Who does not know this one continent, with its territory different from other continents. Unique geographical conditions, residents with different skin colors as well as various advantages that combine the wildness of the outside world and also various living things that may never be found in other areas. Especially for the region of the African Continent stretches in the northern and southern hemispheres, covering a vast land in southwestern Asia, and surrounding islands. So if viewed from the map, the boundary between Africa and Asia is a bit vague but still recognizable.
Characteristics of the African Continent
Africa is the only continent passed by 0 degrees latitude or can be referred to as the equator and longitude 0 degrees, as well as the north and south lines at once. The continent is divided into five regions, including North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, and South Africa.
1. Location and Area of the African Continent
Africa became the third largest continent in the world after the continent of Asia and America. Where Africa does have a dense population despite having a large area and ranks second largest population after Asia. With an area of approximately 30,224,050 km² plus adjacent islands, Africa covers 20.3% of the Earth's total land area.
Yet as we know that this continent is experiencing many obstacles as well as constraints on the quality of life. With 800 million people in 54 countries, this continent is home to one seventh of the world's population.
Astronomically, the African continent is located between ± 35 ° N - 33 ° N and ± 18 ° E - 53 ° east. As for some boundaries of the African continent are:
a. The north is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea or the Mediterranean Sea and Continental Europe.
b. The East is bordered by the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.
c. The South and West are bounded by the Atlantic Ocean.
2. Physical Conditions of the African Continent
Characteristics The next African continent is the physical condition of the African continent. Africa is a different continent than any other. The region is traversed by three major latitudes, the equator (0 °), the northern return line (23 ½ ° N), and the southern line (23 ½ ° LS). Most of its territory is a plateau or the opposite is deserted.
However, in the African continent there are also fertile areas in the lowlands, for example in the Nile Valley and the Zaire River Valley which is the second largest river valley after the Amazone River Valley. If seen from its fertility certainly does not defeat the other continent that is equally green.
a. Desert in Africa
If you remember Africa you will probably remember the spread of deserts on the African continent. You can encounter around the north line and the south line. The desert region in the South has a higher position or position compared to the desert region in the North.
However, the desert in the North has a larger area. The desert in the North is known as the Sahara Desert (± 9,065,000 km²), extending from Senegal in the West to Kenya in the East. The desert in the South, the Kalahari Desert and the Namibian Desert.
b. Mountains, Mountains And Plato In Africa
If you walk into South Africa you will find many springs and streams between 500 and 1200 m above sea level, in addition to the plateau and mountains that are famous for its scenery. This is the reason why South Africa is more popular than the rest of South Africa.
Popular platoes include Plato Umbagi and Plato Tassilin-Ajjer in Sahara, Plato Shaba in the Southeast, Plato Lunda and Plato Drakensberg in the South, Ethiopian Plateau to the east, and Plato Angola in the center.
As for the Mountains in Africa, the Atlas Mountains stretching from the Northwest coast of Africa to Tunisia and the Cape Mountains in the South. Mountains in Africa are generally inactive, but there are still some active ones. The highest point of Africa is on Mount Kilimanjaro (5,894 m) in East Africa which is always covered with snow.
c. Rivers And Lakes In Africa
Africa is famous for the river that has a long and beautiful water flow, as well as a large river. The famous rivers in Africa are the Nile River which is 6.500 km long and becomes the longest river in the world, then there is the Congo River, the Orange River in South Africa, the Niger River in Nigeria, and the Zambesi River in Zambia. Some of these streams are contained for irrigation and power generation, such as the Aswan dam that curb the Nile and the Akosombo Dam that curb the Volta River in Ghana.
As for the lakes in Africa, Lake Victoria (± 69,484 km²) is the largest lake in Africa, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Mobutu, Lake Rudolf, Lake Chad, and Lake Zambesi. In addition, Africa also has many large waterfalls, namely Tuguela waterfall in South Africa (984 m) and Victoria waterfall (108 m) in Zimbabwe.
d. Flora and Fauna In Africa
The condition of flora and fauna is related to the climatic conditions. In tropical rainforest areas (in parts of Central Africa) there is a huge variety of plants and rainforests. In the North and South (subtropical) there is a large steppe and savanna, whereas in the desert area there is only a steppe and cactus plant.
