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The Geography and Resources of Africa: From Plateaus to Diverse Ecosystems

Africa, known for its vast plateau, is shaped by its historical location in Pangea, leading to unique landforms such as the Rift Valleys and major features like the Nile River and Victoria Falls. The continent is rich in minerals, including gold and diamonds, yet faces developmental challenges due to colonial legacies. With significant agricultural practices, diverse climates, and abundant resources, Africa remains a critical region for ecological study and economic potential. Understanding its geography is essential for addressing the environmental issues and resource management in the continent.

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The Geography and Resources of Africa: From Plateaus to Diverse Ecosystems

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  1. Africa The Plateau Continent

  2. Landforms and Resources • Shape and landforms are result of location in Pangea. • Other continents moved a great amount while present day Africa moved very little

  3. True size of Africa

  4. Vast Plateau Nile Med • Majority of land lies on a plateau that stretches across the continent. • The majority of land is 1000 ft. above sea level • Basins: depressions in the ground • Nile River: world’s longest river, 4,000 mi. long, flows N to Egypt

  5. Victoria Falls:One of the 7 Wonders of the World

  6. Distinctive African Landforms • Rift Valleys: continental plates pull apart, form huge cracks, land sinks • Stretch 4,000 mi. • Lakes form at the bottom • Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s Highest Mount.) are both volcanoes • Escarpment: steep slope with a flat plateau

  7. Resources • Minerals • Gold, platinum, chromium, cobalt, copper & diamonds • Because of colonialism, Africa hasn’t developed the infrastructure needed to make a profit Diamond Miners

  8. Oil • Libya, Angola, Nigeria and Algeria are leading producers • American oil companies pay fee to Angola which turns and uses money to fund ongoing civil war.

  9. Diversity of Resources • Coffee • Most profitable after oil • Lumber • Agriculture • Single most important econ. activity • 60% of Africans earn their living in farming

  10. Climate and Vegetation • Warm Continent • Sahara: largest desert in world. –Temp. H: 136.4° (day), below freezing at night • Aquifers: underground stores of H²O. Known as an oasiswhen they reach surface • Tropical weather all year long • 90% of land lies between tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn Sahara

  11. Sunshine and Rainfall • Rain forest receives most rain (on or near Equator) • W coast receives a great deal • Moderate area (N & S tips) only receives rain in winter

  12. Grassy Continent • Tropical Grasslands cover most of Africa • Serengeti Plain: grassland in N. Tanzania • Perfect for animals to graze

  13. Serengeti

  14. Rain Forest • Sits along Equator area of Congo basin • Wide variety of plant & animals • Most live in the canopy (near the tops of the trees) • Farmers using slash and burn have cut down ½ already, now endangered

  15. Human Environment Interaction • Nigeria • Sixth leading oil producer, most shipped to U.S. • Oil spills (4,000 in 40 yrs) • Oil pipeline explosions, sabotage by rebels • Fires lead to acid rain

  16. Desertification of Sahel • Sahel:shore of the desert • Desertification: expansion of dry conditions into moist areas that are near desert • Normal, natural process that is sped up because of grazing • Causes include: overgrazing, farming, pop. increase

  17. Controlling the Nile • 1st Aswan Dam completed in 1902 • Aswan High Dam • 4 miles up river form 1st Dam • Creates Lake Nasser (artificial), Egypt shares with Sudan • Increased farmable land by 50% • Natural renewal of silt(sediment), which occurs during floods, gone • Expensive fertilizers now used • Mosquitoes increased

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