Physical Characteristics - Sub-Sahara Africa

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Sub-Saharan Africa Anderson/ LaRocco W. Geography SOL WG. 4 “Sub-Saharan”Africa • The area SOUTH of the Sahara Desert. http://www.towson.edu/users/dherman/wrg/ssafrica.htm Physical Features • Plateau: level highland that rises above surrounding areas • Escarpments: line of steep cliffs rimming a plateau (p483, 496) • Cataracts: rapids in a river; waterfall • Fall Line: imaginary line that connects similar elevation http://www.ded-tanzania.de/fglw/newal_pictures.html Plateaus and Escarpments Makonde Escarpment - Tanzania http://www.ded-tanzania.de/fglw/newal_pictures.html •These kept people OUT of interior Africa. www.corbis.com/Charles O'Rear http://www.mrdowling.com/611africatoday.html Mount Kilimanjaro THIS is why we see snow at the Equator! East African Mountains Settlement in Africa •David Livingstone and Henry Stanley - African Explorers. “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” Livingstone http://www.mrdowling.com/610-livingstone.html Stanley http://www.portsmouthbookshop.com/Book_Pages/B06xx/B0635afri .htm •Settlement Patterns also impacted by plateau: How? • Coastal Areas were settled, too difficult to go inland Settlements developed at the base of the escarpment and along river banks. Rivers in Africa •Zambezi River- in southern Africa •Congo River- in the Dem. Rep. of the Congo •Nile River- eastern and northern Africa •Niger River- west Africa http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/rivers/River%20Articles/victoriafalls.htm Victoria Falls Victoria Falls "Hyped up" since 1855 when Dr. David Livingstone first set eyes on Victoria Falls, today the gentle rumbling still reminds us that this is one of the finest natural spectacles on earth! • River Transportation impacted by cataracts River Transportation • Port cities developed along fall lines & at mouth of rivers (deltas)-site & situation • Few natural harbors in Africa (thin coast) http://www.zamsoc.org/photo_gallery/pages/f_scenery04_jpg.htm http://www.zamsoc.org/photo_gallery/pages/e_aerial03_jpg.htm Other issues with rivers? Flooding in Mozambique http://www.ausaid.gov.au/hottopics/topic.cfm?Id=9126_837_4168_1831_7011 Settlement in Cities and Towns •European styles of settlement patterns•Town Square A town square in Nigeria http://www.marekinc.com/PhotosHeadllines2003.html Climate Patterns • Africa is the only continent to have the Equator, Prime Meridian, and BOTH Tropic Lines to run through it. A F R I C A N C L I M A T E •There are similar climate patterns found at the north and the south of the continent EXCEPT that they’re... reversed and mirrored ---WHY?? Tropical Rainforest Desert Savannah Mediterranean • Many landlocked countries • Interior of Africa is a PLATEAU • Africa is a storehouse of mineral wealth: Coastal Settlements & Countries gold and diamonds • Africa can make money by exporting RAW MATERIALS and then purchasing what they need by importing MANUFACTURED GOODS. • Potential for HYDRO-ELECTRIC power. (p.476) Note the disparity of wealth!!! $ $ $ $ http://www.africanculturalcenter.org/5_2_3wealth.html HOWEVER... •Africa has a lack of sustainable agriculture: •because of the lack of arable land & seasonable rainfall... •and the problem of infertile soil. • There is also an extensive range of climates: from desert to rainforests • **Arid vs. semi-arid land** • Finally, there are scarce water resources: Oasis, wadis, “water holes” • Man-made: temporary water deposits & reservoirs, wells QUESTIONS • Why was it difficult for explorers to get to the middle of Africa? • What are some characteristics of Africa’s climate? • Why is there a large population along the coast in Africa? • What kinds of resources does Africa have that help its economic base?