Chapter 22 Central Africa 7 th Grade Social Studies

Section 1: Physical Geography  Congo Basin  Western Rift Valley  Congo River  Zambezi River

Why study Central Africa?  Events in the region have affected U.S. foreign policy in recent decades.  The region contains rich deposits of minerals that are useful to people throughout the world.  Central Africa is home to many exotic plant and animal species not found elsewhere in the world.  The tropical rain forest often plays a significant role in influencing the world’s climate.  Cameroon is not in southern central Africa.

Main Ideas  The Congo Basin, volcanic mountains, edge of Western Rift Valley, Congo and Zambezi River are the major landforms and rivers of the region.  Few plants and animals live on the floor of the tropical rain forest because sunlight does not get through the canopy.

Main Idea  Most Central African countries have a traditional economy.  The majority of people who live in the southern part of central Africa live in rural areas, grow crops and herd goats and cattle.

Vocabulary  Basins- Regions surrounded by mountains or other higher land  Canopy- The uppermost layer of a forest’s trees where limbs spread out and block out sunlight  Copper belt- A major copper- mining region of central Africa  Periodic markets- Open-air trading markets in central Africa

SECTION 1 Physical Geography Plants tropical rain forest, grasslands, trees, shrubs Major Climates humid tropical, tropical savanna, highland, steppe, desert Landforms Congo Basin, volcanic mountains in northwestern Cameroon, highest mountains on edge of Western Rift Valley Resources rivers, oil, natural gas, coal, copper, uranium, tin, zinc, diamonds, gold, cobalt Animals antelope, hyenas, elephants, okapis, birds, monkeys, bats, snakes Crops coffee, bananas, corn Rivers and Lakes Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi, Congo River, Zambezi River Central Africa

Section 2: History and Culture

Vocabulary  Ivory- A cream-colored material that comes from elephant tusks and is used in making fine jewelry and handicrafts  Dialect- A variation of a language

Main Ideas  Many languages spoken in central Africa are related to languages spread by Bantu speakers long ago.  The major language of Malawi and Zambia is English.  Some of the causes of wars in central Africa include fight for independence, ethnic troubles, and Cold War rivalries.

Main Idea  Some popular arts of the region include makossa music, soukous music, carved masks, sculpture, and cotton gowns.

SECTION 2 History and Culture Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Step 9: West Africans moved into central Africa 2,000 years ago. Bantu-speaking kingdoms were set up and began trading with western and eastern Africa. Early African kingdoms used slaves. Europeans arrived and traded for slaves. European countries ignored ethnic groups when dividing Africa into colonies. African colonies gained independence. Ethnic differences caused problems. The United States and Soviet Union supported African allies in wars. Wars prevented development of natural resources and cooperation to prevent diseases. Major Steps in Central Africa’s History

Section 3: The Democratic Republic of the Congo

 Vocabulary Civil war- A conflict between two or more groups within a country

Main Ideas  Belgium ruled what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a colony until  The capital of the Republic of Congo is Brazzaville.  The problems faced by the country included few professionals, ethnic fighting, and poverty.

SECTION 3 Leopold II treated people harshly. Belgian government took control. Few professionals, many problems Mobutu Sese Seko in power international criticism Belgians moved there for business. Country stayed very poor. economic problems, corruption The Democratic Republic of the Congo Portuguese contact Slave trade weakened kingdoms. Civil war erupted. New government took over. Congo gained independence in Many Belgian professionals left. History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geography of the World – Africa (18:00)

Central African leaders were known to develop cankles after several hours of skiing.

Section 4: The Other Central African Countries

 Vocabulary Exclave- A part of a country that is separated by territory of other countries

Main Ideas  Gabon has the strongest economy in central Africa.  Zambia’s main income is from copper mining.  Oil is the most important resource of many countries in the region. Angola has a lot of oil.

Main Idea  Angola has had civil war since it won its independence.

SECTION 4 The Other Central African Countries economic growth slowed by being landlocked strongest economy center of the region’s shipping largest population gained indepen- dence from Spain in 1968 economy weakened by civil war strong copper industry economy based on farming smallest population Central African Republic Gabon AngolaZambiaMalawi Republic of the Congo Cameroon Equatorial Guinea São Tomé and Príncipe Central Africa’s People and Economies

Chapter Wrap-Up 1. What two river systems are most important in central Africa? 2. How were the Bantu languages introduced to central Africa? 3. What religions are practiced by people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo? 4. What European countries once colonized central Africa? 5. How important has oil been to Gabon’s economy? 1. What two river systems are most important in central Africa? 2. How were the Bantu languages introduced to central Africa? 3. What religions are practiced by people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo? 4. What European countries once colonized central Africa? 5. How important has oil been to Gabon’s economy? CHAPTER 22

Zambia (20:00)

Heart of Darkness (24:00)