SS7 G1, G2, G3, G4 Africa Geography Unit Test Study Guide

SS7 G1, G2, G3, G4 Africa Geography Unit test Study Guide

Test Date: ______

Answer Key:

1)

The world’s poor are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and lack of access to clean, affordable energy services. Climate change, loss of biodiversity and depletion of natural resources are both national and global issues requiring cooperation among all countries.
Genuine concern about the effect of climate change on future generations dictates that the world must act now. The effects of climate change bear heavily on human development, with severe impact on the world’s poorest.
Source:United Nations Development Programme, Annual Report, 2008

Based on this reading, people in which country that we studied (located on the west African coast) will be MOST affected by environmental changes brought on by human activities and climate change?

Explanation:
Despite its oil revenues,Nigeriais a mostly poor country. It would, as the excerpt says, be “disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and lack of access to clean, affordable energy services.”

2)People in southern Africa would be MOST affected by the spread of what desert?

Explanation:
Southern Africa could possibly witnessthe spread of the Kalahari Desertover the next few decades. An increase in global temperature and a change in weather patterns could mean the desert would claim more lands not currently part of the desert.

3)Extensive commercial logging, the use of wood for cooking and heating, and excessive clearing of land can all be identified as causes of what environmental issue?

Explanation:
It is estimated that since 1950 the Sub-Saharan region of Africa has lost almost 98% of its forests throughdeforestationcaused by misuse of the land by the people who live there.

4)This geographic region of Africa is characterized by semi-arid, flat grasslands which are home to small villages of subsistence farmers. What region is it?

Explanation:
The Sahelstretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea- a distance of over 3,00 miles and a width of roughly 600 miles. It is a transition zone between the Sahara Desert ad the savanna to the south.

5)Islam is the predominant religion in which of Africa’s ethnic groups?

Explanation:
It is estimated that Muslims make up over 40% of the African population. Both theArab and Swahiliethnic groups are Islamic. The Ashanti are predominantly Christian.

6)

A very unique ecosystem develops in the world's desert regions. Many plants and animals adapt in very special ways in order to deal with the cold nights, hot days, and very dry conditions found in African deserts.

This region in Africa, home to the ostrich as well as camels, is the largest hot desert in the world. What region is it?

Explanation:
The Sahara Desertis the largest hot desert on Earth. There are also large deserts in regions such as Antarctica and Siberia, but those are not hot deserts.

7)

Area in Sub-Saharan Africa

• River basin of the Niger & Nile rivers
• Land near a coastal belt
• Land near a lake

Given the above information, what kind of population density would we expect?

Explanation:
These areas of Sub-Saharan Africa in the table arethe most densely populated.Most people in Africa must live near water to survive. Nearly all of the places listed in the table are near water.

8)List three causes of desertification in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Explanation:
The main cause of desertification in Sub-Saharan Africa isovergrazing.Desertification is the extreme degradation of soil due to loss of vegetation and moisture. Both wild and domestic animals graze on the vegetation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Because there is so little vegetation, this overgrazing causes desertification.

9)

Why does the area indicated with the red arrow have a very low population density?

Explanation:
The low population density is due to the fact that the areais dominated by desert.The Sahara Desert is larger than the United States, and its lack of precipitation makes living there nearly impossible.

10)

Using the map above, which area of Africa would be most vulnerable to deforestation?

Explanation:
Areas 1, 2 & 3 are mostly desert or otherwise mostly tree-less landscapes. Area4is in greatest risk of deforestation. It lies on the northern fringe of the Kalahari Desert.

11)What is a good explanation for Africa's modern deforestation problems?

Explanation:
Deforestation in Africa has been a growing problem, mainly becausetrees are cut down for fuel and to make room for farming.Most often they are burned to provide heat for families. Industrial factors are not minimal, and cattle ranching is more of a reason for the deforestation of the Amazon in South America, not areas in Africa.

12)Why do most people in Africa live along rivers and deltas?

Explanation:
The area around Egypt's Nile River has historically been densely populated. This is becauseis close to land that can grow crops.Irrigation from the Nile has made this possible. Remember: the country lies in a very hot and dry region.

13)Increasing desertification and drought in Africa would have the GREATEST likelihood of having what effect on the people living in those area?

Explanation:
Increasing desertification and drought in Africa would have the GREATEST likelihood ofresulting in starvation.As deserts expand in size, the available land for farming decreases. And if drought becomes more commonplace, even existing farmland will become unusable. These are both serious issues for relief organization such as United Nations World Food Programme.

14)

 Located in North Central Africa
 Stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea
 Borders the Sahara Desert

What geographic feature is being described in the box above?

Explanation:
The Sahelis a transition zone between the Sahara and the savannas. The area is in danger of increased desertification. This is because of over-farming and over-grazing.

15)What is the dominant language group of Sub-Saharan Africa?

Explanation:
Banturefers to a cultural and linguistic classification. Most of Sub-Saharan Africa speaks a derivation of the Bantu family of languages. Afrikaans is spoken by a small group of people in South Africa. Semitic languages are found most commonly in northern and northeastern Africa.

16)List three effects of deforestation?

Explanation:
An effect of deforestation isan increased amount of soil erosion and poor soil quality due to a lack of roots and nutrients. There are no roots to hold down the soil and therefore it gains less nutrients and is less arable. Deforestation also leads to the greenhouse effect, reduces the number of species of animals and can cause climate changes.

17) Name the theme of geography that is represented by slash and burn agriculture leading to deforestation?

Explanation:
Human-Environment Interactionis the theme of geography that is represented when slash and burn agriculture leads to deforestation. People are cutting down the rainforests either to cultivate the land or to obtain more timber and it is leading to deforestation. Human actions are causing a decline in animal species, soil depletion and climate changes.

18)Africa has many/few (circle one) languages and cultures.

Explanation:
There are many different languages and cultures in Africa.The massive continent is home to over 1,000, language, and most people speak more than one language. European languages like English and French are extremely common. Also, many aspects of African culture are found in American culture: food, clothing, and music, just to name a few.