The Association of African American Single Mothers
| AAASM Black History Research Project A History of the African People: The Continent of Africa |
1) THE BEGINNINGS OF
AFRICAN HISTORY
2) AFRICA IN THE
ANCIENT WORLD
3) THE STATES OF
WESTERN AND
CENTRAL SUDAN
4) THE COSMOPOLITAN
WORLD OF EAST AFRICA
5) THE WEST AFRICAN
FOREST CIVILIZATION
6) THE GREAT
MIGRATIONS
7) THE COMING OF
EUROPE
AFRICAN HISTORY
2) AFRICA IN THE
ANCIENT WORLD
3) THE STATES OF
WESTERN AND
CENTRAL SUDAN
4) THE COSMOPOLITAN
WORLD OF EAST AFRICA
5) THE WEST AFRICAN
FOREST CIVILIZATION
6) THE GREAT
MIGRATIONS
7) THE COMING OF
EUROPE
| THE BEGINNINGS OF AFRICAN HISTORY The Geography of Africa* |
Africa is the second largest of the continents comprising of 11.7 million miles. It is uniquely placed squarely across the equator with its northern and
southern extremes almost an equal distance from the equator.
The geographic location of Africa has contributed to its tropical climate which is warm but only extreme in certain locations. Africa lacks the sometimes
violent fluctuations in temperatures found in North America. Africa's geographic location is responsible for a pattern of rainfall that significantly effects
its ecology and history. The portions of Africa adjacent to the equator north and south are covered by a blanket of low pressure air that rises from hot
land in response to the near vertical sun rays. As a result, this creates a region of heavy rainfall principally in the Congo River basin and the Guinea
coast of West Africa. This heavy rainfall produces a verdant rain forest capable of sustaining a high population density. This however does not
extend across the continent to East Africa, where wind and sea conditions limit rainfall and the growth of vegetation.
As you move north and south away from the equator, the rainfall gradually diminishes through the zone of trade winds that produces less than ten
inches of rainfall a year falling on its vast desert regions.
southern extremes almost an equal distance from the equator.
The geographic location of Africa has contributed to its tropical climate which is warm but only extreme in certain locations. Africa lacks the sometimes
violent fluctuations in temperatures found in North America. Africa's geographic location is responsible for a pattern of rainfall that significantly effects
its ecology and history. The portions of Africa adjacent to the equator north and south are covered by a blanket of low pressure air that rises from hot
land in response to the near vertical sun rays. As a result, this creates a region of heavy rainfall principally in the Congo River basin and the Guinea
coast of West Africa. This heavy rainfall produces a verdant rain forest capable of sustaining a high population density. This however does not
extend across the continent to East Africa, where wind and sea conditions limit rainfall and the growth of vegetation.
As you move north and south away from the equator, the rainfall gradually diminishes through the zone of trade winds that produces less than ten
inches of rainfall a year falling on its vast desert regions.
As a result of the gradual decrease in rainfall as you move away from the equator, the rain forest quickly gives way to savanna grassland. One-half of the continent is covered by
varieties of grass in occasional combination with forest sands, a fact that accounts for the abundance of wild game and the importance of Africa's pastoral societies. Even the
so-called desert consists primarily of arid shrub and grass areas suitable for grazing.
The African topography, helping to influence the continental weather, has been shaped by geological factors that render Africa unique among the worlds land masses. The
Mediterranean coast aside, Africa consists of a great block of ancient rock which has not been disturbed for over two hundred million years except for periodic uplift and erosion.
This results in Africa becoming a vast complex of plateaus tilting slightly upward to the east and the south.
The plateau system has resulted in another topographical feature of great historical importance. The ancient, eroded tableland has resulted in a series of major rivers that spread
into broad shallow basins that eventually empty into the sea. The most known of these is Victoria Falls on the Zambezi. Others include the Nile, the rapids of the Congo and the
interior rapid falls of the Niger and Senegal rivers.
The geography of Africa has produced a land with all the qualities necessary for transportation and communication. This can be done through its vast river system and grassy
plains. The desert have been difficult but by no means impossible to travel. The rain forest is difficult to travel but has been able to sustain a significant population once its
people mastered the wood work necessary for forest life. The Nile Valley aside, the claimant attributed to a economy based on survival rather than one that focused on high
productivity. Shifting cultivation and erratic harvest have both limited the population and led to political decentralization.
Coming Next.......
The Beginnings of African History - The Genesis of Man in Africa
Taken From: "A History of the African People"
by: Robert W. July
varieties of grass in occasional combination with forest sands, a fact that accounts for the abundance of wild game and the importance of Africa's pastoral societies. Even the
so-called desert consists primarily of arid shrub and grass areas suitable for grazing.
The African topography, helping to influence the continental weather, has been shaped by geological factors that render Africa unique among the worlds land masses. The
Mediterranean coast aside, Africa consists of a great block of ancient rock which has not been disturbed for over two hundred million years except for periodic uplift and erosion.
This results in Africa becoming a vast complex of plateaus tilting slightly upward to the east and the south.
The plateau system has resulted in another topographical feature of great historical importance. The ancient, eroded tableland has resulted in a series of major rivers that spread
into broad shallow basins that eventually empty into the sea. The most known of these is Victoria Falls on the Zambezi. Others include the Nile, the rapids of the Congo and the
interior rapid falls of the Niger and Senegal rivers.
The geography of Africa has produced a land with all the qualities necessary for transportation and communication. This can be done through its vast river system and grassy
plains. The desert have been difficult but by no means impossible to travel. The rain forest is difficult to travel but has been able to sustain a significant population once its
people mastered the wood work necessary for forest life. The Nile Valley aside, the claimant attributed to a economy based on survival rather than one that focused on high
productivity. Shifting cultivation and erratic harvest have both limited the population and led to political decentralization.
Coming Next.......
The Beginnings of African History - The Genesis of Man in Africa
Taken From: "A History of the African People"
by: Robert W. July
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