East and Southern Africa

Many problems face this region and get in the way of development.

Vocabulary

• Poaching - illegal hunting

• Ecotourism- tourism that focuses on the environment and seeks to minimize environmental impact

• Indigenous- native to a region

• Non Governmental organizations - a group that operates on private funding

Label the features on the map1. Rift Valley2. Lake Victoria 3. Nile River4. Mt. Kilimanjaro5. Kalahari Desert 6. Namib Desert 7. Madagascar

Physical Features

The Great Rift Valley• Formed from two tectonic plates

moving away from each other

• The land in between the plates sank to form a flat valley with steep sides

• Many lakes and rivers are only found along the Valley

Physical Features

Mt. Kilimanjaro• Highest point in Africa,

and even though it near the equator the Mountain is snow capped

• It is a free standing Volcanic Mountain

Physical Features

Victoria Falls• The Zambezi River is

more than 1.25 wide when it cascades over the lip of a large basalt plateau and plunges as much as 354 feet

• The mist can be seen over 12 miles away

Physical Features The Serengeti Plain • Home to elephants, lions,

wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, and gazelles

• Poaching or illegal hunting is a problem in Africa

• National Parks have been established to protect the animals. Countries also promote ecotourism, or tourism which promotes saving the environment

Physical Features

Madagascar • Fourth largest island in

world

• 80% of the animals on Madagascar cannot be found anywhere else in the world

• 90% the natural environment is gone

Physical Features Kalahari Desert • Temperature can range

from 104F to 32F• Another animal found in

this region is the eland antelope.

Namib Desert • Located along the

Atlantic Ocean• The oldest desert in the

word• Location of the world’s

largest sand dunes

Rivers

• The Nile and the Zambezi are the largest rivers in the Regions

• They are difficult to use for transportation– cataracts – are waterfalls and rapids – Sudd Swamps- floating mats of vegetation and

papyrus reeds

Resources

Natural Resources found in Africa

DiamondsGoldPlatinumCopperTin Iron Uranium

Some Countries are Rich in Resources, but others have none

Resources • South Africa and Botswana

both have strong economies because of their mines

• People from other African Nations come to South Africa and Botswana to work in the mines

• The mines are very dangerous and many miners have lost their lives in accidents and collapses

Farming in Africa

• Many areas in East Africa are too dry to farm – Sudan, Ethiopia,

Somalia, and Namibia cannot find enough water to farm

– Sudan and Ethiopia receive more aid than any other counties in the world

Farming and Rivers

• Some farmer are able to irrigate their land and grow cotton, tea and tobacco.

• Rivers are also used for hydroelectric power

• Many countries compete for the use of the water in Africa

• The need for water causes tension among African nations

Farming and Rivers

• South Africa has fertile farm land and large commercial farms – Sugar cane– Cotton– Avocados– Tropical fruits – Coffee

People • Africa has an indigenous

population

• There are hundreds of different ethnic groups – Zulu, Xhosa, Kikuyu, Hutu, Tutsi

• Many people are leaving traditional village life for city life

• Many ethnic groups have been located in the same political countries, which cause problems.

People

• People in South and East Africa speak many language, but most belong to the Bantu language group.

• Most speak English as a second language due to colonization

People

• In the south most speak Afrikaans. It comes from the Dutch spoken by early colonist

• On the east coast most speak Swahili, which has influence from the Arabic language due to the importance of trade

People

• 60% of the population are Christians

• 24% of the population are Muslims

• 14% practice traditional religions

Conflict Sudan • People in the Northern part

of this country are Muslims, and people in South are not

• After the country became independent, the Northern dominated the country

• The south rebelled, and several million people died during the conflict

Conflict Darfur (eastern Sudan)• Black farmers are fighting Arab

herders over the water supply

• The herders with government backing have been attacking farmers in what some call a genocide

• Hundred of thousands farmers have died

• 2.5 million have left their homes and now live in refugee camps

Conflict Rwanda • The country contains two ethic

groups– Tutsi – which was an elite class which

ruled over the larger group Hutus

• After the country gained independence from Belgium the Hutus attacked the Tutsi

• During the genocide 1 million Tutsi were killed

• The united Nations sent in troops but the killings did not stop.

• Tutsi came back into power and many Hutus left the country

Democracy??

• South Africa has the most democratic government in the region – Apartheid has ended

(keeping white and black population apart)

– Blacks on average are still must poorer

– Inequalities still remain in healthcare, unemployment, education and land ownership

Corruption

• Sudan and Zimbabwe are both ruled by Dictatorship

• People cannot choose their leaders

• Corruption and oppression are common

• Failed policies have led to economic collapse

Corruption

• Somalia does not have a government, but ruled by competing militias and warlords

• Theft, violence, and drug use are common

• Pirates attack and seize cargo ships in the Indian Ocean and will hold the crews for ransom

More Problems

• With corruption many countries do not want to do business with African nations

• Corrupt leaders also steal and misuse foreign aide

• Drug use is high- many chew Khat which cause depression

• Lack of education is hurting the health and economy of many nations

Disease

• Mosquitoes carry malaria- a parasite that attacks the red blood cells.

• Tsetse Flies cause sleeping Sickness in both animals and humans – it cause the brain to swell

Disease

• Cholera is caused by contaminated water. It can cause kidney failure, coma, dehydration, and shock.

• AIDS – attacks the Immune system and kills1.5 million people a year

Hopes for the Future • Ugandan is hoping to educate people about ADIS by sending out text

messages

• Countries like Kenya and South Africa are trying to export more goods

• Non Governmental organizations (groups that work with private funding) are trying to help with environmental problems, poverty, disease, and conflicts

• Working to improve education for women

• The African Union has been sending peacekeeping troops to Sudan and Somalia