Africa: Location, Area, Political & Physical Features

Its political landscape is a rich mosaic of numerous sovereign nations. Geographically, much of Africa consists of a high plateau bordered by narrower coastal lowlands. Notable physical features include the extensive Great Rift Valley, major river networks like the Nile, Congo, Niger, and Zambezi, and significant mountain systems such as the Atlas and Drakensberg ranges. The continent also encompasses the expansive Sahara Desert and vast tropical rainforests.

THINK AND ANSWER

Why did Africa remain unexplored for a long time ?
Ans:

Africa remained largely unexplored by Europeans for a significant period due to a combination of formidable geographical barriers, challenging environmental conditions, and strong resistance from within the continent:  

• Geographical Barriers: The continent’s coastline, while extensive, is relatively unbroken with few natural harbors that would have facilitated easy access for ships. The interior is characterized by significant geographical obstacles like the vast Sahara Desert in the north, dense tropical rainforests in the central regions, and high plateaus and escarpments along the coasts that made inland travel difficult. Major rivers often had waterfalls and rapids closer to the coast, hindering navigation into the interior.  
• Challenging Environmental Conditions: The diverse climates of Africa presented significant challenges. The intense heat and diseases prevalent in tropical regions, such as malaria and yellow fever, were deadly to Europeans who lacked immunity and proper medical understanding. Navigating the deserts with limited water and harsh temperatures also posed extreme risks.  
• Strong African Resistance: Various African kingdoms and communities were well-established and often wary of foreign intrusion. They possessed their own trade networks and were capable of defending their territories, limiting European incursions and controlling access to the interior.
  
• Lack of Technological Advantage (Initially): Before the development of technologies like quinine to combat malaria, steamships for river navigation, and advanced weaponry, Europeans did not possess a significant advantage that would allow them to easily overcome the geographical and environmental challenges, as well as organized African resistance.
  
• Limited Economic Incentive (Early On): In the initial centuries of contact, European interest in Africa was primarily focused on coastal trade, particularly in goods like gold and ivory, and later the transatlantic slave trade. There was less immediate economic incentive to invest heavily in the dangerous and costly exploration of the interior.

Discuss

Deforestation rate in Africa is twice the average for the rest of the world with more than four million hectares of primary forest disappearing every year. What could be the reasons for this.
Ans:

The alarmingly high deforestation rate in Africa, twice the global average with over four million hectares of primary forest lost annually, is a complex issue driven by a confluence of interconnected factors:  

• Agricultural Expansion: A primary driver is the clearing of forests for agricultural land. With a rapidly growing population and the need to produce more food, forests are often converted into farmland for subsistence farming and large-scale commercial agriculture. This includes clearing land for crops like maize, cassava, and cocoa, as well as for cattle ranching.  
• Fuelwood Demand: A significant portion of the African population relies on wood as their primary source of energy for cooking and heating. The high demand for fuelwood, especially in areas with limited access to alternative energy sources, leads to widespread tree felling, contributing significantly to deforestation and forest degradation.  
• Logging (Legal and Illegal): The demand for timber, both domestically and internationally, fuels logging activities. While some logging is conducted legally and sustainably, illegal and unregulated logging is a major problem, often targeting valuable primary forests and employing destructive practices that cause extensive damage.  
• Mining and Resource Extraction: The continent is rich in mineral resources, and mining operations often require the clearing of large areas of forest for infrastructure, open-pit mines, and access roads. This not only directly destroys forests but can also lead to further deforestation through associated human settlements and activities.  
• Infrastructure Development: The construction of roads, dams, and other infrastructure projects can lead to direct forest loss and fragmentation, opening up previously inaccessible areas to further exploitation.
• Population Growth and Poverty: Rapid population growth increases the pressure on natural resources, including forests, for food, fuel, and shelter. Poverty can exacerbate this issue, as people may resort to unsustainable practices like illegal logging or clearing forests for small-scale agriculture out of necessity.  
• Weak Governance and Law Enforcement: In some regions, weak governance, corruption, and inadequate law enforcement contribute to illegal logging and unsustainable land use practices, allowing deforestation to occur with little accountability.
• Climate Change Impacts: While not a direct cause of deforestation by human activity, climate change can exacerbate forest loss through increased frequency and intensity of droughts and wildfires, which can weaken or destroy forests, making them more susceptible to clearing.

VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS

The Sahara Desert forms a large part of Africa. This desert extends from the Atlantic in the west to the Red Sea in the east.
Suppose you were going to the Sahara Desert. List the things you would take with you.
What kind of problems are you likely to face ?
How would you cope with them ?
Ans:

Embarking on a Sahara Desert journey necessitates meticulous preparation for its extreme conditions. My essential packing list would include ample water with purification tools, comprehensive sun protection (hat, high SPF sunscreen, UV-protective clothing and sunglasses), reliable navigation (GPS, compass, maps, satellite communication), sturdy shelter (breathable tent/tarp, appropriate sleeping bag and mat), a comprehensive first-aid kit, high-energy food and electrolyte supplements, essential tools and equipment (multi-tool, headlamp, durable footwear, whistle, repair supplies, fire starter), and emergency signaling devices.

Potential challenges encompass dehydration and heatstroke from intense heat, extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night, disorienting sandstorms, the risk of getting lost in the vast landscape, encounters with desert wildlife, equipment failure due to harsh conditions, limited communication in remote areas, and significant physical exhaustion.

To cope, I would prioritize frequent hydration and electrolyte replenishment, seek shade during peak heat, wear protective and layered clothing, secure shelter during sandstorms, rely on careful navigation and signaling if lost, maintain awareness of wildlife, regularly check and repair equipment, utilize satellite communication for updates and emergencies, pace physical activity to conserve energy, and ensure thorough emergency preparedness with a well-stocked first-aid kit and signaling tools. Respecting the desert’s formidable nature and thorough planning are paramount for survival. Traveling with experienced guides is strongly advised for those unfamiliar with such environments.

EXERCISES

A. Choose the correct answer :

1. The strait that separates Europe from Africa is the

1. Palk Srait
2. Bering Strait
3. Strait of Gibraltar
4. Srait of Magellan

Ans : Strait of Gibraltar

2. A large portion of Africa lies in the

1. desert
2. tropics
3. temperate region
4. marshy land

Ans : Tropics

3. The area in a desert where water can be found is called a/an

1. pond
2. well
3. depression
4. oasis

Ans : Oasis

4. The Sudd is a

1. lake
2. swamp
3. gulf
4. cape

Ans : Swamp

5. The largest lake in Africa is

1. Lake Chad
2. Lake Tana
3. Lake Victoria
4. Lake Tanganyika

Ans : Lake Victoria

B. Identify who I am

1. I am a country through which the Tropic of Capricorn passes: Namibia.
2. I am the southernmost tip of Africa: Cape of Good Hope.
3. I am a snow-capped mountain near the equator: Mt. Kilimanjaro.
4. I am the longest river of Africa: Nile.
5. I am a river that flows into Lake Chad: The Chari.
6. I am a lake that does not lie in the Great Rift Valley of Africa: Lake Victoria.
7. I am a river that flows through the Namib Desert: Okavango

C. Match the following:

Ans:

D. Give geographical reasons

Question 1.
People faced many difficulties while exploring Africa.
Ans:

The exploration of Africa posed substantial hardships for outsiders. The continent’s varied terrain, encompassing vast deserts, dense rainforests, high mountains, and rivers with impassable sections, created significant barriers. The challenging climate, marked by intense tropical heat and humidity, fostered lethal diseases such as malaria and yellow fever, to which newcomers had no natural defense.

