Africa Geography Study Guide

Sahara

Largest hottest desert in the world, runs across northern Africa, dividing North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

Sahel

Transition zone between desert and rainforest located south of the Sahara, characterized by dry semi-arid land.

Savanna

Largest rolling grasslands in the world, located near the equator, with a large variety of wildlife.

Tropical Rainforest

Covers 1/5th of land surface in Africa, located in the Congo River Basin, with a hot humid climate.

Congo River

Begins near Lake Tanganyika, flows west through rainforest, and is the second largest river in Africa.

Niger River

Flows through western Africa and is the 3rd largest river in Africa, known for its significant delta.

Nile River

World's longest river, located in eastern Africa, providing water for several countries.

Lake Tanganyika

Deepest lake in Africa and one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world.

Lake Victoria

Largest lake in Africa and second largest in the world; supports millions of people.

Atlas Mountains

Mountain range in northwest Africa that separates coastal regions from the Sahara.

Kalahari Desert

Desert located in southwestern Africa, surrounded by semi-arid areas receiving minimal rainfall.

Great Rift Valley/Mt. Kilimanjaro

Part of Eastern Rift; Mt. Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain and a dormant volcano.

Desertification

Process by which fertile land becomes desert, often due to human actions such as poor farming and deforestation.

Deforestation

Destruction of forests; significant issue in Africa affecting biodiversity and environment.

Traditional African Religions

Religions that are passed down for generations, deeply integrated into the cultural practices of many Africans.

Ethnic Groups

Communities defined by shared cultural characteristics, such as ancestry and language.

Bantu

Ethnic group comprising 600 ethnic groups across central and southern Africa, known for their significant migration.

Swahili

Ethnic group from East Africa, originating from Arab traders, primarily Islamic and blending languages.

Arabs

Ethnic group in Northern Africa, spread Islam and Arabic language widely since the late 600s.

Population Growth

Africa's population has tripled, causing cities to grow and clearing forests for housing developments.

Pollution

Contamination from sources like factories; impacts health and sanitation where clean water is scarce.

Water Scarcity

Refers to shortages in water availability impacting livelihood and leading to economic challenges.