Africa:Africa:South of the South of the

SaharaSahara

The LandThe Land

Great Rift ValleyGreat Rift Valley

Extends from Syria to MozambiqueExtends from Syria to Mozambique Rift – large depression in the EarthRift – large depression in the Earth’’s s

surfacesurface Formed by shifting of tectonic platesFormed by shifting of tectonic plates Lies in a fault (fracture in the EarthLies in a fault (fracture in the Earth’’s s

crust)crust) Volcanic eruptions & earthquakes Volcanic eruptions & earthquakes

Great Rift ValleyGreat Rift Valley

Lake VictoriaLake Victoria

Lake VictoriaLake Victoria

WorldWorld’’s 2s 2ndnd largest freshwater lake largest freshwater lake

Located in KenyaLocated in Kenya

Source of the White Nile RiverSource of the White Nile River

Lake VoltaLake Volta

Lake VoltaLake Volta

Located in GhanaLocated in Ghana

WorldWorld’’s largest man-made lakes largest man-made lake

Used for hydroelectricityUsed for hydroelectricity

LAKE TANGANYIKALAKE TANGANYIKAWorldWorld’’s longest freshwater lake (420 mi)s longest freshwater lake (420 mi)

Victoria FallsVictoria Falls WorldWorld’’s largest waterfall at 5600 feet s largest waterfall at 5600 feet

wide and 360 feet highwide and 360 feet high Part of the Zambezi RiverPart of the Zambezi River Between Zambia & ZimbabweBetween Zambia & Zimbabwe

Congo RiverCongo River 55thth longest river in the world (3500 mi.) longest river in the world (3500 mi.) 22ndnd longest river in Africa longest river in Africa Flows through the 2Flows through the 2ndnd largest rainforest largest rainforest

(Congo Basin) in the world(Congo Basin) in the world

MOUNT KILIMANJAROMOUNT KILIMANJARO Highest point in Africa (19,336 ft.)Highest point in Africa (19,336 ft.)

NATURAL RESOURCESNATURAL RESOURCES

OilOil 4% of world4% of world’’s oil reserves located on s oil reserves located on

the west coast of Africathe west coast of Africa Found in large quantities in Nigeria, Found in large quantities in Nigeria,

Angola, Gabon, Congo, & CameroonAngola, Gabon, Congo, & Cameroon Nigeria is the only African country to Nigeria is the only African country to

belong to OPEC (Organization of belong to OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)Petroleum Exporting Countries)

Nigeria contains 3% of the worldNigeria contains 3% of the world’’s oil s oil reservesreserves

UraniumUranium South AfricaSouth Africa Used in creating nuclear products Used in creating nuclear products

(energy, weapons, etc.)(energy, weapons, etc.) DiamondsDiamonds

South Africa, Botswana, Democratic South Africa, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, western AfricaRepublic of the Congo, western Africa

DRC contains 40% of the worldDRC contains 40% of the world’’s s diamondsdiamonds

GoldGold ½ of the world½ of the world’’s gold is in South Africas gold is in South Africa

ClimateClimate Tropical RainforestTropical Rainforest

Near equatorNear equator 60+ inches of rainfall a year60+ inches of rainfall a year

SavannaSavanna Covers ½ of AfricaCovers ½ of Africa Grassland & scattered treesGrassland & scattered trees 35-45 inches of rainfall 35-45 inches of rainfall Serengeti in TanzaniaSerengeti in Tanzania

One of the worldOne of the world’’s largest savanna s largest savanna plains plains

Contains zebras, gazelles, hyenas, Contains zebras, gazelles, hyenas, lions, giraffes, cheetahslions, giraffes, cheetahs

Serengeti

SahelSahel Between the savanna and the desertBetween the savanna and the desert Means Means ““edgeedge”” in Arabic in Arabic 4-8 inches of rainfall4-8 inches of rainfall Low grasses, shrubs, & acacia treesLow grasses, shrubs, & acacia trees Undergone Undergone desertificationdesertification

