African Diversity Research
Select EITHER: 3 countries from 3 contrasting regions of Africa OR 3 African regions
Mega-region
Region
Background information
North Africa
North Africa
This region is often called Arabic Africa and is heavily influence by
Islam. It has more in common with the Middle East and conjures up a
different Africa from what people usually think.
Countries: Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Libya, Sudan
Sub-Saharan
Africa
Central Africa
This region is one of the wettest in Africa. It is heavily influenced by
Christianity. It is wettest on the Equator close to the West Coast with
rainforests
Countries: Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Congo, DR Congo
Southern Africa
This region contains deserts and Mediterranean-type climates.
Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho
East Africa
This region contains a range of climates from wet to dry. Famous for
the Great Rift Valley and wildlife. Coastal tourism is important ‘Lion
King Africa?’
Countries: Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Malawi,
Rwanda
West Africa
Coastal West Africa has some of very wet places. It has many
countries colonised by the various European colonial powers. The
slave trade was an important trade in the past.
Countries: Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Gambia,
Sierra Leone
Title: Africa’s Regions
Country Information
You are researching at least 3 countries or 3 regions. For each country or region research some
information on its human geography and physical geography. Chose at least one physical and one
human aspect. Use the same categories for each country or region you research.
Physical or
Human?
Aspect of
Geography
Enquiry questions
Physical
Geography
(nature)
Relief & Climate
Relief: The shape of the land.

What is the highest peak, the lowest point? Are there any special relief
features?
Climate: The average weather.

Biomes &
biodiversity
How much rainfall and when? How warm and when? Wettest month and
driest month? What influences this climate?
Biomes: The main ecosystem type

What is the main biome here?
Biodiversity: The range of plants and animals

Human
Geography
(people)
Politics & history
How biodiverse is this area? What famous plants or animals live here?
Politics: Who is in charge of the country?

Who is in charge? What type of government is it? Is there any political
conflict there? Which groups?
History: A country’s past

How old is this country? Was it colonised? Have there been any wars?
Why were there wars?
Life Expectancy &
health
Health: How healthy are people?
Culture & Religion
Culture: How people think, speak and behave
How healthy are people? What are the main diseases and health risks? How long
do people live? What is being done to improve health?

What is main language? How many languages are there? How many
cultures and people groups are there? What are some of their customs?
Religion: What people believe

Economy &
development
What is the dominant religion? What are the key features of this
religion? Why did this religion become so popular? What other religions
are there?
Economy: How a country makes money. What are its main exports? What jobs do
most people do?
Development: How ‘modern’ a country is. What it is country’s GDP per capita?
What is the adult literacy rate? What is the life expectancy? How gender equal id
the society? What is its HDI?
Country Research
Use BBC Country Profile http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/country_profiles/default.stm
Use Statplanet http://www.sacmeq.org/interactive-maps/statplanet/
Use Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Africa
Use CIA world factbook https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
Regional Research
Exploring Africa http://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/students/curriculum/
North Africa http://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/students/curriculum/m16/activity1.php
West Africa http://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/students/curriculum/m17/activity1.php
East Africa http://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/students/curriculum/m19/activity2.php
South Africa http://exploringafrica.matrix.msu.edu/students/curriculum/m20/activity2.php
Presentation
You can present your data in the following ways:
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Word doc
Powerpoint
Poster (s)
Prezi
Video
Summary
Once you have finished presenting your research you will need to write a short essay explain how
diverse Africa is