Biographies Characteristics Analysis

African platform landform. Need help with your studies? African inland waters

Everyone remembers that Africa is the hottest continent on the planet. But few people know that Africa is also the "highest" of the continents, since it has the highest average height above sea level. The relief of Africa is very diverse and complex: there are mountain systems, plateaus, large plains, active and long-extinct volcanoes.

The relief of any region, as is known, is closely connected with the tectonic and geological structure of the territory. The relief of Africa and the minerals of this continent are also associated with the tectonics of the mainland. Let's consider this question in more detail.

Plan for describing the relief of the territory of Africa

The relief of any continent is characterized according to a specific plan. The relief of Africa is described according to the following algorithm:

  1. characteristics of the mainland.
  2. Analysis of the history of the development of the earth's crust.
  3. Characterization of external and internal (exogenous and endogenous) factors of relief formation.
  4. Description of the general features of the relief of the continent.
  5. Highlighting the maximum and minimum height.
  6. Minerals and their distribution on the territory of the mainland.

Low and High Africa

The description of the relief of Africa should begin with the fact that the mainland, from an orographic point of view, is divided into two parts: High and Low Africa.

Low Africa occupies more than 60% of the entire area of ​​​​the continent (geographically, these are the northern, western and central parts of Africa). Heights up to 1000 meters prevail here. High Africa covers the southern and eastern parts of the mainland, where the average heights are 1000-1500 meters above sea level. Here are the highest points - Kilimanjaro (5895 meters), Rwenzori and Kenya.

General characteristics of the African relief

Now consider the main features of the relief of Africa.

The main feature is that the relief of the mainland is mostly flat. Mountain ranges border the mainland only in the south and northwest. In East Africa, the relief is predominantly flat.

Such landforms of Africa predominate: plateaus, plains, highlands, plateaus, remnant peaks and volcanic massifs. At the same time, they are located on the territory of the mainland very unevenly: inside it there are mostly leveled surfaces - plains and plateaus, and along the edges - hills and mountain ranges. This feature is associated with the tectonic structure of Africa, most of which lies on the ancient platform of the Precambrian age, and along its edges there are areas of folding.

Of all the mountain systems in Africa, only the Atlas is young. In the east of the mainland, the huge East African Rift Valley stretches for more than 6,000 kilometers in length. Grandiose volcanoes formed in the places of its faults, and very deep lakes formed in the depressions.

It is worth listing the largest landforms in Africa. These include the Atlas, Draconian and Ethiopian highlands, the Tibesti and Ahaggar highlands, the East African plateau.

atlas mountains

The mountainous landforms of Africa are, as already mentioned, only in the south and northwest of the mainland. One of the African mountain systems is the Atlas.

The Atlas Mountains arose 300 million years ago as a result of the collision of the Eurasian and African plates. Later, they were raised to considerable heights due to neotectonic movements that took place at the end of the Paleogene. It is worth noting that earthquakes occur in this area even now.

The Atlas is composed mainly of marls, limestones, and also ancient volcanic rocks. The bowels are rich in metal ores, as well as phosphorites and oil.

This is the largest mountain system in Africa, which includes several almost parallel mountain ranges:

  • High Atlas.
  • Rif.
  • Tel Atlas.
  • Middle Atlas.
  • Sahara Atlas.
  • Antiatlas.

The total length of the mountain range is about 2400 kilometers. The maximum heights are located on the territory of the state of Morocco (Mount Toubkal, 4165 meters). The average heights of the ridges range from 2000-2500 meters.

dragon mountains

This mountain system in the south of the mainland is located on the territory of three states - Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland. The highest point of the Dragon Mountains is Mount Thabana-Ntlenyana with a height of 3482 meters. The mountains formed 360 million years ago, during the Hercynian era. They got such a formidable name due to their inaccessibility and wild appearance.

The territory is rich in minerals: platinum, gold, tin and coal. The organic world of the Dragon Mountains is also unique, with several endemic species. The main part of the mountain range (Drakensberg Park) is a UNESCO site.

