This document provides an introduction to the geography of Africa. It includes vocabulary words about geographic features found in Africa, such as rifts, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Sahel. Students are asked to envision what Africa looks like and describe it in three words. They are then asked to name three physical features they might see in Africa. The last part of the document instructs students to label a physical map of Africa as homework.

1. Introduction to Africa
Map of Africa Activity
HSS: 7.4.1 Study the Niger River and the relationship of vegetation zones of
forest, savannah, and desert to trade in gold, salt, food, and slaves; and the
growth of the Ghana and Mali empires.

2. Some Important Vocabulary
 Rifts
Long, deep valleys formed by the movement of the
earth’s crust
 Sub-Saharan Africa
Africa south of the Sahara Desert.
 Sahel
A strip of land that divides the Sahara from wetter areas.

3. More Important Vocabulary
Savannah
Open grassland with scattered trees.
Rain forests
Moist, densely wooded areas.

4. Think for a moment…
What do you envision Africa to look like…
Think of three words that you feel might
describe Africa…
Respond to the following question:
What geographic features would you see in
Africa?
Frame: Three physical features that I might see in
Africa are _________, ___________, and
_________.

5. Sundown in Africa

6. African Sunset

7. More Photos

8. Rain Forests

9. Go Play in the Waterfall…

10. …Just Kidding… 

11. Look at Your Map…

12. Your Africa Map…
 Each of you has directions to complete the Africa
Map.
 We will do two examples together.
 Use the map on the next slide to complete as
much of the assignment as you can for the
remainder of the period.
 We will not be using color yet—start with
labeling the features of the map.
 Whatever you do not complete will be
homework, DUE TOMORROW.

13. Physical Map of Africa

14. Before You Leave…
Have a great rest of the
day 