For ICSE class 7

1. Africa- Climate and Vegetation

2. Introduction on Africa
Africa is the world's hottest continent with deserts and
dry lands covering 60% of land surface area (e.g.
Kalahari, Sahara and Namib). Africa is the world's
second driest continent (after Australia). Africa has
approximately 30% of the earth's remaining mineral
resources. Portuguese explorer Prince Henry, known as
the Navigator, was the first European to methodically
explore Africa and the oceanic route to the Indies.

3. Location of Africa
Australia lies between the Indian Ocean in the west and the
South Pacific Ocean in the east. The Arafura Sea lies to its
north. The large water body south of Australia is the Southern
Ocean. This island continent lies south-east of mainland Asia
and extends from 114°E to 154°E. Its latitudinal extent is 10°S
to 40°S.

4. General Climate of Africa
A large part of Africa lies between the tropics, and, therefore, most of the continent
has a warm or hot climate. However, the amount of rainfall and humidity varies
from area to area. A noteworthy feature of the climate of Africa is that the
northern and southern parts of the continent have opposite climates at any time
of the year. In other words, when the northern part experiences summer, the
southern part experiences winter.

5. Factors that affect the Climate of Africa
 Location
The northern part lies in the tropics, so it is either warm or hot all the year round. The rest of the
continent lies south of the Tropic of Capricorn and, as a result, has warm summers and mild
or cool winters.
 Land Features
The east coast gets heavy rainfall from the South-east Trade Winds, which steadily decreases
westward, owing to the presence of the Eastern Highlands that form a barrier for the rain-
bearing winds.
 Direction of Mountain Ranges
If the Great Dividing Range did not lie in a north-south direction, Western Australia would not
have been a desert.

6. Factors that affect the Climate of Africa
(Continuation)
 Winds
The South-East Trade Winds blow onshore and bring heavy rainfall to the
east coast. The Western lies bring rainfall in winter to south west and
south-east Australia. The north-west monsoon winds cause rainfall over
northern Australia.
 Distance from the Sea
The places closer to the sea have a moderate climate compared to those
situated away from the coast. This is why all the big cities supporting large
populations have developed in the coastal areas.

7. Climatic Conditions in July
 The Sahara Desert is the hottest part of Africa since the sun
shines directly over the Tropic of Cancer. North Africa
experiences high temperature, while southern Africa enjoys
winter at this time. Due to the heat, a low pressure area
develops over north Africa. The south-west monsoon winds
from the Gulf of Guinea blow towards the coast, bringing
heavy rainfall to the coastal regions. Rainfall gradually
decreases inland. It is winter south of the equator and the
Western lies bring rainfall to the region around Cape Town.

8. Climatic Conditions in January
 The climatic conditions are reversed in January.
The sun shines directly over the region near the
Tropic of Capricorn. Because of high temperature,
a low pressure area is formed and the South east
Trade Winds from the Indian Ocean blow towards
the east coast, bringing heavy rainfall. This rainfall
decreases westward.

9. MAJOR CLIMATIC AND NATURAL
VEGETATION REGIONS OF AFRICA

10. Equatorial Type
 Climate
This type of climate is found in the lowlands on either side of the equator in
the Congo Basin, the coastal region around the Gulf of Guinea and coastal
Kenya. The climate is characterized by a high temperature of 27°C
throughout the year and heavy annual rainfall of 200-250 cm. Thus, there
is high humidity all through the year and there are no clearly marked
seasons. There is a daily occurrence of convectional rainfall. This type of
rainfall is the result of intense heating of the land surface. During the day,
there is a lot of evaporation. By afternoon, when it starts cooling the
water vapor condenses and falls as rain. Since it pours around 4 o'clock
every day, it is known as '4 o'clock showers.

11. Vegetation
 The vegetation consists mainly of hardwood broad-leaved trees. Although the trees are deciduous,
the rainforest has an evergreen appearance as the continuous growing season means that when
one species of trees is shedding leaves, others are growing new leaves. Since this vegetation is a
result of abundant rainfall and sunshine, it is also called the equatorial rainforest. A wide variety of
species occur together such as ebony, mahogany, and rosewood. Trees grow to different heights,
giving an impression of a three-tier formation. The topmost layer is the emergent layer. The giant
trees thrust above the dense layer of trees and have huge mushroom shaped crowns. The trees in
this layer receive a lot of sunlight and rain. The second layer is the canopy layer. The broad
irregular crown of these trees form a tight, continuous canopy 20 30 m above the ground. The
branches are often densely covered with other plants and tied together with vines. The third layer
is the understory, which receives very little sunlight and is very dark. It has young trees, shrubs,
ferns, creepers, and orchids. As there is very little sunlight here, the growth of plants is poor. Thus,
these forests are very dense and gloomy. The hardwood trees are valuable for making good quality
furniture as the wood is heavy, but the trees are difficult to exploit as they do not grow in pure stands.
Mangroves and palms are found in marshy areas along rivers.

