Sub-Saharan Africa Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are characteristics of North Africa compared to Sub-Saharan Africa?

Afro-Asiatic language family dominates (correct)

Dry climate-conditions (correct)

Christianity is the dominant religion

More populated

What are important characteristics of Sub-Saharan Africa?

Plateau continent, multinational state, ethnic and religious conflict, least economically developed region.

What and where is the Great Rift Valley?

A series of downfaulted basins in East Africa.

What and where is the Congo Basin?

Africa's largest tropical lowland, located astride the equator. Signup and view all the answers

What and where is the Namib Desert?

A tropical desert on the southwest coast of Africa. Signup and view all the answers

What and where is the Sahel?

A transitional area along the southern margins of the Sahara. Signup and view all the answers

Who and where are the Bantu?

A widespread language group originating in West Africa. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Berlin Conference?

To divide Africa into European colonies. Signup and view all the answers

What are superimposed boundaries?

Boundaries drawn with little regard for local cultures. Signup and view all the answers

When did most countries of Sub-Saharan Africa gain their independence?

1950s and 1960s. Signup and view all the answers

What is the dominant economic activity in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Subsistence agriculture. Signup and view all the answers

What are endemic diseases?

Chronic diseases specific to a local area. Signup and view all the answers

What are epidemic diseases?

Diseases with sudden outbreaks that spread rapidly at a regional scale. Signup and view all the answers

What are pandemic diseases?

Diseases that spread rapidly and globally. Signup and view all the answers

What is notable about the origin and spread of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Originated in the eastern Congo River Basin and spread through truck drivers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the largest language family in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Niger-Congo language family. Signup and view all the answers

What are some features of the Khosian language group?

Distinctive 'clicking type' sound, once dominant in central and southern Africa. Signup and view all the answers

What religion prevails in most of Sub-Saharan Africa?

Christianity. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Southern Africa the most developed subregion in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Extensive minerals and agricultural diversity, significant European settlement. Signup and view all the answers

What are important features of South Africa?

Most populated country in Southern Africa with diverse minerals. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Boers (Afrikaners)?

Descendants of the original Dutch settlers. Signup and view all the answers

What was Apartheid?

A policy of racial separation and discrimination. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four main ethnic/racial groups in South Africa?

Africans, Coloreds, Europeans, South Asians. Signup and view all the answers

What is the dominant country in East Africa?

Kenya. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the two major tribal groups in Rwanda and Burundi?

Hutu (majority) and Tutsi (minority). Signup and view all the answers

Why is Equatorial Africa the least developed subregion in Sub-Saharan Africa?

High concentration of endemic diseases, poor soils, political instability. Signup and view all the answers

What is demographically significant about West Africa?

Most populated subregion, homeland of the Bantu. Signup and view all the answers

What is distinctive about Sierra Leone and Liberia?

Both were created as homelands for freed former slaves. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most populated country in Africa?

Nigeria. Signup and view all the answers

What is the forward capital of Nigeria and why is it there?

Abuja, located in the interior. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ethnic diversity of Nigeria?

Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo. Signup and view all the answers

What are important features of The Sahel?

A transitional area with mixed climates, religions, and ethnicities. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Comparison of North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa

North Africa features a dry climate, sparse population, and predominance of Afro-Asiatic languages; Islam is the major religion.
Sub-Saharan Africa has a humid climate, higher population density, and predominance of Niger-Congo languages; Christianity and tribal religions are prevalent.

Characteristics of Sub-Saharan Africa

Comprises narrow coastal areas and series of high plateaus, characterized as a plateau continent.
Diverse multinational and multiethnic states experience significant ethnic and religious conflict.
Classified as the least economically developed region globally, with around 800 million inhabitants.
Rapid population growth and high concentration of endemic diseases.

Great Rift Valley

A geological formation resulting from faulting and plate tectonics in East Africa.
Contains significant lakes and seas including Lake Victoria and Lake Malawi, as well as the Red Sea and Dead Sea.

