1. Physical Geography of Africa
October 13, 2014

2. Africa’s Geography
Africa is the 2nd largest continent in the world (after Asia).
Africa is divided into 5 regions
North, South, East, West, Central
Because the continent is so large, there are many different types of landforms located there

3. Rivers of Africa The longest river in the world
Congo River: In central and west Africa
Begins in southern Congo near Lake Tanganyika and flows in a huge curve to drain into the Atlantic Ocean
Niger River: In western Africa
Begins in Guinea and flows east to drain into the Gulf of Guinea
West Africa’s most important river and the 3rd largest river in Africa
Nile River: in Northern and Eastern Africa
The longest river in the world
Formed by the Blue Nile and White Nile, it flows northward through the eastern Sahara through Sudan and Egypt
Drains into the Mediterranean Sea

4. Rivers of Africa

5. Lakes
Lake Tanganyika: bordered between Congo and Tanzania in East/Central Africa
One of the largest and deepest freshwater lakes in the world
Lake Victoria: In East Africa
The source of the White Nile River
Africa’s largest lake

6. Lakes

7. Deserts Sahara Desert: covers most of North Africa
Largest desert in the world
It is not totally made of sand; the Sahara also has long stretches of rocky hills and gravel
Kalahari Desert: Mostly lies in Botswana, in southern Africa

8. Deserts

9. Mountain Ranges and Mountains
Atlas Mountains: In North Africa
On the northwestern side of the Sahara, in Morocco and Algeria
Mt. Kenya: Africa’s 2nd highest mountain
In the country of Kenya, in East Africa
Mt. Kilimanjaro: Africa’s highest mountain
In northern Tanzania in East Africa

10. Mountain Ranges and Mountains

11. Other African Physical Features
Sahel: a region of dry grasslands immediately south of the Sahara
Very dry area, with some years having no rain at all
Savanna: another grassland region south of the Sahel
Rainier than the Sahel, with better soil for farming
Congo River Basin: Large tropical rainforest area in Congo surrounded by mountains and plateaus
Has a humid tropical climate that is warm and rainy all year

12. Questions 8. Which countries are the Atlas Mountains located in?
1. Which river flows west through Congo to drain into the Atlantic Ocean?
2. Which river is the 3rd largest in Africa?
3. Which body of water does the Nile River drain into?
4. Which 2 countries border Lake Tanganyika?
5. Which lake is the source of the White Nile River?
6. Which desert is the largest in the world?
7. Which country does the Kalahari Desert lie in?
8. Which countries are the Atlas Mountains located in?
9. Which region of Africa is Mt. Kenya in?
10. What is Africa’s tallest mountain?
11. What is the Sahel?
12. What is the grassland region south of the Sahel called?
13. What is the Congo River Basin?