Selina Concise Solutions for ICSE Class 7 Geography Chapter 14 Africa Location Area Political and Physical Features

THINK AND ANSWER

Question 1: Why did Africa remain unexplored for a long time ?
Answer:
The equator passes through the middle of the continent and most of Africa lies within the tropics. It is, therefore, the hottest continent.
People faced many difficulties while exploring Africa. In the north, the Sahara, the world’s largest desert, was impenetrable due to severe heat and dry conditions. Most of Africa consists of undulating plateaus, so it was difficult to reach the interior from the coastal areas. The rivers of Africa have many rapids and waterfalls, and are not fit for navigation. The extensive equatorial forests and swampy lands teeming with dangerous tsetse flies and poisonous insects discouraged explorers from entering the heart of the continent.
Africa's physical geography acted as a series of natural walls that kept outsiders from reaching the interior. The combination of extreme weather, dangerous diseases, and difficult terrain meant that only the bravest travelers could survive the journey.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the "Dark Continent" nickname as a mystery caused by the giant walls of the Sahara and the thick jungles.
Exam Tip: Categorize your points into climate, terrain (plateaus), and biological factors (insects) to score full marks.

Discuss

Question 1: Deforestation rate in Africa is twice the average for the rest of the world with more than four million hectares of primary forest disappearing every year. What could be the reasons for this.
Answer:
The reasons would be :
1. Conversion of forests for subsistenance and commercial agriculture.
2. Deforestation done because of commercial logging
3. Other activities such as cattle rattling, cash crop plantations, and the construction of dams, roads and mines.
Rapid population growth has increased the demand for more farmland and wood for fuel and construction. Global demand for African timber also drives large-scale logging operations that clear huge areas of jungle quickly.
Teacher's Tip: Use the acronym "F-L-A-M-E" to remember: Farming, Logging, Agriculture, Mining, and Expansion.
Exam Tip: Always list reasons in separate lines to make your answer clear and easy for the teacher to read.

VALUES AND LIFE SKILLS

Question 1: The Sahara Desert forms a large part of Africa. This desert extends from the Atlantic in the west to the Red Sea in the east. Suppose you were going to the Sahara Desert. List the things you would take with you. What kind of problems are you likely to face ? How would you cope with them ?
Answer:
The things one should carry and the problems we can face are discussed below :

1. Preparing for Desert Emergencies -
(a) Wear clothing that minimizes sweat loss : Most of your body’s water loss happens through perspiration. Cover as much skin as possible with loose, light-weight clothing. This will trap the sweat against your skin, slowing evaporation and therefore water loss.
(b) Bring lots of extra water : Whenever you enter a desert, bring more water than you expect. While walking in sunshine and 40°C (104°F) heat, the average person loses 900 mL (30 oz) of sweat every hour. In an emergency situation, you’ll be thankful for any water you carried.
1. Divide the water you’ re carrying among several containers. This minimizes the amount of water you can lose to one leak.
2. Store the excess in a cool spot in your vehicle, away from direct sunlight.
(c) Bring food that packs the most nutrition in the least size and weight: Energy bars, pemmican, jerky, and trail mix are popular choices. Do your research, experiment beforehand, and be prepared. When wheeled vehicles break down, it’s just your two legs and the path to the next town, and you don’t want to be carrying anything nonessential.
(d) Pack survival equipment: Here are the bare essentials for a survival kit:
1. Sturdy emergency blankets
2. Cords or rope
3. Water purification tablets
4. First aid kit
5. Fire starters
6. Powerful flashlight or headlamp. LEDs last longest.
7. Knife
8. Compass
9. Signal mirror
10.Goggles and a dust mask or bandana (for dust storms)
 

