The document provides information about Central Africa and several countries located within it. It discusses the geography, climate, economy, natural resources and environmental issues of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, and other nations. It also covers South Africa and neighboring countries, as well as some Atlantic coastal states like Angola and Namibia. Inland southern African countries discussed include Zambia and Malawi.

1. Central Africa Mr. Rinkel

2. Democratic Republic of the Congo Capital: Kinshasa ¼ the size of the U.S. The Congo River stretches 2,733 miles throughout the country Savanna and park forest vegetation predominate the north and south of the forest belt

3. Democratic Republic of the Congo Highest altitudes found along the Great African Rift Valley Mt. Ruwenzori reaches 16,795 ft. Some mountains are volcanic

4. Rainforests Cover 1/3 of Democratic Republic of the Congo Canopy: umbrella-like forest covering made up of tree tops Very thick (sunlight rarely reaches the jungle floor) Home to monkeys, birds, snakes, and other small animals Over 750 species of trees grow in the R.F.

5. Highlands and Savannas Mountains rise on the eastern border Vast open grasslands Home to giraffes, lions, leopards, zebras, and rhinos

6. Rivers and Lakes Congo River (2800 miles long) Runs through Central Africa to the Atlantic Ocean Known as the country’s highway for trade and travel Lake Tanganyika The world’s longest freshwater lake The world’s 2 nd deepest lake

7. Climate The country is located near the equator (tropical climate) 80” of rain annually Savannah and highlands are cooler and drier

8. Economy Has the potential to become wealthy Mining is the major economic activity The Congo leads the rest of Africa in diamond mining Farming especially subsistence farming is very important to this area

9. Energy Sources Rivers provide the main source for energy 13% of the world’s hydroelectricity Electricity created by moving water

10. The People Population of 49 million Home to many different ethnic groups Culture African with European influences 75% are Christians 70% live in rural villages

11. Katanga (Shaba) Attempted to secede from Congo Very mineral rich part of the country U.N. troops were called in and clashed with Katangan Army 1963- fighting ended and Katanga remained a part of the Congo

12. Congo problems 1990s- very disintegrated Sewage flowed in open ditches in the capital Highways were full of potholes Hospitals lacked needed medicines

13. Section 2 Other Countries of Central Africa

14. Central African Republic Capital: Bangui Population: 4,303,356 Landlocked and in completely tropical climate Most of the land is a plateau varying from 2,000 to 2,500 ft.

15. Central African Republic Land is well drained by the Ugangi and the Shari and Longone river systems Natural Resources: diamonds, uranium, timber Environmental issues: poaching, non-potable water, desertification

16. Cameroon Capital: Yaounde Population: 17,340,702 Four geographic regions Southern region (coastal plains and forested plateau) Central region (transitional region in which the forest gives way to the savanna

17. Cameroon Four geographic regions continued… Northern region (vast savanna that slopes down to the Chad River basin West (dominated by forested mountains with peaks reaching 8,000 ft.) Mount Cameroon- is an active volcano Benue River is navigable during several months of the year

18. Cameroon Natural Resources: petroleum, bauxite, iron ore Environmental Issues: waterborne diseases, overgrazing, overfishing

19. Gabon Capital: Libreville Population: 1,424,906 Highest peak: Mt. Iboundiki (5,165 ft) Ogowe River is navigable for 150 miles

20. Gabon Natural Resources: petroleum, natural gas, diamonds Environmental Issues: deforestation and poaching

21. Equatorial Guinea Capital: Malabo Population: 540,109 Natural Resources: petroleum, timber, gold Environmental issues: water not potable, deforestation

22. Equatorial Guinea Mainland consists of coastal plains rising to interior thickly forested hills Bioko- island formed from three extinct volcanoes Malabo the capital is located on this island

23. Sao Tome and Principe Capital: Sao Tome Population: 193,413 Natural Resources: Fish, hydropower Environmental issues: soil erosion/exhaustion, deforestation

