The ancient African continent had a lot of geographical features which include deserts, savannah, swamps, rainforests, plateaus, mountains, rivers, lakes, valleys, and highlands.
The Nile River played a crucial role in supporting ancient Egyptian civilisation while the Congo River facilitated trade and communication. The Sahara Desert shaped Sahara societies around the oases.
The ways of life of our great-grandmothers and fathers were influenced and shaped by their geographical features and climate change.
The ancient African continent had a lot of geographical features and ecosystems which supported agriculture and the people. The highlands provided different agro-ecological conditions and supported the cultivation of a variety of crops. These geographical conditions brought about a transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled agricultural communities. Factors such as high population growth and climate change affected food security among ancient Africans. Sadly, these same problems are causing threats to the survival of the modern African. We need to understand how important these geographical features and resources are to our survival as Africans and the need to protect them.
**Write all the physical things in your surrounding that were created by nature.**
The geographical features of Ghana include the sea, rivers, (Pra, Ankobrah, Tano, Volta, Densu, Oti, Bia, etc.), mountains (Akwapim-Togo Range, Gambaga Escarpment, Mampong Scarp, Afadja, etc.), and vegetation (savannah, forest, coastal).
Some geographical features of Africa
Our continent is blessed with a lot of rivers, highlands, valleys, deserts, rainforests, islands, and oceans. Examples of them are the Nile River, the Sahara Desert, the Ethiopian Highlands, the Great Rift Valley, the Namib Desert, the Congo Basin (forest) and the Madagascar Island. In this section, we are going to discuss the first four examples, namely the Nile River, the Sahara Desert, the Ethiopian Highlands, and the Great Rift Valley.
Nile River
The Nile River is the longest in the world and can be found in Africa. It flows through eleven countries in Africa which are Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Eritrea. The Nile played a very vital role in the development of ancient civilisations and continues to be useful to millions of people living along its banks on the continent. It is the longest river in the world, flowing northward through northeastern Africa for about 6,650 kilometres (4,130 miles). It passes through countries like Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile has been vital to the civilizations that developed along its banks, providing water for irrigation, transport, and agriculture. Ancient Egypt, for example, flourished because of the Nile, which made the desert land fertile and allowed for the growth of crops like wheat and barley. Ancient Egyptians relied on the annual flooding of the Nile, called the inundation, which deposited nutrient-rich silt onto their farmlands, making it possible to grow enough food to support large cities.
Sahara Desert
The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world, stretching across North Africa. It consists of vast stretches of dunes, rocky plateaus, and oases. It spans across parts of Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, and Tunisia. Despite the harsh conditions in this area, it supports different plant and animal lives. The plant life includes drought-resistant species such as acacias, palms, and succulents; while animal species include camels, desert foxes, Fennec foxes, gazelles, various reptiles, and insects.
The Ethiopian Highlands
This is also known as the Ethiopian Plateau. They are a vast mountainous region located in the Horn of Africa (Somalia Peninsula) within the borders of Ethiopia, but also stretching into parts of Eritrea and Sudan. It is made of steep cliffs, deep valleys, and big plateaus.
The Great Rift Valley
The Great Rift Valley is a big geographical feature that covers 6000km from the Middle East to East Africa. It is one of the most unique geographic formations on Earth with unique geological trenches, rifts, and faults. It has rich biodiversity made up of montane forests, savannah grasslands, wetlands, and freshwater lakes as well as, diverse endemic species and important wildlife habitats. This is a fascinating geographical feature that spans multiple countries in Africa. In Kenya, it is home to Lake Nakuru, which is famous for its vast flocks of flamingos and diverse wildlife. The surrounding escarpments (long steep slopes at the edge of a plateau) also offer breathtaking views for tourists and hikers. The Great Rift Valley is a prime example of the breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders created by tectonic plate movements.
Kalahari Desert
This is a vast semi-arid sandy savanna that stretches across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Unlike typical deserts, the Kalahari receives some rainfall, allowing for more vegetation than in extremely deserts. It is the home to various wildlife, such as meerkats, giraffes and lions. The San people, also known as the Bushmen, have lived in the Kalahari for thousands of years, adapting to its harsh environment by practicing hunting and gathering. The Kalahari’s Okavango Delta, in the Kalahari Desert, is a seasonal swamp which supports diverse wildlife during the rainy season. This makes it an important area for conservation and tourism.
Sahara Desert
This is the largest hot desert in the world, covering much of North Africa, including Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Morocco. Its vast dunes, rocky plateaus and extreme temperatures make it a challenging environment. Despite the harsh conditions, several oases support life, allowing plants and animals like camels, scorpions, and date palms to survive. Historically, the Sahara has been a major trade route, where camel caravans transported goods like salt, gold, and spices. The ancient city of Timbuktu in Mali was a key trade centre on the edge of the Sahara, connecting West Africa with Mediterranean markets.
Mountain Kilimanjaro
It is the tallest mountain in Africa, standing at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. Located in Tanzania, it is a free-standing volcanic mountain with three cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. The mountain is a popular destination for hikers and climbers due to its snow-capped peak, even though it is near the equator. The mountain’s slopes support different ecosystems, ranging from tropical rainforests to alpine deserts, and are home to animals such as elephants, leopards, and colobus monkeys. Kilimanjaro’s melting glaciers are a major concern, as they have been shrinking due to climate change. The ice cap that once covered its peak may disappear entirely within the next few decades.
Write five (5) geographical features in your community. Consider how this helps or hinders your community.