2. Survival Tactics :
(a) Become nocturnal: In a desert survival situation, you do not want to be moving around during the day. The cooler night air enables you to travel farther and faster with minimum danger of heat exhaustion. In hot climates, this single decision will save your body about three liters (three quarts) of water per day.
(b) Stay in a shelter during the day: If you don’t have a shaded car to stay in, string cords between a pair of objects in a place that gets shade most of the day. Drape a sturdy emergency blanket over the cords. Place a few pieces of brush on top of the blanket, then cover it with another emergency blanket (this one can be a thin Mylar sheet). The gap of air between the two blankets insulates the shelter, keeping it cooler.
(c) Signal for help : Building a fire is a great way to make a signal, creating smoke during the day and light at night. While in transit, keep a signal mirror in reach to reflect light at passing aircraft or distant cars.
(d) Decide whether to stay in place : If you have a supply of water and someone knows where you are, staying in one place may be your best chance of rescue. Traveling to find help will exhaust you much faster than staying in place, and water loss will cut your survival time way down if you can’t find another supply. That said, if your water supplies are low, you will need to look for more. You cannot expect to survive more than a couple of days if you run out of water.
(e) Find water sources : If there’s been a rainstorm recently, you may find pockets of water in rock outcrops or flat stone surfaces. More often, you’ll need to search for areas with possible groundwater:
1. Follow animal tracks leading downhill, birds circling around something, or even flying insects.
2. Walk to the greenest vegetation you can see, especially large plants with wide leaves.
3. Recognizing Dangers
(a) Watch out for signs of dehydration : Many people make their journey much harder by underestimating their water needs. Trying to ration your supply is a mistake that can cost your life. If you notice any of the following symptoms, drink more water:
1. Urine with a dark color or a noticeable smell.
2. Dry skin
3. Dizziness
4. Fainting
(b) Rest if you experience heat exhaustion : If you feel lightheaded or nauseous, or if your skin feels cool and clammy, seek shade immediately. Rest and treat yourself as follows:
1. Remove or loosen your clothing
2. Sip a sports drink or slightly salty water (about 5 mL salt per liter water /1 tsp per quart).
3. Apply wet cloth on your skin to aid cooling evaporation.
(c) Stay away from dangerous animals : Most mammals and reptiles will stay away from you, especially if they are alone. Follow the same practice and be aware of your surroundings to avoid accidentally cornering something.
The main challenges in a desert are extreme heat during the day and freezing cold at night. To survive, one must prioritize water management and use effective signaling tools to be found by rescue teams.
Teacher's Tip: In the desert, "Water is Life"; never try to save it by drinking less, as dehydration happens very quickly.
Exam Tip: For survival questions, list the most critical items first: water, shelter, and signaling tools.

EXERCISES

A. Choose the correct answer :

Question 1: The strait that separates Europe from Africa is the
1. Palk Srait
2. Bering Strait
3. Strait of Gibraltar
4. trait of Magellan
Answer:
3. Strait of Gibraltar
This narrow waterway connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. It is a vital shipping route that has been important for trade for thousands of years.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Gibraltar as the "G-ateway" between the two continents.
Exam Tip: Straits are common map questions; make sure you can point to the gap between Spain and Morocco.

Question 2: A large portion of Africa lies in the
1. desert
2. tropics
3. temperate region
4. marshy land
Answer:
2. tropics
The continent is centered around the equator and lies mostly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. This location is why Africa has such hot climates and vast tropical rainforests.
Teacher's Tip: Remember that the Equator cut Africa into two almost equal halves.

Question 3: The area in a desert where water can be found is called a/an
1. pond
2. well
3. depression
4. oasis
Answer:
4. oasis
An oasis is formed when underground water comes close enough to the surface for plants to grow. They are essential rest stops for people traveling across the desert.
Teacher's Tip: Think of an Oasis as a "Green Island" in a sea of sand.
Exam Tip: Be careful with the spelling; it is "oasis" for one and "oases" for many.

Question 4: The Sudd is a
1. lake
2. swamp
3. gulf
4. cape
Answer:
2. swamp
The Sudd is a massive wetland area in South Sudan formed by the White Nile. It is filled with thick plants that make it very difficult for boats to navigate.
Teacher's Tip: The word "Sudd" actually means "barrier" in Arabic because the swamp blocks the river.
Exam Tip: Remember the location; it is in the central part of the Nile river system.