Adding to these difficulties, early explorers often lacked precise maps and dependable knowledge of the interior, essentially venturing into the unknown. The logistics of supplying expeditions across immense distances and maintaining contact presented enormous hurdles. The presence of dangerous wildlife posed constant physical risks, and importantly, numerous organized African societies actively opposed foreign encroachment to safeguard their territories and resources. These interconnected challenges largely explain why the African interior remained uncharted by the outside world for so long.

Question 2.

The rivers of Africa are not very suitable for navigation in their lower course.

Ans:

That’s right. The lower stretches of many major African rivers are generally not well-suited for navigation due to several factors. The descent from the continent’s high plateau often results in waterfalls and rapids, creating impassable barriers for continuous boat travel. Near their mouths, the formation of deltas and estuaries can lead to shallow waters and sandbar formation, hindering larger vessels.

Furthermore, the seasonal fluctuations in water flow, heavily reliant on rainfall, can make river depths unreliable for navigation, particularly during dry periods. The relative closeness of the plateau edge to the coast in many areas means shorter lower courses with steeper gradients, limiting the development of deep, unobstructed channels. While some inland sections of these rivers are navigable, the obstacles in their lower reaches historically impeded easy access to the African interior from the sea.

Question 3.

The river Nile flows through a desert and yet has water throughout the year.

Ans:

The Nile River maintains its continuous flow throughout the year, even as it winds through arid desert landscapes, thanks to its source regions in the well-watered East African highlands. The Ethiopian Highlands receive substantial monsoon rainfall, feeding the Blue Nile, one of its primary tributaries. Meanwhile, Lake Victoria serves as a crucial source for the White Nile, helping to regulate the river’s discharge.

In Sudan, the White Nile and Blue Nile converge to form the main Nile channel. The seasonal floods of the Blue Nile, driven by heavy Ethiopian rains, contribute a significant volume of water, especially during the dry season downstream. The White Nile ensures a more stable flow, but the combined input of both tributaries guarantees a steady water supply throughout the year. As a result, the Nile River’s uninterrupted movement across Sudan and Egypt relies on the abundant rainfall in its East African headwaters—an essential factor that has supported civilizations along its banks for millennia.

E. Answer the following questions briefly.

Question 1.
Give the latitudinal extent of Africa and explain why it is mostly a tropical continent.
Ans:

Africa stretches from about 37°N to 35°S latitude. This positioning makes it largely a tropical continent because the tropics, located between 23.5°N and 23.5°S, cover most of its area. This zone receives strong year-round sunlight, leading to high temperatures.

The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a rainy belt near the Equator, also significantly influences the weather across much of tropical Africa as it shifts seasonally. Although the northern and southern edges are subtropical, the majority of Africa’s landmass lies within the tropics, defining its warm climate and shaping its diverse ecosystems.

Question 2.

Name three great explorers connected with the African continent.

Ans:

Here are three great explorers significantly connected with the African continent:

1. David Livingstone (1813-1873): A Scottish missionary, doctor, and explorer, Livingstone is famous for his extensive explorations of Southern and Central Africa. He aimed to spread Christianity, combat the slave trade, and open up the interior for commerce. He was the first European to see Victoria Falls and crossed the African continent from east to west. His detailed journals and reports captured the imagination of the Western world and significantly increased geographical knowledge of Africa.
   
2. Henry Morton Stanley (1841-1904): A Welsh-American journalist and explorer, Stanley is best known for his determined search for Livingstone, whom he famously found in 1871. He later undertook major expeditions of his own, including the exploration of the Congo River from its source to the Atlantic Ocean. His explorations played a significant role in the European Scramble for Africa, as his accounts highlighted the continent’s resources and potential.
   
3. Mungo Park (1771-1806): A Scottish explorer who made significant journeys to West Africa, particularly to trace the course of the Niger River. His two expeditions provided Europeans with crucial information about the geography and peoples of this region, dispelling some myths and laying the groundwork for further exploration.

Question 3.