12. Pictures of Africa vegetation

13. Wildlife
 There is an absence of large wild animals like elephants and wild cats as the jungle is very
dense. The forests abound mainly in tree dwelling animals such as chimpanzees, gorillas,
monkeys, and brightly- colored birds like parakeets. Reptiles like crocodiles, alligators, and
snakes are found in the floor of the forests. A large variety of insects and leeches are also
found here.

14. Savannah (Sudan Type) or Tropical Sub-
humid Type
 Climate
The tropical sub-humid type of climate is found in a broad belt on either side
of the equatorial region. It is also called the Sudan type as it is prevalent
in Sudan. Summers are hot and rainfall occurs mainly in this hot season.
Winters are short, warm, and dry. The Trade Winds blowing from the
Indian Ocean brings more rainfall to the east coast.

15. Vegetation
These vast grassy plains with tall, coarse grasses are called the
savannahs or tropical grasslands. Several varieties of grass,
including elephant grass, grow here. Some acacia and baobab
trees are found interspersed between the grasses.

16. Wildlife
This region is often referred to as an open air zoo.
Herbivorous animals such as the elephant, deer,
giraffe, and zebra and carnivorous animals such as
the lion, cheetah, and leopard are found in large
numbers.

17. Hot Desert or Tropical Desert Type

18. Climate
Summers are hot and winters are cool in the hot desert
regions. The daily as well as annual range of
temperature is large due to the absence of cloud cover
and the sandy nature of the soil. There is hardly any
rainfall. These climatic conditions are found both in the
northern and the southern hemispheres. In north
Africa it is mainly experienced in the Sahara Desert
and in south-central Africa in the Kalahari Desert. In
the desert, the days are hot and nights cold.

19. Vegetation
Desert vegetation consists mainly of rough grasses,
scrub and thorny bushes, and cacti. These plants
have thorny leaves, thick waxy stems, and long thin
roots which penetrate deep for underground
water. Date palms are found only near oases.

20. Wildlife
Scorpions, snakes, and insects are plentiful in the desert. Desert foxes and
desert deer are also found here. The largest animal that survives in the
desert is the camel, often referred to as 'the ship of the desert'. The
camel is called 'the ship of the desert' for the following reasons:
• It carries goods and people across the vast sandy deserts.
• It stores fat in its hump.
• Its padded feet prevent it from sinking in the sea of sand.
• It has double eyelids and long eyelashes to protect its eyes from sand
during storms.
• It can close its nostrils during sandstorms.

21. Mediterranean Type
Climate
The coastal areas of north-west Africa and a small
area in the south-west of South Africa experience
the Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot with
plentiful sunshine but no rainfall. Winters are mild
and wet. Shifting Western lies bring rain to these
regions in their respective winter seasons.

22. Vegetation
Evergreen trees and shrubs that can withstand the hot
dry summers are found in the Mediterranean region.
The trees have long roots, small waxy leaves, and thick
spongy bark, which help them survive in the dry
summers. Examples include cork, oak, laurel, olive, and
fig. Forests are not extensive as most of them have
been cut down and replaced by orchards of citrus fruit
trees such as oranges, lemons, and grapes.

23. Wildlife
As the forests are not extensive and most of the
natural vegetation has been cut down, not much
wildlife is found in the Mediterranean region.

24. Warm Temperate East Coast Type

25. Climate
As the name indicates, this climate is found mainly in
the eastern coastal region of South Africa.
Summers are usually hot. Rain occurs mostly in
summer, brought by the South-east Trade Winds.
Annual rainfall is moderately heavy and there is no
marked dry season. Winters are mild.

26. Vegetation
Temperate deciduous trees such as oak grow here.

27. Wildlife
Antelope, zebras, and birds such as the ostrich, quail
and guinea fowl are common.

28. Temperate Glass Type

29. Climate
On the high plateau of South Africa, summers are
hot, with scanty rainfall. Winters are cold, with
little or no rainfall. Owing to the distance from the
sea, there is great variation between summer and
winter temperature.

30. Vegetation
Short grasses, less coarse and greener than those in
the savannahs, are found o the open treeless plain
of temperate grasslands called the veldt. On the
hill slopes, poplars and willows are common.

31. Wildlife
Antelope, zebras, and birds such as the ostrich, quail
and guinea fowl are common.

32. Monsoon Type

33. Climate
some parts of east Africa and the island of
Madagascar experience monsoon type of climate.
Summers are hot and wet while winters are cold
and dry. Rainfall is unreliable and varies from year
to year.

34. Vegetation
Natural vegetation also varies according to the
amount of rainfall received. Areas of heavy rainfall
have dense forests of tropical deciduous trees such
as teak and bamboo. Areas of scanty rainfall have
dry forests and shrubs.

35. Wildlife
Wildebeest, zebra and lemur are common.

36. YOU