Question 5: The largest lake in Africa is
1. Lake Chad
2. Lake Tana
3. Lake Victoria
4. Lake Tanganyika
Answer:
3. Lake Victoria
This lake is the primary source of the Nile River and is shared by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. It is the second-largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area.
Teacher's Tip: Lake Victoria is like the "Heart" of East Africa's geography.
Exam Tip: Don't confuse it with Lake Tanganyika, which is the longest but not the largest.

B. Identify who I am

Question 1: i am a country through which the Tropic of Capricorn passes: Namibia.
Answer:
Namibia.
Namibia is located in southwestern Africa and contains the famous Namib Desert. This line of latitude determines much of the dry climate in the region.
Teacher's Tip: Capricorn is for the South; Cancer is for the North. Namibia is in the South!
Exam Tip: Practice identifying the three main lines (Equator, Cancer, Capricorn) on an African map.

Question 2: I am the southernmost tip of Africa: Cape of Good Hope.
Answer:
Cape of Good Hope.
Early explorers used this landmark as a sign that they were successfully sailing around Africa to reach India. It is a beautiful rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of South Africa.
Teacher's Tip: Think of it as the "Turn" where ships go from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean.
Exam Tip: Note that Cape Agulhas is actually the exact southernmost point, but the Cape of Good Hope is the most famous historical tip.

Question 3: I am a snow-capped mountain near the equator: Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Answer:
Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Even though it is in a hot tropical region, it is so high that its peak remains frozen all year. It is a dormant volcano and the highest mountain in Africa.
Teacher's Tip: High Altitude = Low Temperature, even at the Equator!
Exam Tip: Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania; remember to mention it is the "Roof of Africa."

Question 4: I am the longest river of Africa: Nile.
Answer:
Nile.
The Nile flows northward from Lake Victoria all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. It provided the water and soil that allowed the ancient Egyptian civilization to survive in the desert.
Teacher's Tip: The Nile is the "Lifeline" of North Africa.
Exam Tip: Remember the Nile is the longest river in the world, not just Africa.

Question 5: I am a river that flows into Lake Chad: The Chari.
Answer:
The Chari.
This river provides about 90 percent of the water that enters Lake Chad. It is vital for the people and animals living in the semi-arid Sahel region.
Teacher's Tip: Chari flows into Chad - notice the "Ch" in both names!
Exam Tip: Lake Chad is an "inland drainage" basin, meaning its rivers don't reach the ocean.

Question 6: I am a lake that does not lie in the Great Rift Valley of Africa: Lake Victoria.
Answer:
Lake Victoria.
Unlike many other deep, narrow lakes in the region, Lake Victoria sits in a shallow depression between the two branches of the Rift Valley. It is much wider and rounder than the rift lakes.
Teacher's Tip: Rift lakes are long and thin like "scratches"; Victoria is big and round.
Exam Tip: If the question asks for a non-rift lake, Victoria is your best answer.

Question 7: I am a river that flows through the Namib Desert: Okavango
Answer:
Okavango.
This unique river never reaches the sea; instead, it empties into a giant swampy delta in the Kalahari Desert. It creates a lush paradise for wildlife in an otherwise dry land.
Teacher's Tip: The Okavango Delta is often called the "Jewel of the Kalahari."
Exam Tip: Note that this river ends in a "Delta" rather than an estuary at the coast.

C. Match the following:
A
1. Egypt
2. Kenya
3. South Africa
4. Ethiopia
5. Ghana
6. Libya
B
(i) Accra
(ii) Tripoli
(iii) Addis Ababa
(iv) Cairo
(v) Nairobi
(vi) Pretoria
Answer:
1. Egypt - (iv) Cairo
2. Kenya - (v) Nairobi
3. South Africa - (vi) Pretoria
4. Ethiopia - (iii) Addis Ababa
5. Ghana - (i) Accra
6. Libya - (ii) Tripoli
Matching these countries to their capitals helps us understand the political map of the continent. Most of these cities are the main centers for trade and government in their respective regions.
Teacher's Tip: Make a "Capital City" song to memorize these pairs easily.
Exam Tip: Double-check your matching with a ruler to ensure you don't accidentally link the wrong items.

