Weel three- Physical environments of Africa Flashcards
What is environment
The complex biophysical arena and urban-ecological and coastal, marine system and external drivers
What is the second largest continent
Africa, Covering 1/5 of the total land surface
What environments are in Africa
Rain forest, svanna, grassland, wetland, and urban settlements
What are two narratives of Africa’s environment
Fragile environment ( recurring environmental crises) and resource frontiers narrative ( abundance of natural resources for exporting to developed countries)
What are some of Africa’s minerals
Diamonds, Gold, Cobalt, Uranium
What are the informal groupings in Africa
- The Sahel
- West Africa
- West Central Africa
- East Africa
- Horn of Africa
- Southern Africa
SSA climate determinants
Air Masses
Atmospheric Circulation and Seasonality
Altitude and Relief
Ocean Surface Temperatures and Currents
Cloud Cover and Atmospheric Dust
Why is there variation in tropical climate
Distance from the Equator
Winds and pressure systems
Ocean currents
Elevation
Large lake effects in East and Central Africa
Dominant soils
Oxysols: Low natural fertility and most nutrients obtained from vegetation
- Alfisols: High natural fertility and good for agriculture
- Aridsols: Dry and suitable for recreational purposes and requires irrigation for agriculture
What are biomes
Large regular region whose climate, vegetation and soils are characterized by broad uniformity”
Usually named after predominant vegetation
What are the two types of tropical savannas
- Dry Savannas: Found in Sudan: short trees and scattered grasses
- Moist Savannas: located closer to the savanna
What are the two types of deserts
- Semi-desert: Caused by extensive human activities and climate change ( desertification)
- Desert: Low rainfall and unpredictable, vegetation are limited with fewer than 500 species
What are the three regions that east Africa can be divided into
The Great Lakes: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi
Horn of Africa: Eritrea, Sudan, Djibouti, and Burundi
Indian Ocean island: Islands of COmoros and Seychelles
Kenya
During colonial times, Kenya was a Crown protectorate area (region under protection of a monarch- British).
Kenya gained independence in 1963 and has worked throughout the latter part of the twentieth century to establish a (somehow) stable democratic government.
Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, has become a central core urban area that serves the greater East African region as an economic hub for development.
The coastal city of Mombassa has been an international shipping port for centuries and is now the busiest port in the region.
Uganda
Small, landlocked country on the northern shores of Lake Victoria.
The Western Rift borders it on the west, forming both high mountains and deep lakes.
Lakes Albert, Edward, and George are three of the larger bodies of water.
The Nile River flows out of Lake Victoria through Lake Kyoga and Lake Albert on its way north, providing an abundant fresh water supply and a transportation route.
Country has variety of wildlife, including Gorillas
Country has experienced serious political and ethnic conflicts
Brutal dictator – Idi Amin
