Land forms:
Ethiopian Highlands-The Ethiopian highlands, or Eritrean Highlands, began to rise 75 million years ago. Many different species live here such as the the blue-winged goose and the Gelada Baboon. These animals are found nowhere else in the world. The highlands have a wildlife preserve on them and the Blue Nile River runs through the Northern parts of the highlands. Around 80% of Africa’s tallest mountains are found in the Ethiopian Highlands. The highest point being Ras Dashen (4,550 m). Drought and soil erosion are very common in these parts because of coffee tree farming. The highlands have gone through a lot of deforestation, drought, and soil degradation. This has caused for crop failure and left around seven million people to starvation.
Kidepo Valley National Park-Found in Uganda the Kidepo Valley National Park is 557 sq miles. In 1958 the British colonial government turned it into a game preserve. The purpose was to protect animals from hunting and protect the land from man. The preserve brings in lots of tourists, in fact in 2010 visitors brought in $129 thousand. Then in 2013 there was 2300 visitors bringing in $178 thousand. The preserve has dirt roads running through it that can be used in all seasons. Most of the park is open tree Savannah, but because of the rain the two different valleys have different vegetation and animal populations.
Ethiopian Highlands-The Ethiopian highlands, or Eritrean Highlands, began to rise 75 million years ago. Many different species live here such as the the blue-winged goose and the Gelada Baboon. These animals are found nowhere else in the world. The highlands have a wildlife preserve on them and the Blue Nile River runs through the Northern parts of the highlands. Around 80% of Africa’s tallest mountains are found in the Ethiopian Highlands. The highest point being Ras Dashen (4,550 m). Drought and soil erosion are very common in these parts because of coffee tree farming. The highlands have gone through a lot of deforestation, drought, and soil degradation. This has caused for crop failure and left around seven million people to starvation.
Kidepo Valley National Park-Found in Uganda the Kidepo Valley National Park is 557 sq miles. In 1958 the British colonial government turned it into a game preserve. The purpose was to protect animals from hunting and protect the land from man. The preserve brings in lots of tourists, in fact in 2010 visitors brought in $129 thousand. Then in 2013 there was 2300 visitors bringing in $178 thousand. The preserve has dirt roads running through it that can be used in all seasons. Most of the park is open tree Savannah, but because of the rain the two different valleys have different vegetation and animal populations.
Water:
Lake Nyasa- This lake was found in 1859 by named by the Scottish missionary David Livingstone. Lake Nyasa, also known as Lake Malawi has an area of 360.4 miles. It's considered one of the great lakes of Africa. It’s the third largest freshwater lake in Africa and the ninth largest in the world. The lake is surrounded by mountains, except for the South. The lake helps provide food and freshwater. But, over fishing has caused for the lakes supply to decrease. Malawi and Tanzania both share the lake splitting it so Tanzania gets the eastern half and Malawi gets the rest. Lake Nyasa is the southernmost lake in the East African Rift system. Lake Malawi is a huge tourist attraction, bringing in money for the people living around the lake.
Orange River-The Orange River is the longest river in Africa, running 1,365 miles. It runs from the Drakensberg mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. The Orange river flows through the southern part of the Kalahari and Namib deserts, in dry years it doesn't reach the sea. It was found by a Dutch navigator and he named it in honor of the Dutch prince, William of Orange. Fun fact, the Orange river deposits diamonds on its shores. Just like lake Nyasa the Orange River is a huge tourist attraction. People who enjoy canoeing often come here because of the calm waters. Also, unlike other rivers by the Nile it lacks predators like hippos and crocodiles. Even with this the Orange River is very hard too navigate.
Lake Nyasa- This lake was found in 1859 by named by the Scottish missionary David Livingstone. Lake Nyasa, also known as Lake Malawi has an area of 360.4 miles. It's considered one of the great lakes of Africa. It’s the third largest freshwater lake in Africa and the ninth largest in the world. The lake is surrounded by mountains, except for the South. The lake helps provide food and freshwater. But, over fishing has caused for the lakes supply to decrease. Malawi and Tanzania both share the lake splitting it so Tanzania gets the eastern half and Malawi gets the rest. Lake Nyasa is the southernmost lake in the East African Rift system. Lake Malawi is a huge tourist attraction, bringing in money for the people living around the lake.
Orange River-The Orange River is the longest river in Africa, running 1,365 miles. It runs from the Drakensberg mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. The Orange river flows through the southern part of the Kalahari and Namib deserts, in dry years it doesn't reach the sea. It was found by a Dutch navigator and he named it in honor of the Dutch prince, William of Orange. Fun fact, the Orange river deposits diamonds on its shores. Just like lake Nyasa the Orange River is a huge tourist attraction. People who enjoy canoeing often come here because of the calm waters. Also, unlike other rivers by the Nile it lacks predators like hippos and crocodiles. Even with this the Orange River is very hard too navigate.
Resources:
Diamonds- Almost 65% of the worlds diamonds come from Africa. Out of that 65, 15% are mined in South Africa, the largest mine in the world is also found here. Even though diamonds are plentiful the miners make very little. In fact, most make less than a dollar a day. This is not enough money to help support families and get the basic needs of humans. Helping to show why the poverty levels are so high in Africa. Child labor laws in Africa also don't prohibit children from working in these mines. No matter how dangerous as long as you can do the work you can get hired. Corrupt leaders are causing for working conditions and wages to go down. Workers are getting injured and in some cases dying but don't have a way to support there families if they don't work. The low wages are also causing for literacy rate to fall and IMR to rise even though it should be the other way around.
Coffee-Another resource in Africa is coffee. The best place to grow coffee beans is between latitudes 25 degrees North and 30 degrees South, also known as “The Bean Belt.” In fact, stories say that the first coffee tree was actually found in Ethiopia. It’s still one of the best harvesting sources. This helps to make jobs, in Ethiopia and some other parts of Africa. The Ivory Coast is also another large coffee supplier. It is located in West Africa and is one of the largest producers of Robusta coffee. The coffee farms too a large hit with El-Nino. The large amount of rain caused for plant damage and rapid growth, making it hard for the farmers too keep up. Studies are showing that the demand for coffee could rise by a third by the year 2030, this will help with unemployment around these areas.
Diamonds- Almost 65% of the worlds diamonds come from Africa. Out of that 65, 15% are mined in South Africa, the largest mine in the world is also found here. Even though diamonds are plentiful the miners make very little. In fact, most make less than a dollar a day. This is not enough money to help support families and get the basic needs of humans. Helping to show why the poverty levels are so high in Africa. Child labor laws in Africa also don't prohibit children from working in these mines. No matter how dangerous as long as you can do the work you can get hired. Corrupt leaders are causing for working conditions and wages to go down. Workers are getting injured and in some cases dying but don't have a way to support there families if they don't work. The low wages are also causing for literacy rate to fall and IMR to rise even though it should be the other way around.
Coffee-Another resource in Africa is coffee. The best place to grow coffee beans is between latitudes 25 degrees North and 30 degrees South, also known as “The Bean Belt.” In fact, stories say that the first coffee tree was actually found in Ethiopia. It’s still one of the best harvesting sources. This helps to make jobs, in Ethiopia and some other parts of Africa. The Ivory Coast is also another large coffee supplier. It is located in West Africa and is one of the largest producers of Robusta coffee. The coffee farms too a large hit with El-Nino. The large amount of rain caused for plant damage and rapid growth, making it hard for the farmers too keep up. Studies are showing that the demand for coffee could rise by a third by the year 2030, this will help with unemployment around these areas.