Chapter 7 - Geography: Sub-Saharan Africa PDF

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Sub-Saharan Africa's geography, power & politics...

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Sub-Saharan Africa Chapter 7 Sub-Saharan Africa o o o o o

Poverty and political instability leave Africans highly vulnerable to climate change. Dependency on exports of raw materials results in economic instability. Despite some positive shifts toward more political freedoms, some governments remain authoritarian, nontransparent, and corrupt. This region is experiencing the fastest urbanization rate in the world. Populations are growing faster than any other world region.

Geographic themes o o

Sub-Saharan Africa is bordered on the north by the Sahel. Because of the Sahara and Sahel acting as cultural boundaries, Sub-Saharan Africa developed in isolation from North Africa and Europe.

Core themes o o o

During the period of colonialism, wealth (human talent and natural resources) flowed out. Natural resources continue to flow out of the continent. Corruption is being addressed but lingers.

Physical geography: landforms o o o o

Sub-Saharan Africa is largely a raised plateau as shown in this image of Botswana. Sub-Saharan Africa has few mountain ranges. Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is a solitary volcanic peak. Cape Town borders the escarpment and is a good harbor. The Great Rift Valley is a result of continental drift. This is one of Kenya’s Rift Valley lakes.

Physical geography: Geologic history o o o

Geologists place Africa at the center of Pangaea. The Red Sea and Great Rift Valley are indicators of continental drift. The Great Rift Valley contains sites that shed light on the early evolution of humans.

Great Rift Valley o o o

Divergent Plate Boundary African Plate is splitting in two Forming large and geologically recent lakes

Physical geography: Rivers o o

Zambezi, Nile, Niger. Congo, Orange Niger River’s braided delta in Nigeria

Physical geography: Climate o o o o o o

Most of the region is tropical. Seasonal variations differ by rainfall, rather than by temperature. Rainfall patterns are a function of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). The ITCZ shifts north and south seasonally, creating rainy seasons/dry seasons. Volcanic highlands modify temperatures. The Horn of Africa receives little rainfall.

The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) o

is the region that circles the Earth, near the equator, where the trade winds of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres come together.

Climates of sub-Saharan Africa o o o

Tropical Wet Climate: Gabon Desert: Namibia Subtropical, winter dry: Kenya

Environment: Deforestation and climate change o o o o o

Deforestation contributes to GHG. Deforestation destroys carbon sequestration processes. Growing demands for farmland and fuelwood drive deforestation. New projects provide alternate fuel sources. Agroforestry seeks to replant trees that provide multiple benefits.

Human impacts on the biosphere o o

Logging: South African Republic Deforestation: Madagascar

Traditional Agriculture -

Subsistence agriculture Horticulturists Mixed agriculture Shifting agriculture Fallow periods Primarily practiced by women to feed the family.

Commercial Agriculture -

Mono-cropped land Permanently clears the land More likely to require chemical inputs Frequently the realm of men

Water resources and water management o o o

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Groundwater contamination increases New groundwater discoveries Large-scale irrigation projects – Preferred by governments – Dams required (reduce/destroy wetlands) – Produce export crops Small-scale irrigation projects – Benefit poorer farmers

Herding, desertification, and climate change o

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Pastoralism – Practiced in semi-arid, steppe climates – Declining As global climate change turns steppes into deserts As native vegetation is destroyed by advancing agricultural communities

Wildlife and climate change o

Multiple threats on wildlife – Climate change will endanger 25−40% of species. – Humans hunt for meat and body parts. – Ecotourism is one strategy to protect. – Education is the second strategy.

Vulnerability to climate change o o

Water scarcity: Refugee Camp, Somalia Flash flooding: Tanzania

Human patterns over time o

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Africa is the original home of humans. – Homo erectus – Homo sapiens Early agriculture, industry, and trade – 7000 years ago: Cultivating began – 3400 years ago: Iron smelting mastered – 700 C.E.: Great Zimbabwe Empire – Complex social and economic systems – Mid-1400s C.E.: Europe sought resources – 1530: Beginning of slave trade

The scramble to colonize Africa

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1884 Berlin Conference: Divided Africa among European powers Boundaries purposely weakened tribal groups.

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Colonization – Withdrew resources from Africa – Created a market for European manufactured goods – Apartheid was the law in South Africa. – 1994: Nelson Mandela was elected president and apartheid came to an end. Apartheid - A policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race – Officially practiced in South Africa but spread throughout the region Nelson Mandela - South Africa’s first elected black president – Served 27 years in prison for government protests and sabotage.

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European colonies in Africa: 1914 -

British colonized the most of Africa followed by the French.

Abuse of power in postcolonial Africa o o

1957: Decolonization began. The legacy of colonization lasts to the present. – Old colonial borders remain. – Potentially powerful ethnic groups are divided by borders. – Leadership is lacking. – Corruption/abuse of power prevails. – Wealthy elites have much control.

