Africa's Physical Geography Flashcards
Sahara Desert
the world’s largest desert; separates the fertile areas of North Africa from the sub-Saharan region that lies in the South.
Coral Reefs
provide homes for colorful fish along the coastline.
Escarpment
a long cliff or steep slope that separates two fairly level land areas that have different elevations; the edge of a vast plateau that covers much of the African interior.
Major Mountain Ranges
Atlas Mountains; Drakensburg; Ethiopian Highlands; East African Highlands; Mount Kilimanjaro
Rift Valley
cuts through the East African Highlands and forms where two continental plates are being ripped apart.
Major Rivers
NIle; Senegal; Niger; Zaire; Zambezi
Cataracts
rapids and falls that limit the transportation of goods and people from the sea to the interior.
Inland Delta
a broad flat area that was used for taxis (transportation)
Pans
bases of interior damage that is often surrounded by waterholes that attract animals during the dry season.
Cassava
a food plant with an edible root that does well in such a hot, humid climate
Cacao
trees that are grown commercially in large plantations; trees that grow pods full of beans from which chocolate is made.
Shifting Cultivation
method of farming where new farm plots must be cut from the forest every few years
Savannas
a grassy area with scattered trees; landscape periodically affected by fires
Why are woody shrubs and dead grass burned?
to make it easier for new grass to grow
What are fires important for maintaining?
healthy savanna ecosystems
Who are the fires usually set by? Why?
farmers and herders in order to make the land more productive
Sorghum & Millet
important food crops that originated from Africa; drought resistant grains
Corn
important food crop brought from the Americas
Rice & Sugar Cane
valuable plants that are grown where there is enough water; planted in the Niger River’s inland delta;brought to Africa from Southern Asia
Cotton
grown as a cash crop and a leading export for many West African countries
Semi Arid Tropics & Subtropics
Kalahari- located in Botswana and the Mydia; Great Karoo- located in South Africa; Sahel- lies south of the Sahara Desert; Semiarid North Africa- found north of the Sahara Desert
Harmattan
winds that blow dust southward from the Sahara Desert
Deforestation
caused by a growing demand for fire wood
Drought
occurs when rains fail to come and desert conditions
Deserts
no rainfall; very little vegetation; surface covered with small stones that are left behind of blown away by the wind.
Oases
day palm are grown; springs are fed by underground water.