Name the major mountain ranges of Africa.

Ans:

Africa features several key mountain ranges:

The Drakensberg Mountains, mainly in South Africa and Lesotho, are a dramatic escarpment known for their steep cliffs and scenic highlands, part of southern Africa’s Great Escarpment.

The Ethiopian Highlands, covering much of Ethiopia and extending into Eritrea, are a vast, rugged plateau often called the “Roof of Africa,” significantly influencing regional climate and agriculture.

The Ruwenzori Mountains, along the Uganda-DRC border, are famous for their glacial peaks and diverse alpine environment, earning them the name “Mountains of the Moon.”

Question 4.

Name the lakes found in the Great Rift Valley.

Ans:

The Great Rift Valley is home to a remarkable chain of lakes, both freshwater and alkaline, each with its own unique characteristics. Here are some of the major lakes found within this geological wonder:  

In the Eastern (Gregory) Rift Valley:

• Lake Turkana (Kenya/Ethiopia)
• Lake Baringo (Kenya)  
• Lake Bogoria (Kenya)
• Lake Nakuru (Kenya)  
• Lake Elementaita (Kenya)
• Lake Naivasha (Kenya)
• Lake Magadi (Kenya)  
• Lake Natron (Tanzania)
• Lake Manyara (Tanzania)
• Lake Eyasi (Tanzania)
• Lake Logipi (Kenya)

In the Western (Albertine) Rift Valley:

• Lake Albert (Uganda/Democratic Republic of Congo)  
• Lake Edward (Uganda/Democratic Republic of Congo)  
• Lake Kivu (Democratic Republic of Congo/Rwanda)
• Lake Tanganyika (Burundi/Democratic Republic of Congo/Tanzania/Zambia)  
• Lake Malawi (Malawi/Mozambique/Tanzania)  
• Lake Mweru (Democratic Republic of Congo/Zambia)
• Lake Rukwa (Tanzania)  
• Lake Upemba (Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Lake George (Uganda)

Between the Rift Valley Branches:

• Lake Victoria (Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya) – While not strictly within either branch, it’s considered part of the Great Rift Valley system.

Question 5.

How much time does it take the cocoa tree to yield cocoa pods ?

Ans:

A cocoa tree generally needs four to five years from planting before it starts to bear cocoa pods.

In its initial phase, the tree prioritizes vegetative growth. Around the 3 to 5-year mark, it will commence flowering directly from its trunk and main branches. Following successful pollination, cocoa pods take about five to seven months to mature and ripen for harvesting. While initial pod production may occur in the fourth or fifth year, the tree typically reaches peak yield between 10 and 15 years of age and can remain productive for an additional 25 to 30 years under suitable conditions.

F. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs

Question 1.
Elaborate on the achievements of the great explorers in opening up the continent of Africa.
Ans:

The great European explorers of Africa played a key role in shifting European understanding of the continent, even though their work was often tied to colonial ambitions.

They made significant geographical discoveries and mapping, charting rivers like the Nile, Congo, and Niger, identifying lakes such as Victoria and Tanganyika, and mapping mountain ranges. Their detailed records provided Europeans with a more accurate view of Africa’s interior, crucial for later European activities.

Explorers also contributed to scientific and natural historical knowledge, collecting specimens and documenting Africa’s diverse flora, fauna, climates, and geology, enriching European scientific understanding of the continent’s natural world.

Furthermore, they provided initial cultural and ethnographic information about various African societies, their customs, languages, and social structures, broadening European awareness of Africa’s cultural diversity, though often from a biased perspective.

Finally, their adventurous tales aroused public interest in Africa, often fueling support for colonial ventures by creating a sense of European superiority and a perceived duty to “civilize” the continent.

It’s important to remember that these achievements were intertwined with European colonialism and its negative impacts on Africa. While explorers expanded knowledge, their work also facilitated European conquest and exploitation.

Question 2.

Name the major physical divisions of Africa. Describe any one.

