Transcript Africa: Physical Geography

Africa: Physical Geography
Chapter 11
Lesson 1 Objectives
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Learn about Africa’s four regions and its
major landforms.

Find out about Africa’s major rivers.
Africa’s Four Regions
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North Africa
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West Africa
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Most populated area
Mostly grasslands
East Africa
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Rocky mountains
Sahara Desert
Mountains and plateaus
Large, raised areas of mostly level
land
Central and Southern Africa
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Thick rain forests, mountains, and
swamps
Namib Desert and Kalahari Desert
The Plateau Continent
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Much of the continent is
made up of raised areas
that drop off near the sea
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Great Rift Valley in West
Africa
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Mount Kilimanjaro in
West Africa
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Tanzania
Africa’s tallest mountain
19,341 feet
Africa’s Rivers
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The Nile River
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The Niger River
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The Congo River
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The Zambezi River
The Nile River
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Longest river in the
world
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More than 4,000 miles
long
Twice the length of the
Mississippi
Flood cycle helps
farmers with crops
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Silt makes fertile soil
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Rich in substances that
plants need to grow
The Others
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The Congo
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The Niger
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Africa’s second longest river
Flows through the rain forest
of Central Africa
Africa’s third longest river
Begins in Guinea
The Zambezi
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Africa’s fourth longest river
Home of Victoria Falls
Lesson 1 Objectives

Learn about Africa’s four regions and its
major landforms.

Find out about Africa’s major rivers.
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ASSIGNMENT!!!
Lesson 2 Objectives
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Discover the factors that influence
Africa’s climate.
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Learn the characteristics of each of
Africa’s vegetation regions.
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Find out how climate can affect the
health of people living in Africa.
Africa’s Climate and Vegetation
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What influences climate in Africa?
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Distance from the Equator
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Elevation
Nearness to large bodies of water
Distance From the Equator
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Much of Africa lies
between the Tropic of
Cancer and the Tropic
of Capricorn
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Tropical climate
Difference in seasons
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North of Equator
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Same seasons as U.S.
South of the Equator
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Opposite seasons as
U.S.
The Role of Elevation
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Mount Kilimanjaro
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Close to the Equator
Ice and snow-covered year
round
Somalia and Ethiopia
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Same distance from the Equator
Ethiopia on a high plateau
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Receive plenty of rain
Somalia at lower elevation
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Little rain
Can only farm near an oasis
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A fertile place in a desert, with
water and vegetation
Africa’s Vegetation Regions
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Tropical Rain Forests
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Tropical Savannas
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Deserts
Tropical Rain Forests
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Rain falls often during
the year
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Covers 20% of Africa
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People live in cities,
towns, or on farms
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Grow cacao and
cassava
Fish, hunt, and harvest
timber
Tropical Savannas
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A region of tall grasses with
scattered trees
Most common vegetation
region in Africa
Home to large herd animals:
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Lions
Elephants
Zebras
Two seasons
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Dry
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Farming is impossible
Wet
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Farmers plant crops
Deserts of Africa
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The Sahara Desert
 The Namib Desert
 The Kalahari Desert
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Few people live in the
desert
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Nomads
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People who have no
permanent, settled home
Normally herders of goats,
camels, or sheep
Set up tents near oases
Climate and Health
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Sleeping Sickness
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Tsetse fly
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One bite can kill cattle
and cause a serious
disease in humans
Malaria
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Infected mosquitoes
Lesson 2 Objectives

Discover the factors that influence
Africa’s climate.

Learn the characteristics of each of
Africa’s vegetation regions.
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Find out how climate can affect the
health of people living in Africa.
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ASSIGNMENT!!!
Lesson 3 Objectives
Discover the ways in which Africans
make use of their agricultural resources.
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Learn about the mineral and energy
resources found in Africa.
Find out what African countries are doing
to improve their economic health.
Africa’s Agricultural Resources
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Subsistence farming
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North Africa
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Barley and wheat
Saharan oases
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Raising just enough crops to
support one’s family
Dates
West Africa
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Corn and rice
Crops For Sale!
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Cash crops
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West Africa
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Crops that are raised for sale
Coffee
Cacao
East Africa
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Tea
Africa’s Natural Resources
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Each African country has its
own economy
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A system for producing,
distributing, consuming, and
owning goods and services
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Farming
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Mining
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Petroleum
Gold
Copper, silver, uranium,
titanium, and diamonds
Improving Africa’s Economy
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Specialized economy
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Trying to diversify
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Farming
Africa relies on rainfall
and crop prices
Add variety
More flexible
economy
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Not dependent on only
one product
Lesson 3 Objectives
Discover the ways in which Africans
make use of their agricultural resources.
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Learn about the mineral and energy
resources found in Africa.
Find out what African countries are doing
to improve their economic health.
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ASSIGNMENT!!!