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GEO 120 > Sub-Saharan Africa > Flashcards

Sub-Saharan Africa Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a major geographic quality of Sub-Saharan Africa?

A

No major mountain range

This contributes to the overall topography and climate of the region.

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2
Q

How is the population of Sub-Saharan Africa characterized?

A

Culturally rich and varied with hundreds of ethnic groups

This diversity influences languages, traditions, and social structures.

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3
Q

What do most people in Sub-Saharan Africa depend on for their livelihood?

A

Farming

This dependence highlights the importance of agriculture in the region’s economy.

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4
Q

What natural resources are abundant in Sub-Saharan Africa?

A

Rich in raw materials

Economies in the region often rely on primary activities such as mining and agriculture.

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5
Q

What wildlife issue is prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa?

A

Many species are threatened

This is due to habitat loss, poaching, and other environmental challenges.

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6
Q

What significant social issue affects several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?

A

Severe refugee problem

This is often a result of conflict, persecution, and economic instability.

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7
Q

What geological feature is formed by parallel faults in Sub-Saharan Africa?

A

Rift Valleys

These valleys include notable bodies of water such as Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi.

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8
Q

What is the general topography of Africa described as?

A

A plateau of plateaus

This affects the climate and ecosystems across the continent.

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9
Q

What historical geological process contributed to the formation of rift valleys?

A

Plate tectonics split apart Pangaea

This process has shaped the current continental layout.

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10
Q

What role do rift valleys play in geology?

A

Separate zones of plate movement

This indicates areas of tectonic activity and potential geological hazards.

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11
Q

What economic trend is notable in Sub-Saharan Africa?

A

Expansion of foreign investment in natural resources

This has led to growth in some countries, making them among the fastest growing in the world.

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12
Q

What is the population of Subsaharan Africa?

A

1.25 billion

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13
Q

What is the average rate of natural increase in Subsaharan Africa?

A

Greater than 2.5%

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14
Q

What is a common preference regarding family size in Subsaharan Africa?

A

Preference for large families

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15
Q

Why do families prefer large families in Subsaharan Africa?

A

Extra hands for labor and care of aging parents; conveys status

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16
Q

What financial practice is common for parents of girls in Subsaharan Africa?

A

Receiving ‘bride wealth’ in cattle

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17
Q

Why do parents receive ‘bride wealth’?

A

Because the daughter’s labor is lost to the groom’s family

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18
Q

What trend is observed in birth rates in Subsaharan Africa?

A

Birth rates are dropping but still very high

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19
Q

What is notable about the age distribution in Africa?

A

Africa has the world’s youngest population

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20
Q

What percentage of Africa’s population is under 15 years old?

A

43%

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21
Q

How many Africans were enslaved and exported over 1,200 years?

A

25 million.

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22
Q

When did Arab merchants begin their trade in slavery?

A

In the 7th century.

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23
Q

What routes did Arab merchants use to trade slaves?

A

Saharan camel caravan routes.

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24
Q

When did European trade in slaves to the New World begin?

A

After 1500.