The Drakensberg Mountains are the watershed boundary between the Indian Ocean basin and the upper reaches of the Orange River. They have a unique shape: their tops are flat, table-like, separated by erosion processes into separate plateaus.

Ethiopian highlands

The relief of Africa is strikingly diverse. Here you can find high mountain ranges of the Alpine type, hilly plateaus, vast plains and deep depressions. One of the most famous mainland is the Ethiopian Highlands, within which not only Ethiopia is located, but also 6 other African states.

This is a real mountain system with average heights of 2-3 kilometers and the highest point of 4550 meters (Mount Ras Dashen). Due to the specific features of the relief of the highlands, it is often called the "roof of Africa". In addition, this "roof" often shakes, seismicity remains high here.

The highlands formed only 75 million years ago. It consists of crystalline schists and gneisses overlain from above by volcanic rocks. Quite picturesque are the western slopes of the Ethiopian Highlands, indented by the canyons of the Blue Nile River.

Within the highlands there are rich deposits of gold, sulfur, platinum, copper and in addition, it is also an important agricultural region. It is considered the birthplace of coffee, as well as some varieties of wheat.

Mount Kilimanjaro

This volcano is not only the highest point of the mainland (5895 meters), but also a kind of symbol of all of Africa. The volcano is located on the border of two states - Kenya and Tanzania. From the Swahili language, the name of the volcano is translated as "sparkling mountain".

Kilimanjaro rises above the Masai plateau at a height of 900 meters, so visually it seems that the volcano is unrealistically high. Scientists do not predict the activity of the volcano in the near future (other than possible gas emissions), although it was recently found that the lava is located 400 meters from the Kibo crater.

According to local legends, the volcano erupted about two centuries ago. Although there is no documentary evidence for this. The highest point of Kilimanjaro - Uhuru Peak - was first conquered in 1889 by Hans Meyer. Today, the speedy conquest of Kilimanjaro is practiced. In 2010, the Spaniard Kilian Burgada set a kind of world record by climbing to the top of the volcano in 5 hours and 23 minutes.

Relief of Africa and minerals

Africa is a continent with huge economic potential, which is characterized by huge reserves of various minerals. In addition, a more or less even, slightly dissected topography of the territory contributes to the development of industry and the construction of roads and other means of communication.

Africa is rich in minerals, on the basis of which metallurgy and petrochemistry can develop. Thus, the continent holds the absolute leadership in the world in terms of total reserves of phosphorites, chromites and tantalum. Africa also has large deposits of manganese, copper and uranium ore, bauxite, gold and even diamonds. On the mainland, they even distinguish the so-called "copper belt" - a belt of high mineral and raw material potential, stretching from Katanga to (DRC). In addition to copper itself, gold, cobalt, tin, uranium and oil are also mined here.

In addition, such regions of Africa as North Africa and West Africa (its Guinean part) are also considered very rich in the presence of minerals.

So you got acquainted with the features of the relief of the hottest continent on Earth. The relief of Africa is unique and diverse, here you can find all its forms - mountain ranges, plateaus and plateaus, highlands, hills and depressions.

1. Why does the study of the features of the mainland begin with determining its geographical position?

The study of geographic location should begin with the definition of geographic location. It is the geographical location that determines many characteristics of the mainland: the amount of heat and the set of climatic zones, the prevailing winds, the amount of precipitation, coastal currents.

2. What is the main feature of Africa is determined by its geographical position?

Due to its geographical position, Africa is the hottest continent.

3. Fill in the gaps in the sentences using textbook text and a map of Africa.

The area of ​​mainland Africa is 30.3 million km2. The population of the mainland is more than 900 million people. Africa is the hottest continent on earth. Africa is located in subtropical, tropical, subequatorial and equatorial climatic zones. The shores of the mainland are poorly dissected. The largest island - Madagascar - is of continental origin, it is located about 400 km east of Africa.

5. Remember from the geography course of grades 5-6 what types of plains are distinguished by height. Using a physical map, chart Views of the Plains of Africa. Give examples of each type of plain.

In terms of height, the plains are low (up to 200 m), elevated (200-500 m), highlands (above 500 m).

