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The Geography, People, and Cultures of Africa
World Studies
Africa Africa is the 2nd largest continent in both land area and population after Asia.
Approx. 1 billion people live in Africa.
The continent is made up of a diverse mix of human, physical and political features.
Some misconceptions about Africa
1. Everyone lives in poverty/ has a disease.
2. Everyone is black. 3. Most Africans share
the same culture. 4. Most people live in
rural areas. 5. Africa is a country. 6. Africa is dangerous.
Nairobi, Kenya
Political Africa Africa is made up of
54 countries. The countries vary in
terms of language, ethnicity, religion, government, economy, and level of wealth.
Regions of Africa
Physical Africa Africa is made up of a
variety of physical features including:
rivers (Nile, Congo) lakes (Victoria) deserts (Sahara,
Kalahari) mountains (Atlas) The continent also
has many natural resources including minerals, oil, gold, and diamonds.
The Sahara Desert (N. Africa)
The Nile River
Break #1
Take 2 mins to review w/ your partner
How many countries are in Africa? What are the main regions in Africa? What are the major physical features of
Africa?
Religion in Africa
Christianity (40-45%)and Islam (40-45%) are both dominant.
Approx. 15% practice traditional Animist religions.
Has led to conflict in certain areas of Africa (Ex. Nigeria)
Language in Africa
Between 1,000 and 2,000 languages are spoken in Africa.
Many Africans speak one or more African languages, as well as a European language.
Major African languages: Swahili, Yoruba, Afrikaans, Berber, Hausa.
Major non-African languages: English, French, Arabic.
Break #2
With your partner, discuss the following:
What two religions are most common in Africa?
What are some common non-African languages spoken in Africa?
Desertification in Africa
What is it? Land borders a desert becomes drier over
time and eventually becomes a part of the desert. Like a receding hairline!
Major problem in the Sahel region, just south of the Sahara desert.
Humans can cause desertification
The Sahel
Climates of Africa- Savanna The African continent is
made up of 4 major climate zones.
Tropical Wet and Dry Savanna- Grassland with
scattered trees and bushes.
Enough rain to support some farming but when it does not rain, drought occurs.
Makes up about 50 % of Africa.
Most Africans live here.
Climates of Africa- Desert
Desert is extremely dry, unable to support most forms of life.
Two major deserts in Africa include the Sahara and the Kalahari.
Desert makes up about 40 % of Africa.
Climates of Africa- Rainforest
Tropical Wet Dense, hot, and
humid forest located along the equator.
60-120 inches of rain/ year
Soil is bad due to leaching.
About 10% of Africa is rainforest.
Climates of Africa- Mediterranean
Northern coast and Southern tip of Africa
Similar to LA, Cali. Good farming
conditions Very small amount of
total land.
Africa’s Climate Zones
Vegetation in Africa
Environmental challenges facing Africa
Deforestation Desertification Drought Pollution