Congo Basin

The largest tropical lowland in Africa, comparable to the Amazon Basin.
Features extensive tropical rainforests with warm and wet conditions, straddling the equator.

Namib Desert

Serves as a tropical desert located on Africa's southwest coast, mainly in Namibia and Botswana.

Sahel

Transitional zone along the southern edge of the Sahara, characterized by a blend of climates, religions, languages, and economic systems.

Bantu People

Largest and most widespread linguistic group within the Niger-Congo language family.
Originated in West Africa and later spread to central and southern Africa.

Berlin Conference

Convened in 1884 by major European nations to partition Africa into colonies, largely ignoring indigenous cultures and languages.
Focused on acquiring resources like minerals and plantation crops.

Superimposed Boundaries

Boundaries established by external powers with minimal consideration for indigenous cultures.
Often result in multiethnic and multinational states leading to political and cultural instability.

Independence of Sub-Saharan African Countries

Most countries gained independence during the 1950s and 1960s.

Economic Activity in Sub-Saharan Africa

Dominated by subsistence agriculture, where farmers grow crops and raise animals primarily for personal use.

Endemic Diseases

Specific to certain areas and persistently affect local populations, physically impairing but typically not fatal.

Epidemic Diseases

Characterized by sudden outbreaks that spread rapidly, leading to significant mortality rates.

Pandemic Diseases

Rapidly spreading diseases that affect global populations, resulting in high death tolls.

HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa

Likely originated in the eastern Congo River Basin from chimpanzees, transitioning to humans and spreading through regional transportation routes.
The disease spread from equatorial Africa to the Caribbean and later to the U.S.

Niger-Congo Language Family

The largest language family in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the Bantu group as the most prominent subfamily.

Khosian Language Group

Predominantly found in southwestern Africa, characterized by distinctive clicking sounds, previously covered most of central and southern Africa.

Predominant Religion in Sub-Saharan Africa

Christianity is the majority religion across the region.

Southern Africa's Development

Most developed subregion due to diverse mineral resources, agricultural products, and significant European settlement.

Features of South Africa

The most populous nation in Southern Africa, rich in minerals like coal, iron, uranium, gold, and diamonds.
Leading regional authority in terms of income and development.

Boers (Afrikaners)

Descendants of early Dutch settlers in South Africa.

Apartheid

A governmental policy of racial segregation that enforced widespread discrimination against the African population.

Ethnic/Racial Groups in South Africa

Four main groups: Africans, Coloreds, Europeans, and South Asians.

Dominant Country in East Africa

Kenya is recognized as the leading nation in the region.

Major Tribal Groups in Rwanda and Burundi

Hutu is the majority, while Tutsi represents the minority.

Development of Equatorial Africa

The least developed subregion, plagued by high rates of endemic diseases, poor soils, dense forests, and political instability.

Historical Significance of West Africa

Most populous subregion, known as the Bantu homeland and site of early agricultural and political advancements.

Sierra Leone and Liberia

Established as homelands for freed slaves; Sierra Leone for British former slaves and Liberia for US former slaves.

Most Populated Country in Africa

Nigeria holds the title for Africa's most populated nation.

Nigeria's Forward Capital

Abuja is designated as the forward capital, situated in the country's interior.

Ethnic Diversity in Nigeria

Major ethnic groups include the Hausa in the North, the Yoruba in the Southwest, and the Ibo in the Southeast.

Features of the Sahel

Transitional zone extending from west to east, marked by climatic, linguistic, and cultural dichotomies, distinguishing northern dry regions from southern humid areas.

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Explore the key differences and similarities between North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa with these flashcards. The content focuses on climate, population, languages, and dominant religions in each region. Ideal for students looking to deepen their understanding of African geography and culture.

Sub-Saharan Africa Flashcards - Chapter 7