Tourism

Geography for Tourism

AFRICA

1. Introduction
Hello everyone! I welcome you all to this session, wherein we shall discuss on the continent Africa.
This unit is divided into 5 topics such as:
1. Regions of Africa
2. Physical Features
3. Climate and Vegetation
4. Natural Resources
5. Major Attractions

Let us now begin with the

Regions of Africa
Africa is very large. It is over 5,000 miles from the top to the bottom and over three times as big as
the United States. The equator runs through the middle of Africa. Most of the continent is between
the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

Africa is surrounded by water. To the west is the Atlantic Ocean. To the east is the Indian Ocean.
The northern side of the continent is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. There are
six countries in Africa that are islands, including Madagascar, a large island to the southeast.

We can divide Africa into four regions for the purpose of studying it and they are; North Africa,
West Africa, East Africa, and Central and Southern Africa.

2. Physical Features of Africa

Much of Africa is covered by plateaus. These are flat or gently rolling areas of land that are
relatively high in elevation. Much of the southern and eastern parts of Africa are high plateaus. The
east region has the highest elevations on the continent.

The eastern region is also home to the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. This
mountain is 19,341 feet above sea level. It is very cold at the top with snow and glaciers present all
year round. The land at the bottom of the mountain is a warm and tropical rainforest.

Mount Kilimanjaro is on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, also in the east region. A unique feature
of Africa's physiography is its Y-shaped integrated Rift Valley system that is believed to have been
caused by the movement of the continental plates. The Rift Valley begins from the Red Sea and
extends through the Ethiopian highlands to the Lake Victorian region. Its total length is estimated to
be 6,000 miles (9,600 m). Average width ranges between 20 miles (32 km) and 50 miles (80 km).

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Africa is the home of the longest river in the world, the Nile River. The Nile begins with the merging
of two tributaries, the White Nile and the Blue Nile. It then flows over 4,000 miles to empty into the
Mediterranean Sea in Egypt in the north.

The Congo River flows through rainforests in central Africa. It flows out to the Atlantic Ocean. Two
other important rivers in Africa are the Niger River and the Zambezi River. The Niger River is the
third longest river in Africa. It runs through West Africa and empties into the Atlantic in Nigeria.
The Zambezi is the fourth longest river and is in southern region. There are many waterfalls on this
river, including the beautiful and dramatic Victoria Falls.

Africa’s coastline is generally straight and relatively short compared with that of other continents
thereby resulting in more artificial harbors than natural ones. The shape of Africa is relatively simple
with a remarkably smooth outline. The rivers plunge off the edges of the plateau into the sea in a
series of falls and rapids. The coast is fringed with coral reefs, sand bars, mangrove swamps and
lagoons that block passage to the continents interior.

There are also deserts in Africa. The Sahara Desert is the world’s largest, covering 8.5 million square
kilometres, Defining Africas northern bulge, the Sahara makes up 25% of the continent.

An oasis is a hub of water in the desert, often in the form of 'springs, wells, or irrigation systems.
About 75 percent of the Sahara’s population lives in oases.

The area where the Sahara meets the savanna is called the Sahel. This area is hot and dry, getting
only a few inches of rain a year. It is made up of flat, barren plains that stretch across Africa, from
Senegal to Sudan.

The Sahel contains the fertile delta of the Niger, one of Africa’s longest rivers. Unfortunately, the
Sahel’s fertile land is rapidly becoming desert as a result of drought, deforestation, and
intensive agriculture.

The Sahel’s animal communities are constantly scavenging for scarce water and vegetation
resources. The Sahel’s green vegetation only emerges during the rainy season, but is often quickly
harvested by farmers or consumed by animals.

There are also two smaller deserts in the southern region of Africa. The Namib Desert runs along the
Atlantic coast from Angola through Namibia. Also, in the south, the Kalahari Desert includes parts
of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.

3. Climate and Vegetation of Africa

There are many factors that affect climate. In Africa, the two most important features are distance
from the equator and elevation.

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Areas near to the equator generally have warmer climates. This is because the sun’s rays are more
direct there. Areas between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, which includes most
of Africa, have tropical climates.

