Sub-Sahara Africa Geography Landscapes © 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 Africa

Sub-Sahara AfricaSub-Sahara Africa

Geography LandscapesGeography Landscapes

© 2010 TESCCC 6th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1

AfricaAfrica


What am I?What am I?

A hot, dry region A hot, dry region where little rain where little rain fallsfalls


DesertsDeserts


DesertsDeserts A well-known desert in Africa is the Sahara Desert.A well-known desert in Africa is the Sahara Desert. It is the 2It is the 2ndnd world world’’s largest desert and covers most of the s largest desert and covers most of the

northernmost countries of Africa. It stretches from the northernmost countries of Africa. It stretches from the Red Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.Red Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Sahara has many different types of landforms that The Sahara has many different types of landforms that include mountain ranges, rivers (e.g., Nile, Niger and include mountain ranges, rivers (e.g., Nile, Niger and Senegel Rivers), ergs, oasis and lakes.Senegel Rivers), ergs, oasis and lakes.

How do they compare to the Great Basin, Mojave and How do they compare to the Great Basin, Mojave and Sonoran Deserts in the United States?Sonoran Deserts in the United States?

How do people adapt to mainly living in a area with a hot How do people adapt to mainly living in a area with a hot climate and with little or no rain?climate and with little or no rain?


What am I ?What am I ?

A grassy plain with A grassy plain with scattered trees.scattered trees.

It has two seasons: dry It has two seasons: dry and wet.and wet.

During the dry season it During the dry season it is very difficult to farm in is very difficult to farm in this area.this area.

During the wet season, During the wet season, the region is green and the region is green and farmers plant their crops.farmers plant their crops.


Tropical SavannasTropical Savannas


Tropical SavannasTropical Savannas

During the rainy season, farmers grow During the rainy season, farmers grow tomatoes, corn, onions, okra, peanuts, and tomatoes, corn, onions, okra, peanuts, and yams.yams.

On large plantations, the type of crops On large plantations, the type of crops grown are rubber, cacao, palm oil, and grown are rubber, cacao, palm oil, and coffee.coffee.

Why do you think that the lives of the Why do you think that the lives of the people, who live in the savanna, are people, who live in the savanna, are difficult?difficult?



Tall trees that are Tall trees that are green and grow close green and grow close to each other all year to each other all year long.long.

It rains nearly all of It rains nearly all of the time.the time.

Many species of Many species of plants and animals plants and animals come from areas come from areas such as these found such as these found in Africa. in Africa.


RainforestsRainforests


RainforestsRainforests

The rain forest in West and Central Africa is one The rain forest in West and Central Africa is one of the largest rain forests in the world.of the largest rain forests in the world.

It has a big Congo Basin that includes the It has a big Congo Basin that includes the Congo River.Congo River.

The Congo River is the second longest river, The Congo River is the second longest river, after the Nile. after the Nile.

What are some of the types of plants, trees and What are some of the types of plants, trees and other animal species found in the rain forest?other animal species found in the rain forest?

How does the rain forest impact the lives of the How does the rain forest impact the lives of the people who live and work in the rain forest?people who live and work in the rain forest?



A high, mostly flat A high, mostly flat area that rises area that rises above the above the surrounding land.surrounding land.

One or more sides One or more sides has a steep slope.has a steep slope.


PlateausPlateaus


PlateausPlateaus East and Southern Africa have unique landscapes. East and Southern Africa have unique landscapes. Land away from the coastal areas are mountains and Land away from the coastal areas are mountains and plateausplateaus. . Plateaus are located in the African rift that is part of the Great Rift Plateaus are located in the African rift that is part of the Great Rift

Valley that extends about 3, 500 miles. In some areas, the width of Valley that extends about 3, 500 miles. In some areas, the width of the valley is about 40 miles.the valley is about 40 miles.

Geologists and scientists who study the Earth and its rocks and Geologists and scientists who study the Earth and its rocks and minerals, claim that millions of years ago, the Earthminerals, claim that millions of years ago, the Earth’’s crust became s crust became so thin and fragile that huge rocks fell into the cracks on Earth and so thin and fragile that huge rocks fell into the cracks on Earth and magma surfaced to seal the cracks; forming a huge rift or valley. magma surfaced to seal the cracks; forming a huge rift or valley.

The Great Rift Valley is very fertile because of the volcanic soil of The Great Rift Valley is very fertile because of the volcanic soil of the plateaus, stretch along the huge rift. the plateaus, stretch along the huge rift.

How has the African rift formation, of landform patterns on Earth, How has the African rift formation, of landform patterns on Earth, created barriers among people in the past and present? created barriers among people in the past and present?


What am I ?What am I ? (exclude the mountains on the background(exclude the mountains on the background))

Area of flat or gently Area of flat or gently rolling low landrolling low land


PlainsPlains


PlainsPlains

As the plateaus have formed various As the plateaus have formed various geographical features, over time, the plains on geographical features, over time, the plains on top of these plateaus, have attracted large top of these plateaus, have attracted large numbers of animals such as zebras, giraffes, numbers of animals such as zebras, giraffes, and antelopes.and antelopes.

These animals or herds are often preyed on by These animals or herds are often preyed on by leopards and lions. leopards and lions.

How are some herds of animals, in some parts How are some herds of animals, in some parts of these plains, protected from human hunters? of these plains, protected from human hunters?


Need a ride across the Sahara Need a ride across the Sahara Desert?Desert?

Documents

Sub-Sahara Africa Geography Landscapes © 2010 TESCCC 6 th Grade Social Studies, Unit 5, Lesson 1 Africa