The physical geography of Africa- 9th, benson

The Sahel:

narrow band of grassland

What is the Sahel often called?

shore of the desert

Name factors that cause desertification.

overgrazing, farming, drilling, increasing population

Nigeria:--

rich in oil resources

The Aswan High Dam:=

between Egypt and Sudan, completed in 1970s, to help with farming irrigation

Problems with the dam:=

people had to relocate, artifacts lost, decreased soil fertility, etc

Minerals found in South Africa:

=chromium, platinum, gold, cobalt

What is one reason African nations have been slow to develop? =

European colonial rulers have developed resources for export.

Commodities found in Africa-

coffee, lumber, sugar, palm oil, cocoa

What is the result of Africa’s location between the Tropics?

warm and tropical temperatures

What is Africa often called ?

the plateau continent

Most of the African continent lies where?

between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn & 1000ft above sea level

Which African lake is the longest freshwater lake in the world?

Lake Tanganyika

Which is the largest freshwater lake in Africa?

Lake Victoria

Most of the mountains in Africa are:

volcanic

What is the highest mountain in Africa?

Mount Kilimanjaro

What is an escarpment?

1. A steep slope with a flat plateau on top

What is a basin?

a depression throughout the plateau

What often collects in the Chad Basin?

water

How does the Nile River help the African people?

farming and irrigation

What are some challenges in using the Nile River?

waterfalls, rapids, gorges, and meandering courses make transportation difficult

Rift valleys:

long, thin, valleys,

Where do lakes often form in Africa?

at the bottom of the rift valleys

The Sahara:

largest desert in the world, Sahara means desert

What is an aquifer?

a large store of underground water

Where is the Serengeti Plain? Northern Tanzania

Northern Tanzania

Where are the major rainforests in Africa located?

Equator area of the Congo Basin

What is the canopy?

Uppermost layer of branches

Describe the climate/rainfall patterns in the rainforests of Central Africa.

Receives the most rain.

Describe the climate/rainfall patterns in the areas of Africa that are closer to the desert.

Longer dry season

Describe the climate/rainfall patterns in the areas of Africa that are closer to the equator.

Longer rainy season

Describe the climate/rainfall patterns at the northern and southern tips of the continent.

mediterranean climate