Exploring the African Transition Zone and Its Challenges

What is the African Transition Zone?

An area of land south of the Sahara that transitions from desert to tropical forests and from Muslim to Christian and animist cultures.

What is the total area of the African Transition Zone?

1,178,800 square miles (3,053,200 sq. km).

What does a transition zone represent?

A physical area where the land undergoes a radical change, such as from arid to tropical.

What cultural transitions occur in the African Transition Zone?

It marks the transition between Islamic cultures of North Africa and Christian and animist cultures to the south.

What geographical area is part of the African Transition Zone?

The Sahel.

What does the term 'Sahel' mean in Arabic?

'Shore' or 'coast', describing the vegetation's appearance as a coastline marking the Sahara's border.

What is the topography of the Sahel like?

Mainly flat with plateaus ranging from about 650 feet (200 m) to 1,300 feet (400 m) in elevation.

How long does the Sahel span across Africa?

More than 3,000 miles (4,800 km) from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea.

What is the average annual rainfall in the Sahel?

4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm), mostly falling in June, July, and August.

What types of vegetation can grow in the Sahel?

Low-growing grasses, shrubs, and acacia trees.

What traditional livelihood do most people in the Transition Zone have?

Herding livestock.

What environmental issue has affected the Sahel due to overgrazing?

Stripping the land bare in some places.

What major drought occurred in the 1970s in the African Transition Zone?

A drought that caused a famine killing thousands of people.

What is the significance of water resources in the African Transition Zone?

They are crucial for the livelihoods of many people, despite decreasing annual precipitation.

What is Lake Chad and where is it located?

A lake at the southern edge of the Sahara, bordered by Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.

What has threatened Lake Chad?

It is shrinking due to drought, evaporation, and increasing salinity.

What was Lake Chad once known for?

Being the second-largest wetland in Africa supporting diverse animal and plant life.

What is Lake Volta and where is it located?

One of the largest human-made lakes in the world, located entirely in Ghana.

How long is Lake Volta?

About 250 miles (400 km) long.

What was the purpose of creating Lake Volta?

To store water for generating hydroelectric power.

What impact did the creation of Lake Volta have on local communities?

It flooded more than 700 villages, forcing over 70,000 people to relocate.

What countries share the Volta River system?

Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, and Togo.

What environmental challenge does Lake Chad face?

It is threatened with extinction due to shrinking water levels.

What are the benefits of the lake mentioned in the notes?

It supplies irrigation for farming, has several fisheries, and serves as a transportation route linking different parts of the country.

What negative consequences arise from the reservoir created by the lake?

Reduced agricultural productivity due to lack of annual floods bringing new silt, less fertile land higher up on the lake shore, and changes in ecology leading to increased disease.

What is the length of the Niger River?

About 2,600 miles (4,183 km).

Where does the Niger River originate?

In the highlands of Guinea.

What is the significance of the Niger River in western Africa?

It is the main artery for transportation and agriculture.

Describe the central Mali section of the Niger River.

It spreads out across a broad plateau and inland delta, creating many smaller channels and a large wetland that supports wildlife.

What is the delta of the Niger River like at Aboh in southern Nigeria?

It stretches 150 miles (241 km) north to south and extends to a width of about 200 miles (322 km) where the river empties into the Gulf of Guinea.

How long is the Senegal River?

1,015 miles (1,633 km).

What geographical feature does the Senegal River form?

It forms the border between Senegal and Mauritania.

What organization was founded in 1972 to manage the Senegal River basin?

An organization founded by Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal, with Guinea joining in 2005.

What is the purpose of the Manantali Dam?

To prevent flooding during the rainy season and provide freshwater during the dry season.

When did the Manantali Dam begin generating hydroelectric power?

In 2002.

What does the Diama Dam prevent?

The intrusion of salt water during the dry season.

What are the two major tributaries of the Nile River?

The Blue Nile and the White Nile.

What is the significance of the Blue Nile?

It is the main source of fertile soil along the banks of the Nile River and stretches 850 miles (1,368 km).

What major construction project began in Ethiopia in 2011 on the Blue Nile?