The natural conditions of the African Continent strongly support the spread of fauna. Africa has many species of fauna, especially large mammals. African fauna, addax, zarafah, zebras, antilopes, hippos, rhinos and elephants. Despite their physical resemblance to similar animals in Asia, however, African animals have relatively larger body sizes than similar animals in Asia.
3. Climate of Africa
Characteristics The next African continent is the climate of the African continent. Because of the large area, it is clear that the African continent has various climates consisting of:
4. Social and Cultural Continent of Africa
Characteristics The next African continent is the social and cultural setting of the African continent. For some people it may sound "racist". But it is said that this black continent has been nicknamed since the 19th century and when it was mentioned by Europeans the first time when they are looking for new areas. The black continent was discovered because the colonial people of Europe saw the African inhabitants generally in black. In addition, the mapmakers had a difficulty mapping the continent, especially the sub-Saharan desert. Others speculate that Africa is called a black continent because the soil is black or the map is black.
5. The Economy of the African Continent
The economy of the African continent includes the middle to bottom to the limit of the crisis. All this is influenced by many factors, such as climate, most of Africa is classified as dry and less potential to work so farming can not be done, farms can only be done by some animals only and not all animals living in Africa can be utilized. Most are wild animals or wild animals that actually cross with human benefits.
However, although this is the case, some residents continue to work on the cultivation of land with limited circumstances and certain plants or animals. As for the developed Industry that is processing of mine (gold, diamond, copper, iron ore, phosphate).
Unfortunately some foreign companies manage and take the country's wealth, so not infrequently local residents there can only be laborers or miners just work but can not become the owner of the company. It also affects overall countries in the African continent classified as still poor. In fact, this continent can be classified as the poorest continent in the world.
That is a review of the Characteristics of the African Continent ranging from the vast territory, the physical condition of the continent, climate, and also socio-cultural. Hopefully useful, Thank you and all.
Characteristics of the African Continent
Africa is the only continent passed by 0 degrees latitude or can be referred to as the equator and longitude 0 degrees, as well as the north and south lines at once. The continent is divided into five regions, including North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, and South Africa.
1. Location and Area of the African Continent
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| Africa |
Yet as we know that this continent is experiencing many obstacles as well as constraints on the quality of life. With 800 million people in 54 countries, this continent is home to one seventh of the world's population.
Astronomically, the African continent is located between ± 35 ° N - 33 ° N and ± 18 ° E - 53 ° east. As for some boundaries of the African continent are:
a. The north is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea or the Mediterranean Sea and Continental Europe.
b. The East is bordered by the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.
c. The South and West are bounded by the Atlantic Ocean.
2. Physical Conditions of the African Continent
Characteristics The next African continent is the physical condition of the African continent. Africa is a different continent than any other. The region is traversed by three major latitudes, the equator (0 °), the northern return line (23 ½ ° N), and the southern line (23 ½ ° LS). Most of its territory is a plateau or the opposite is deserted.
However, in the African continent there are also fertile areas in the lowlands, for example in the Nile Valley and the Zaire River Valley which is the second largest river valley after the Amazone River Valley. If seen from its fertility certainly does not defeat the other continent that is equally green.
a. Desert in Africa
However, the desert in the North has a larger area. The desert in the North is known as the Sahara Desert (± 9,065,000 km²), extending from Senegal in the West to Kenya in the East. The desert in the South, the Kalahari Desert and the Namibian Desert.
b. Mountains, Mountains And Plato In Africa
If you walk into South Africa you will find many springs and streams between 500 and 1200 m above sea level, in addition to the plateau and mountains that are famous for its scenery. This is the reason why South Africa is more popular than the rest of South Africa.
Popular platoes include Plato Umbagi and Plato Tassilin-Ajjer in Sahara, Plato Shaba in the Southeast, Plato Lunda and Plato Drakensberg in the South, Ethiopian Plateau to the east, and Plato Angola in the center.
