GEOGRAPHY GRADE 11 HAND-OUT 2014 E.

YEKATIT 23 COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY SCHOOL

Unit 3: - Physical Geography Of Africa

3.1 Position, Size and Shape of Africa
3.1.1 Position of Africa
➥ lies b/n 37⁰21'N and 34⁰52'S latitudes, and
17⁰33'W and 51⁰28'E longitudes.
➥ The four extreme points of the continent's are:-
➾ Northern Extreme is called Cape Bon ( Tunisia ) 37⁰21'N
➾ Southern Extreme is Cape Agulhas (R.S. Africa) 34⁰21'S
➾ Eastern Extreme is Cape Guardafui (Somalia) 51⁰28'E
➾ Western Extreme is Cape Verde (senegal)17⁰33'W
From the absolute location of Africa, we understabd that:-
➦ Africa's north - south and east - west extents are almost equal.
* North - South extent is 8000 Kms
* East - West extent is 7600 Kms
➦ The equator cross Africa at its almost north-south center.
➦ Africa is the only continent crossed by
♦ the tropic of Cancer & capricorn
♦ the equator and
♦ the prime meridian
➦ almost ¾ of the continent total area is found with in the Tropics
therefore, much of the continent experienced tropical climate.
Relative position of Africa:- it is found to the
✔ south of Europe ✔ west of Indian ocean
✔ south of Mediterranean sea ✔ east of Atlantic ocean
✔ southwest of Asia ✔ north of Southern Ocean
♦ The advantages of the relative position of Africa:
➩ the continent occupies a central location in the world. It makes the continent
close to the rest of the world. It makes the continent geographical accessibility.
➩ the geographical proximity Africa has with Europe & Asia resulted in socio-cultural
Contacts. Encouraged socio-economic & cultural exchange & integration among
the 3 continents.
3.1.2 Size of Africa
↪ the second largest continent in the world.
↪it has the total area of about 30,335,000 km2 , it is about 20.2% of the earth's total area.
↪ Africa is about ⅔ of the size of Asia & 3.36 times larger than Europe.
Advantages of Africa's large area including
➦ large area can be used for settlements, agriculture, & other economic activities.
➦ possess huge resource potentials such as soil, water, minerals, flora & fauna, etc.
Disadvantage of large area of Africa
♦ difficulty of geographical connectivity among people of the region & the world.

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3.1.3 Shape of Africa

➾ Africa has a relatively compact shape. The continent's longest east-west and north-south
distances are almost the same.
➾ Evidences that support the compact shape of Africa:-
❖ the East-west & North-south extension of Africa are almost equal
❖ Africa has a fairly unbroken coastline. Its coastline is relatively smooth coastline.
The coastline of Europe is longer than the Africa coastline.
❖ Unbroken coastline of Africa makes the continent poor in natural harbors.
❖ many places in Africa are not far from the coast. Almost all places are located 1500km from coast.
❖ unbroken coastline discourages external communication.
3.1.4 Regional Division of Africa
❇ Eastern Africa ❇ Central Africa ❇ Northern Africa ❇ Southern Africa ❇ Western Africa
👉 EASTERN AFRICA
➦ Location: 18⁰N - 27⁰S latitude and 22⁰E - 51⁰28'E logitude.
↪ the 3rd largest region in terms area.
↪ it accounting about 21% of the continent's tital area.
↪ it constitute a total of 18 countries, of which 7 are landlocked.
➦ Relief (physiography):
↪the region has diverse relief structure.
↪ very high volcanic mts, extensive plateaus, great rift valleys & low depressions dominates
↪ this diverse relief produce diverse climate conditions
↪ diverse reliefs & climate helped for the dev't of varied vegetation zones such as
tropical grasslands, forests, alpine vegetations, desert & semi-desert vegetation.
↪ it drained by Nile, Wabishelle & Genale rivers. Most of the highland & rift valley lakes are found.
➦ Population
➣ the most populous of all regions, accounting about 31.3% of africa's total popn (in 2009).
➣ nearly 22% of the region's popn is urban.
➣ life expectancy average is 51 years
➦ Economy
➛ agriculture is the most dominant activity.
➛ commercial cash crops: coffee, tea, sisal, & sugar cane are most important products.
➛ livestock resources are important income source.
➛ mining & industrial serctors are less developed.
👉 NORTHERN AFRICA
➸ the largest region in area.
➸ it covers about ⅓ of the continent's total area.
➸ has 7 countries in the region. Sudan & Algeria are the largest states in Afri.
➸ all of these states access to the sea.
➦climate of the region
◈ it is characterized by desert climate.
◈ Mediterranean climate also dominates the Maghreb region.
➦ Relief of the region
♦ mountains & plains dominate the topography of the region.
♦ Atls mts., Sahara basin & uplands are common features.
➦ ↪ large areas of the covered by desert vegetations.