24. Sao Tome and Principe Formed by a chain of extinct volcanoes Situated in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the equator

25. Chapter 21 South Africa and It’s Neighbors

26. South Africa Capital: Pretoria Population: 44,187,637 Natural Resources: gold, chromium, coal Environmental Issues: lack of rivers and lakes, air pollution, desertification

27. South Africa Spreads across the southern end of Africa Three times the size of California Landscapes: Winding coastlines Tall mountains Deep valleys High plateaus

28. South Africa Enclaves - small countries surrounded or nearly surrounded by a larger country. Lesotho Swaziland Coasts West coast borders the Atlantic Ocean South and east coast borders the Indian Ocean

29. South Africa Cape of Good Hope- the southernmost point of Africa Great Karroo- a dry flat land between the mountain ranges of southern Africa High Veld- south African plateau made up of flat, grass-covered plains Isolated rocky hills rise as high as 100 feet The Great Escarpment- mountains and cliffs that circle the plateau and divide the coastal areas

30. The Climate Lies south of the Equator Winter Cool and sunny, some rainfall Temperatures sometimes drop to freezing Summer Mild due to high elevation Cape Town- a major port city Eastern warm winds from the Indian Ocean bring a humid subtropical climate

31. The Economy Has the most developed economy in Africa ½ of Africa’s minerals are mined in S.A. 2/5 of Africa’s manufactured goods come from South Africa In rural areas, South Africans are poor and depend on subsistence farming

32. Economy South Africa is one of the richest countries in the world 1/3 of all gold is mined there Witwatersrand- an area around the city of Johannesburg holds the largest goldfield South Africa also contains the world’s largest deposits of diamonds

33. Economy Manufacturing Industrial workers produce manufactured goods Exports metal products, chemicals, clothing, and processed foods Farming Is either too dry or too hilly to farm Grow enough food for themselves and some to export Herding sheep and livestock is a major economic activity on the plateau

34. People 74% of the population is made up of various African ethnic groups 14% of the people are of European origin 3% of the people are of Asian origin 9% are a mixed of European, Asian, and African

35. People Apartheid - “apartness” or practices that separated South Africans of different ethnic groups Townships- neighborhoods outside cities 57% of people live in urban areas

36. Recent history in South Africa 1994- Mandela became president (all races were able to vote for the 1 st time) 1997- new constitution went into effect to complete the transition from white minority rule to democracy

37. Mandela’s Government Tried to improve the lives of blacks while keeping support of other races Promised to preserve free enterprise Brought South Africa’s economy to the strongest in Africa Stepped down in 1999, ANC leader Thabo Mbeki became president

38. South Africa’s continued problems 1/3 of South African’s were unemployed ¼ lived in inadequate housing 1/5 have HIV (highest incidence in the world)

39. Section 2 Atlantic Countries

40. Angola Capital: Luanda Population: 12,127,071 Natural Resources: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore Environmental Issues: overuse of pastures, soil erosion; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest

41. Angola Larger than Texas and California combined Includes a tiny exclave called Cabinda Exclave- is a tiny area of a country that is separated from the main part

42. Angola Huge inland plateau Rivers cross Angola draining into the Congo River in the North and the Atlantic and Indian Oceans Hilly grasslands cover northern Angola Lowland has little vegetation except for rainforests in the North

43. Angola Three types of Climates: Steppe Desert Tropical savanna The tropical savanna receives enough rainfall for farming

44. The Economy Major economic activity is agriculture 58% of the people live in rural areas Coffee is the leading export crop Oil and mining provide for most of the income Most oil deposits are found off the coast of Cabinda

45. Namibia Capital: Windhoek Population: 2,044,147 Natural Resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold Environmental Issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching

46. Namibia Became independent in 1990 after 75 years of South African rule Is about half the size of Alaska Namib Desert runs almost the entire length of Namibia’s Atlantic Coast The Kalahari Desert stretches across the southernmost part of the country Very hot and dry climate

