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Africa
Land of Contrasts
By K. Suresh, sa, ss
Srikalahasti
The continent of
Africa means many
different things to
people in Africa and
around the world.
To some people it
is the home they
love. To others it is
a mysterious, far off
land that they know
little about.
To geography
students, Africa is a
large, diverse land
meant to explore.
Things to know about Africa
•
•
•
•
53 independent countries
732 million people
800 ethnic groups
Hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth, was
136.4 degrees F., in Libya in 1922
• The Nile is the world’s longest river at a distance
of 4,145 miles long
• Second largest of the Earth’s continents
• Africa has an area of 11,798 square miles
Vocabulary for the Study of Africa
•Continent – one of seven large land masses of the earth
•Equator – an imaginary line around the Earth, halfway
between the North and South poles
•Tropical – a warm, rainy area near the equator
•Plain – a large, flat area of land
•Savanna – large area of grassy plains with small shrubs
•Rain Forest – area of great rainfall, tall evergreen trees
•Desert – an area where almost no rain falls, where almost
nothing grows, and no one lives permanently
Africa is a large continent with many different
land regions. Elephants play in the water in the
tropical region along the equator where there is
plenty of food to feed the large herds. The African
elephant has very large ears that are as unique as a
human’s fingerprints.
The grassy lands in
much of Africa are
known as savannas.
A good climate and
the right amount of
rain make the
savanna a good place
to live.
The African savanna region is home to large
herds of animals like these giraffes, zebras, and
wildebeests, as well as lions, gazelles, and others.
Africa’s rivers
seem to swirl with
life, like this huge
crocodile, quietly
sunning himself
on a rock.
Mount Kilimanjaro, at 19,340 feet, seems to watch over
the herds of animals grazing on the plains below. This
mountain in Tanzania is Africa’s highest point.
From the rocky coastline…to the sandy desert…
…and from the lazy flowing Nile
River…to the roaring waters of
Victoria Falls…Africa seems to
defy description…to refuse to be
tamed…even by words.
Africa’s people are as diverse as the land in which
they live. These desert nomads in Egypt still live the
same nomadic life as their ancient ancestors, moving
from place to place in search of food and water.
While many Africans have adopted a more practical
form of dress, these girls continue to dress in the
traditional African clothing of their family group.
Most of the people of North Africa are Arabs,
following the Muslim religion after their lands were
conquered by the followers of Muhammad.
Africa is a
land in a
state of
transition…
trying to
change and
modernize
while
keeping the
traditional
values and
customs of
their people.
This woman in
Mali continues to
wear traditional
clothing and prepare
food in the familiar
ways of her
ancestors. Her
customs have
preserved her land
and heritage through
the centuries, while
some efforts to
modernize have led
to disaster.
Poverty, pollution, crime, and disease are all
problems that trouble the people of Africa as they
begin to develop a more modern way of living.
Many think the old ways were better.
Africa – Land of Contrasts
We end as we began this presentation.
Africa is a very diverse land with many
different kinds of people and many different
kinds of problems. There is no one solution
that will solve all the problems.
Africa and the rest of the world will have to
work together to solve these problems that
may one day affect all of us.
Keep your eye on the second largest
continent!