D. Give geographical reasons

Question 1: People faced many difficulties while exploring Africa.
Answer:
It was difficult to explore Africa because of deserts like Sahara which have severe heat and dry conditions, the undulating plateaux, non-navigable rivers, extensive equatorial forests, swampy lands and poisonous insects.
Explorers had to climb steep plateaus right from the coast, and once they reached the top, the rivers were full of dangerous waterfalls that blocked boat travel. Diseases like malaria and the vast, hot Sahara acted as giant barriers that kept people out for centuries.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "Barriers" - Sahara in North, Rapids in Rivers, and Plateaus at the edge.
Exam Tip: Use the term "Dark Continent" in your explanation to show you understand the historical context.

Question 2: The rivers of Africa are not very suitable for navigation in their lower course.
Answer:
The rivers have many rapids and waterfalls making them unfit for navigation.
Since most of Africa is a high plateau, rivers have to drop down steeply to reach the coastal plains. This creates powerful rapids and waterfalls like Victoria Falls that boats simply cannot pass through.
Teacher's Tip: Plateau = High land; Ocean = Low land. Rivers must "fall" to get there!
Exam Tip: Mention "plateau topography" to give a more professional geographical reason.

Question 3: The river Nile flows through a desert and yet has water throughout the year.
Answer:
River Nile has water throughout the year because its source is Lake Victoria which lies in the rainy equatorial region.
The heavy rains at the equator keep the river constantly filled with water as it travels north. Even though it loses some water to evaporation in the hot Sahara, the huge volume from its source keeps it flowing.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the Equator as a "Giant Tap" that never turns off.
Exam Tip: Mention the "White Nile" and "Blue Nile" as the two main branches for a more detailed answer.

E. Answer the following questions briefly.

Question 1: Give the latitudinal extent of Africa and explain why it is mostly a tropical continent.
Answer:
Latitudinal extent of Africa is 37°N to 35°S. Africa is known as mostly tropical continent because a large portion of Africa lies in the Tropics, the Tropic of cancer (23 1/2° N) in the North and the Tropic of Capricorn (23 1/2° S) in the South.
Because it is perfectly balanced between the two Tropics, the sun shines directly over most of Africa for much of the year. This central position on the globe ensures that the climate stays warm and tropical across most of the land.
Teacher's Tip: Africa is the only continent through which the Equator and both Tropics pass!
Exam Tip: Memorize the numbers 37 and 35 to get the latitudinal extent correct.

Question 2: Name three great explorers connected with the African continent.
Answer:
David Livingstone, who discovered Victoria Falls in 1855. Mungo Park followed the course of the river Niger. Henry Morton Stanley traced the course of the river Congo from Lake Tanganyika to its mouth.
These men mapped deep jungles and long rivers that were previously unknown to the rest of the world. Their journeys were extremely dangerous and helped open up Africa for trade and colonization.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the famous phrase: "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" spoken by Stanley.
Exam Tip: Link the explorer's name to the specific river or landmark they found to show complete knowledge.

Question 3: Name the major mountain ranges of Africa.
Answer:
The Atlas Mountains lie in north-western Africa. They are young fold mountains consisting of three parallel ranges - the Tell Atlas in the north, the High Atlas in the middle, and the Sahara Atlas in the south. The highest peak in the Atlas Mountains is Mt Toublkal, which remains snow-capped most of the year.
Besides the Atlas, Africa has the Drakensberg mountains in the south and the Ethiopian Highlands. These ranges were formed by different geological forces, including volcanic activity and the folding of the Earth's crust.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the Atlas Mountains as the "North Wall" and Drakensberg as the "South Wall".
Exam Tip: When naming ranges, always mention which part of Africa (North, South, etc.) they are in.