6. Determine what types of plains are shown on the African relief profile in Figure 66 in the textbook.

The profile shows elevated plains and plateaus.

9. Here are four climate charts. Determine which climate zone they characterize.

1 - tropical;

2 - subtropical;

3 - equatorial;

4 - subequatorial.

10. What natural zone and what geographical object are we talking about in the following passage?

Desert natural zone, Sahara.

13. Plot and label warm and cold currents off the coast of Africa on a contour map.

Cold - Canary, Benguela, Samal current.

Warm - Guinea, Angolan, for Cape Agulhas, Mozambique for.

14. Using the map of climatic zones in the atlas, determine in which main and transitional climatic zones Africa is located.

The main belts are equatorial and tropical.

Transitional belts - subequatorial, subtropical.

15. Determine on the map which basins of the oceans the rivers belong to:

Nile - Atlantic Ocean;

Congo - Atlantic Ocean;

Zambezi - Indian Ocean;

Niger - Atlantic Ocean;

Limpopo - Indian Ocean;

Senegal - Atlantic Ocean.

18. How would you dress if you were at the mouth of the Congo River? Justify the answer.

The mouth of the Congo River is located in the subequatorial zone in the natural zone of variable-humid forests. In conditions of high temperature and humidity, it is better to wear light clothing made from natural materials. However, for security, it needs to be closed.

19. Imagine that the island of Madagascar will shift south by 300. How will the climate and natural areas on the island change?

If the island moves 300 south, it will be within the temperate and subantarctic climatic zones. Temperatures will be much lower. Tropical forests will be replaced by mixed and coniferous, in the extreme south - by tundra.

20. One of the major problems on the African continent is deforestation. Continue the chain of changes in the natural complex that will occur as a result of the destruction of forests in order to harvest valuable tree species for export.

Determine which part of Africa is experiencing the most intensive deforestation. What can you suggest to solve the problem?

Intensive deforestation is taking place in the Congo Basin. Considering that forests are climatic and hydrological regulators, deforestation in the equatorial regions of the Earth can lead to radical climate change. In this regard, there is a need to protect not just some forest areas or typical forests, but the entire forest fund of the planet, all logging must certainly be accompanied by reforestation.

21. What letter on the map (Fig. 5) indicates Cape Agulhas?

BUT); AT); WITH); D)

22. What letter on the map (Fig. 6) indicates the Atlas Mountains?

BUT); AT); WITH); D)

23. Almost the entire continent experiences the action of winds:

1) monsoons;

2) trade winds;

3) Western

2) trade winds

24. in figure 7, the numbers indicate:

1) the Congo River;

2) Atlas mountains;

3) the Nile River;

4) Dragon mountains;

5) Lake Victoria;

6) Ethiopian highlands;

7) Lake Tanganyika

8) Lake Chad.

25. Dry riverbeds in Africa are called:

3) meanders

26. Specify the excess:

3) Victoria;

4) Orange

3) Victoria.

27. The Zambezi River is full-flowing:

3) autumn;

28. The population of Africa is:

1) 900 million people;

2) 500 million people;

3) 1.5 billion people

1) 900 million people

1) in the Nile Delta;

2) in the Sahara;

3) on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea

1) in the Nile Delta

30. What letter on the map (Fig. 8) indicates Angola?

BUT); AT); WITH); D)

31. What letter on the map (Fig. 9) is Nigeria?

BUT); AT); WITH); D)

32. Match:

Peoples Where they live

1) pygmies; A) South Africa

2) drills; B) the Congo basin;

3) Berbers; B) Kalahari

4) Bushmen; D) Sugar

1-B; 2-A; 3-G; 4-B.

33. Most of Africa is occupied by a natural zone:

1) savannas and light forests;

2) deserts and semi-deserts;

3) humid equatorial forests;

4) forest-steppes and steppes

1) savannas and woodlands

34. What letter on the map (Fig. 10) indicates the zone of savannas and light forests?

BUT); AT); WITH); D)

35. Choose the only false statement:

1. 40% of the area of ​​Africa is occupied by savannahs.