47. The Economy Depends on the export of minerals Has a major difficulty in feeding its people, due to the desert climate Most Namibians are herders who raise cattle, goats, and sheep

48. Namibia Receives just enough rainfall to grow corn One of the most sparsely populated countries in Africa

49. Section 3 Inland Southern Africa

50. Zambia Capital: Lusaka Population: 11,502,010 Natural Resources: copper, cobalt, zinc Environmental Issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain

51. Zambia Landlocked and near the equator Mild climate due to high elevation Covered by a high plateau Kariba Dam- one of Africa’s hydroelectric projects on the Zambezi River

52. Economy One of the world’s largest producers of copper 80% of Zambia’s income Copper belt- a large area of copper mines in northern Zambia near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo Must import food due to a focus on mining

53. The People More than 70 different ethnic groups Speak 8 different languages 40% of the people live in urban areas Most work in mining or service industries The other 60% live in villages & raise corn and other subsistence food crops

54. Malawi Capital: Lilongue Population: 13,013,926 Natural Resources: limestone, arable land, hydropower Environmental Issues: deforestation; land degradation

55. Malawi In some place is less than 50 miles wide Great Rift Valley runs through the country North to South Lies in the tropics, but mountains and plateaus give it a mild climate One of the most densely populated countries in Africa

56. Economy Only 1/3 is suitable for farming Agriculture is the country’s major economic activity Tea is a major export Sorghum- tall grass with seeds like corn

57. Zimbabwe Capital: Harare Population: 12,236,805 Natural Resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold Environmental Issues: soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution

58. Zimbabwe Occupies a high plateau Tropical savanna climate of wet and dry seasons High elevations keep temperatures cool and pleasant

59. Economy Mining provides most of the income ½ of the land is fertile for farming They grow coffee and tobacco on commercial farms for export

60. People Most belong to two African ethnic groups Shona & Ndeble 70% live in rural villages Some moving to the city to find factory jobs

61. Botswana Capital: Gaborone Population: 1,639,833 Natural Resources: diamonds, copper, nickel Environmental issues: overgrazing; desertification

62. Botswana Most isolated country in the inland of Southern Africa Southwestern Botswana is home to the Kalahari Desert Eastern- made up of grasses, bushes, and trees of the savanna Okawango River flows through the Northwest One of the largest swamp areas in the world

63. The Economy Rich in mineral resources Mining only provides a small number of jobs Most farm or raise livestock Drought in the 1980s brought hardships to the farmers

64. The People Has very few people due to large size 75% live in rural areas, some moving to the city every year

65. Section 4 Indian Ocean Countries

66. Mozambique Capital: Maputo Population: 19,686,505 Natural Resources: coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower Environmental Issues: civil war and recurrent drought

67. Mozambique Landscapes Sand lowlands High plateaus Tall mountains Sand dunes Swamps Flat plain near the center of the country Gabora Bassa Dam on the Zambezi River provides electric power to most of the country

68. The Economy Mostly farmers Practices slash and burn agriculture They cut and burn forest trees to clear areas for planting Major source of income comes from seaports Civil war in the 1980s and 1990s slowed industrial growth

69. Madagascar Capital: Antananarivo Population: 18,595,469 Natural Resources: graphite, chromite, coal Environmental Issues: soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing

70. Madagascar Island nation in the Indian Ocean Highland areas cross the middle of the country Coastal areas have warm, humid plains, and fertile river valleys Dry grasslands cover southern Madagascar Has many plants and animals that are not found anywhere else on earth

71. Economy Agriculture is the chief economic activity Coffee is the leading export Produces most of the world’s vanilla beans

72. Comoros 4 mountainous islands formed from volcanoes Covered by thick tropical forests Farming is a major economic activity

73. Mauritius Capital: Port Louis Population: 1,240,827 Natural Resources: arable land, fish Environmental Issues: water pollution, degradation of coral reefs