Africa

Warm-up

Warm-up questions

1. Why are Africa’s rivers difficult to navigate? (See map p. 415 and read p. 416)

2. How might this affect the economy?3. Describe Africa’s most distinctive landform.4. What resources does Africa have? (read

pages 417-418)5. Why hasn’t Africa’s mineral wealth translated

into wealth for its citizens? (pages 417-418)

4. gold, platinum, chromium, cobalt, diamonds, oil, coffee, lumber, cocoa

5. European colonialism led to the export of Africa’s natural resources for manufacture; therefore, African nations have been slow to develop infrastructures and industries. Also, governments spend money on on-going civil wars caused by ethnic divisions from colonialism.

Discuss

• What are the two most common economic activities? (see map page 419)

• What is subsistence farming?

Desertification

Causes: • Overgrazing• Animals trample soil causing erosion• Farming• Drilling for irrigation• Increased population• Burning more wood for fuel

Desertification

Effects:• Large forests disappear• Destroys tropical rainforests

Environmental Damage to Nigeria

Causes:• Drilling for oilEffects:• Debt to other nations (U.S.)• Country is poor• Oil spills, fire, acid rain• (Intentional) explosions result in deaths

Aswan High Dam

Causes:• Control floodsEffects:• (Pos.) Lake Nasser created – artificial lake• Fresh supply of water to farmers• Two or three harvests instead of one• Farmable land increased by 50%

Aswan High Dam

Effects:• (Neg.) Relocation of people• Relocation of temples and treasures• Decreased fertility of soil (silt)• Salt decreases fertility of soil• Increased diseases (malaria)• Evaporation