Aim: How did geography and natural resources affect the development of early societies throughout Africa?

DO NOW: WHAT GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES CAN YOU THINK OF THAT EXIST IN AFRICA TODAY?

DESSERT

RIVERS/OASIS

MOUNTAINS

Terms to Know

Savanna: grassy plain with irregular patterns of rainfall.

Desertification: process by which fertile or semi desert land becomes desert

Outpost: distant military station.

The Geography of Africa

Geography was a huge factor in the development of civilizations.

Most populated climate zone is the savanna. Good soil but can sometimes have long deadly

droughts Two main deserts: Sahara and the Kalahari and

Namib Fertile land on the tip of southern Africa.

Variety of Natural Resources such as salt, gold, iron, copper, diamonds and oil.

These resources were valuable for trade.

The Movement of People

Africa consists of many geographical barriers.

These made it a lot harder for people to travel throughout Africa.

The people found ways around the barriers.

The Great Rift Valley of East Africa: served as an interior corridor.

Surrounding rivers and seas provided ways to travel.

The Sahara and its Changes In 5500 B.C., Neolithic

tribes were able to settle in the Sahara.

Ancient Rock paintings show it full of forests and rivers.

In 2500 B.C., climate change started to dry out the Sahara.

The Sahara soon dried out and turned into a desert forcing the people to leave.

The Bantu Migrations

West African farmers and herders migrated to the south and east between 1000 B.C. and A.D.1000.

People adapted to Africa’s many climates and many different cultures developed.

The Kingdom of Nubia

Developed in an area of fertile land in the upper Nile.

Adapted many Egyptian traditions. Ruled Egypt for a time but was forced

out. Moved capital to Meroë. They had their own religion and

system of writing. King Natakamani and Queen

Amantiere ruled during the golden age.

North Africa

Early civilizations had strong ties with the Mediterranean world.

Romans civilized in North Africa and spread Christianity to the cities.

In A.D. 200, camels were brought to North Africa from Asia for trade.

In the 600’s, Arab traders brought Islam to North Africa.It replaced Christianity as the dominant religion.Arabic replaced Latin as the dominant language.

Activity On your map, find and label:

Nile River

Sahara Desert

Mount Kilimanjaro

Niger River

Lake Victoria

Kalahari Desert

Indian Ocean

Atlantic Ocean

Lake Chad

Congo River

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/socsci/ca/books/bkf3/imaps/AC_06_206_bantu/AC_06_206_bantu.html

How did geography play a role in the development of societies?

What are some struggles you think the migrators faced during their trip?

Who and what were some outside influences on North Africa?

Name three geographic barriers in Africa.