Abuse of power in postcolonial Africa o

Present-day problems: – Dependence on imported food – Fluctuation of prices on mineral raw materials – Fluctuation of prices on agricultural products – Slow climb to democratic processes and leadership – Competition with other African nations

Globalization and development o

Challenges of relying on commodity exports – Wide fluctuation of prices on global markets – Economic instability – Developing efforts to promote economic diversity

Successive eras of globalization o

Colonial exploitation era – European colonization based on mercantilism – Commodity dependence  Resulted in widespread poverty

 Lack of market for local products Dual economies resulting  One part fairly rich, industrialized, connected  Remainder poor and reliant on low-wage labor 1980: Era of structural adjustment – Belt tightening occurred in order to pay debts. – Government businesses were privatized. – Social programs were cut. – Unemployment rose. – Political instability increased. Structural adjustment programs (SAPs) are policies that require economic reorganization toward less government involvement in industry, agriculture and social services. 2000 onward: Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers and Sustainable Structural Transformation – Market based solutions to debt and poverty – Democratic reforms – Diversifying economies – Reducing poverty – Some debt forgiveness –

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Successive eras of globalization o

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Current era of diverse globalization – Increased foreign direct investment in Africa – Increased investment in infrastructure – Expansion of communication technology – Africans themselves investing in Africa Asian investors – China and India are investing in Africa. – Both need low-cost raw materials. – China’s relations with corrupt governments may be hazardous. – Africans may not benefit from these investments.

Regional and local economic development o

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Potential of regional integration – Regional trading blocs are increasing. – Value chains maximize efficiency and profits. Local development – Grassroots economic development  Improved footpaths  Windmills generating electricity – Self-reliant development Development of leadership, innovation, and management skills

Power and politics

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The region has a long history of authoritarianism. Improvements include: – Increasing governmental transparency – Addressing problems of ethnic rivalry “Divide and rule” is the deliberate intensification of divisions and conflicts by potential rulers; in the case of sub-Saharan Africa, by European colonial powers.

Political challenges in the region 1. Ramifications of Cold War geopolitics 2. Radical Islam in the northern tier of sub-Saharan countries 3. Conflicts that create refugees (genocides) Positive signs of democratization o o o o o o -

Democratic/multiparty elections take place. Citizen activists confront corrupt officials. Citizens demand transparency. Women are beginning to engage in politics. Electronic media becomes a tool for democratization. South Africa peacefully transitioned to democracy after decades of apartheid Examples: Media records a demonstration in Nairobi Liberia’s woman president

Urbanization o o o o o o o o o

Rapid and uncontrolled urban growth is the norm. Circular migration prevents accurate enumeration of rural and urban populations. Birth rates are high. The definition of “urban” in the data has changed. Public planning is minimal. Infrastructure is minimal. Food and water scarcity are common. Greenbelts offer hope for growing food. The world’s fastest growing cities are located in Sub-Saharan region. Examples: A public water tap: Soweto, South Africa A sack garden in Kibera slum: Nairobi, Kenya

Population and gender o o o

This region has the highest population growth rate in the world. Some countries have successfully completed the demographic transition. Childlessness is seen as a tragedy. – Children ensure a family’s genetic survival. – Children ensure a family’s spiritual survival.

Population density o

There is a bigger population rate in Nigeria in comparison with South Africa

Infectious diseases o o o

Schistosomiasis and malaria Zika Ebola

Population issues o o

In Africa to do agricultural work To Europe for economic advancement

HIV/AIDS in Africa -

A leading cause of death in the region Life expectancies have lowered The AIDS has begun slowing in recent years Medical research is searching for a cure/vaccine.

Gender issues o

Gender roles are clearly defined. – Women do domestic activities. – Women collect firewood, water and grow the family’s food. – Men grow cash crops and receive the payment. – Men migrate to cities, mines, or plantations for work. – Couples maintain separate accounts. – Polygyny is declining. – Newer/kinder ceremonies are replacing Female Genital Mutilation.

Gay, lesbian, and transgender rights o o o o o o

The rights of gay, lesbian, and transgender (LGBT) individuals are not well protected. Violent homophobia is common. Most LGBT people keep their sexual identities hidden. Many countries have criminal sanctions against LGBT people. Highly conservative Muslims and Christians oppose LGBT people. The exception is South Africa.

Religion o

Indigenous belief systems exist throughout the region. – Animist beliefs  Animism is a belief system in which spirits, including those of the deceased, are thought to exist everywhere and to offer protection to those who pay their respects. – Fluid and adaptable to changing circumstances

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Some indigenous belief systems combine philosophies of animism with established faiths.

Islam and Christianity – – –

Islam is the dominant religion in the northern countries of the region. Islam is a minority religion in the other countries. Christianity was brought by European and American missionaries during the colonial era....