Africa: Physical Geography Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a plateau?

A large, level area that rises above the surrounding land, has at least one side with a steep slope.

What is elevation?

The height of land above sea level.

What is a rift?

A deep crack in Earth's surface.

What is a tributary?

A river or stream that flows into a larger river. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if an area is fertile?

It is rich in the substances plants need to grow well. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to irrigate?

To supply with water through a ditch, pipe, channel, or sprinkler. Signup and view all the answers

What is a drought?

A long period of little or no rain. Signup and view all the answers

What is an oasis?

A fertile place in a desert where there is water and vegetation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a savanna?

A region of tall grasses with scattered trees. Signup and view all the answers

What is a nomad?

A person who has no permanent settled home and who instead moves from place to place. Signup and view all the answers

What is subsistence farming?

Raising just enough crops to support one's family. Signup and view all the answers

What is a cash crop?

A crop that is raised for sale. Signup and view all the answers

What is an economy?

A system for producing, distributing, consuming, and owning goods and services. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to diversify?

To add variety to; to expand a country's economy by increasing the variety of goods produced. Signup and view all the answers

How does Africa measure up to other continents?

Africa is the second largest of the seven continents. Signup and view all the answers

What are the regions of Africa?

West Africa, North Africa, Southern and Central Africa, and East Africa. Signup and view all the answers

What are Africa's four major rivers?

Nile, Congo, Niger, and Zambezi. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main physical features of Africa?

Mountains and Coastal Plains. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most populated region of Africa and why?

West Africa is the most populated region due to its fertile grasslands that provide an ample source of food. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Nile flow?

Nile flows north to the Mediterranean Sea. Signup and view all the answers

Describe farming in the Nile. How has it changed?

The Nile floods often so farmers plant their crops around the flood cycle. The flood provides water for the crops and leaves silt behind which makes the soil fertile. Farming in the Nile changed after the Aswan High Dam was built. This prevented crops from flooding along the Nile. Signup and view all the answers

How are the crops that grow in the desert watered?

The waters from Lake Nassar were channeled to water the crops that grow in the desert. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Africa often called the 'plateau continent'?

Africa is often called the 'plateau continent' because much of the continent is made up of raised mostly level areas of land that drop off sharply near the sea. Signup and view all the answers

What is Africa's tallest mountain and in which region is it located?

Africa's tallest mountain is Mount Kilimanjaro, which is located in East Africa. Signup and view all the answers

Near what landform are most of Africa's major lakes located?

Most of Africa's major lakes are located in or near the Great Rift Valley. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't ships sail all the way from Africa's interior to the sea?

Ships can't sail all the way from Africa's interior to the sea because rivers are broken in places by large waterfalls or rapids. Signup and view all the answers

Why have people farmed the land along the Nile for thousands of years?

People have farmed the land along the Nile for thousands of years because when the Nile floods it leaves behind rocks and dirt called silt. Silt makes the land fertile and good for farming. Signup and view all the answers

Name three factors that influence climate.

Distance from the Equator, elevation, and nearness to large bodies of water and major landforms. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of how one of these factors can influence the climate of an area.

Elevation. As elevation rises, the temperature decreases. An example of this is Mount Kilimanjaro. Even though it may be summer on the ground, the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro is covered with snow and ice. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Physical Geography of Africa

Plateaus are large, level areas above surrounding land, characterized by at least one steep slope.
Elevation refers to the height of land above sea level, influencing climate and vegetation.
A rift is a significant geological crack in Earth's surface, often leading to diverse landforms.
Tributaries are smaller rivers or streams that flow into larger rivers, impacting water systems.
Fertile land is rich in nutrients essential for robust plant growth.
Irrigation involves supplying water to crops through various means like ditches or channels.
Droughts are extended periods of minimal or absent rainfall, affecting agriculture and water supply.
Oases are fertile spots in deserts, often featuring vegetation and water sources.
Savannas consist of vast areas of tall grasses with sparse tree coverage, supporting diverse wildlife.
Nomads are individuals who move frequently, lacking a permanent home, usually for resource availability.
Subsistence farming focuses on growing just enough food for personal or family use.
Cash crops are cultivated mainly for sale, differing from subsistence crops meant for direct consumption.

Africa's Geographical Context

Africa is the second largest continent globally, playing a crucial role in biodiversity and climate.
Four main regions of Africa: West Africa, North Africa, Southern and Central Africa, and East Africa.
Major rivers include the Nile, Congo, Niger, and Zambezi, serving multiple purposes like transportation and irrigation.

Climate and Agriculture

West Africa is the most populous region, benefiting from its fertile grasslands ideal for food production.
The Nile River flows northward into the Mediterranean Sea, significantly influencing agriculture along its banks.
Historical farming practices along the Nile revolved around its annual flooding, which enriched soils with silt; however, the construction of the Aswan High Dam has altered these traditional methods.

Major Landforms and Features

Africa is referred to as the "plateau continent" due to its extensive raised areas with sharp drops to the sea.
Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, is located in East Africa and features diverse climates based on elevation.
Most of Africa's major lakes are situated in or near the Great Rift Valley, a significant geological feature.

Ships cannot navigate directly from Africa's interior to the sea due to rivers being interrupted by waterfalls and rapids.

Farming and Climate Influences

The rich silt deposited by Nile floods has supported agriculture for thousands of years, highlighting the river's importance.
Three climate-influencing factors are distance from the Equator, elevation, and proximity to large water bodies or landforms. For example, at higher elevations like Mount Kilimanjaro, temperatures drop significantly, resulting in snow-capped peaks even in summer.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Africa's physical geography with these flashcards. Learn key terms such as plateau, elevation, rift, tributary, and fertile. Perfect for students seeking to reinforce their understanding of geographical concepts.

Africa: Physical Geography Flashcards - Chapter 1