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↪ Mediterranean vegetation is also found in the region.

➦ population condition ( in 2009 )
❖ accounted about 20.5% of africa's total popn.
❖ nearly 50% the region's population live in Urban.
❖ averages life expectancy ➠ 69 years.
➦ its Economy dominated by agriculture, indusry and mining.
👉 WESTERN AFRICA
➦ Location: found b/n 4⁰N - 25⁰N latitudes & 17⁰33'W - 16⁰E longitudes.
❇ its accounting about 20% of africa's total area
❇ it constitute a total of 17 countries.
➦ Topography
➟ highlands & lowlands make up the relief of the region.
➟ Guinea highlabds, Fouta Djalon & Jos plateau form higher parts.
➠ Niger, Benue, Volta, Gambia & Senegal rivers drain the region.
➦ Climate of the region shows great variation
➻ western coasts experience tropical humid climates with
very high RainFall & temperature
➻ the interior lowlands characterized by low rainfall & high temperature
➻ tropical forests, tropical woodlands & grasslands are found in region
➦ population ( in 2009 )
◈ the second most populous region.
◈ it accounted for about 29.7% if africa's total popn. Nigeria is the mist populous state of africa.
◈ about 42% of its popn live in urban & 51 years is average life expectancy.
➦ Economy
➩ dominated by agriculture: coffee, cacao, palm oil, rubber & ground nuts are agri products.
➩ industrial dev't limitted to the coastal areas.
➩ mining is most important in Nigeria, Ghana & Guinea.
👉 CENTRAL AFRICA
➦ Located b/n 23⁰30'N - 15⁰30'S latitudes & 8⁰E - 32⁰E logitudes.
➦ covering about 22% of africa's total area
➦ possessing 9 countries, it is the 2nd largest region
➦ nearly ⅔ of the region is vast depression drain by Congo basin
➦ the Cameroon mts & Ruwenzori range are the highland areas of the region.
➦ experience almos all types climates of the continent, except the Mediterranean
➦ it is rich bio-divesity.
➦ Equatorial rainforests, savanna woodland, gallery(riverine), desert & semi-desert
vegetation are among the most common.
❖ accounts about 12.5% africa's total popn.
❖ characterized by low popn density due to its harsh climatic condition.
❖ 41% of its population is urban. Average life expectancy is 51 years.
❇ Agriculture, forestry, mining and manufacturing are good economic activities.
❇ subsistence agriculture is the dominant economy that support the majority of its popn.
❇ has potential for commercial crop production.
❇ has 30% of Africa's tropical woods.
👉 SOUTHERN AFRICA

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➦ location: found b/n 18⁰S - 34⁰52'S latitudes & 7⁰E - 32⁰E longitudes.
❖ it is the smallest region in africa.
❖ it divided into 5 states.
❖ it covers about 8.9% of africa's total area.
➦ Topography: dominated by high plateaus over 300m high.
❖ the Drakensberg mountains are the highest area of the region.
❖ the region drained by the Limpopo, Orange & Vaal river basins.
❖ the Ngami-kalhari, Makarikari & Okovango are among the inland basins.
➦ Climate: is highly diverse.
➣ the region climate includes Tropical, Desert, Alpine and Mediterranean
➣ the Mozambique & Benguela currents produce great impact on the east & west coast climate, orderly.
➦ population:
➣ possess about 5.8% of africa's total popn.
➣ it the least populous region.
➣ nearly 56% its population live in urban.
➣ average life expectancy of the region is 52 years.
➦ Economy
➸ Agriculture, mining, manufacturing & tourism are the major activities.
➸ Agriculture is highly mechanized & commercialized.
➸ it has most of the major mining & manufacturing industries of the continent.

