‘Exploring continents: Africa’
‘Exploring continents: Africa’ by Deborah Underwood
1. Africa is the world’s second largest continent, after Asia. Asia and Africa are connected by a small piece of land named the Sinai Peninsula. The Atlantic Ocean laps at its west coast. The Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea can be found off its northern coasts. Africa’s east coast meets the Indian Ocean.
2. East Africa has lots of mountains and lakes. Woodlands and grassy plains cover much of Africa’s centre.
3. The highest peaks in Africa do not belong to the mountain ranges. Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya are the tallest mountains in Africa. Both are extinct volcanoes. They rise out of the Great Rift Valley.
4. Africa’s largest lakes can be found in the Great Rift Valley. Lake Victoria is the world’s second largest freshwater lake. It is nearly as big as Scotland. Nearby Lake Tanganyika is the second-deepest lake in the world. Africa is also home to the world’s longest river. The River Nile flows north from Lake Victoria and empties into the Mediterranean Sea.
The Zambezi River pours over a steep cliff to form the famous Victoria Falls. The Falls lie on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
5. Many plants have ways to survive the fierce heat and dry air of African deserts. Some have roots that reach more than 40m into the earth to find hidden water. Others store water for later use.
An island of green in a desert marks the presence of an oasis. In these spots, underground water comes near the surface. Date palms, fig trees and shrubs are among the plants that might be found growing in an oasis.
6. Deserts may look empty, but they are full of life. Scarab beetles scuttle across sands. Slithering snakes hunt for rodents. Desert hedgehogs peek out from underground burrows. More than 300 types of bird spend some time each year in the Sahara.
7. Every year in East Africa, more than one million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles begin their annual migration. They leave dry areas and move in a circular path looking for fresh grasses to eat. They travel more than 800miles a year.
8. Africa is rich in natural resources, such as diamonds, gold, and oil. The country of Nigeria produces the most oil. Libya, Algeria, Angola and Egypt are other major producers.
9. Agriculture is the most important business in Africa. Some people grow food to feed themselves. Others grow plants that they can sell to make money. These plants are called cash crops.
West Africa grows nearly 70% of the world’s cacao beans. The beans are sold to Europe and North America. Companies turn them into cocoa and other chocolate items. Other African cash crops inculde peanuts, cotton, coffee and tea.
More farmers are choosing to grow cash crops. However, when too many farmers stop growing food, it leads to food shortages.
10. In the late 1800s, countries in Europe wanted Africa’s land and resources. They divided Africa among themselves. For decades, European countries ruled most of Africa. When one nation controls another one in this way, it is called colonialism.
This brought problems that still exist. Some borders split tribes of people between two or more countries. Others put groups that did not get along with each other into the same country.
11. The Great Mosque at Djenne in Mali is the largest mud brick building in the world. It was built in 1907 on the site of a mosque from the 1200s. Each year, people climb up the walls to add more mud.
