Africa: Geography

Geography 5 Main Regions – North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and South Africa. Most of Africa is plateaus with basins, swamps, and lakes scattered across. Great Rift Valley - Giant fault in crust runs from Red Sea to Zambezi River, creates mountains and valleys. Rivers provide fish, water for irrigation, means of transportation, and hydroelectric power.

Nile River - Longest in world, key in human development. – Previously flooded each year, now due to Aswan Dam the rich silt is trapped. – Other Rivers - Congo River, only part can be used for transportation due to waterfalls and rapids. Niger River, Zambezi River. Mineral Resources - Copper, platinum, cobalt, gold, oil, diamonds. – Some countries lack money to develop their mineral resources. Natural resources unevenly distributed.

Climate 80% is in the tropics, climate generally warm throughout the year. Rainfall - When rains fall on the south, north is dry and vice versa. Rainfall varies. 4 Zones 1. Tropical West & Dry – Largest zone; the savanna grassland covers half continent Warm all year Rainfall unpredictable and may be heavy or light. – Desertification - Turn of semidesert land into desert; due to growing populations moving into more lands and cutting down trees and trying to farm.

2. Deserts 40% of Africa are deserts Sahara is larger than U.S. Rainfall less than 10 inches a year Kalahari and Namib Namib one of the driest places on Earth. 3. Mediterranean Mild climate, winters cool and moist, summers hot and dry Fertile soil 4. Tropical Wet Narrow part along equator with rain forests Hot and humid all year inches of rain, average temp 80 Poor soil due to constant rain.

Problems of Climate Deadly Diseases – Malaria, sleeping sickness, river blindness Population – Growing rapidly, but not densely populated. Languages – Over 1,000