3.3.4 Climatic Regions Of Africa

1. Equatorial Climatic

 Found between 6o or7o north and south latitude.

 Dominated by western and central Africa.
 Overhead sun throughout the year.
 High mean annual and mean monthly temperature.
 Low annual range of temperature.
 High rainfall temperature throughout the year.
 Convectional type of rainfall.
2. Tropical Continental (Savanna) Climate
 Found between 5o and 15o north and south latitude.
 Zone of transition between equatorial and desert climatic region.
 Mostly found in Madagascar.

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 Hot summer and cool winter temperature condition.

3. Tropical Desert and Semi-desert Climate

 Found bordering tropical savanna climate.
 High temperature and insufficient rainfall.
 Temperature fluctuates.

4. Tropical Maritime (Monsoon) Climate

 Found only in southern hemisphere (south east coast).
 Extend between Durban in South Africa to Dar-es-salam in Tanzania.
 High rainfall throughout the year (as a result of Mozambique worm ocean current).
5. Warm temperate continental climate.
 Found in South Africa Republic.
 Temperature and rainfall is influenced by the altitude of the region (On shore
winds) that originates from Indian Ocean.
 High rainfall and cool temperature due to high altitude.
 Smallest climatic zone compared to others.
6. High land (Mountain) Climate
o Mostly found in high altitude of Africa such as:
- Higher part of South Africa (Drakensberg mountain)
- Atlas, Kilimanjaro, and mount Kenya
- Ethiopian and east African high lands
o Permanently snow covered areas.
o Orographic type of rainfall (rainfall increase with rise in altitude)
7. Mediterranean Climate
 Found in southern and northern tips of Africa:
Eg: Maghreb region in the north, from Morocco to northern Libya and
Cape province of South Africa.
 Summer is not rainy season.
- It is hot, dry, bright and sunny season.
 Winter is a rainy, mild and wet season.

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- Unique climatic character from other

EXERCISE ONE
I. CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER FOR THE GIVEN ALTERNATIVES
1. The Maghreb region and Cape province of Africa receive rain fall in winter season
______________________ and ______________________respectively
A. South westerly and North westerly winds C. North westerly and South westerly winds
B. South east and north west trade winds D. north east and South west trade winds
E. Equatorial easterlies wind
2. Equatorial climatic regions are found
A. Between 50 and 150 north and south latitude
B. Extends to 60 or 70 north and south latitude
C. Between 200 or 250 north and south latitude
D. Between 100 or 150 north and south latitude
3. Which one is a unique climatic characteristic, from the other climatic regions of Africa?
A. Equatorial B. Tropical Maritime C. Mediterranean D. Savanna
4. What is the dominant type of rainfall in equatorial region of Africa?
A. Convectional B. Orographic C. Frontal D. Cyclon
II. BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
1. Which part of Africa has equatorial type of climate? What is the reason this climatic
region has high temperature and high rainfall throughout the year?
2. Mention the characteristic of climate in desert and semi-desert region of Africa?
3. Which parts of Africa have monsoon climate? What type of climatic characteristics
does it have?

3.2 Drainage Systems Of Africa

 Nine major rivers drain in the continent of Africa: These are Nile Congo, Niger, Volta,
Limpopo, Orange, Gambia, Senegal and Zambezi.
Based on their flow direction (destination), there are 4 major types of drainage system

1. Atlantic Ocean Drainage System

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 Major rivers, that drain west ward and south ward, flow in to Atlantic Ocean.
 It is the largest drainage system in terms of catchment area, annual discharge and
drainage density.
Eg: Zaire (Congo), Niger, Volta, Gambia, Senegal and Orange
 Zaire (Congo) :
- Largest river in Africa
- Second largest river in the world
- Second longest river in Africa
 Senegal:-Has two major dams; Manantali dam and Maka-diama dam
 Niger: Third longest river in Africa
- Drains to Guinea, Mali, Niger, Benin and Nigeria
 Volta: Has Africa’s largest artificial lake; Lake Volta.
- Lake Volta has three major parts (black Volta, white Volta and red Volta)
2. Indian Ocean Drainage System

 Second largest drainage system

 Major rivers that flow east wards in to Indian Ocean are: Zambezi, Wabi shebelle
and Juba.