Possible causes: climate changes, human land Possible causes: climate changes, human land use (clearing land), & animal activities use (clearing land), & animal activities (overgrazing)(overgrazing)

All African countries joined UN Convention to All African countries joined UN Convention to Combat DesertificationCombat Desertification

Enacting laws to protect the environmentEnacting laws to protect the environment

Sahel

DesertDesert Namib Desert in NamibiaNamib Desert in Namibia Kalahari Desert in southern AfricaKalahari Desert in southern Africa Can reach up to 120Can reach up to 120°F during the day °F during the day

& down to 50°F at night& down to 50°F at night

A Brief HistoryA Brief History European explorationEuropean exploration

Portuguese were the first to explore in 1400s.Portuguese were the first to explore in 1400s.

The Netherlands established a settlement on the The Netherlands established a settlement on the southernmost point of Africa called the Cape of southernmost point of Africa called the Cape of Good Hope.Good Hope.

European merchants traded for the gold, ivory, European merchants traded for the gold, ivory, pepper, & vegetable oils of Africa.pepper, & vegetable oils of Africa.

By 1700, slaves became the most important By 1700, slaves became the most important trading item.trading item.

Slave TradeSlave Trade Prior to EuropeansPrior to Europeans’’ arrival, African chiefs arrival, African chiefs

and kings had enslaved and traded and kings had enslaved and traded prisoners of other tribes for centuries.prisoners of other tribes for centuries.

European slave dealers had the help of European slave dealers had the help of Africans to capture slaves.Africans to capture slaves. This caused fear and distrust between African This caused fear and distrust between African

groups.groups.

Growth of American plantations increased Growth of American plantations increased the demand for slaves.the demand for slaves. More than 20 million were captured and sent as More than 20 million were captured and sent as

slaves by the 1700s.slaves by the 1700s.

Slave trade

European colonizationEuropean colonization Why did Europe want Africa?Why did Europe want Africa?

Needed AfricaNeeded Africa’’s raw materialss raw materials Wanted to sell their manufactured goodsWanted to sell their manufactured goods Wanted landWanted land Missionaries wanted to convert the Africans to Missionaries wanted to convert the Africans to

ChristianityChristianity

The discovery of diamonds and the growth of The discovery of diamonds and the growth of plantations also brought an increasing number plantations also brought an increasing number of settlers to Africa.of settlers to Africa.

IndependenceIndependence Reasons for uprisingsReasons for uprisings

Native Africans were living in poverty.Native Africans were living in poverty. Removal of AfricaRemoval of Africa’’s natural resourcess natural resources Native Africans had little to no participation in Native Africans had little to no participation in

government.government.

After the Europeans granted independence, After the Europeans granted independence, most African countries fell into dictatorships.most African countries fell into dictatorships. Why?Why?

Strong independence leaders were made the rulers of Strong independence leaders were made the rulers of the new nations.the new nations.

Rulers claimed one person/party rule was necessary to Rulers claimed one person/party rule was necessary to control violence in the new nations.control violence in the new nations.

Culture of Sub-Saharan Culture of Sub-Saharan AfricaAfrica

Indigenous ReligionsIndigenous Religions In each region, many still practice In each region, many still practice

indigenous religions.indigenous religions.

Belief in a supreme creator and many Belief in a supreme creator and many lesser gods is common.lesser gods is common.

Animism:Animism: Spirits of ancestors are Spirits of ancestors are thought to be alive in nature.thought to be alive in nature.

The SahelThe Sahel

Mostly black Muslims but Christianity & Mostly black Muslims but Christianity & indigenous religions are also practicedindigenous religions are also practiced

Speak several African languages and Speak several African languages and many speak French since France many speak French since France colonized the areacolonized the area

Arabic & Berber are also spoken in the Arabic & Berber are also spoken in the region.region.

