1. Africa
Unit 7

2. Physical Geography of Africa
ch. 20

3. Physical Geography of Africa
Africa south of the Sahara is roughly three times the size of the continental United States.
The northern edge of the region borders the massive Sahara.
The Atlantic and Indian Oceans surround the rest of the continent.
The annual rainfall rate for this region varies from more than 60 inches in the tropical rain forests near the Equator to less than 4 inches in the semiarid steppe climate.

5. Landforms Plateaus, Highlands, & Mountains The Great Rift Valley
Africa's overall elevation is higher than that of any other continent.
High plateaus cover the continents, rising in elevation from the coast inland and from west to east.
Volcanic mountains, such as Kilimanjaro, are located in the Eastern Highlands
The Great Rift Valley
Shifting tectonic plates formed the Great Rift Valley, which runs from Syria to Mozambique.
Most of the region's lakes are near the Great Rift Valley

7. The Sahara Desert Sign of things to come
A desert climate predominates in the region, and the scarcity of water makes it a precious resource
Sign of things to come
Desertification
Sahara covers over 25% of the region
>10 in of rain/year

11. Water Systems Land of lakes A Lake Meets Many Needs
The region's great rivers originate in the high plateaus and descend toward the sea. Sharp escarpments and steeps cataracts make navigation impossible on parts of these rivers
Land of lakes
Most are near the Great Rift Valley
Lake Victoria is the larges lake in Africa
A Lake Meets Many Needs
Lake Volta- human made lake created by damming the Volta River
The lake is a source for hydro-electric power, water for irrigation, and fishing

13. Water Systems River Basins Daunting physical barriers
Niger River: main artery of western africa
Forms important delta near the atlantic coast
Congo River: 2,900 miles long
Largest network of navigable waterways on the continent
Daunting physical barriers
Inland water travel is nearly impossible due to :
Waterfalls
Rapids
Sandbars
Dry riverbeds

14. Da Nile – its not just a river in Africa!!
Major Rivers; Cradles of Civilization
The Nile River Valley provides wather and a lush, fertile living space for about 90% of Egypt’s population

16. Natural Resources Mineral Resources Water Solar Power
Africa south of the Sahara is rich in natural resources, including oil, gold, uranium, and diamonds
Water
Because of irregular and unpredictable rainfall, irrigation and harnessing hydroelectric power are difficult.
Where avaliable water is a precious resource
Solar Power
Between , 20,000 small solar power systems were installed in Kenya to support other power systems

19. CLIMATE ZONES

20. Topical Climate Tropical Rainforest Crops & Cutting at a Cost Savanna
Warm temps and 60 in. of rain/year lend the region to rainforest
orchids and ferns grow amid the canopy of trees that tower up to 150 feet above the floor of the tropical rain forests
Crops & Cutting at a Cost
Cash crops include: bananas, pineapples, coffee, cocoa, & rubber
Farmers and loggers use slash and burn techniques so much that the rainforest may disappear
Savanna
The harmatten dries the moisture left from rains
Cool humid air blows in from the southwest
Tornadoes sometimes occur there when harmattans collide with humid air blown in from monsoons
Tropical grasslands, cover nearly half of the continent

22. Dry Climates Steppe Desertification Desert
Further north and south of the savannas are drier steppe climates with low-growing grasses and acacia trees
Desertification
Increase of desert climate and vegetation
People have stripped more and more of the steppe’s vegetation for firewood and farming
Desert
Namib: runs along the atlantic coast of namibia
Kalahari: exists in e. Namibia, most of botswana, and part of S. Africa

24. Moderate Climates
Coastal areas of s. Africa & highland regions in e. Africa enjoy enough rain for farming