3. Mediterranean Sea Drainage System

 Nile river flow north ward through Sudan and Egypt flow in to Mediterranean Sea
 Only Nile river flow in to Mediterranean Sea.
 Nile is the longest river in the world and has two major tributaries:
- White Nile : originates from lake Victoria in Uganda
- Converge to Sudan at Khartoum
- Blue Nile: Emerges from lake Tana in Ethiopia near Bahir Dar
 Other Nile tributaries are Sobat and Atbara.
4. Closed (Inland) Drainage System

 This system has multiple flow direction.

 It covers 32% of the total area of the continent
Eg: - Lake Chad – largest inland basin

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- Awash and Ghibe (Omo river in Ethiopia)

- Okavango swamp in Botswana
- Sudd basin in Sudan
- Danakin basin in Ethiopia and Eritrea

3.3 Characteristics Of African Rivers

 Steep long profile: Africa’s rivers have steep courses as a result of relief.
 Water fall and rapids: As a result of Africa’s Plato lands, it creates to cataracts.
 Seasonal fluctuation: Seasonal rainfall distribution (variation in wet and dry season)
Eg: Nile and Niger shows seasonal fluctuation, but Zaire (Congo) does not show
significant volume variation.
 Deltaic mouth and Mangrove swamps: Low pressure force along their lower
courses, as a result formation of deltas and mangrove swamps.
Eg: Nile, Niger and Zambezi rivers have extensive deltas and swamps at their mouth.
 Exotic nature: African rivers travel across from cool to hot climate condition, as a
result they lose much of water through evaporation and sea page
before they reach final destination.

3.4 LAKES AND SWAMPS OF AFRICA

Based on their formation Lakes of Africa are divided in to two types:-

1. Natural lakes:-are formed by tectonic, volcanic and denudation processes

Natural lakes divided in to two rift valley and non rift valley lakes
 Rift Valley lakes :- include Lake Turkana, Tanganyika, Meru, Edward, Kivu, Malawi,
Albert, Hawassa, Langano, Ziway, Abiyata and Langano
-Tanganyika is the deepest rift valley lake in Africa
 Non-Rift valley lakes :- include Lake Tana, Chad and Victoria
-Victoria –is the largest lake in the world.
-Tana-is shallowest lake in Africa.
2. Artificial lakes:- are formed by dam constructed across the rivers for various purpose
-Major artificial lakes in Africa are

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❖ High Aswan dam- Nasser Lake that is constructed from Nile River in Ethiopia
❖ Koka dam- Koka Lake –constructed from Awash River in Ethiopia
❖ Akosombo dam- Volta Lake – from Volta River in Ghana
❖ Kaindji dam- Kaindji Lake- from Niger River in Nigeria
❖ Kariba dam- Kariba Lake- from Zambezi river in Zambia and Zimbabwe
 Swamps of Africa
Swamps:- are formed by seasonal flooding along the course of major rivers
-Major swamps of Africa are
- Sudd swamp- it is formed along the Nile River in Sudan
- Kamulando swamp- in Congo basin
- Okovango swamp -in Botswana
- Batorse and Kafue-in Zambezi River
- Timbuktu swamp- in Mali along Niger River

EXERCISE TWO
I. CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER FOR THE GIVEN ALTERNATIVES
1. All are natural lake in Africa except one?
A. Meru B. Tanganyika C. Nasser D. Malawi
2. Which one is Odd?
A. Timbuktu B. Akosombo C. Kamulando D. Okovango
3. Identify incorrect pair of dams that construct along the rivers in Africa?
A. Akosombo dam _ Awash river E. High Aswan dam _ Nile river
B. Kariba dam _ Zambezi river F. All are correct
C. Kaindji dam _ Niger river G. A and D are correct
D. Koka dam –Volta river
4. Which one is correctly combined of swamps and along main river basin?
A. Sudd Swamp along the Congo river basin
B. Swamp Adjacent along Zaire river basin
C. Timbuktu along the Niger river basin
D. Kamulando along Nile river basin

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II. FILL IN THE BLANK SPACE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING INFORMATIONS