Fulani peopleFulani people Raise dairy cattleRaise dairy cattle WorldWorld’’s largest ethnic group of nomadic s largest ethnic group of nomadic

herdersherders One of 1One of 1stst indigenous African cultures to indigenous African cultures to

adopt Islamadopt Islam

Conflict in SudanConflict in Sudan Northern Arab-speaking Muslims live in Northern Arab-speaking Muslims live in

larger cities and favor Islamic governmentlarger cities and favor Islamic government South is rural, practices subsistence South is rural, practices subsistence

agriculture, and want secular governmentagriculture, and want secular government Darfur in the west holds 1.8 million displaced Darfur in the west holds 1.8 million displaced

people because of the conflict between people because of the conflict between black African Muslims and government black African Muslims and government militia.militia.

Deaths of tens of thousands and refugee Deaths of tens of thousands and refugee camps overcrowdedcamps overcrowded

Peace deal in 2005 between north and south Peace deal in 2005 between north and south but not in Darfurbut not in Darfur

Eastern AfricaEastern Africa Birthplace of all humankind Birthplace of all humankind European and Arab influences due to tradeEuropean and Arab influences due to trade Somalia – 60% nomadic populationSomalia – 60% nomadic population DjiboutiDjibouti’’s people were 1s people were 1stst in Africa to adopt in Africa to adopt

Islam because of close trade ties with Arabs. Islam because of close trade ties with Arabs. Lingua franca (common language) is French Lingua franca (common language) is French

but many also speak English.but many also speak English. Arabic spoken in Sudan and EritreaArabic spoken in Sudan and Eritrea Most people are Christian or Muslim.Most people are Christian or Muslim.

Hunger is a major issue in the region.Hunger is a major issue in the region. Countries are growing more cash crops (palm oil, Countries are growing more cash crops (palm oil,

sisal, tea, coffee, etc.) than food crops resulting in sisal, tea, coffee, etc.) than food crops resulting in starvation.starvation.

War is also a cause of hunger problems.War is also a cause of hunger problems. Over 31 million in need of food aidOver 31 million in need of food aid Hardest hit: Somalia, Ethiopia, & DjiboutiHardest hit: Somalia, Ethiopia, & Djibouti

Disease is common due to poor nutrition, Disease is common due to poor nutrition, famine, overpopulation, and people cannot famine, overpopulation, and people cannot afford health care. afford health care. AIDS is the most common.AIDS is the most common. Low life expectancies in this regionLow life expectancies in this region

http://people of east Africa

Conflict in East AfricaConflict in East Africa RwandaRwanda

Colonial powers put minority Tutsi tribe in charge Colonial powers put minority Tutsi tribe in charge of the majority Hutu tribe causing resentment.of the majority Hutu tribe causing resentment.

At independence in 1959, violence began At independence in 1959, violence began between the tribes.between the tribes.

1994 – genocide of hundreds of thousands of 1994 – genocide of hundreds of thousands of Tutsis by Hutus Tutsis by Hutus

More than 800,000 Tutsis killedMore than 800,000 Tutsis killed Lasted about 100 daysLasted about 100 days

Western AfricaWestern Africa Mostly rural but more moving to cities for Mostly rural but more moving to cities for

jobs, health care, & public servicesjobs, health care, & public services Ashanti of Ghana Ashanti of Ghana

Weavers by tradeWeavers by trade Create Kente clothCreate Kente cloth

which was worn bywhich was worn by

rulers but now worn rulers but now worn

by allby all

West Africa

Central AfricaCentral Africa Mostly ruralMostly rural One of the least densely populated One of the least densely populated

regionsregions Tropical rainforest in northern Democratic Tropical rainforest in northern Democratic

Republic of CongoRepublic of Congo Many speak FrenchMany speak French Region known forRegion known for

Mangbetu sculpturesMangbetu sculptures

Southern AfricaSouthern Africa Rich in mineral resources (diamonds, Rich in mineral resources (diamonds,

gold, and other precious gems)gold, and other precious gems)

70% of estimated 36 million people in the 70% of estimated 36 million people in the world with HIV live in southern Africa.world with HIV live in southern Africa. Created shortage of workers Created shortage of workers Many children are orphans.Many children are orphans.

