Africa Presentation - Deserts, Rivers, Lakes, & Landmarks

Africa AFRICA Second-largest and second- most-populous continent. Straddles the equator and encompasses numerous climate areas; it is the only continent to stretch from the northern temperate to southern temperate zones. Hosts a large diversity of ethnicities, cultures and lan...

Africa AFRICA Second-largest and second- most-populous continent. Straddles the equator and encompasses numerous climate areas; it is the only continent to stretch from the northern temperate to southern temperate zones. Hosts a large diversity of ethnicities, cultures and languages. Considered to be the oldest inhabited territory on Earth, with the human species originating from the continent. The Cradle of Civilization Popular Languages: Arabic | English | Swahili | French  Largest country (area) ALGERIA Smallest country (area & pop.) SEYCHELLES NIGERIA Largest country (population) MT. KILIMANJARO Highest Point 54 countries MOST MULTILINGUAL LAKE ASSAL Lowest Point  AFRICA’S DESERTS Sahara Desert: Largest hot desert in the world. A vast, arid region dominated by sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and salt flats Kalahari Desert: A semi-arid sandy basin. Supports a surprising range of wildlife and vegetation, especially around the Okavango Delta. Namib Desert: One of the oldest deserts in the world, with striking red dunes, some of the tallest on Earth. Features a coastal climate with fog and arid conditions inland. AFRICA’S RIVERS Nile River: Longest river in the world. Has two major tributaries: the White Nile (beginning in Lake Victoria) and the Blue Nile (starting in Ethiopia). Congo River: Second-longest river in Africa. World's deepest river, Flows through the Congo Basin, the world's second-largest tropical rainforest. Niger River: A key waterway in West Africa, supporting millions of people along its course Zambezi River: One of Africa's major rivers and is famous for the spectacular Victoria Falls (the largest waterfall by volume). AFRICA’S MOUNTAINS Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) The highest peak in Africa. A dormant volcano with three cones (Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira). It is renowned for its snow-capped peak, despite being located near the equator. Mount Kenya (Kenya) Second-highest mountain in Africa. A dormant stratovolcano and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site Atlas Mountains (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia) Separate the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert. The range is home to Berber communities and supports rich biodiversity, including many endemic species. Drakensberg Mountains (South Africa and Lesotho) A dramatic mountain range characterized by high peaks, deep valleys, and rugged terrain. It is part of the Great Escarpment and forms the eastern edge of the southern plateau.  AFRICA’S LAKES Lake Victoria: Largest lake in Africa by area. A vital water source for millions of people and supports a rich biodiversity, including many endemic species of fish like the Nile perch. It is also the source of the White Nile. Lake Tanganyika: Second-deepest lake in the world (after Lake Baikal). A major freshwater lake with a unique ecosystem, home to many endemic species of fish. Lake Malawi: Known for its clear waters and the vast number of fish species, many of which are endemic. It is one of the largest lakes in the world by volume and supports a diverse aquatic ecosystem.  Congo Rainforest: Second- AFRICA’S largest tropical rainforest in the world. The Congo Basin is one RAINFORESTS of the world's most biodiverse regions, home to various species of primates, birds, and insects, as well as the endangered gorilla and forest elephant. Guinean Forests of West Africa: Rich in biodiversity, including tropical hardwoods and a wide variety of animal species, such as chimpanzees and forest elephants. Located here are the Sapo National Park (Liberia) and the Tai National Park (Côte d'Ivoire), both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  AFRICA’S ENDEMIC FAUNA Mountain Gorilla: Subspecies of the eastern gorilla, adapted to live in high-altitude cloud forests in central Africa. Endangered (fewer than 1,000 individuals) Okapi: “Forest giraffe,” has the body of a horse and the legs of a zebra, making it one of the most unique and elusive animals in Africa. Endangered due to habitat destruction and poaching. African Wild Dog: One of the most efficient predators in Africa. Endangered, with fewer than 6,000 individuals remaining Pygmy Hippopotamus: Smaller and more reclusive than the common hippopotamus. Endangered, (fewer than 3,000 individuals) Addax Antelope: Desert-adapted, has long, spiral horns and can survive in extreme desert conditions, capable of going without water for long periods. Critically Endangered (fewer than 100 individuals) Giant Forest Hog: Largest wild pig in Africa, has large tusks and a robust body. African Penguin: The only penguin species found in Africa, adapted to warm coastal environments.  