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25
When did the transatlantic slave trade peak?
Between 1700 and 1870.
26
What was the impact of colonialism on indigenous African civilizations?
Europeans overshadow and inhibit the growth of indigenous African civilizations beginning in the 16th Century. ## Footnote This suggests that colonialism had a detrimental effect on the development and continuity of local cultures.
27
Which European country was the earliest to build an African empire?
Portugal. ## Footnote Portugal's involvement in Africa marked the beginning of European colonialism on the continent.
28
True or False: Before Europeans arrived, African cultures were rich and varied.
True. ## Footnote This highlights the misconception that Africa was 'dark' or empty before European colonization.
29
What did Europe want from Africa during the colonial period?
Slaves, Resources, Trade Routes ## Footnote Common motivations included resources, land, and strategic advantages.
30
Did the U.S. ever colonize any part of Africa?
Nothing Large Scale ## Footnote U.S. involvement in Africa was more about influence and economic interests rather than formal colonization.
31
What event begins the 'Scramble for Africa'?
Berlin Conference (1884) ## Footnote This conference was crucial in the division of African territories among European powers.
32
How many European countries were involved in dividing Africa during the Berlin Conference?
14 European countries ## Footnote These countries partitioned the continent without regard for existing cultural or ethnic divisions.
33
What was a significant consequence of the division of Africa by European powers?
Unified regions ripped apart and hostile societies thrown together ## Footnote This led to long-term conflicts and instability in the region.
34
What was the situation in Belgium’s Congo colony?
Suffered massacres ## Footnote The brutality of colonial rule had lasting impacts on the region's development.
35
What was the status of the Democratic Republic of Congo at independence in 1960?
Not prepared for independence ## Footnote The legacy of colonialism left the state politically fragmented and unstable.
36
What characterized Africa's political landscape by the 1950s?
Legacy of political fragmentation ## Footnote The independence movements faced challenges due to the arbitrary borders established by colonial powers.
37
How did Europeans affect the social and political map of Africa?
Redrew it disregarding preexisting cultural-territorial layout ## Footnote This disregard has had long-lasting effects on ethnic relations and governance.
38
Do modern boundaries in Africa correspond with ethnic boundaries?
No ## Footnote An example is Nigeria, referred to as the 'Mistake of 1914' due to its arbitrary borders.
39
Fill in the blank: The Berlin Conference started the 'Scramble for Africa' that lasted through _______.
1914
40
True or False: The boundaries imposed during the Berlin Conference correspond with the ethnic boundaries in Africa.
False
41
What is a significant feature of multilingualism in Africa?
100s of languages spoken ## Footnote This reflects the cultural diversity and complexity of communication within the continent.
42
What social issue is highlighted in the context of multilingualism?
Tribal hatreds (e.g., Rwanda) ## Footnote This indicates the challenges posed by ethnic divisions in multilingual societies.
43
What is a common economic characteristic of many states in Africa?
Low levels of development; reliance on a single crop/mineral ## Footnote This makes these states vulnerable to fluctuations in world markets.
44
What is a key factor affecting transportation in Africa?
Movement of goods is from the interior to coastal outlets ## Footnote This highlights the geographic challenges in logistics and trade.
45
What natural obstacles impede communication within Africa?
Desert, dense forest, and lack of navigable rivers in certain regions ## Footnote These geographical features complicate travel and communication across the continent.
46
What event in 1967 led to civil war in Nigeria?
Interregional rivalries when the eastern region tried to succeed as Biafra.
47
What type of government does Nigeria currently have?
A Federal State under a military government.
48
Which city was Nigeria's capital moved from?
Lagos.
49
Which city is currently the capital of Nigeria?
Abuja.
50
Fill in the blank: The government of Nigeria moved the capital from the ocean coast to the interior at _______.
Abuja.
51
What was the original home of humankind?
African continent
52
How long ago was agricultural innovation first observed in Africa?
10,000 years ago
53
How many languages/dialects are spoken in Africa?
1,000 languages/dialects
54
What fraction of the world's languages are spoken in Africa?
1/3 of languages on Earth today
55
What are the major religions practiced in Africa?
* Islam * Christianity * Animism
56
What is land tenure?
Land tenure is how people own and use land.
57
Who typically holds land in villages?
Villages, not individuals, customarily held land.
58
What is the precipitation condition in the region?
Precipitation in the region is high but variable and unevenly distributed.
59
What persistent problem affects the region?
Drought is a persistent problem.
60
What is the condition of soils in tropical Africa?
Soils in tropical Africa are poor.
61
What is the status of per capita food output in the region?
Per capita food output is flat.
62
What percentage of children in the region are affected by malnutrition?
Malnutrition afflicts almost half the region’s children.
63
What type of crops do governments prefer?
Governments prefer cash crops over subsistence food crops.
64
Where do governments invest more resources?
Governments invested more in their militaries.
65
What do the poor soils in the Sahel favor?
The poor soils in the Sahel favor subsistence agriculture/grazing.
66
What is the principal environmental problem in the region?
Desertification is the principal environmental problem.
67
Why did Europeans come to the southern tip of Africa?
To establish trade routes and settlements
68
What did the Dutch want in South Africa?
To create a supply station for their ships en route to Asia
69
What did the British want in South Africa?
To expand their empire and control trade routes
70
Who were the Afrikaners?
Descendants of Dutch settlers in South Africa
71
What was apartheid?
A system of institutionalized racial segregation in South Africa from 1948 to 1994
72
Why was apartheid pursued by whites?
To maintain political and economic control over the majority black population
73
What is the political situation in South Africa today?
A democratic government with ongoing challenges related to inequality and race
74
What is the percentage of Blacks in the South African population?
79%
75
What is the percentage of Whites in the South African population?
10%
76
What is the percentage of Mixed individuals in the South African population?
9%
77
What is the percentage of Asians in the South African population?
2%
78
What is often judged marginal in world affairs?
Subsaharan Africa ## Footnote Subsaharan Africa receives more aid for humanitarian crises
79
What potential issue is linked to HIV/AIDS in Subsaharan Africa?
Political instability or wars ## Footnote HIV/AIDS is a significant concern in the region
80
What percentage of the world's AIDS cases are in Subsaharan Africa?
67% ## Footnote Specific percentage not provided in the text; it is a crucial statistic
81
What critical shortage is present in Subsaharan Africa?
Telephone, e-mail, Internet, and other communication technologies ## Footnote This shortage is referred to as the Digital Divide
82
What motivates Chinese investors in Subsaharan Africa?
Rise in global food prices, biofuel prospects, shortages of arable land in China ## Footnote These factors drive foreign investment in the region

GEO 120 (11 decks)

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