Geography of Africa: Mountains and Deserts

Questions and Answers

What are the Atlas Mountains?

Located in North Africa, a mountain range between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert.

What is the Sahara Desert?

The largest desert in the world located in North Africa, covering 3,500,000 square miles.

What is the Sahel?

Transitional land located below the Sahara Desert, between desert land and savanna.

What characterizes a savanna?

It is a tropical or subtropical grassland with scattered trees, receiving enough rain for drought-resistant undergrowth. Signup and view all the answers

The Kalahari Desert is a true desert.

False Signup and view all the answers

What defines a tropical rainforest?

A location that receives more water through precipitation than it loses through evaporation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Niger River?

The principal waterway in western Africa, significant for the city of Timbuktu. Signup and view all the answers

What is notable about the Congo River?

It flows through the third largest rainforest in the world. Signup and view all the answers

How long is the Nile River?

The longest river in the world at 4,150 miles. Signup and view all the answers

Victoria Falls is the smallest waterfall in the world.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is Lake Tanganyika known for?

It is the deepest lake in Africa. Signup and view all the answers

What is Lake Victoria?

The largest lake in Africa and the second-largest body of fresh water in the world. Signup and view all the answers

What is Mount Kilimanjaro?

The tallest free-standing volcanic landform in the world and the highest peak in Africa at 19,340 feet. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mountains and Deserts

Atlas Mountains: Mountain range in North Africa between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert, near the Strait of Gibraltar.
Sahara Desert: The largest desert worldwide, covering 3,500,000 square miles, situated in North Africa.
Kalahari Desert: Located in Southern Africa, characterized as a semi-arid region receiving 3-10 inches of rain per year, not a "true" desert.

Transitional Zones and Grasslands

Sahel: A semi-arid transitional area in North Africa beneath the Sahara Desert, serves as a bridge between desert and savanna ecosystems, experiencing more rainfall than the desert.
Savanna: Found in Central Africa, these tropical or subtropical grasslands feature scattered trees and support drought-resistant undergrowth, with insufficient rain for denser forest vegetation.

Rivers and Waterways

Niger River: The main waterway in western Africa, crucial for Timbuktu, traverses countries including Guinea, Mali, Niger, Benin, and Nigeria.
Congo River: Flows through western Central Africa, passing through the planet's third-largest rainforest.
Nile River: Admired as the world's longest river at 4,150 miles, it flows in Eastern Africa, connecting to the Mediterranean and Red Seas.

Lakes and Waterfalls

Lake Tanganyika: Central Africa's deepest lake, known for its significant depth.
Lake Victoria: The largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater body globally.
Victoria Falls: Renowned as the largest and most unique waterfall in the world.

Notable Peaks

Mount Kilimanjaro: The highest peak in Africa, standing at 19,340 feet, recognized as the tallest free-standing volcanic structure on the planet.

Description

Explore the unique geographical features of Africa, including mountain ranges, deserts, and transitional zones. This quiz covers significant locations like the Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert, and the Sahel, along with essential rivers like the Niger. Test your knowledge on these vital ecosystems and their characteristics.