Question 4: Name the lakes found in the Great Rift Valley.
Answer:
The lakes found in the Great Rift Valley are Lake Malawi, Lake Mobutu, Lake Edward and Lake Turkana.
These lakes are usually long, narrow, and very deep because they formed in the giant cracks of the Rift Valley. They provide important water and food resources for millions of people living in East Africa.
Teacher's Tip: These lakes are shaped like the rift itself - thin and long.
Exam Tip: Make sure you do NOT include Lake Victoria in this specific list, as it is not a rift lake.

Question 5: How much time does it take the cocoa tree to yield cocoa pods ?
Answer:
An evergreen tropical plant, the cocoa tree grows to a height of 4 to 9 m. It begins to yield cocoa pods after about 5-7 years. Cocoa pods grow on the trunk and main branches. Each pod is about 18-25 cm long and contains pulp with beans.
Farmers must wait several years for their first harvest, but once the trees start producing, they can yield fruit for decades. These beans are the most important ingredient for making chocolate, a major export for West Africa.
Teacher's Tip: Think of 5-7 years as "The wait for Chocolate!"
Exam Tip: Use the words "evergreen" and "tropical" to describe the type of plant cocoa is.

F. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs

Question 1: Elaborate on the achievements of the great explorers in opening up the continent of Africa.
Answer:
Explorers like David Livingstone discovered Victoria Falls. Mungo Park discovered the course of river Niger. Henry Morton Stanley traced the source of river Congo from Lake Tanganyika to its mouth.
These explorers braved dangerous terrains and unknown diseases to map the interior of what was then called the "Dark Continent." Their work provided the first detailed information about Africa's resources, which unfortunately later led to the scramble for colonization by European powers.
Teacher's Tip: Explorers were like the "human maps" of the 19th century.
Exam Tip: Mentioning the specific date (1855) for the discovery of Victoria Falls shows you have studied well.

Question 2: Name the major physical divisions of Africa. Describe any one.
Answer:
Africa can be divided into the following physical divisions: the Atlas Mountains, the low central plateau, the high plateau of the south, the Great Rift Valley, the Nile and Congo Zaire Basins, and the coastal plains.
1. The Atlas Mountains lie in north-western Africa. They are young fold mountains.
2. There are three parallel ranges - the Tell Atlas in the north, the High Atlas in the middle, and the Sahara Atlas in the south. The highest peak in the Atlas Mountains is Mt Toubkal, which remains snow-capped most of the year.
3. The low central plateau extends from the Atlantic Coast in the west to the Nile Valley in the east. The Sahara Desert forms a part of this plateau. This desert extends from the Atlantic in the west to the Red Sea in the east, and covers an area of 8.6 million sq.km.
4. The Great Rift Valley of Africa is a special physical feature of the southern plateau. It is a long narrow valley formed as a result of vertical cracks that developed because of the movements within the earth. It extends for a total distance of 5,000 km from Lake Malawi to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba to the Dead Sea in Jordan.
Each division contributes to the extreme diversity of the continent, from frozen peaks to the burning sands of the Sahara. The Great Rift Valley is particularly unique as it shows how tectonic forces are slowly pulling the continent apart.
Teacher's Tip: Pick the "Great Rift Valley" to describe because its "5,000 km" length is a very impressive fact to remember.
Exam Tip: When describing a division, include its location (North, South, etc.) and a key physical fact like "snow-capped" or "volcanic."

Question 3: Describe the three important deserts found in Africa.
Answer:
The three important deserts are Sahara, The Namib, The Kalahari.
Sahara is part of the low Central Plateau. It is the largest desert in the world covering the area of 8.6 million square km.
The Namib, desert runs along the Western Coast in South-West Africa.
Kalahari desert lies in the Southern part of Africa forming part of High Plateau of South Africa.
The Sahara is a classic hot sand desert, while the Namib is a unique coastal desert that gets most of its water from fog. The Kalahari is actually a semi-desert with more plant life and supports many traditional tribes.
Teacher's Tip: Sahara is in the North; Namib and Kalahari are in the South.
Exam Tip: Be sure to mention that the Sahara is the "largest" to show you know its global importance.

