Africa Flashcards
Landlocked
When a country does not have acces to clean water, it can hurt economically.
Effect of physical geography on trade
Deserts make it harder to trade and to built infrastructure
Nile river
Longest river
Population Distribution
Most people in a dry climate live by fresh water
Sahara Desert
Same size as United States. Divides Africa into two cultures: North Africa and Su
Saharan. Limits trade between the 2 areas.
Colonialism
Caused poverty, poor infrastructure, conflict, unstable
governments & under developed economies
Columbian Exchange
Some Africans were sent to the New World as slaves In the triangular
Trade. Brought many African cultural elements to the New World.
Traditional Cultures
Characterized by little schooling, people performing the same jobs as
Their parents and grandparents did, & bartering rather than using money
Culture
Beliefs, institutions, customs, language, and technology all
Characterize the society of a place/people/country.
Who controlled Africa?
Europeans
Who didnt the europeans control ?
Ethiopia & liberia
Why did the europeans control africa?
They wanted their natural resources
What happened to their Religion?
Many Africans gave up their traditional religions and accepted the
religion and language of their European colonizers
Ethnic Tension
Europeans grouped many ethnic groups together without
considering that some were enemies. That has created big problems
for Africans and has led to many conflicts. It has even torn some
countries apart.
Nationalism
Desire of ethnic groups/peoples to have their own country with
People who share the same culture. It is a leading cause of conflict
In Africa and other regions.
Apartheid
South Africa: Whites are minority. Put racist ideas into law. Legal separation
(segregation) of the races. Hurt blacks economically. Poor education – couldn’t
get good jobs.
Islam
Islam has continued to spread south of the Saharan desert. In some
Places it has lead to conflict between groups of different faiths
Infrastructure
Government pays for and builds infrastructure
List examples of Infrastructure
Clean water, roads, electricity, hospitals, schools, sanitation,
communication technology
Why isn’t there more infrastructure in Africa?
Stable governments are responsible for building infrastructure. Harsh
landforms (like Sahara) make building infrastructure difficult.
Economic Development
Good infrastructure is necessary for economic growth. Lack of Infrastructure limits
Africa’s economic development
Subsistence Farming
Poor farmers on the primary level of economic activity. Can only
grow enough to feed their families. Not enough to sell for $$$.
Urbanization
Poor farmers move to city to look for jobs. Cities can’t keep up with growth.
Creates slums & poverty. Loss of traditional lifestyles in favor of more modern,
Globalized culture.
Political Instability
Stable government is needed for a stable economy
Types of Governments in Africa
Some democracies. Many African governments limit citizen
participation (dictators, quasi democracies) and keep all the power
for the government.
Democracy
Gives citizens a choice in leadership. Difficult to establish b/c of
colonial past. African countries have no history of democracy
Dictators: how do they stay in pow
Manipulate elections. Refuse to leave power. Use corruption &
violence against people if necessary
Desertification
Sahel turns into desert caused by lack of rain
Disease in Africa
Africans suffer lower life expectancies because they do not have
enough health care infrastructure (doctors, nurses, hospitals,
vaccinations, medicine)
HIV/AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) disease spread by
HIV virus
Pandemic
Uncontrollable outbreak of disease that affects a large area or region
(like AIDS in Africa)
Malaria
Disease spread by mosquitoes. #1 killer of African children.
