Unit 6 Study Guide Answers

1. Map Skills (you should be able to label the following countries and geographic features on a blank map. 

Sahara (Physical Map & Climate Map)          Tropical Rain Forest (Climate Map)

Sahel (Climate Map)                                       Savanna (Climate Map)

Congo River (Physical Map)                Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) (Political Map)

Niger River (Physical Map)                            Egypt (Political Map)

Nile River (Physical Map)                               Kenya (Political Map)

Lake Tanganyika (Physical Map)                    Nigeria (Political Map)

Lake Victoria (Physical Map)                         South Africa (Political Map)

Atlas Mountains (Physical Map)                     Kalahari Desert (Physical Map)                     

Sudan (Political Map)                                     South Sudan (Political Map)

2.  Define the following key terms (flashcards are a good idea!):

• Desertification –  fertile land turning into desert

• Deforestation – mass removal of forests

• Drought – lack of water

• Malaria – deadly disease carried by mosquitoes

• Irrigation – process of providing water to crops through pipes, ditches, or streams

• Culture – a society’s way of life, including language, clothing, food, beliefs, etc…

3. Geography and Climate of Africa: Respond to the following questions in a descriptive and meaningful way.

What are the names of the three major rivers in Africa?  Which one is the world’s longest river and which direction does this river flow (north, south, west or east)? Nile, Congo, Niger, the Nile is the longest and it flows north

Describe the 4 climate zones:

Sahara – World’s largest sand desert, very hot and dry

Sahel – Area south of the Sahara, some shrubs, but is a growing desert

Savanna – grasslands with few trees

Tropical Rain Forest – lush forests

4. Environmental Issues of Africa

What is the name of the climate zone where desertification takes place?

Sahel

What are the main causes of desertification in Africa?

1.) Poor farming practices

2.) Drought

3.) Overgrazing

Why are African families cutting down trees? 

They need more farmland

How is poor soil related to deforestation in sub-Saharan Africa?

Many times, deforestation leads to desertification

What are the two main water issues in Africa?

Water pollution and water shortage

5.  Cultures of Africa

What is the difference between an ethnic group and a religious group?

You should know J

What is the prominent religion/beliefs in each of the following cultures:

Arab: Islam

Bantu: Beliefs they had before Islam and Christianity were introduced

Swahili: Islam

Ashanti: Supernatural and spiritual powers