Sub-Sahara Africa Geography Landscapes

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 Africa

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 What am I? A hot, dry region where little rain falls A hot, dry region where little rain falls

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 Deserts

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 Deserts A well-known desert in Africa is the Sahara Desert. A well-known desert in Africa is the Sahara Desert. It is the 2 nd world’s largest desert and covers most of the northernmost countries of Africa. It stretches from the Red Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. It is the 2 nd world’s largest desert and covers most of the northernmost countries of Africa. It stretches from the Red Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. The Sahara has many different types of landforms that include mountain ranges, rivers (e.g., Nile, Niger and Senegel Rivers), ergs, oasis and lakes. The Sahara has many different types of landforms that include mountain ranges, rivers (e.g., Nile, Niger and Senegel Rivers), ergs, oasis and lakes. How do they compare to the Great Basin, Mojave and Sonoran Deserts in the United States? How do they compare to the Great Basin, Mojave and Sonoran Deserts in the United States? How do people adapt to mainly living in a area with a hot climate and with little or no rain? How do people adapt to mainly living in a area with a hot climate and with little or no rain?

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 What am I ? A grassy plain with scattered trees. A grassy plain with scattered trees. It has two seasons: dry and wet. It has two seasons: dry and wet. During the dry season it is very difficult to farm in this area. During the dry season it is very difficult to farm in this area. During the wet season, the region is green and farmers plant their crops. During the wet season, the region is green and farmers plant their crops.

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 Tropical Savannas

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 Tropical Savannas During the rainy season, farmers grow tomatoes, corn, onions, okra, peanuts, and yams. During the rainy season, farmers grow tomatoes, corn, onions, okra, peanuts, and yams. On large plantations, the type of crops grown are rubber, cacao, palm oil, and coffee. On large plantations, the type of crops grown are rubber, cacao, palm oil, and coffee. Why do you think that the lives of the people, who live in the savanna, are difficult? Why do you think that the lives of the people, who live in the savanna, are difficult?

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 What am I ? Tall trees that are green and grow close to each other all year long. Tall trees that are green and grow close to each other all year long. It rains nearly all of the time. It rains nearly all of the time. Many species of plants and animals come from areas such as these found in Africa. Many species of plants and animals come from areas such as these found in Africa.

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 Rainforests

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 Rainforests The rain forest in West and Central Africa is one of the largest rain forests in the world. The rain forest in West and Central Africa is one of the largest rain forests in the world. It has a big Congo Basin that includes the Congo River. It has a big Congo Basin that includes the Congo River. The Congo River is the second longest river, after the Nile. The Congo River is the second longest river, after the Nile. What are some of the types of plants, trees and other animal species found in the rain forest? What are some of the types of plants, trees and other animal species found in the rain forest? How does the rain forest impact the lives of the people who live and work in the rain forest? How does the rain forest impact the lives of the people who live and work in the rain forest?

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 What am I ? A high, mostly flat area that rises above the surrounding land. A high, mostly flat area that rises above the surrounding land. One or more sides has a steep slope. One or more sides has a steep slope.

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 Plateaus

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 Plateaus East and Southern Africa have unique landscapes. East and Southern Africa have unique landscapes. Land away from the coastal areas are mountains and plateaus. Land away from the coastal areas are mountains and plateaus. Plateaus are located in the African rift that is part of the Great Rift Valley that extends about 3, 500 miles. In some areas, the width of the valley is about 40 miles. Plateaus are located in the African rift that is part of the Great Rift Valley that extends about 3, 500 miles. In some areas, the width of the valley is about 40 miles. Geologists and scientists who study the Earth and its rocks and minerals, claim that millions of years ago, the Earth’s crust became so thin and fragile that huge rocks fell into the cracks on Earth and magma surfaced to seal the cracks; forming a huge rift or valley. Geologists and scientists who study the Earth and its rocks and minerals, claim that millions of years ago, the Earth’s crust became so thin and fragile that huge rocks fell into the cracks on Earth and magma surfaced to seal the cracks; forming a huge rift or valley. The Great Rift Valley is very fertile because of the volcanic soil of the plateaus, stretch along the huge rift. The Great Rift Valley is very fertile because of the volcanic soil of the plateaus, stretch along the huge rift. How has the African rift formation, of landform patterns on Earth, created barriers among people in the past and present? How has the African rift formation, of landform patterns on Earth, created barriers among people in the past and present?

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 What am I ? (exclude the mountains on the background) Area of flat or gently rolling low land Area of flat or gently rolling low land

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 Plains

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 Plains As the plateaus have formed various geographical features, over time, the plains on top of these plateaus, have attracted large numbers of animals such as zebras, giraffes, and antelopes. As the plateaus have formed various geographical features, over time, the plains on top of these plateaus, have attracted large numbers of animals such as zebras, giraffes, and antelopes. These animals or herds are often preyed on by leopards and lions. These animals or herds are often preyed on by leopards and lions. How are some herds of animals, in some parts of these plains, protected from human hunters? How are some herds of animals, in some parts of these plains, protected from human hunters?

© 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 Need a ride across the Sahara Desert?