Chapter 19, Section 1
(Pages 530–535)
Physical Features
Physical processes shape Earth’s surface. As you read, complete the web
diagram below. List the physical forces that have shaped the landforms
of Africa.
Physical Forces
Landforms of Africa South of the Sahara
Eastern Africa:
Southern Africa:
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Africa south of the Sahara is made up of four subregions—
West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa. It also
includes many islands, most of which were formed by volcanoes.
A series of plateaus rise like steps from west to east across
the continent. In eastern and southern Africa, steep, jagged cliffs
called escarpments mark the edges of plateaus. Rivers that flow
across plateaus drop suddenly at escarpments, making it impossible for ships to travel between the interior of the continent
and the sea.
Lowland plains border the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean
coastlines. Among the plateaus are other sunken areas called basins,
which were formed when tectonic activity lifted up the land
around them. The Congo Basin is Africa’s largest lowland area.
Africa south of the Sahara has a high elevation, but only a
few long mountain ranges dominate the landscape. In the east
rise the Ethiopian Highlands, along with the volcanic mountain
peaks of Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. Kilimanjaro means
“shining mountain” in Swahili. The Drakensberg Range is
located in southern Africa.
Chapter 19, Section 1
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Name two specific
landforms found in
eastern Africa and
one found in southern Africa.
(pages 531–532)
Landforms of Africa South of the Sahara
(continued)
The Great Rift Valley cuts through eastern Africa for about
4,000 miles. A rift valley is a large break in the Earth’s crust
formed by shifting tectonic plates. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes have helped create the Great Rift Valley’s spectacular
landscape of deep lakes, valley walls, and jagged mountains.
Waterways of the Region
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
How is the Nile River
formed?
Many lakes and rivers provide people with freshwater, fish,
and local transportation routes. Most of the lakes in Africa south
of the Sahara lie in or near the Great Rift Valley. Lake Tanganyika
—at 420 miles long—is the world’s longest freshwater lake.
However, Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater lake in Africa,
and the second-largest in the world after Lake Superior.
Some of the lakes are the sources of rivers. The White Nile
originates in Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile begins at Lake
Tana. The White Nile and Blue Nile connect in Sudan to form
the Nile—the world’s longest river. Three other major rivers are
the Congo, the Niger, and the Zambezi. All four rivers begin in
the interior and flow toward the sea.
Tectonic formations affect the rivers in this region. Rivers
plunge over cliffs and escarpments, creating waterfalls and rapids that make transportation difficult. Victoria Falls plunges 420
feet on the Zambezi River. In turn, Africa’s rivers also shape the
land. As they flow over the plateaus, they carve out steep-sided
valleys called gorges.
Mineral Resources
Where are most
petroleum and
natural gas deposits
found in this region?
Chapter 19, Section 1
(pages 533–534)
(pages 534–535)
Plentiful energy resources are found throughout Africa south
of the Sahara. Petroleum deposits are mined along the Atlantic
coast from Nigeria to Angola, and also in landlocked Chad and
Sudan. In many countries, oil has replaced farm products as the
major export.
Some countries along the Atlantic also have natural gas
deposits. Coal is mined in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of
the Congo, and the Republic of South Africa. In addition, the
region’s fast-flowing rivers provide hydroelectric power. Akosombo
Dam in Ghana formed Lake Volta, one of the world’s largest
human-made lakes. The dam also supplies hydroelectricity to
several West African countries.
131
Mineral Resources
(continued)
Important mineral resources of this region include metals.
Iron ore, chromium, uranium, and copper are abundant. Precious
materials also are mined here. The Republic of South Africa is
rich in gold and platinum. The Transvaal, a grassy plateau in
South Africa, holds a gold deposit more than 300 miles long.
Many gemstones are mined in Africa south of the Sahara.
These include diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. South
Africa is a major diamond producer. Some of the diamonds are
used to make jewelry. Others become industrial diamonds,
which are used to make drills, saws, and grinding tools.
What are two uses
of diamonds?
Wrap -Up
Answer these questions to check your understanding of the entire
section.
1. Drawing Conclusions What impact do you think escarpments have had
on trade in Africa south of the Sahara?
2. Classifying Complete this chart by providing examples of the various
types of resources found in Africa south of the Sahara.
Examples
Energy
Metals
Precious Materials
Descri pt
ptive
132
In the space provided, write a paragraph explaining the difference
between a basin and a rift valley.
Chapter 19, Section 1
Copyright © by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Type of Resource