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Africa. Chapter 20 & 21. Chapter 20. Section 1: The Land. Landforms. Africa: Covers 9.5 million sq. miles Over 3 times the size of the continental U.S. Surrounded by deserts, seas, and oceans. Landforms. Highlands: Most of Africa is a series of steps
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Africa Chapter 20 & 21
Chapter 20 Section 1: The Land
Landforms Africa: • Covers 9.5 million sq. miles • Over 3 times the size of the continental U.S. • Surrounded by deserts, seas, and oceans
Landforms Highlands: • Most of Africa is a series of steps • Western shore starts at 500 ft. and Eastern shore ends at over 8,000 ft. • Most of the continent’s edges are escarpments • Africa surface is higher than any other continent, yet has relatively few mountains • The Eastern Highlands have some of the few mountain ranges Escarpments: steep, often jagged slopes or cliffs
Landforms Great Rift Valley: • Large gap caused by shifting tectonic plates • Volcanic action and rising mountains form the Eastern edge • Many believe this is where human life started
Water Systems Land of Lakes: • Many lakes dot the landscape of Africa, providing fresh water to much of the population • Lake Victoria is the 2nd largest fresh water lake, located in the Great Rift Valley • Many lakes are being threatened by drought and farming
Water Systems Rivers: • Many rivers zigzag across the continent • Provided transportation, food, and fresh water to much of Africa • Large deltas are used for farming. Some of the largest in the world Delta: a triangular section of land formed by sand and silt carried downriver
Natural Resources • Africa has many natural resources, like: • Oil Reserves • Metals like copper, iron ore • Half the world’s gold • Diamonds • Water • These have caused major political, cultural, and economic problems in the region
Chapter 20 Section 2: Climate and Vegetation
Tropical Climates • Most of Africa belongs to a tropical climate • There are a few different sub-types: • Rainforest: mostly near the equator, wettest region of Africa, dense forests. Vegetation consists of shrubs, mosses, tall trees, and a canopy of leaves • Savanna: a tropical grassland with scattered trees. Covers almost half of the continent. Seasonal rainfall, varying hot/dry winds, and alternating wet and dry seasons greatly affect this region
Dry Climates • Away from the equator and accounts for the second largest climate group in Africa. • There are a few different sub-types: • Steppe: Usually between the savanna and desert. Consists of large pastures of low growing grasses, shrubs, shrubs, and harsh growing plants. 4-8 inches of rainfall a year* • Desert: isolated areas of southern Africa and major parts of northern. Generally very hot days and very cold nights *Cleveland OH, has had 6.72 inches in April alone!
Moderate Climates • Smallest group of climates • Mostly along the coasts • Comfortable temperatures all year round • Snow is not uncommon in higher elevations (near the Eastern highlands)
Chapter 21 Section 1: Population Patterns
Rapid Population Growth • Has more than 711 million people (11% of world population) Why doesn’t this region have the biggest population? • Africa has the world’s highest birth rate and the highest death rate • With new technologies, medicines, and health care, the population in the next 35 years will double
Pop. Density/Distribution • Few people in relation to vast land area • If spread out evenly, there would be 76 people per square mile* (not dense) • Climate and land affect the uneven distribution of people • Not many people live in the Sahara • Many people live along the coast *Europe=266 people per square mile
Rwanda has 817 people per square miles while Namibia has only 6
Pop. & Food Production • 70% of the people in this region work as farmers • They are producing less and eating less despite pop. growth • Many nations have pushed for exporting food: • Gains in government profits • Not enough food to feed their own people* *Starvation is one of the leading causes of death in Africa
Pop. & Health Care • Health care has improved in recent years • Major health issues stem from: • Malnutrition • Impure water • Only 1/3 of Africans have clean water to drink • Inadequate sanitation leads to disease Sanitation: disposal of waste products
Diverse Population • Africa has more ethnic groups than any other region (over 3,000) • Many cultures do not follow the borders of nations, but of their ancestry • Africans feel ethnic similarities are more important than political borders
Cultural Groups of West Africa • Many groups do not follow political borders • Political borders have caused many problems in Africa
Growing Cities • Africa is one of the least urbanized regions of the world • However, Africa has the fastest urbanization rate • In 1950, only 35 million people lived in cities • Today, 270 million people
Chapter 21 Section 2: History and Government
First Civilizations • Rising temperatures destroyed the Sahara region and forced a massive migration, taking their farming and domestication knowledge with them • Many civilizations were formed after this migration: • Egypt • Kush • Axum Domestication: to tame animals for personal use
Western African Empires • Around 700 A.D., a few major trading empires appeared in the west • Ghana: traded gold for salt • Kumbi: created a tax collection system • Mali: massive trade empire. Larger than Egypt in its prime • These empires were rather short lived, not lasting more than 500 years
Bantu Migrations • Around 800 A.D., Bantu speaking people traveled from Central Africa to establish major kingdoms • Most of the kingdoms were formed in Central Africa: • Malawi • Kongo • Luanda • Zambia
European Colonization • The first European contact was with the Western African Empires around 1200 A.D. • Europeans were impressed with the large markets and cultural life • By the 1700s, Europeans were trading heavily with Africa. Major trade items were: • Gold • Ivory • Textiles • Enslaved Workers
Slave Trade • Trading slaves gained from war was not uncommon in the ancient world. Many empires took part in this type of trade: • Romans/Greeks • Egyptians • Western African Empires • Slave trade greatly increased when the Americas were located by Europeans • Many African Empires did not participate • These conflicts over slaves left many of the remaining empires extremely weakened
Divide and Conquer • In the 1800s, Europeans colonized massive regions of Africa for raw materials • By 1914, only South Africa, Ethiopia, and Liberia remained out of European control • Political boundaries ignored ethnic groups and strengthened European rule
Colonies to Countries • By the mid 1900s, many Africans had launched independence movements • Within 50 years, most colonies became nations • Many new borders put rival ethnic groups in the same countries • Groups struggled for power • Struggles get violent • Civil wars errupt
Chapter 21 Section 3: Cultures and Lifestyles
Languages • More than 800 different languages are spoken in Africa today • French or English is often used as a lingua franca Lingua Franca: common language used in an area with many language groups
Religions • Christians make up the largest group at over 41% • Muslims account for around 34% • Traditional religions account for 18% • Most believe in a supreme being • Lesser gods have a ranking system • Gods of sun, water, and death play an important role in African society
Education • Traditionally, Africans did not attend school, but apprenticed a trade • Large scale schooling did not come around until the 1900s • 1960: 120,000 students attended universities • 1990: 2 million students attended universities • Despite the progress, only 60% of people 15 and older are literate* *U.S. has a literacy rate of 99%
