The Geography of Africa

A Vast Continent

2nd largest continent

3Xs larger than U.S.

Transportation routes important

North Africa

West Africa

East Africa

Masai

Masai Sheild

Central Africa

Pygmies, or Baca

Southern Africa

Plateau – Elevated plain

Escarpments: steep cliffs that divide the plateau from the coastal plain

Cataract – rapids or a waterfall

Great Rift Valley

Eastern Africa

Two plates pulling apart

Origin of Humans

Rivers

Hydroelectric power: energy produced by moving water

Nile River

longest in world

Annual flooding in ancient times

Aswan High Dam

Congo River

Central Africa

Hydroelectric Power

Niger River

West Africa

Fishing

Farming

Irrigation

Zambezi River

Southern Africa

Victoria Falls

Mineral Exports

Copper

Diamonds

Oil

Human Environment Interaction

Humans adapt to conditions in the environment

or Humans change

the environment

Resources are unevenly distributed

Question

Why is it that people in Africa who live in areas with natural resources tend to be worse off than those who live in areas without natural resources?