Geography of Africa

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== Geography of Africa ==

Map of Africa

The Geography of Africa is diverse, encompassing a wide range of landscapes, climates, and ecosystems. Africa is the second-largest and second-most populous continent on Earth, covering approximately 30.37 million square kilometers (11.7 million square miles) and home to over 1.2 billion people. The continent is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Suez Canal and the Red Sea to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

Regions

Africa is traditionally divided into several regions:

• North Africa: Includes countries such as Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. This region is characterized by the Sahara Desert, the largest hot desert in the world.
• West Africa: Encompasses countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Ivory Coast. It is known for its diverse cultures and the Niger River.
• East Africa: Includes nations such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia. This region is famous for the Great Rift Valley and Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Central Africa: Contains countries like Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, and Gabon. It is dominated by the Congo Basin and its rainforests.
• Southern Africa: Comprises countries such as South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. This region features the Kalahari Desert and the Drakensberg Mountains.

Major Physical Features

Africa's geography includes several notable physical features:

• Sahara Desert: The world's largest hot desert, covering much of North Africa.
• Nile River: The longest river in the world, flowing northward through northeastern Africa into the Mediterranean Sea.
• Congo River: The second-longest river in Africa, flowing through Central Africa.
• Great Rift Valley: A major geological and geographical feature running from Lebanon to Mozambique.
• Mount Kilimanjaro: The highest peak in Africa, located in Tanzania.
• Victoria Falls: One of the largest and most famous waterfalls in the world, located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Climate

Africa's climate ranges from tropical to subarctic on its highest peaks. The northern half of the continent is primarily desert or arid, while the central and southern areas contain both savanna plains and dense rainforest regions. The continent experiences a variety of climates, including:

• Equatorial climate: Found in the central part of the continent, characterized by high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the year.
• Tropical wet and dry climate: Common in the savanna regions, with distinct wet and dry seasons.
• Desert climate: Predominant in the Sahara and the Kalahari deserts, with very low precipitation.
• Mediterranean climate: Found in the northern and southern tips of the continent, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.

Biodiversity

Africa is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The continent's ecosystems range from tropical rainforests to savannas and deserts, supporting a wide variety of wildlife. Notable species include:

• African elephant
• Lion
• Giraffe
• Rhinoceros
• Hippopotamus
• Gorilla

Related Pages

• Africa
• Sahara Desert
• Nile River
• Great Rift Valley
• Mount Kilimanjaro
• Victoria Falls
• North Africa
• West Africa
• East Africa
• Central Africa
• Southern Africa