The Geography of Africa

The Continent of Africa

• Second largest continent in the world • 4,600 miles East to West• 5,000 miles North to South• 1/5 of earth’s land surface• Rivers are generally impossible to navigate

(plateau to coast)• Steep shoreline allows for few good harbors• Very diverse environments

Deserts

• Makes up 40 % of continent

• Largely uninhabitable

• Temps up to 136 F, little rainfall

• Sahara in North, Kalahari in South

• Most of Sahara is flat gray wasteland, few sand dunes

• Sahara is ¼ of the continent, the size of the United States

Rainforest

• Makes up 5% of continent

• Densely wooded area stretches across half of the middle of Africa

• Hot and humid; lots of rain; Nature’s Greenhouse

• Mahogany and teak trees, thick leaves create a canopy so little light hits rain forest floor few small plants

Fertile Farmlands/Grassy Plains“Mediterranean” climate

• Northern Coast and Southern Tip good climates and fertile soil

• Sunny, dry, and hot, winters mild

• Rainfall is moderate

• Densely populated because of good soils and weather

Savannas

• Grassy plains

• Makes up 40% of Continent

• Tall grasses, acacia trees

• Two rainy seasons, supporting good agriculture (sorghum, millet)

The Sahel – “coastline”

• Dry grassland, sparse rainfall (can lead to drought)

• Land at Southern edge of the Sahara

• Desertification – steady process of the drying of the soil