 The following dams that are constructed along the major rivers in Africa
For example:-High Aswan Dam _ found along _ Nile river in _ Egypt , based on this
information fill in the blank space from question number 1-7

1. Great Renaissance Dam found along _________River in ______

2. Koka Dam found along _________________ River in ___________

3 . Akosombo Dam found along _______________ River in _________

4. Ghibe I and Ghibe II Dam found along _________River in _________

5. Kaindji Dam found along ____________________River in __________

6. Kariba Dam found along __________________ River in__________

7. Cabora Bassa Dam found along __________________River in __________

III. BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

1. Zaire or Congo rivers gives more navigation purpose throughout the year and
does not show seasonal variation from the other African rivers, What is the
reason? Briefly explain,
2. Mention the major rivers in Africa flow in to:-
 Atlantic ocean
 Indian ocean
 Mediterranean sea
3. The following Natural lakes in Africa are Rift-valley and Non-Rift valley, please
identify which Lakes are Rift-valley, Non-Rift valley, Largest, Deepest and
Shallowest lake?

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Example *Victoria __Malawi __Chad __Tanganyika __Turkana__ Edward__ Tana

__Albert__ Meru

 Non-Rift Valley _____________, ____________, ___________ ,

 Rift Valley _________, ___________, ___________, __________, ___________
 Largest _______________
 Deepest _______________
 Shallowest ___________
3.5 Major Vegetation Zone Of Africa
There are five different vegetation zones in Africa
1. Tropical rain forest vegetation

*Mostly found in equatorial climate

Example:- Western Africa
- Eastern Madagascar
- Central Africa (Congo basin)
*Equatorial broad leaf evergreen forests (as a result high RF and high Temperature
throughout the year
*Most trees like hard wood –Mahogany, Ebony, Rosewood, Iron wood
*Diversity species
2. Tropical grass land (Savanna vegetation)
 Found between equatorial forests and desert area north and south of the equator.
 Savannas are plant association composed of both grasses and trees.
 Africa’s savanna can be classified in to three.
 Park land: many trees and grasses
 High (True) savanna: develop between the wetter and drier savanna
- More grasses than park savanna, scattered trees
 Thorn (Drier) savanna: found in desert margins (semi-arid areas of the Sahel region),
short grasses, scattered thorny trees, thorn bushes and low scrub

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3. Desert and semi-desert vegetation

 Found in Sahara desert, Namib Desert and Sahel region.

 Low rainfall and driest climatic condition
Types of vegetation in Desert and semi-desert area
 Cactus,
 Thorn bush,
 Course grasses,
 Xerophytes (drought resistance by long root, water table, spongy leaves, store water,
needle shaped leaves) to reduce water loose through transpiration.
4. Afro alpine vegetation

 Found in tropical high lands of Africa, Ethiopia and Eastern Africa high lands
 Alpine- cold resistance plant
Eg. Tid, Bambo forest, Asta, Gibera and mountain grass land
5. Mediterranean vegetation

 Found in north western and south western part of Africa.

 Ever green and deciduous trees
Eg: Corkoak, Maquis, Wild olive are most common

3.6 Soils Of Africa

Major Soil Types Of Africa
1. Pedanfer: Largest soil group in Africa
- High iron and aluminum content
This soil type includes:

 Ferrasols: found around equatorial forest and savanna lands

- Red and yellow color
- High concentration of iron, clay and aluminum

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 Mitosols: found in humid climatic region

- Reach in humus content
- Most crop production soil
 Acrisols: found in hill areas, wet tropical and monsoon climates
- Weathered, acidic and shallow soil
- Un productive soil
 Lixisols: found in savanna and semi-arid area
- Reddish and yellowish color
 Plinthosols: found in plain areas and savanna region
- Soft and laterite soil
 Lubisols: found in Mediterranean climate
- High mineral and fertile soil
 Planosols: common in waterlogged area
- Used for grazing
 Fluvisols: develop seasonal flood plains and valleys
- Found in Nile and Zambezi river delta and lake Chad
- Brown color
- Young and fertile
- Suitable for irrigation

2. Pedocals: Includes
 Vertisols: black basaltic soil
- High in moisture storage
- Clay soil (sticky during rainy season and crack during dry season)
- Naturally fertile (have greatest potential for agriculture)
 Calcisols: Found in sahara and namib desert
- Poor in humus and high minerals
- Used for grazing
 Solonchaks-found inland river basin, Lakes, depressions and coastal area.
 Saline soil
3. Hydromorphic soil – include