Ans:

Africa’s major physical divisions include:

1. The Plateau Continent: A vast, ancient, elevated landmass forming the continent’s core, rising from narrow coastal plains and characterized by relatively flat or gently rolling terrain with an average elevation of 600-1000 meters.
2. The Atlas Mountains: A younger fold mountain range in northwest Africa, influencing the climate of the Maghreb.
3. The Great Rift Valley: A massive fault system in East Africa, featuring steep valleys, escarpments, and a chain of lakes and volcanoes.
4. The River Basins: Extensive low-lying areas carved by major river systems like the Nile, Congo, Niger, and Zambezi, often with fertile soils.
5. The Deserts: Large arid and semi-arid regions, such as the Sahara in the north and the Kalahari and Namib in the south.

Description of The Plateau Continent:

The Plateau Continent constitutes the fundamental geological structure of Africa, an immense and ancient tableland composed largely of Precambrian crystalline rocks. This elevated surface typically ascends sharply from narrow coastal belts, often marked by significant escarpments. With a general height ranging from 600 to 1000 meters, the plateau exhibits a higher elevation in the south and east, gradually descending towards the west and north. Scattered across this ancient platform are isolated mountain ranges, often volcanic, shallow depressions, and river valleys formed by long-term erosion. The plateau’s stability has influenced mineral distribution, and its diverse climates and vegetation zones, varying with latitude and altitude, have historically supported significant populations and agricultural practices.

Question 3.

Describe the three important deserts found in Africa.

Ans:

Africa’s three primary deserts each present distinct characteristics:

The Sahara, a massive, intensely dry expanse in North Africa, features diverse terrain.

The Namib, an ancient coastal desert in southwest Africa, is defined by its towering dunes and fog-dependent ecosystems.

The Kalahari, a semi-arid savanna in Southern Africa, supports more varied plant and animal life.

Question 4.

What is a rift valley? How is it formed?

Ans:

A rift valley is a long, sunken area of land formed when the Earth’s crust stretches and breaks along parallel faults, causing the block in between to drop down. This creates a valley bordered by steeper sides. It happens at divergent plate boundaries where tectonic plates are moving apart. The sinking section is called a graben. Erosion, sediment buildup, lakes, and volcanoes can further shape rift valleys over time.

Question 5.

Give an account of the major lakes of Africa.

Ans:

The major lakes of Africa are ecologically significant and support millions.

Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest, is a vital fishery and the source of the White Nile, facing threats from pollution and invasive species.

Lake Tanganyika, the second deepest globally, boasts unique biodiversity and supports local livelihoods but is threatened by overfishing and habitat loss.

Lake Malawi, renowned for its diverse fish, is a crucial food source and biodiversity hotspot, facing overfishing and pollution.

Lake Turkana, the largest desert lake, is vital in an arid region and a key site for early human history, threatened by dam construction and climate change.

G. Map work:
On a blank outline map of Africa, mark the following:

1. The Cape of Good Hope
2. The Drakensberg Mountains
3. The Victoria Falls
4. The Atlas Mountains
5. The Nile River
6. The Libyan Desert
7. The Suez Canal

Ans:

H. Picture Study

This is a photograph of Victoria Falls.
Question 1.
Name the explorer who discovered it.
Ans:
David Livingstone discovered Victoria Falls in 1855.

Question 2.
On which river is this fall located ?
Ans:
Victoria Fall is located on Zambezi River.

LET’S DO SOMETHING

On a blank outline map of Africa

(a) Mark with brown lines the Atlas and the Drakensberg Mountains.
(b) Shade with yellow and label the Sahara Desert and the Kalahari Desert.
(c) Shade with light brown the plateau region of Africa, the Ethiopian and Adamawa Highlands.
(d) Colour with blue and label neatly all the surrounding water bodies, oceans, seas, bays, gulfs, and straits.

Ans:
Do it Yourself.