AFRICA’S ENDEMIC FLORA Welwitschia: Found in Namib Desert, has only two leaves that grow continuously throughout its lifetime. One of the oldest plants on Earth. Baobab: Massive, iconic trees known for their distinctive, swollen trunks that store water. They are often referred to as the "tree of life" due to their ability to provide shelter, water, and food. King Protea: National flower of South Africa, known for its striking large flowers, which are made up of stiff, leathery petals. Rothmannia globosa: Rare flowering plant, produces bright orange, tubular flowers. Cycads: Ancient, palm-like plants with large, feathery leaves. They are relics from the age of the dinosaurs, and many species are adapted to survive in harsh environments. Giant Lobelia: Grows at altitudes above 3,000 meters and has striking flowers with long, tubular petals. It is often found in afro-alpine regions in East Africa. AFRICA’S EXTINCT ANIMALS Dodo Bird of Mauritius: A flightless bird, primarily feeding on fruits, seeds, and roots. Became extinct in around 1681 due to early settlers and traders’ activities Barbary Lion/Atlas Lion of North Africa: Extinct in the wild during the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to extensive hunting. Giant Ground Pangolin of South Africa: Larger than the present-day pangolin species. Went extinct due to over-hunting. Abyssinian Red Wolf of Ethiopia: Habitat loss, interbreeding with domestic dogs, and competition with other predators led to the eventual extinction of this species. Country Southern Africa Capital African Countries Botswana Gaborone North Africa EastAfrica West Africa Country Capital Country Capital Country Capital Eswatini Mbabane Burundi Gitega Benin Porto-Novo Lesotho Maseru Algeria Algiers Comoros Moroni Burkina Egypt Cairo Ouagadougou Namibia Windhoek Djibouti Djibouti Faso Libya Tripoli Eritrea Asmara Cape Verde Praia Zambia Lusaka Morocco Rabat Addis The Zimbabwe Harare Ethiopia Banjul Ababa Gambia Tunisia Tunis Pretoria (A) Kenya Nairobi Ghana Accra Bloemfontein Antananari Guinea Conakry South Africa (J) Madagascar vo Guinea- Cape Town Bissau Malawi Lilongwe Bissau (L) Mauritius Port Louis Yamoussoukro Central Africa Ivory Coast (A) Mozambiqu Country Capital Maputo Abidjan (E) e Angola Luanda Rwanda Kigali Liberia Monrovia Seychelles Victoria Mali Bamako Cameroon Yaoundé Somalia Mogadishu Mauritania Nouakchott Central African Bangui South Niger Niamey Republic Juba Sudan Nigeria Abuja Chad N'Djamena Sudan Khartoum Senegal Dakar Republic of the Tanzania Dodoma Brazzaville Sierra Congo Freetown Uganda Kampala Leone Democratic Togo Lomé Republic of the Kinshasa Congo Equatorial Guinea Malabo PAN- AFRICAN COLORS  African Landmarks Last remaining wonder of the ancient world. Built for Pharaoh Khufu (largest of the three pyramids). Originally stood at 146 meters (480 feet), but over time, it has lost some of its height due to the removal of its outer casing stones. UNESCO World Heritage Site. GREAT PYRAMIDS OF One of Egypt’s most iconic monuments. A limestone statue with the body of a lion and the head of a Pharaoh. UNESCO World Heritage Site (part of the Giza Pyramids complex). SPHINX OF GIZA A series of interconnected valleys and lakes, including the famous lakes of Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. The valley is home to volcanic peaks and numerous endemic species. Believed to be where humanity first evolved. UNESCO World Heritage Site. GREAT RIFT VALLEY  ROCK-HEWN 11 medieval churches carved directly into solid volcanic rock. Connected by tunnels and CHURCHES OF LALIBELA trenches. The churches are still used for religious ceremonies, particularly during the Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas. UNESCO World Heritage Site. ETHIOPIA Major archaeological site from the Kingdom of Kush, showing Africa’s rich ancient history beyond Egypt. Contains around 200 pyramids, many of which were tombs for the kings and queens of the Kingdom of Kush. Meroë pyramids are smaller and steeper. UNESCO World Heritage Site. PYRAMIDS OF MEROË Fortified city known for its stunning earthen architecture located on the edge of the Atlas Mountains. A historic kasbah, a traditional Moroccan fortified AÏT BENHADDOU city made of mudbrick. Has been used as a filming location like Gladiator and Game of Thrones. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once a major center of learning and culture in the medieval Islamic world, located in the Sahara Desert. Famous for its ancient manuscripts. UNESCO World Heritage Site. TIMBUKTU MALI Africa’s highest peak. A MOUNT dormant stratovolcano with three cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Its snow and glaciers have been shrinking KILIMANJARO rapidly due to climate change. UNESCO World Heritage Site. "Mountains of the Moon”. Famed RWENZORI for their snow-capped peaks and rich biodiversity. Home to glaciers, waterfalls, and diverse plant and animal species. One of the few places in Africa where snow and glaciers exist. UNESCO World Heritage Site. MOUNTAINS One of the New7Wonders of Nature. A flat-topped mountain that rises 1,085 meters (3,563 feet) above sea level. Known for TABLE MOUNTAIN its unique flora and fauna, including the endangered Table Mountain ghost frog. UNESCO World Heritage Site.  One of the largest and most spectacular waterfalls in the world. Locally as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" (The Smoke That Thunders). During the rainy season, over 500 million liters of water cascade over the falls every minute. UNESCO World Heritage Site. VICTORIA FALLS  Known for its pristine wilderness and diverse wildlife. One of the largest inland deltas in the world. A seasonal floodplain, where the Okavango River flows into the Kalahari Desert. Home to rare species like the African wild dog, cheetah, and thousands of migratory birds. UNESCO World Heritage Site. OKAVANGO DELTA Home to the Great Mosque. An ancient trading city in Mali, DJENNE known for its mud-brick architecture. The Great Mosque of Djenne is the largest mud building in the world. UNESCO World Heritage Site. MALI  ISLAND OF Played a key role in the transatlantic slave trade and is now a symbol of remembrance and resilience. Houses the "House of Slaves," a museum that commemorates the GORÉE history of the slave trade. The "Door of No Return" was the point from which slaves were shipped to the Americas. UNESCO World Heritage Site. World’s largest unspoiled, dry volcanic caldera. Home to a NGORONGOR the endangered black rhino, thus often referred to as the "Garden of O CRATER diverse array of wildlife, including Eden". UNESCO World Heritage site. TANZANIA Famous for its annual migration of wildebeest. Part of the Serengeti MAASAI MARA ecosystem and is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino). The Mara is named after the Maasai people, who describe the area NATIONAL RESERVE as "Mara," meaning "spotted" in their language, referring to the trees and shadows. KENYA Chain of volcanic peaks. One of the few places left in the world where endangered mountain gorillas can be found in the wild. One of the most biodiverse areas in Africa. UNESCO World Heritage Site. VIRUNGA MOUNTAINS One of the most photographed landscapes in Africa. Located in the Namib Desert, Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan surrounded by some of the tallest dunes in the world, reaching up to 380 meters (1,250 feet). The red color of the dunes is a result of the oxidation of iron in the sand. UNESCO World Heritage Site. SOSSUVLEI NAMIBIA A striking natural landmark featuring towering, ancient baobab trees that are believed to be over 800 years AVENUE OF BAOBABS old. Baobabs are a symbol of Madagascar’s unique flora. One of Madagascar's most photographed locations. Known for the Great Migration. One of the most famous wildlife conservation areas on Earth. A vast savannah home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, and zebras. UNESCO World Heritage Site. SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK  One of the largest mosques in the world, featuring the tallest minaret in the Arab world at 265 meters. GRAND MOSQUE OF One of the largest green canyons in the world due to its lush subtropical vegetation. Renowned for its dramatic views and unique geological formations. Notable for its rich biodiversity and scenic beauty. Its natural features include the "Three Rondavels" (three cylindrical peaks). BLYDE RIVER CANYON  Reflects the island’s rich Swahili, Arab, Indian, and European heritage. Filled with narrow winding streets, old merchant houses, mosques, and bustling markets. Zanzibar was the birthplace of Freddie Mercury. UNESCO World Heritage Site. ZANZIBAR STONE TOWN  END Reference: Boniface, B., Cooper, B., & Cooper, C. (2016). Worldwide Destinations: The geography of travel and tourism (7th ed.). Routledge. Nelson, V. (2017). An introduction to the geography of tourism. Rowman & Littlefield. New World Encyclopedia Britannica Online