The equator also has an effect on the number of hours of daylight and the seasons. At the equator, the
length of day and night is equal, and the number of hours of daylight doesn’t change through the
year. As you get further north or south, the number of hours of daylight changes a lot.

Because Africa is in the tropics, the temperatures tend to be relatively moderate. However, there are
still parts of Africa that are very cold. Some even have snow all year round! This is primarily
because of elevation or the height of the land above sea level. Higher elevations tend to be colder
than lower elevations. (That’s why there is often snow at the tops of mountains.) The areas of Africa
that have higher elevations, like the plateau highlands in the east, tend to be cooler.

Rainfall in Africa varies a great deal. In the dry deserts like the Sahara and Namib, there is very little
rain. Droughts can be a huge problem in these areas. The coastal regions tend to have a great deal of
rain, because the air picks up moisture from the ocean. In other areas of Africa, there is often a rainy
season, when most of the rain falls, followed by a dryer period.

The precipitation and temperature greatly affect what kind of plants or vegetation grows in different
regions.In the tropical regions where there is at least 60 inches of rain a year, tropical rainforests
grow. There are large rainforests in central and West Africa, including much of the Congo basin. The
rainforest is home to a large number of plants and animals.

Tropical savannas cover much of Central, South and West Africa. These are large grassy areas with
occasional trees and bushes. Because these areas are large and have ample grass, they are good
homes for large animals, such as giraffes, zebras, and elephants. Many of the images of Africa that
you might see on television or in the movies are of the savannas.

The deserts in Africa are hot and dry and do not support many plants or animals. Life there is very
harsh. Some areas of the desert are just empty expanses of sand. Other areas have grasses and small
shrubs growing. Desert trees must adapt by having deep root systems, thick bark, and small leaves
that don’t give up much water.

The climatic conditions greatly affect the people who live in Africa. Most people in Africa are
subsistence farmers. That means that they grow enough food to eat and that is their primary
occupation. The common staple crops in Africa are corn, cassava (a root vegetable like a potato), and
rice.

There are also some crops that are grown in Africa for export to other countries. These are called
cash crops. They include coffee, tea, cacao, peanuts, cotton, and sisal (a fiber used to make rope). In
many areas of Africa, the rain is unpredictable. That is difficult for farmers. Too little or too much
rain can result in not enough food. During some years, famine is a problem that takes many lives.

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In areas like the deserts that do not have enough rain to support agriculture, other means of living are
necessary. Most people who live in the desert are nomads. They travel from place to place, often
herding animals like camels, goats, and sheep. Their movements are planned according to where
there will be water.

4. Natural Resources of Africa

Having heard about Regions of Africa, Physical features, Climate and Vegetation, now it’s time to
speak about the natural resources of the African continent

Africa is a land rich in natural resources, though not all of them have been fully taken advantage of.
While the economies of most African countries are based on subsistence farming, these resources are
also an important part of national economies.

Minerals and crude oil are abundant in much of Africa. In the north region, petroleum is found in
Libya, Algeria, and Egypt. There are also oil reserves in the west in Nigeria, Angola, Gabon, and the
Republic of the Congo. Natural gas is also found in Algeria.

The southern region is a significant source of diamonds, gold, copper, and bauxite. These minerals
are exported. Many of the countries that run the large mining operations are foreign-owned. As a
result, the profits often leave Africa. Also, as with agriculture, world price changes can have a
negative effect on local African economies.

All four region of Africa have forests that can produce wood for export. Many trees have been cut
down and sold to other countries. However, in order for this to be a sustainable resource, the cut trees
must be replaced. If new trees are not planted, there will be none to sell in the future. African nations
are starting to see the value of planting trees and guarding other resources, so that they are available
for future generations.

Another great natural resource of Africa is its national parks. Especially in east, southern, and central
Africa, the national parks attract visitors from around the world. They come to see the lions, zebras,
elephants, and other animals that can’t be seen anywhere else. In the past, hunting and habitat
destruction threatened these animals. More recently, African governments have recognized the
importance of conservation and are protecting these resources.