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, expected to be the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa.

Where does the White Nile originate?

In the mountains to the west of Lake Victoria in Burundi.

Where do the Blue Nile and White Nile meet?

At the city of Khartoum in Sudan.

What climate pattern affects the Transition Zone in Africa?

Two hot seasons (February-April and September-October) and a rainy season (May-August) with most rain in the southern part.

What is the harmattan?

A hot, dry wind that blows from the north during December and January, carrying dust and sand from the Sahara.

What are the potential impacts of the rainy season in the Transition Zone?

It can result in a fair amount of rain, but may also be isolated or intense enough to damage crops.

What is the ecological impact of the changes in the river systems mentioned?

The ecology of the river is altered due to standing water replacing running water, leading to increased disease.

What are the dimensions of the Niger River delta?

It stretches 150 miles (241 km) north to south and is about 200 miles (322 km) wide.

What is the harmattan and why is it referred to as 'the doctor'?

The harmattan is a dry wind in western Africa that is invigorating compared to the typical humid air of the subregion.

Why is water considered a precious resource in the Transition Zone?

Water is vital as rain determines climate and vegetation, and in many areas, rainfall is the only water source.

What environmental issues have plagued the Transition Zone?

Soil erosion, insufficient water, deforestation, and drought have created a vicious cycle affecting the area for decades.

What are the consequences of drought in the Transition Zone?

Droughts have caused crop failures, killed livestock, and led to famines.

What types of vegetation are found in the African Transition Zone during the rainy season?

The Sahel comes alive with plant life, including grasslands, baobab trees, and jujube trees.

What is the significance of the jujube fruit in the Transition Zone?

The fruit of the jujube tree is used to feed herds.

What types of wildlife are found in the African Transition Zone?

Wildlife includes migratory birds, wild dogs, cheetahs, lions, elephants, giraffes, warthogs, and gerbils.

What traditional economies are prevalent in the Transition Zone?

Farming and nomadic herding are important traditional economies.

What challenges do traditional lifestyles face in the Transition Zone?

Deforestation and drought are making farming and nomadic herding more difficult.

What natural resources are being developed in the Transition Zone to help the economy?

Oil, natural gas, coal, and mining of uranium, gold, and iron deposits.

What historical climate conditions influenced the formation of countries in the Transition Zone?

Between 9000 B.C. and 4000 B.C., the northern half of Africa received more rain, leading to savanna conditions.

What significant climate shift occurred around 4000 B.C.?

A climate shift began that made the area hotter and drier, prompting migrations south.

What civilization rose in the Nile Valley despite the desertification of much of the area?

Egypt and its civilization thrived due to the well-watered Nile Valley.

What was the Kush civilization and its significance?

The Kush civilization became a powerful kingdom around 2000 B.C. in what is now Sudan, controlling Egyptian territory.

What happened to the Kush civilization around A.D. 300?

Meroë, the capital of Kush, was attacked by Axum, a trading empire in Ethiopia.

What was the role of Axum in the Transition Zone?

Axum was a great trading power from about A.D. 100 to A.D. 700.

What was the Mali Empire and its significance?

The Mali Empire, named after present-day Mali, was a powerful trading empire known for expanding trade routes for gold and salt.

Who was Sundiata Keita?

Sundiata Keita was an early king of the Mali Empire who helped it flourish through trade.

What is the relationship between rainfall and vegetation in the Transition Zone?

Rainfall directly influences climate and vegetation, with many areas relying solely on it for water.

What is the impact of overuse of land in the Transition Zone?

Overuse has led to land degradation, making it unusable and contributing to food insecurity.

How do wildlife adapt to the seasonal changes in the Transition Zone?

Wildlife must constantly move to forage for water and vegetation during dry periods.

What are the key challenges faced by the peoples of the Sahel today?

They maintain distinct cultures but face challenges such as drought, deforestation, and economic development.

Who was Sundiata Keita and what did he contribute to the Mali Empire?

Sundiata Keita was one of Mali's early kings who helped the empire flourish by expanding trade routes for gold and salt and conquering surrounding territories.

