Mid-term Flashcards
What was the main message of Chimamanda Ngozi Adidhie’s “The Danger of a Single Story?”
She expresses how sterotypes and misconceptions appear when a single narrative is presented within a particular region or people. For example when Chimamanda was doing school school is the US, she explained how her American roommate felt sorry for her since she was in a default position that Africa to her was a story about catastrophe, a place not only beautiful landscapes but also war, poverty, underdevelopment, and AIDS
How can are (size) of African continent relative to that of the continental U.S. and why some maps add to a distorted image
Maps distort the true size and shape of countries and continents due to the challenge of representing a three-dimensional spherical surface. Africa is considered a the second largest continent and in terms of the US, it is 3.75 times of 48 contiguous U.S states. OR you can fit the United States three times into Afria and Greenland is smaller than counters like the Sudan and Democratic Republic of the COngo.
What is the White Nile and Blue Nile river?
The White Nile River is one of the two main tributaries of the Nile River, the other being the Blue Nile
White Nile:
Originates from Lack Victoria in East Africa flowing northward through Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan Eventually merging with the Blue Nile in Sudan capital. It can be characterized by clear water, hence “White Nile”
What are the five major basins that account for a large proportion of the African landmass?
- Sudan/Sudd Basin
- Chad Basin
- Djouf/Niger Basin
- Congo Basin
- Kalahari/Okavango Basin
Based on Sudan, Chad, Djouf, Congo, and Kalahari Basin, what commonalities do the four that are not equatorial share?
Contains aquifer that basins have that influence groundwater flow and storage contributing to overall hydrology.
Basins were shaped by tectonic movements which led to the formation and basins are at semi-arid climates that is characterized by limited rainfall and high temperatures. Basins are important as waters sources for local populations and wildlife despite their arid nature
How are Africa Basins formed?
Africa basins are primarily formed due to tectonic activity like rifting and plate movements. Rift valleys such as the East African Rift system resulted the splitting of continental plates creating elongated depressions that were filled with sedimentary materials (like pre-existing rocks)
Environmental and Social Issues Associated with Sudan, Chad, Djouf, Congo, and Kalahari Basins:
Large scale infrastructure projects and land conflicts displace indigenous communities and rural population leading to a loss of livelihoods.
Some basins experiences water scarcity in affecting both ecosystems and human populations
What is the Jonglei Diversion Channel, why was it built, and what are at least two negative consequences?
Is a proposed project in the South Sudan to try to divert water from the White nile to the Jonglei region for agricultural purposes and flood control. The main reason was to address flooding issues and irrigation in the region.
- Though some argue that the canal would disrupt the natural flow of water leading to ecological impacts on flora and fauna
- The canal project could lead to tribal conflicts and displacement of local communities that could threaten their livelihoods
What physical feature is common to the coasts of West Africa from Cote d’lvoire to Nigeria and the southeastern United States?
Is the presence of extensive mangrove forests along the coastlines
What contemporary environmental issues in sandbar does it has on West Africa and are associated with this feature and why?
sandbars act as a natural barrers againsrt coastal erosions. Risingsea levels due to climate change exacerbate the vulnerability of coastal areas. When sandbars are degraded or removed, coastal communities become more susceptible to coastal versions thus leading to habitat loss and displacement of populations
What is the saharan climate history during the holocene? What is a holocene?
Identify the pattern of climate and vegetation using Koppean Climate Classification using Af, Aw, BS, BW, and Cs climates
Af = Humid tropical rainforest
Aw = Tropical savanna or wooded savanna (tropical wet and dry or savanna climate)
B = climate is dry
BS = semi arid or desert
BW = arid: desert climate
Cs = Mediterranean
What is an ITCZ function?
The ITCZ is a belt of low pressure near the equator where the trade winds from the northern and Southern Hemispheres converge. The ITCZ migrates seasonally following the movement of the SUN, and its position influences the distribution of rainfall and weather pattern
In the Northern part of the continent of Africa, when is the rainy season and dry season?
Dry season = NOV-March Dry season
Rainy Season = June-Oct rainy season