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 Gleysols- like solonchaks found in depression, lowland in Niger delta, Congo basin
and interior part of Angola
- Used for production of rice,sugar cane,yam and vegetable

4. Azonal soils
 Arenosols- humid and semi-arid zone of South Africa.
-Used for dry farming and grazing
 Regosols- found in arid area
Used for pastoralist grazing
 Leptosols- found in the upland of northern Africa Eastern Africa, south and
Central Africa
-Young, shallow and stony soils
-High susceptible to erosion and drought

EXERCISE THREE

I. CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER FOR THE GIVEN ALTERNATIVES

1. Tropical rainforest vegetation zones develop in areas with equatorial climate, In which parts of
Africa are mostly common the type of Afro-Alpine or Afro – Montane vegetation?

A. North western and south western parts of Africa

B. Northern and Southern tip point of Africa

C.Ethiopian and East African highlands

D.Mostly common in Namib and Sahel region of Africa

2. Among the following one is not characteristics of Tropical rain forest rainforest vegetation
zone?
A. Evergreen through throughout the year
B. They contain broad-leaved
C. Most common trees are hard wood, Mahogany, Ebony, Rose wood, Iron wood
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D. High diversity species

3. Among the following type of plants one is cold resistant plant?
A. Cactus C. Alpine vegetation
B. Long root and spongy leaves plants D. Xerophytes
4. Which one is incorrectly combined?
A. Maasai National Park _ Uganda
B. Kruger National park _South Africa Republic(-SAR)
C. Serengeti National park _ Tanzania
D. Epossia _Kenya
E. Semen Mountain National Park_ Ethiopia
II. MATCH THE FOLLOWING SOIL TYPE UNDER COLUMN “B” WITH THEIR
CHARACTERISTICS AND THE AREAS COMMON UNDER COLUMN “A”

COLUMN “A” COLUMN “B”

1. Soils are weathered, acidic and shallow A. Luvisols

2. The most productive soils in Africa B. Ferrasols
3. Soils are found equatorial forests and C. Acrisols
savanna lands D. Planosols
4. Mostly found in Sahara and Namib desert E. Nitosols
Soils are develop in waterlogged plains F. Vertisols
5. Black basaltic soils, high in moisture storage G. Calcisols
6. Found in Mediterranean climate, high mineral H. Solonchaks
and fertile soil I. Leptosols
7. Mostly found inland river basin, lakes. Depressions J. Pedalfers
and coastal area and contain more saline soils
8. Young, shallow, stony and erosive type of soil
9. The largest soil group in Africa high content of
iron and aluminum

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UNIT FOUR

POPULATION, ECONOMI AND NATURAL RESOURCE OF AFRICA

4.1. Population Size, Growth and Distribution

A. Size: - Africa is the world’s second most populous next to Asia

- In 2009 UN World population data sheet to shows:

- total population of Africa, 1 billion (14.7%)

- Asia 4117m (60%)

- Europe 738m (10.8%)

- South America 580m (8.5%)

- North America 341m (5%)

- Oceania 36m (0.5%), as the data show the least populous is also Oceania.

B. Growth

Africa – one of the worlds fasts growing population

- Rapid change in its population size

- High rate of population growth and short period of doubling time in Africa

*Africa’s rate of natural increase is highest in the world;

C. Distribution :- Africa’s population distribution is uneven; as a result there is high and low
population density
- For example:-Nile valley of Egypt, Atlantic coastal area Ruanda, Burundi,

South Africa province of Kwazulu Natal most densely populated area.

 The population density of African each region is: - Eastern Africa 49 people/km 2/

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- West Africa 48 people/km2

- Sub - Saharan Africa 34 people/km2

- North Africa 24 people/km2

- South Africa 22people/km2

- Central Africa 19 people/km2

On a country level most populous countries are:- Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, DRC and SAR.