As for the Mountains in Africa, the Atlas Mountains stretching from the Northwest coast of Africa to Tunisia and the Cape Mountains in the South. Mountains in Africa are generally inactive, but there are still some active ones. The highest point of Africa is on Mount Kilimanjaro (5,894 m) in East Africa which is always covered with snow.
c. Rivers And Lakes In Africa
As for the lakes in Africa, Lake Victoria (± 69,484 km²) is the largest lake in Africa, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Mobutu, Lake Rudolf, Lake Chad, and Lake Zambesi. In addition, Africa also has many large waterfalls, namely Tuguela waterfall in South Africa (984 m) and Victoria waterfall (108 m) in Zimbabwe.
d. Flora and Fauna In Africa
The condition of flora and fauna is related to the climatic conditions. In tropical rainforest areas (in parts of Central Africa) there is a huge variety of plants and rainforests. In the North and South (subtropical) there is a large steppe and savanna, whereas in the desert area there is only a steppe and cactus plant.
The natural conditions of the African Continent strongly support the spread of fauna. Africa has many species of fauna, especially large mammals. African fauna, addax, zarafah, zebras, antilopes, hippos, rhinos and elephants. Despite their physical resemblance to similar animals in Asia, however, African animals have relatively larger body sizes than similar animals in Asia.
3. Climate of Africa
Characteristics The next African continent is the climate of the African continent. Because of the large area, it is clear that the African continent has various climates consisting of:
- Temperate zones or subtropical which covers an area in the southeast coast of South Africa, the south, and the Tropic of Capricorn.
- The tropical climate area is the area around the equator. Experiencing regular rainfall. But, the rainfall is decreasing for the area that is getting farther from the equator. Along the coast of West Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and parts of the eastern coastline experience heat and rain throughout the year.
- This desert climate type climate zone is present in the northern part of Africa (desert region) and the southwestern part of the continent. The desert climates can be dry throughout the year.
- This type of climate-type Mediterranean climate is found in the northernmost region of Africa around the Mediterranean Sea.
- Climatic area of this type of climate type mountain is found in mountainous or high areas.
4. Social and Cultural Continent of Africa
Characteristics The next African continent is the social and cultural setting of the African continent. For some people it may sound "racist". But it is said that this black continent has been nicknamed since the 19th century and when it was mentioned by Europeans the first time when they are looking for new areas. The black continent was discovered because the colonial people of Europe saw the African inhabitants generally in black. In addition, the mapmakers had a difficulty mapping the continent, especially the sub-Saharan desert. Others speculate that Africa is called a black continent because the soil is black or the map is black.
- The number of Africans in mid-2007 reached ± 944 million, including the second most densely populated continent after Asia. The most densely populated region is East Africa.
- The inhabitants of this black continent include the Negroid race, which then split again into many tribes. But, in this continent also live other nations, such as Arab, India, Malay, as well as immigrant European society. In 2007 the number of Africans reached 934,283,426 inhabitants. Africa includes a continent with high population growth.
- The main religion adopted by the population in the African continent is Islam and Christianity. Islam is embraced by the majority of North African population and has the fastest development. Christianity coming from Egypt and the Ethiopian area is much embraced by the people of Central Africa.
- In addition to local languages, in Africa also used a variety of languages inherited from the colonial period. For example, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. The word Africa comes from Latin, Aprica which means 'shine' or Aphrike Greek meaning 'without cold'.
5. The Economy of the African Continent
The economy of the African continent includes the middle to bottom to the limit of the crisis. All this is influenced by many factors, such as climate, most of Africa is classified as dry and less potential to work so farming can not be done, farms can only be done by some animals only and not all animals living in Africa can be utilized. Most are wild animals or wild animals that actually cross with human benefits.
However, although this is the case, some residents continue to work on the cultivation of land with limited circumstances and certain plants or animals. As for the developed Industry that is processing of mine (gold, diamond, copper, iron ore, phosphate).
Unfortunately some foreign companies manage and take the country's wealth, so not infrequently local residents there can only be laborers or miners just work but can not become the owner of the company. It also affects overall countries in the African continent classified as still poor. In fact, this continent can be classified as the poorest continent in the world.
That is a review of the Characteristics of the African Continent ranging from the vast territory, the physical condition of the continent, climate, and also socio-cultural. Hopefully useful, Thank you and all.
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