BELLRINGER

1.List all the ways that you use water in a day.

2.How many gallons do you think you use in a day?

Where is Africa?

How would you describe the physical landscape of Africa?

How would you describe the climate of Africa?

Temperature

80% of the continent is in the tropics (between Tropic of Cancer & Tropic of

Capricorn)

So, climate is generally warm throughout the year.

Africa’s Geography

So, because most of Africa is relative flat and warm, our only concern is:

Rainfall

Four Major Climate Regions

Tropical – Wet Tropical - Wet & Dry

Desert Temperate

1. Tropical Wet Climate Region Along the equator Hot & humid all year

Avg 800 100 inches of rain

Rainforests Disadvantages? Leaching- dissolving

and washing away of the soil’s nutrients by constant heavy rains.

2. Tropical Wet & Dry Climate

Largest climate zone in Africa

-covers 1/2 continent

Clear wet season and dry season

Savanna (grasslands)

3. Deserts

Hot & dry all year

Sahara (in north), Kalahari (in south) 40% of Africa

Desertification: the spreading of desert conditions

Sahara Desert

Location: Northern Africa

Is the world’s largest hot desert

• Larger than the United States• Temperatures can reach 130

degrees Fahrenheit• Windswept rock, gravel and

shifting sand dunes• Average rainfall per year is

less than 10 inches.• Few areas have grass which

support grazing animals.

Kalahari Desert

Kalahari Desert: Southern Africa Not as dry and harsh as the Sahara Grasses and wild melon grow in a few places Antelopes and other animals graze

Oasis

Live in desert made possible by oases (desert waterhole, spring)

4. Temperate Climate Zones

Northern & southern tips

Seasonal Mild climate, fertile

soil

Geography: Water UseWater is a major concern.

It is a commodity It is becoming more scarce It is especially a problem in the areas bordering the Sahara – “the Sahel”

Geography: Water UseCountry Domestic

(gal/person/day)Total

(gal/person/day)

Ethiopia 4 37Ghana 9 25Kenya 13 63South Africa 45 265Africa average 18 222United States 173 1328World average 43 481

Geography: Water UseRead the first hand account about water in Africa.

Answer:

1. In one complete sentence, summarize the most important main idea of your article.

2. Describe in detail similarities and differences between the water situation in Africa and the United States.

3. Using the ideas in your article and your own critical thinking, what are the larger impacts of scarce water?

BEFORE YOU LEAVE…

Using complete sentences, describe the climate of Africa.

Why learn about the Geography of Africa?

The continent of Africa is not densely populated the land and climate discourage human

settlement.

Adaption to the land: Africa is the home to an immense variety of

cultures These cultures have different histories,

religious beliefs, values, and traditions. The varied lands and climates of Africa have

contributed to these diversities.