Africa - Human Geography

Flashcards on the Human Geography of Africa

Population of Africa (2024)

Over 1.4 billion people, second most populous continent after Asia.

Population Growth in Africa

Fastest-growing population with highest birth rates in the world.

Youthful Population in Africa

Around 60% are under 25, presenting economic opportunities and challenges (education, jobs).

Population Distribution in Africa

Uneven, mostly in coastal areas, river valleys (e.g., Nile Valley), and highland regions with good farming conditions. Sparsely populated deserts (Sahara, Kalahari, Namib).

Ethnic & Linguistic Diversity in Africa

Most diverse continent with over 3,000 ethnic groups and more than 2,000 languages.

Bantu-speaking peoples

Dominate Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa (e.g., Zulu, Kikuyu).

Nilotic peoples

Mainly in East Africa (e.g., Maasai, Dinka).

Cushitic peoples

In the Horn of Africa (e.g., Somali, Oromo).

Berbers

Indigenous people of North Africa (e.g., Morocco, Algeria).

Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo

Major ethnic groups in West Africa (Nigeria).

San (Bushmen) & Pygmies

Indigenous hunter-gatherer groups.

Afro-Asiatic Languages

Spoken in North Africa and parts of the Sahel (e.g., Arabic, Amharic, Hausa).

Niger-Congo Languages

Largest family, dominant in Sub-Saharan Africa (e.g., Swahili, Yoruba, Zulu).

Nilo-Saharan Languages

Spoken in the Sahel and parts of East Africa (e.g., Maasai, Dinka).

Khoisan Languages

Spoken by small groups in Southern Africa (e.g., !Xhosa, San languages).

Swahili (Kiswahili)

Most widely spoken lingua franca in Africa, used in trade and communication across East Africa.

Urbanization in Africa

Rapidly urbanizing, though most people still live in rural areas (~57% in 2024).

Lagos (Nigeria)

Largest city in Africa (~21 million people), an economic hub.

Cairo (Egypt)

Capital of Egypt, historic city, political and cultural center.

Kinshasa (DR Congo)

A rapidly growing city with over 15 million people.

Johannesburg (South Africa)

Economic powerhouse, built on gold mining.

Nairobi (Kenya)

East Africa’s economic and tech centre.

Agriculture in Africa

Largest employer: About 60% of Africans work in agriculture.

Cash Crops in Africa

Coffee, cocoa, tea, cotton, palm oil, sugarcane.

Food Crops in Africa

Maize, millet, sorghum, cassava, yams, rice.

Mining & Natural Resources in Africa

Rich in minerals, but exploitation is often controlled by foreign companies.

Major Resources in Africa

Gold (South Africa, Ghana, Mali), Diamonds (Botswana, DR Congo, Angola), Copper (Zambia, DR Congo), Oil & Gas (Nigeria, Angola, Libya, Algeria).

Political Geography of Africa

54 recognized countries (plus Western Sahara, which is disputed).

African Union (AU)

Continental organization promoting unity, development, and peacekeeping.

Christianity in Africa

49% - Dominates Southern, Central, and parts of East Africa (introduced by European missionaries).

Islam in Africa

42% - Dominates North Africa, Sahel region, and parts of East Africa.

Traditional African Religions

Indigenous beliefs often mixed with Christianity or Islam (e.g., animism, ancestor worship).

Poverty & Development in Africa

Some of the world’s poorest countries, but also fast-growing economies (e.g., Nigeria, Ethiopia).