Who is considered the most famous ruler of the Mali Empire?

Mansa Musa is considered the most famous ruler of the Mali Empire.

What significant event did Mansa Musa undertake that enhanced Mali's prestige?

Mansa Musa undertook a famous pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca).

What impact did Mansa Musa's pilgrimage have on the price of gold?

Mansa Musa dispensed so much gold during his pilgrimage that the price of gold fell drastically in places he visited.

What was the center of the Mali Empire and its significance?

The center of the Mali Empire was the wealthy city of Timbuktu, which became legendary in the Islamic world and Europe.

What empire grew rich from the gold-for-salt trade and eventually took over Mali?

The Songhai Empire grew rich from the gold-for-salt trade and eventually took over Mali.

What led to the decline of the Songhai Empire?

The Songhai Empire declined when the Moroccans overran it around A.D. 1600.

How did Europeans first come to trade with African kingdoms?

Word of the wealth of Africa's kingdoms, particularly Timbuktu, reached Europe, leading to extensive trade by the 1600s and 1700s.

What was the purpose of the Berlin Conference held between 1884 and 1885?

The Berlin Conference aimed to regulate European colonization and claims to African territory.

What was a significant consequence of the Berlin Conference for African societies?

The Berlin Conference resulted in colonial boundaries that often cut across cultural, religious, or traditional boundaries, merging different societies.

What belief system is associated with animist cultures in Africa?

Animist cultures believe that all elements of nature, such as animals and mountains, have spirits.

What challenges did newly independent African countries face after colonial rule?

Newly independent countries faced challenges such as colonial economies that met European needs, lack of democratic models, and rival ethnic groups struggling for power.

What were some of the causes of civil wars in newly independent African nations?

Civil wars erupted due to rival ethnic groups struggling for power and the legacy of colonial boundaries.

What ongoing conflicts exist between countries in the Sahel?

Border disputes, such as those between Somalia and Ethiopia, have lasted for years.

What cultural differences contributed to the conflict in Sudan?

Arabic-speaking Muslims in the north favored Islamic-oriented governments, while people in the south preferred a secular government.

What was the outcome of the conflict in Sudan between 1983 and 2005?

The conflict resulted in nearly 300,000 deaths and an estimated 2.7 million people displaced.

What peace agreement was signed in 2005 regarding Sudan?

A peace agreement was signed that provided considerable independence for Sudan's southern provinces.

What unresolved conflict remained in Sudan after the 2005 peace agreement?

The conflict in the western Darfur region remained unresolved after the peace agreement.

What accusations led to the civil war in Darfur?

Non-Arab Sudanese accused the government of favoring Sudanese Arabs.

What resources have the African Transition Zone discovered that may bring stability?

The discoveries of oil, gas, and uranium deposits may help bring stability if managed properly.

What was the economic focus of the southern population of Sudan?

The southern population of Sudan focused on a subsistence economy.

How did European colonial powers impact African governance?

European colonial powers set up governments that did not involve Africans much and did not provide models for democracy.

What was the effect of colonization on African political and social systems?

Colonization disrupted African political and social systems, leading to tensions and conflicts among different cultural groups.

What significant event occurred in South Sudan in 2011?

The southern provinces of Sudan held a referendum and voted for independence.

What is the capital of South Sudan?

Juba.

Why did South Sudan shut down its oil fields in January 2011?

Due to a disagreement about the fees Sudan demanded to transport the oil.

What happened in May 2011 regarding the region of Abyei?

Sudan seized control of Abyei after clashes with South Sudanese forces.

What was signed on September 27, 2011, between Sudan and South Sudan?

Agreements of cooperation, although the status of Abyei was not addressed.

What types of communities make up the population of the Transition Zone?

Herders, farmers, nomads, and city dwellers.

What is the average population density of the African Transition Zone?

About 58 people per square mile.

What is projected for the population of the Transition Zone by 2020 and 2050?

It is expected to reach 100 million by 2020 and 200 million by 2050.

Which countries are expected to have more than half of the Transition Zone's population?

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.