Africa: Climate and Diversity

World Cultures2013 - 2014

Two Factors That Influence Climate

LOCATION (LATITUDE)

Location refers to how far north or south a place is located from the Equator.

In general, the farther away from the Equator you are the colder it gets.

Being located near mountains or large bodies of water can impact climate as well.

ELEVATION

Elevation refers to how far above sea level a place is.

In general, the higher the elevation – the colder the place is.

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Africa

Rainfall in Africa

Rainfall is distributed very unevenly in Africa.

Average annual rainfall varies from less than an inch in desert regions to more than 80 inches near the Equator.

In addition, the rains may vary greatly from one year to the next.

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Four Major Climate Zones

Tropical Wet Climate

Tropical Wet/Dry Climate

Desert Climate

Mediterranean Climate

Tropical Wet Climate

The tropical wet climate is a thin band along the Equator.

It consists of tropical rain forest.

It is hot and humid year round.

Temperatures average around 80 degrees.

Rainfall is 60 to 120 inches.

Tropical Wet / Dry Climate

Tropical climate with a wet and dry season.

Savannah grassland covers half the continent.

Warm all year. Summer is the rainy

season – hot and wet. Winter – warm with

little or no rainfall. 20 to 80 inches of rain

– very unpredictable.

Desert Climate

Cover about 40 percent of Africa.

Sahara in the North – Kalahari and Namib in the South.

Temperatures can go as high as 130 degrees.

10 years can pass without rainfall.

Southern deserts not as hot or dry.

Mediterranean Climate

Located at the southern and northern tips of Africa.

Climate is similar to that of Los Angeles, California.

Summers – hot and dry

Winters – cooler and moist

Adequate rainfall for crops

Population Patterns

The population of Africa (2011) - 1,032,532,974

It is spread very unevenly throughout Africa. Climate, water, resources and soil influence

where people live in Africa. Among the most heavily populated areas of

Africa are the southern part of West Africa (wetter savannah), the nations of Morocco and Algeria (Mediterranean coast), the Nile Valley and the eastern part of Southern Africa (wet savannah to Mediterranean).

Population Map of Africa