Sub-Saharan Africa

Facts
2nd

largest continent as the Plateau Continent

Known Most

of Africa is covered by a huge plateau

Several

basins (depressions) lie throughout the plateau

1. What are the main physical features that make up Africa? 2. Notice from the map, what typically run through basins?

Important Physical Features

1. Rift Valleys (East Africa) 2. Mount Kilimanjaro 3. Escarpments (Great Escarpment)

Rift Valleys
As

the continental plates pulled apart over millions of years, huge cracks appeared in the earth. The land then sank to form long, thin valleys. They show that the eastern part of Africa is pulling away from the rest of Africa.

This

photo was taken in Tanzania.

Do Now: TURN IN YOUR MAPS! Then answer the following questions

How

were the rift valleys formed? What are depressions within the continent of Africa also called?

Mount Kilimanjaro
Africa

mainly contains volcanic mountains. Mount Kilimanjaro is a volcano and is also Africas highest mtn. It is 19,340 ft. above sea level It is also the highest free standing mtn. in the world (meaning its not part of a mtn. range)

Escarpment
An

escarpment is a steep slope with a nearly flat plateau on top. The Great Escarpment marks the edge of the continents plateau in Southern Africa.

Features Continued
At

the bottom of rift valleys are clusters of lakes Lake Tanganyika Worlds longest freshwater lake Stretches about 420 miles and reaches a depth of more than 4,700 ft. Lake Victoria Africas largest lake 270 ft. deep

Africas Resources

Mineral

resources makes Africa one of the richest continents Examples: gold, platinum, copper, cobalt, phosphates, diamonds South Africa produces nearly 80 % of the worlds platinum and nearly 30 % of the worlds gold!

Oil & Coffee in Africa

Nigeria,

Algeria, Angola, & Libya Leading petroleum producers Produce about 7% of worlds oil Coffee: 2nd most profitable commodity Africa grows 20% of the worlds supply Lumber & chocolate are also major commodities

Most of Africa is battling itself

Most African countries are in a war with themselves. When there is a war between countrys or people in the same region is it known as a civil war One of the main reasons Africa struggles is because the country refuses to look at themselves as ONE entity; ONE unit. Analyze this political cartoon

60 sec Time out!

1. 2. 3.

Why is Africa called the Plateau continent? What are some of Africas distinctive landforms? Why do you think Africas abundance of natural resources has not translated into economic wealth for most of its population?

Importance of Agriculture
Single

most important economic activity in

Africa 66% of Africans earn their living from farming

Accounts for 1/3 of Africa's exports

Climate & Vegetation

8 climate regions are found in Africa Which is found the most?

Desert

Exs: Sahara, Sahel, Kalahari, and Namib Travel is risky due to EXTREME conditions 90% of Africa is between the tropics

hotter temperatures Little change between seasons

Rainfall?
Matter

of EXTREMES

Some areas receive too much, while other too little

Closer

to equator = longer rainy season Closer to desert = longer dry season MOST RAIN:

Rainforest in Central Africa & Africas west coast

The Sahel - Steppe Grassland

* Arabic word for

coast * Semi-arid region that divides the Sahara from Africa's tropical forests

What could cause this, to look like this?

Desertification!

Desertification

When the land becomes so dry That it turns into deserts

Desertification II

Some African countries have increased tree planting and promoted more efficient use of forests and farmland in hopes of slowing the process.

Savannah
Serengeti

Plain Grassland area in northern Tanzania Its dry climate and hard soil prevent the growth of trees and many crops, but is perfect for growing grass. Good for raising livestock and large animals

Aswan High Dam

Completed

in 1970 Built to control cycle of floods and droughts throughout Egypt Gives farmers a regular supply of water As a result of the dam, farmers can now have two or three harvests per year rather than one.

Problems with the Aswan High Dam

1.

Relocation of people Moving/destruction of ancient Egypts treasure (temples/pyramids) Decreased fertility of soil

2.

3.

4.

Increased rate of diseases, such as Malaria

Tropical Rainforest
* mostly at the equator * temps always at 80*F * daily rainfall * facing deforestation

Unit 3 Vocabulary
-Rift Valley -Basin Society -Escarpment -Serengeti Plain -Sahel -Desertification -Aswan High Dam -Silt -Pandemic -Stateless -Aquifer -Bantu Migrations -Cash Crop -Commodity -Apartheid -Canopy

Warm-up
Is

Agriculture important to Africans? Why or Why not? In what part/area of Africa does it rain the most? What is the process of desertification? What were some of the problems with the Aswan High Dam?

