Africa

The largest hot desert in the world, located in North Africa.
A grassy plain in tropical and subtropical regions, with few trees.
The area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara Desert.
The increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas compared to rural areas.
The number of people living per unit of an area (e.g., square kilometer); the concentration of population in a specific area.
The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.
An imaginary line around the middle of the Earth that is equidistant from the North and South Poles. It divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
A non-arid climate in which all twelve months have average temperatures of at least 18°C.
The movement of people from one place to another with the intentions of settling, permanently or temporarily, at a new location.
The practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.
The condition of a nation, country, or state which exercises self-government, and usually sovereignty, over the territory.
The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, a high level of which is usually considered to be important and desirable.
A continuous geographic trench that runs from Lebanon's Beqaa Valley in Asia to Mozambique in Southeastern Africa.
Dense forest found in tropical areas of heavy rainfall.
A large semi-arid sandy savanna in Southern Africa extending for 900,000 square kilometers.
The longest river in Africa and the disputed longest river in the world, flowing into the Mediterranean Sea from northeastern Africa.
The largest lake in Africa and the chief reservoir of the Nile, lying mainly in Tanzania and Uganda.
Extreme scarcity of food, which can lead to widespread hunger and malnutrition.
A paradoxical situation where countries with an abundance of non-renewable resources experience stagnant economic growth or even economic contraction.
A dormant volcano in Tanzania and the highest mountain in Africa.
A mountain range which stretches through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, and is one of the ranges that separate the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines from the Sahara Desert.
Economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources.
The total value of all goods and services produced within a country.
The total percentage of the population of an area at a particular time aged seven years or above who can read and write with understanding.
The action of clearing a wide area of trees.
Electricity produced from machines that are run by moving water.
The process by which soil, sand, rock, or other surface material is worn away, often by water, wind, or ice.
A rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of South Africa, known for its significant role in global maritime trade.
A sedimentary basin of the Congo River, located in Central Africa.
Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.
A policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race, historically noted in South Africa.
The practice or system of owning slaves (people who are legally owned by someone else and have to work for them).
A policy or ideology of extending the rule over peoples and other countries, for extending political and economic access, power and control, often through employing hard power, especially military force, but also soft power.
The invasion, occupation, division, and colonization of African territory by European powers during a short period known to historians as the New Imperialism (between 1880 and 1914).
Historical routes across the Sahara desert used for the trade of gold, salt, and other valuable items between Sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa.

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Location of Africa

Africa is a big and diverse continent right in the middle of the world. The Equator, which divides the Earth into two halves, runs through the middle of Africa. This gives Africa a mix of hot and warm climates. The Tropic of Cancer is in the north, and the Tropic of Capricorn is in the south. Africa's largest country is Algeria, while the smallest is Seychelles, a group of islands. Africa is surrounded by important bodies of water: the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. These seas and oceans affect the weather, plants, animals, and trade in Africa, making it a fascinating place to learn about.

The Amazing Geography of Africa

Africa has many different landscapes, each with its own special features. Let's explore some of the most interesting places and natural wonders in Africa.

Mountains and Volcanoes

Atlas Mountains: These mountains are in the northwest of Africa, mainly in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The Atlas Mountains are tall and rugged, with beautiful valleys and unique plants and animals.
Mount Kilimanjaro: Located in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. It is a volcano and is famous for its snow-capped peak, even though it's near the Equator.

Deserts

Sahara Desert: The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world. It covers much of North Africa, including countries like Egypt, Libya, Algeria, and Sudan. It's known for its vast stretches of sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and very little rain.

Rivers and Lakes

River Nile: The Nile is the longest river in the world. It flows north through northeastern Africa, passing through countries like Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt, and ends in the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile is crucial for farming and life in the regions it flows through.
River Congo: The Congo River is in central Africa and is the second longest river on the continent. It flows through countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Congo-Brazzaville. The Congo Basin, which the river flows through, is home to dense rainforests and a wide variety of wildlife.
Lake Victoria: Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. It is bordered by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The lake is a vital source of water and fish for millions of people.