*Determinant factors of population change in Africa

 There are three components to determine population change. These are birth rate (fertility),
death rate (mortality) and migration.
 The difference between death and birth refers to –natural increase
 The balance between immigration(coming in) and emigration(going out) refers to
Net-Migration

* Life Expectancy Of Africa

Life expectancy:- is an average number of years a new born infant can expect to live under
current mortality levels.
Life expectancy in Africa is lower than the other continents; Life expectancy in Africa is
ranging from 69 years in North America to 49 years in Eastern and Western Africa.
*Age structure in Africa

Median age: - is the age dividing the population of a country in to two equal parts
with one half of the people above that age and the other half below it
- Africa’s median age is lower than other developed countries in the world
For example:-African median age is 18 years and European median age is also 37 years.
If the median age is high, the population is to be adult and old age group, and if the median
age low, the population is to be young and low old age group.
* Migration and Urbanization in Africa

Internal and international migration

Internal migration International migration

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- (Domestic migration) - Intra-continental migration

- Like Ethiopia to Sudan - Intercontinental migration
-External migration, Africa with Europe
4.2 Economic growth and development
What is the difference between economic growth and economic development?
 Economic growth:- is a measure of the value of output of goods and services within
a certain period of time
- It is used to describe increase total amount of production and wealth of a given country
- It is related wealth of a country and a quantitative aspect.
 Economic development:- is the measure of human beings in a certain state
-It refers to growth in structural and technological change
-It is both quantitative and qualitative aspect.

* PROSPECTS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

The feature socio-economic development of Africa promising by establishment of Regional

and Sub-Regional organizations.
A. Regional organization
o OAU--promote peace and security among the nation.
o CEN-SAD—community of Sahel -Saharan states.
o COMESA— Common market for Eastern and southern Africa.
o EAC. East African community.
o ECCAS—Economic community of central African state.
o ECOWAS—Economic community of Western African states.
o IGAD—Intergovernmental authority for development.
o SADC—Southern African development community.
o AMU—Arab Maghreb Union

B. International organization

 UN – United nation
 ECA – economic commission of Africa

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 UNESCO – united nation, education, scientific and cultural organization

 UNICEF – united nation international child equality fund
 WHO – world health organization
 ILO – international labor organization
 FAO – food and agricultural organization

 Natural Resources of Africa

o Major resources of Africa are: Mineral resource, Agricultural resource, Water
resource and Human resource
 Mineral resource: north Africa, west Africa and central Africa are reach in petroleum
Resources
 Africa has:
- 98% of the worlds chromium,
- 90% of worlds cobalt and platinum
- 70% of worlds tantalite
- 50% of worlds gold
- 1/3 of the worlds uranium
- DRC alone has 70% of the worlds ore of tantalum and 30% of worlds diamond
- Guinea is the world’s largest exporter of bauxite (ore of aluminum)
- North Africa is the major oil production center of the world
Eg: Libya, Algeria and Nigeria are leading producers crude
petroleum from Africa
. Nigeria being Africa’s top petroleum producer
. Algeria has huge reserve of natural gas
- South Africa is one of the world’s richest source of gold and diamond
. SAR is the largest and most diverse mineral economy
. It is the leading producers of gold and raw diamond

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Africa’s global share of minerals:

 Zaire, Botswana and RSA shares 77% of the world’s diamond.
 DRC and Zambia shares 76% of the world’s cobalt.
 RSA, Ghana and Zimbabwe shares 55% of the world’s gold.
 RSA and Zimbabwe shares 41% of the world’s chromites.
 RSA and Gabon shares 27% of the world’s manganese.
 Zambia, DRC, Zimbabwe and RSA shares 20% of the world’s copper.
 Guinea, Ghana and Sierraleone shares 19% of the world’s bauxite.
 DRC (Katanga area) and Nigeria shares 13% of the world’s tin.
 Nigeria, Libya, Algeria, Egypt and Angola shares 10% of the world’s
petroleum.
 SAR, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Zaire, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania
shares 6% of the world’s coal.
 Liberia. Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, RSA, Zimbabwe and Swaziland
shares 4% of the worlds iron ore.
 Agricultural resource: The economy of many African countries are primarily Agriculture.