Question 4: What is a rift valley? How is it formed?
Answer:
The Great Rift Valley is a long narrow valley formed as a result of vertical cracks that developed because of movements within the earth. It extends for a total distance of 5,000 km from Lake Malawi to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba to the Dead Sea in Jordan. Many freshwater lakes, such as Malawi, Tanganyika, and Turkana are found here.
It forms when two tectonic plates move away from each other, causing the ground between them to sink down. This massive feature is so large that it is actually visible from the moon.
Teacher's Tip: Think of it as a giant "unzipping" of the Earth's crust.
Exam Tip: Mention the "5,000 km" length and the "vertical cracks" to describe the formation process correctly.

Question 5: Give an account of the major lakes of Africa.
Answer:
Lake Victoria is the largest lake of Africa. The river Chari flows into Lake Chad. Lake Tanganyika is one of the longest freshwater lake in the world. Other large lakes in Great Rift Valley are Malawi, Mobutu, Edward and Turkana.
African lakes are not just bodies of water; they are essential for transportation and local fisheries. Lake Victoria is unique because it is the source of the world's longest river, the Nile.
Teacher's Tip: Most African lakes are in the East; remember "Victoria is the Victory" (Largest).
Exam Tip: Distinguish between Rift Valley lakes (like Tanganyika) and non-rift lakes (like Victoria).

G. Map work:
On a blank outline map of Africa, mark the following:
1. The Cape of Good Hope
2. The Drakensberg Mountains
3. The Victoria Falls
4. The Atlas Mountains
5. The Nile River
6. The Libyan Desert
7. The Suez Canal
Answer:
Locate the Atlas in the NW, Suez Canal in the NE corner, Nile flowing North from Lake Victoria, and Cape of Good Hope at the SW tip. Marking these physical features helps you visualize the structure and flow of the African landscape.
Teacher's Tip: Always mark the Suez Canal right at the tiny piece of land connecting Africa to Asia.
Exam Tip: Use different colors for different features - brown for mountains, blue for rivers, and yellow for deserts.

H. Picture Study

This is a photograph of Victoria Falls.
Question 1: Name the explorer who discovered it.
Answer:
David Livingstone discovered Victoria Falls in 1855.
Livingstone was the first European to see these falls and he named them after the British Queen Victoria. He was incredibly impressed by the roar and mist created by the falling water.
Teacher's Tip: He called it the most beautiful sight he had seen in Africa!
Exam Tip: Associate the name "Victoria" with the English Queen to remember the explorer's era.

Question 2: On which river is this fall located ?
Answer:
Victoria Fall is located on Zambezi River.
The Zambezi is one of the fourth-longest rivers in Africa and forms a border between Zambia and Zimbabwe at the falls. The waterfall is over a mile wide and drops more than 100 meters into a deep gorge.
Teacher's Tip: Zambezi sounds like "Zebra"; Zebras live near the Zambezi!
Exam Tip: Map work often asks you to locate the Zambezi river; look for the "S" shape in southern Africa.

LET’S DO SOMETHING

On a blank outline map of Africa
(a) Mark with brown lines the Atlas and the Drakensberg Mountains.
(b) Shade with yellow and label the Sahara Desert and the Kalahari Desert.
(c) Shade with light brown the plateau region of Africa, the Ethiopian and Adamawa Highlands.
(d) Colour with blue and label neatly all the surrounding water bodies, oceans, seas, bays, gulfs, and straits.
Answer:
Do it Yourself.
Creating your own physical map is the best way to memorize where different terrains meet. Seeing the vast size of the yellow-shaded Sahara compared to the rest of the continent shows why it is such a major landform.
Teacher's Tip: Use light shades of color so your labels stay easy to read.
Exam Tip: Practice labeling the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean as they are the most important surrounding water bodies.