Biomes

Africa has many different biomes, each with its own climate, plants, and animals:

Savannas: These are grassy plains with scattered trees, found in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. They are home to many animals like lions, elephants, and zebras.
Rainforests: Central Africa, especially around the Congo River Basin, has dense rainforests. These forests are rich in biodiversity and are found in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon.
Deserts: Besides the Sahara in the north, there are other deserts like the Kalahari in Botswana and Namibia, and the Namib Desert along the coast of Namibia.
Mediterranean: The coastal areas of North Africa, especially around the Mediterranean Sea in countries like Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, have a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Africa's physical geography is incredibly varied, making it a continent full of natural wonders and diverse environments.

Natural resources of Africa

Africa is rich in natural resources, including minerals, oil, gas, and fertile land. The continent has vast reserves of gold, diamonds, and other valuable minerals, especially in countries like South Africa, Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nigeria and Angola are well-known for their large oil and gas reserves. These resources have significantly impacted Africa's economy in various ways.

On the positive side, natural resources attract foreign investments, create jobs, and boost export revenues. For instance, the mining industry has led to the development of infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals. Oil and gas exports provide substantial income, helping countries build their economies and improve the standard of living for their citizens.

However, the abundance of natural resources also has negative effects. It can lead to economic problems like price fluctuations and resource depletion, which can hurt economies that rely heavily on these exports. Moreover, the wealth generated from natural resources can open nations to corruption and poor governance. Government officials and companies may engage in unethical practices to gain control over valuable resources, leading to unequal wealth distribution and social unrest. This is often referred to as the "resource curse," where countries rich in natural resources struggle with economic instability, corruption, and conflict.

Therefore, while natural resources offer significant economic opportunities for African countries, they also pose challenges that need to be managed carefully. Sustainable resource management and economic diversification are crucial to ensuring that the benefits of natural resources are shared widely and contribute to long-term development.

How has Africa’s past shaped its future?

Colonialism

Colonialism greatly affected Africa. European countries divided Africa into colonies without thinking about the different cultures and ethnic groups. They took Africa's resources and focused on exporting them instead of building local industries. This has made it hard for African countries to develop diverse economies. However, the fight for independence in the 20th century gave many countries a strong sense of identity and pride. Today, African nations work hard to use their resources for their own benefit and build stronger economies.

The Slave Trade

The transatlantic slave trade had terrible effects on Africa. Millions of Africans were taken as slaves to the Americas, causing a huge loss of population and disrupting societies. This created long-term economic and social problems. The legacy of the slave trade is still felt today, with efforts to address the historical injustices and economic disparities it caused. The African diaspora has influenced cultural exchanges between Africa and the rest of the world. Healing from this history is important for Africa’s development.

The Scramble for Africa

In the late 19th century, European powers rushed to colonize Africa, wanting its resources and strategic locations. This period, known as the Scramble for Africa, led to the creation of artificial borders that ignored existing cultures and political structures. These borders still cause conflicts today. The end of colonial rule led to independence movements, shaping modern African countries. Now, African nations focus on working together to overcome the challenges left by colonialism and build a more united and prosperous future.

Is Africa developed?

What is development?

Development refers to the progress and improvement of a country or region in various aspects, including social, economic, and environmental factors. It involves positive changes that lead to a better quality of life for the people living in that area. Development can be measured by looking at indicators such as economic growth, infrastructure development, access to education and healthcare, and overall well-being of the population. The best measure of development we use is HDI (Human Development Index). HDI is a composite indicator that combines education, life expectancy and GNI per capita.

The majority of the developed world believes that Africa is poor. In 2013 Oxfam surveyed 2000 people across the United Kingdom, they asked what they think of when they think of Africa. Over 50% of people responded with words like: “Poverty”, “famine” and “Hunger”. Very few people mentioned landscapes or economic growth.

The global average for HDI in 2022 was 0.739.

This means that only 4 countries in Africa are above the world average HDI, these are:

Algeria
Mauritius
Seychelles
Tunisia

The UN considers any country with a HDI below 0.55 to be the poorest developed countries in the world. Africa has 19 countries that have a HDI of 0.55 or lower. This means that 35% of African countries are considered very low in terms of development.