 Leading producers of tropical crops in Africa and Africa’s share to the worlds production
are:
Types of crop Leading producers in Africa Africa’s global
share in %
Cocoa - Ghana – Cot D’ivoire - Nigeria – Liberia – Togo 53
– Cameroon
Sisal - Tanzania – Kenya - Madagascar 29
Groundnut - Nigeria – Senegal – Zaire 29
Coffee – Cot D’ivoire – Ethiopia – Uganda – Kenya 20
- Cameroon – Tanzania – DRC – Angola
Palm oil - Nigeria – Cot D’ivoire – Zaire 16
Tea - Tanzania – Kenya – Ethiopia – Mozambique 13
– Zimbabwe – Congo – Mauritius -
Sugar can - Sudan – Kenya – Uganda – Ethiopia 7
Cotton - Sudan – Ethiopia – Mali – Congo – Egypt 7
Rubber - DRC - Cot D’ivoire – Cameroon – Gabon 6
– Sierraleone – Kenya - Tanzania

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EXERCISE FOUR
E. CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER FOR THE GIVEN ALTERNATIVES
1. As a region level which one is the least urbanized in the continent of Africa?
A. Western Africa C. Southern Africa
B. Eastern Africa D. Northern Africa
2. One is not population characteristics in developing countries?
A. High young population group D.Low life expectancy
B. Low old age population group E.High Median age
C. High fertility rate

3. Among the following one is incorrect about the characteristics of population in developed
countries?
A. High Median age D.Low infant mortality rate
B. Youthful age structure E.Long period of time doubling itself
C. High life expectancy
4. Which one is correct order from high population density to sparsely population density?
A. East Africa _ West Africa - North Africa_ South Africa _ Central Africa
B. Central Africa_ South Africa_ East Africa_ West Africa_ North Africa
C. North Africa _ South Africa_ East Africa_ West Africa_ Central Africa
D. Central Africa _West Africa_ East Africa_ South Africa__ North Africa
5. Among the following regions in Africa one is the least urbanized?
A. East Africa C.North Africa
B. West Africa D. South Africa
6. Which country of Africa is leading in fish processing industries, producing more canned
fish, fish oil and fish meal
A. Morocco C. Sudan
B. Algeria D. Cameroon
7. What is the effect of high rate of natural increase on the length of the doubling time of
population?
A. It will increase the doubling time of the population

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B. It will decrease the doubling time of the population

C. It will have no impact on the doubling time of the population
D. There is no relationship between high rate of natural increase and doubling
time of the population
8. Among the following Africa’s cash crops, one is highly share to the world’s population?
A. Cocoa C. Cotton
B. Rubber D. Palm oil
9. Migration from Ethiopia to USA is _______.
A. Intra-continental migration C. Inter-Continental migration
B. Internal migration D. All
II. CORRECTLY COMBINE THE LEADING PRODUCERS OF AFRICAN COUNTRIES
WITH THE FOLLOWING ITEMS

Column A Column B
1. Coffee A. Botswana and Zaire
2. Tea B. Ghana
3. Cacao C. Nigeria
4. Petroleum D. South Africa Republic
5. Gold E. Cote devoir
6. Diamond F. Tanzania
7. Cotton G. Sudan

III. BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

1. As the data show life-expectancy and infant mortality rate of the world, Northern Africa’s is
the highest life-expectancy and low infant mortality rate from other regional division of
Africa, What are the factors?
___________________________________________________________________
2. The movement of professional and highly educated people such as medical doctors,
university instructors, researchers, engineers from their country to overseas countries is
known as _________________________.

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3. Mention the three determinant factors of population change in ones country?

______________, ____________________, ___________________
4. State at least three regional and international organizations to promote socio-economic
development of Africa?

VI. WORKOUT THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

1. Country X has 25,000,000 children, 35.000.000 working age group and 4.000.000 elder
population.
Calculate the age dependency ratio (ADR) of this country?
2. Country Y has 840,250.000 males and 960.000.00 females.
Calculate the sex ratio of this country?

3. The table given below shows Africa’s regional information data about birth and death rate.
Calculate the rate of natural increase (RNI) for each region?

Countries Crude birth rate Crude death rate Rate of natural increase
per 1000 popn per 1000 popn ( RNI )
East Africa 55 15 ?

South Africa 28 16 ?

North Africa 30 8 ?

West Africa 45 15 ?

Central Africa 40 12 ?

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prepared by: Fasil Girma

 Prepared by Fasil Girma