10.7 million under age 15 have lost at least one 10.7 million under age 15 have lost at least one parent to AIDSparent to AIDS

South Africa Anti-Apartheid MovementSouth Africa Anti-Apartheid Movement The ruling The ruling AfrikanersAfrikaners (descendants of early (descendants of early

Dutch settlers) established a system of Dutch settlers) established a system of apartheidapartheid (strict separation of the races). (strict separation of the races).

The African majority was not included in the The African majority was not included in the political process. They faced harsh political process. They faced harsh discrimination and racism.discrimination and racism.

A protest movement developed with Nelson A protest movement developed with Nelson Mandela as the leader.Mandela as the leader.

Apartheid lasted until the 1990s.Apartheid lasted until the 1990s.

Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela Leader of Anti-Apartheid MovementLeader of Anti-Apartheid Movement Born July 18, 1918; son of African Born July 18, 1918; son of African

chief; became a lawyerchief; became a lawyer Apartheid became stricter. Black Apartheid became stricter. Black

South Africans had to have passes to travel, South Africans had to have passes to travel, stay out after dark, and to get a job.stay out after dark, and to get a job.

Mandela became the leader of the African Mandela became the leader of the African National Congress and led strikes and protests.National Congress and led strikes and protests.

Convicted in 1964 for treason and sentenced to Convicted in 1964 for treason and sentenced to life in prisonlife in prison

Spent 23 hours a day in solitary at Robin Island Spent 23 hours a day in solitary at Robin Island Maximum Security Prison for 27 yearsMaximum Security Prison for 27 years

Received worldwide attention for the Received worldwide attention for the movement. World leaders and citizens rallied movement. World leaders and citizens rallied for his release.for his release.

Released in 1990 and received the Nobel Released in 1990 and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993Peace Prize in 1993

Became South AfricaBecame South Africa’’s first black president in s first black president in 1994 and served until 19991994 and served until 1999

He continued his work fighting against He continued his work fighting against discrimination for all races around the world discrimination for all races around the world until his death in 2013.until his death in 2013.

Africa TodayAfrica Today Most countries trade mainly with their old Most countries trade mainly with their old

colonial powers.colonial powers. Trade with Japan & United States growingTrade with Japan & United States growing

Most people practice subsistence Most people practice subsistence agriculture.agriculture. Problems: overgrazing, overworked soil, lack Problems: overgrazing, overworked soil, lack

of technology & not growing food cropsof technology & not growing food crops

PovertyPoverty Poorest region in the world.Poorest region in the world.

Owe billions to foreign countries.Owe billions to foreign countries.

In 2005, G-8 (France, Germany, Italy, In 2005, G-8 (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, US, Canada, & Russia) Japan, UK, US, Canada, & Russia) cancelled debt of 18 poorest African nations.cancelled debt of 18 poorest African nations.

Endangered AnimalsEndangered Animals Deforestation and hunting for sport and profit Deforestation and hunting for sport and profit

have destroyed habitats of many African have destroyed habitats of many African animalsanimals

Poaching (illegal hunting) is a major Poaching (illegal hunting) is a major problem.problem. Elephants are major target for their ivory. Elephants are major target for their ivory.

Banning the ivory trade has helped.Banning the ivory trade has helped. Cape Mountain zebra, mountain gorilla, & rhinoCape Mountain zebra, mountain gorilla, & rhino

Game reserves set up to save wildlife.Game reserves set up to save wildlife. Major source of tourist income for countriesMajor source of tourist income for countries Ecotourism – tourism based on concerns for Ecotourism – tourism based on concerns for

the environment – has become popular.the environment – has become popular. Serengeti National Park – TanzaniaSerengeti National Park – Tanzania Masai Mara – KenyaMasai Mara – Kenya Kakum National Park Kakum National Park

in Ghanain Ghana