert to desert (Sahel south of Sahara) Leaching- process of heavy rains washing nutrients from soil Desertification: Heavy rains force people to semidesert areas, cut down foliage for farms, livestock grazes on grass, topsoil turns to sand Aswan Dam: Control Floods by blocking water and retaining it, provide water for irrigation by releasing water for planting crops, and generate hydroelectricity (movement of water creates electricity by harnessing energy) Generate electricity through electric towers and turbines. Electricity goes to a grid. This is renewable energy that will always exist

Movement: Migration, trade, interdependence, ideas spread Islam spreading to Northern Africa from Mecca (Saudi Arabia: birthplace of Islam)

Region: Unifying Characteristics

IT’S YOUR TURN