Geography 106 Resources

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven." Matthew 5: 13 – 16

NOTE: Click on the images/maps to enlarge

West Africa West Africa.jpg (319699 bytes)

Flags: Ghana, Niger, Mali, Nigeria

        

The CIA World Factbook:

Ghana: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gh.html
Niger: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ng.html
Mali: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ml.html
Nigeria: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html

Sahara Desert

The world’s largest desert, the Sahara occupies parts of ten countries in northern Africa and has an approximate area of more than 9,065,000 sq km (3,500,000 sq mi). Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean eastward to the Red Sea, the Sahara covers a varied geographic region, incorporating sandy dunes, rock-strewn plains, mountain ranges, and fertile oases. The Sahara receives less than 127 mm (5 in) of rain a year; some areas remain without rain for many years.
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761560427/Sahara.html

Panoramic view of the Sahara Desert: http://encarta.msn.com/media_701765754_761560427_-1_1/Sahara_Panorama.html

Niger River

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557510/Niger_(river).html


Africa’s Niger River begins in Guinea and flows about 4180 km (about 2600 mi) through the nations of Mali, Niger, and Nigeria, emptying into the Gulf of Guinea. The Benue River is the Niger’s chief tributary. Much of the Niger is navigable, making it useful for transportation of freight and passengers, as well as for fishing.

Physical Features of Africa Physical Features of Africa.jpg (371023 bytes)

African Refugees African Refugees.jpg (257723 bytes)

Songhai

Between ad 1000 and 1500 three successive West African states—the Kingdom of Ghana, the Mali Empire, and the empire of Songhai—reached their zeniths of power. These states controlled trans-Saharan trade, taxing the caravans carrying gold and slaves from sub-Saharan West Africa and those carrying weapons and textiles from North Africa. The Kingdom of Ghana arose by the 5th century, reached its peak around 1000, and broke apart in the early 13th century. The Mali Empire incorporated Ghana’s territory and expanded it in the 13th century. In this period, the city of Tombouctou became a world-renowned center of trade and learning. Mali declined in the 14th century and was succeeded by Songhai, which grew even larger than the previous states.
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761566909/Songhai_(empire).html

Southern Africa South Africa.jpg (245751 bytes)

Flags: Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe

       

The CIA World Factbook:

Angola: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ao.html
South Africa: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sf.html
Mozambique: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mz.html
Zimbabwe: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/zi.html

Kalahari Desert

The Kalahari Desert covers most of Botswana and portions of northern South Africa and eastern Namibia. The desert is part of a much larger semidesert sand basin that stretches into Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The desert's name is derived from the Tswana word Kgalagadi, meaning "the great thirst."
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761555808/Kalahari_Desert.html

Major Deserts of the World Major Deserts of the World.jpg (257258 bytes)
http://encarta.msn.com/media_701500505_761555808_-1_1/Largest_Deserts_in_the_World.html

Zambezi River

The Zambezi River rises in northwestern Zambia and flows for 2650 km (1650 mi) before emptying into the Mozambique Channel. Along part of its course it forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and creates the spectacular Victoria Falls.
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761566589/Zambezi.html