Another great potential resource is hydroelectric power. Africa has many large rivers. As local
energy needs grow and as the world energy markets tighten, hydroelectric power is an important
resource. Because it is a renewable energy source, it has many advantages over fossil fuels like coal,
gas, or oil.

As Africa continues to grow and develop, it is important that they diversify their economy. As long
as the economy relies on subsistence farming, it will be subject to problems like drought. However,
if the economy expands to include things like more manufacturing, services, energy production, and
tourism, Africa will be stronger.

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5. Major Tourist Attractions of Africa
Lastly, we shall discuss about some famous tourist attractions. There are few places in Africa that are
worth mentioning when it comes to Africa’s popular tourists destinations....

The Masai Mara, Kenya

Each year around 1.5 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebra (along with other antelope) gather up
their young and start their long trek from Tanzania's Serengeti Plains, further north to Kenya's Masai
Mara National Reserve. They go in search of food and water. Their journey runs in a clockwise
circle and the animals cover a distance of around 1800 miles.

Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls lie in between Zambia and Zimbabwe in Southern Africa. It is just over 1 1.7 km
and 355 feet high. During the wet season over 500 million liters of water plummets over the edge
into the Zambezi River. This incredible amount of water generates a huge amount of spray which
shoots 1000 feet into the sky and can be seen 30 miles away, hence the name Mosi-oa-Tunya (Smoke
that thunders).

The Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza, just outside Cairo in Egypt, represent one of the greatest architectural feats by
man. The last surviving member of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramid of Giza is
one of the world's oldest tourist attractions, built more than 5000 years ago. There are in fact three
main pyramids in Giza; Each Pyramid is a tomb to a different King of Egypt.

Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

Africa is known as one of the best destinations for adventure travel and what can be more
adventurous than hiking up the world's tallest free standing mountain. Africa's highest peak, Mount
Kilimanjaro in Tanzania stands at 19,340 feet high. The mountain is part of the Kilimanjaro National
Park and is a major climbing destination. The mountain has been the subject of many scientific
studies because of its shrinking glaciers.

Gorilla Safaris
With only about 700 mountain gorillas left in the world, seeing them in the wild is something only a
few people will ever have the chance to experience. About 300 mountain gorillas inhabit an extinct
volcanic region called the Virunga Range along the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic
Republic of Congo in East Africa. The time one is allowed to spend observing them the gorillas is
limited, but the hour spent sitting and watching these incredible animals will be one of the best
you've ever had.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is a highlight of any trip to Southern Africa. The natural beauty of Cape Town makes it
one of the most attractive cities in the world. Cape Town boasts beautiful beaches as well as the
impressive Table Mountain right in the heart of the city. The restaurants are world class, and so are

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the wines. Cape Town is also one of the most culturally diverse cities in Africa and has reputation for
social tolerance.

Djenne (Mali)
Djenne (Mali), founded in 800 AD, is one of sub-Saharan Africa's oldest cities. Situated on an island
in the Niger River delta, Djenne was a natural hub for traders who shuttled their goods between the
Sahara desert and the forests of Guinea. Through the years Djenne also became a center of Islamic
learning and its market square is still dominated by the beautiful Grand Mosque.

Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar is one of Africa's top destinations because of its fascinating history and its incredible
beaches. Zanzibar's location in the Indian Ocean (off the coast of Tanzania) has made it a natural
trading center throughout its history. Famous for its spices, Zanzibar also became an important slave
trading post under its Arab rulers.

Conclusion;
To conclude we could say that
Africa straddles the equator, having an almost equal south and north extent. This division of Africa
into almost two equal parts (lengthwise) across the equator makes the climatic and physical
conditions in the north repeat themselves in the south. Africa is the most tropical of all continents.
Climate and vegetation range from equatorial rainforests, tropical deserts and savanna grassland to
Mediterranean. The Sahara Desert is the largest of its kind anywhere in the world. Certain tourist
attractions are popular because there is a special feeling it gives to people who visit places and its
outside the fact that places like this hold a very rich heritage and recognition
Thank You...

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