Chapter 3 Flashcards
Cataract
Large waterfalls
Hydroelectric power
Energy produced by moving water
Tropics
Area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn
Leaching
Heavy rains dissolving and washing away nutrients
Drought
Prolonged periods of little or no rainfall
Desertification
Turning of semidesert land into desert
Pharaoh
The rulers of ancient Egypt
Hieroglyphics
A form of writing used by the Egyptians that used pictures and symbols
How have oceans played an important role in Africa’s development?
They link it to the rest of the world
What is the importance of the great Rift Valley?
Rich soil, rich minerals, fertile farmland, preserves bones, deep lakes, splits continent
What were the traditional effects of Nile flooding on Egypt?
Added nutrients to the soil by depositing silt, rich farmland, large population
What are Africa’s key natural resources and how are they distributed?
Minerals, oil, precious metals. Unevenly distributed, only a few countries have oil, some have few mineral resources but have rich soil and water, bunch of Africa is not fertile and uncertain rainfall is hard
What are major factors influencing Africa’s climate and how so?
Latitude and elevation, on the equator, highlands are cooler, rainfall, wet and dry seasons, unevenly distributed, size
Why, how, and where is desertification a threat to Africa?
Grazing herd destroy the roots of grasses so the soil turns to dust. Worst in Sahel, gets little rain.
Escarpment
Steel cliff
