AFRICAN

PHYSICAL
GEOGRAP
HY

Plateau Continent
Think back: Define
Plateau

Africa is often
called this because
much of its surface
is raised

The Regions of Africa

1)
2)
3)
4)

North
West
East
Central/Southern

North Africa
-Includes rocky
mountains
-The Worlds largest
desert, the
_____________ is
located here
The Sahara is about the
same size as the United
States
The population is less the
2 million in the Sahara
desert region why?

SAHARA DESERT
Sahara Desert is
the largest desert
in the world
Why
1. On the Tropic of
Cancer
2. Permanent high
pressure system
3. Area of Rain
Shadow

SAHARA DESERT
There are ___
main types of
landscape in
the Sahara
Erg sand
dunes
Reg gravel
covered plain

West Africa
Most populated of
the 4 regions
Mostly grasslands
this is good for
farming

Why would this are

be more suitable for
people to live in?

SAHEL
Region just south
of the Sahara
Dry grasslands
with scattered
trees
Desertification is
a growing
problem
Growing of the
desert caused by
climate changes
and over grazing

Central /South Africa

Mostly grasslands
Some rainforests,
mountains, and
swampy areas
Some desert areas as
well
--**Perhaps the ________
diverse area in terms
of topography

CONGO
RIVER BASIN
Located near
the equator in
central and
western Africa
This is where
the majority of
Africas tropical
rain forests are
located

CAPE OF
GOOD
HOPE
Southern most
point of Africa
Converging
currents from the
Indian and
Atlantic Oceans
make waters
dangerous for
sailing but great
wildlife

Only Place in
the world Great
Whites breach
South African Penguins

SAVANNA
Tropical grasslands
S
with

scattered trees and

shrubs
This is where many of the
African Safaris take place
Large populations of
wildlife
Serengeti means
endless plains
Largest mammal migration and
game reserve

Victoria
Falls
Forms a
border
between
Zambia and
Zimbabwe
Largest
waterfall in
the world

Mount
Kilimanjaro:

Africas highest
mountain at 19,341 feet
Located on the Equator
in Tanzania near Kenya
Formed by volcanic
activity from the Great
Rift Valley
Only year round snow
capped mountain in
Africa
Known in Swahili as
Shining Mountain

Kalahari Desert
Largest Desert in
southern Africa
Has many oasis
which makes it
habitable
Oasis vegetated
areas in a desert
caused by fresh
water springs

Okavango
Swamp/River
Large game
reserve in the
desert
Unique that
this is within
the desert

East Africa
Mountainous
Also has areas of
grasslands/rolling
hills

The Great Rift

Valley
________ = deep trench
areas
Located in Eastern
Africa
Largest Rift Valley in
the world
Caused by the
diverging Indian
Tectonic Plate
Surrounding lakes and
rivers are very deep

The Nile River

Longest River in the World
White Nile and Blue Nile
meet in Sudan to form the
Nile River
Flows northward,
emptying in the
Mediterranean Sea
Without the annual
flooding in Egypt land
would not be arable
Now this flooding is not regular

THE NILE
The Nile
RIVER
Lower
Nile

Upper
Nile

SUEZ
CANAL

Located in Egypt
Divides the mainland
Egypt from the Sinai
Peninsula
Connects the
Mediterranean Sea
with Red Sea
One third the
distance that it was
before

SUEZ CANAL

Lake Victoria
Located in the middle of the
Great Rift Valley of Eastern
Africa
It is a shallow depression
Largest lake in Africa