West Africa Map Labeling

Turn

to page 430 in your textbook and label the west African countries that are in yellow, on your map I provided you with You have 10 mins to complete this task

4 Regions
1.

East Central Western

2.

3.

4.

South

Bantu Migrations

The term Bantu refers to group of people who speak the same or similar language with common word NTU which means a person. In 2000 B.C. beginning in Nigeria, the Bantu people moved southward throughout Africa. On the way they spread their language and cultures. Today about 120 MILLION Africans speak one of the 100s of Bantu Languages

East Africas Aksum

Aksum

(important East African civilization in 1000 A.D.)

Location on the Red Sea and Indian Ocean made it an important trading center and contributed to its power Traded with Egypt and Roman Empire

6th

Century: Aksum lost many trade partners empire soon began to weaken

European Colonization
The

Slave Trade * Existed for centuries, however Europeans dramatically heightened the traffic * Middle Passage- slave trade from Africa to New World ( N. America) * Many died during this month long trip across the Atlantic

Scramble for Africa

In

the 19th century, Europes industrialized nations became interest in Africas raw materials.

They wanted to colonize them to obtain those raw materials

All

Countries were controlled by Europeans, except Liberia and Ethiopia (independent)

Most nations become independent in the mid 1900s

Ethiopia
Was

not colonized by Europeans Emperor Menelik II skillfully protected his country from Italian invasion with weapons from France and Russia.

Colonial Legacy
*

Political boundaries made by Europeans was/is causing ethnic conflict (2 opposing groups occupying same land) * Left many regions under developed

Cultures of East Africa

The Masai An ethnic group that lives on the grasslands of the rift valleys in Kenya and Tanzania Herd livestock and farm the land. Typical dress includes clothes made from calfskin or buffalo hide. Men and women wear long robes. Known for their intricate beadwork and jewelry.

West African Empires

Ethnic Groups
Ashanti

live in what is now Ghana. They are known for their work in weaving colorful asasia, or Kente cloth.
The cloth contains colorful woven geometric figures with specific meanings. Only royalty were allowed to wear Kente cloth

South Africa
In

1948, the white minority government of South Africa instituted a policy of apartheid. apartheid (complete separation of the races) **Blacks lived in separate areas (segregated schools, hospitals, and neighborhoods) **No political rights Although blacks made up 75% of the population, they received only a small % of land. Apartheid ended in 1991

Zulu
One

of the largest South African ethnic groups Their language Zulu, is a Bantu language. The Zulu kingdom played a major role in South African History In the early 19th century the Zulu controlled most of South Africa

Under

Aparteid, Zulu were classed as third class citizens and suffered from discrimination They remain today the most numerous ethnic group in South Africa and now have equal rights as citizens

African National Congress

In

1912, while Apartheid was still going on, blacks had founded the African National Congress (ANC) to fight for their rights. In 1949, Nelson Mandela emerged as one of the leaders. He led a long struggle to end apartheid that resulted in his being imprisoned. In the 1980s, nations around the world including the US, pressured South Africa to end Apartheid.

Mandela
In

1994, held first election following policy of universal suffrage (everyone can vote) Nelson Mandela was elected 1st black president of South Africa In 1996, the government passed a new, democratic constitution that guarantees the rights of all citizens.

Morgan Freeman? Nelson Mandela?

VS.

South African Flag

South African Flag Meaning: Although the colors have no official meaning attached to them the South African flag incorporates the colors black, green and yellow of Nelson Mandela's political party, the African National Congress and the former Boer republics flags (red, white, and blue).

The South African flag is basically made up of former South African flags. The past meanings of the colors were:

The Y shape represents the convergence of South Africa's diverse society and the desire for unity.
Red for bloodshed Blue of open blue skies Green for the land Black for the black people White for the European people Yellow for the natural resources such as gold.

REVIEW
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Africa is the ______ largest continent? It is known as the ___________________. Two continental plates are pulling apart creating? 60% of Africans rely on __________ to make a living? How did the Bantu migrations effect Africa? Why did European countries want to colonize Africa? What is apartheid and how did it effect South Africa? Who are the Zulu?