2. The Benguela Current contributed most to the formation of the Namib Desert.

4. There is no temperate climate zone in Africa.

3. The extreme northern point of Africa is Cape Piai.

36. Which of the statements is correct?

A) Baobab is a characteristic tree of the African savannas.

b) The Strait of Gibraltar separates Africa from the Arabian Peninsula.

1) only A is true;

2) only B is true;

3) both are true;

4) both are wrong

Abstract of a lesson in geography

Grade: 7

Subject: “The relief of the mainland: plains, plateaus, mountains and highlands. Relief formation under the influence of internal and external processes. Minerals and regularities of their distribution, their deposit”.

Goals:

Educational:

    based on the analysis of the tectonic and physical maps of Africa, to establish the relationship between the tectonic structure and the relief features of the mainland;

    consider the features of the formation of relief in the northwest and southeast of Africa;

    to acquaint with the main landforms of the mainland.

Developing:

    develop skills and abilities to compare different maps, establish causal relationships, the ability to draw conclusions;

    develop attention, logical thinking, memory, speech of students.

Educators:

    cultivate a conscientious attitude to the work performed, a sense of empathy, mutual assistance.

Lesson equipment:

    tectonic map of the world (Atlas p.4)

    physical map of Africa;

    contour maps, atlases;

    colour pencils;

    slides PowerPoint presentation “Relief of Africa”;

    textbook V.A.Korinskaya, I.V.Dushina, V.A.Schenev. Geography of continents and oceans, grade 7 - M .: Bustard, 2009.

    Toolkit. ON THE. Nikitin. Lesson developments. - Moscow, VAKO-2005.

    handouts (cards).

Methods: verbal, visual.

Lesson type: combined.

Lesson stages

Time

Teacher activity

Methods

Student activities

I. Organizing time.

2 minutes.

Checking the readiness of students for the lesson; communication of the topic and objectives of the lesson;
encourage students to engage in learning activities.

Story

Students prepare for the lesson, listen to the topic and purpose of the lesson.

II. Actualization of acquired knowledge.

What continent did we meet in the last lesson? (Africa)

Why does Africa belong to the southern continents? What continents are southern?

What is the area of ​​the mainland? (29.22 million km2, with islands 30.32 million km2)

The maximum height of Africa?

(volk. Kilimanjaro, 5895m)

Minimum height?

(Lake Assal -153 m)

2.1. Characteristics of the GP of the mainland Africa.

2.2. Determining the extreme points of the mainland.

Appendix 1

Extreme points:

Northern m. Ben-Sekka -36 sl. 13vd

South metro station Igolny - 34yush.10vd

Zapadnaya m Almadi-10ssh 28zd

Eastern m. Ras-Khafun-5ssh 47vd

2.3. Repetition on the topic "Exploring Africa".

Annex 2

Key: 1b, 2c, 3a, 4d, 5g

7 min.

The teacher conducts a survey of students on previously studied material (paragraph 24).

The survey takes place in the following form: the story of students about the GP of Africa, work on cards, a frontal survey of students.

Listens attentively to the student's answer, comments and corrects errors.

Listens carefully to the student's answer, comments and corrects errors with the students in the class.

The teacher sums up the check d \ z, gives an assessment.

conversation

conversation

conversation

Students answer questions and complete assignments.

The students answer the teacher's questions.

The student gives a detailed description of the mainland, using textbook material, add. material, physical map of Africa.

The student shows the extreme points of the mainland, determining the correct coordinates and answers an additional question.

The student writes the answer on the board, comments on his choice when answering.

III. Learning new.

3.1. Teacher's message.

Africa is a developed and in many ways mysterious civilization that developed in Egypt. For a long time Africa was the center of the slave trade. At its westernmost point is the island of Gore. In the distant past, this island was the base of pirates and slave traders. Only in the middle of the 19th century was slavery banned, which claimed millions of human lives.

Today we will get acquainted with the features of the relief of this continent.

1) The tectonic structure of Africa.

What lithospheric plate does Africa lie on?

(African)

Do areas of the mainland fall at the junction of lithospheric plates? Where? What plate is colliding?

(With Eurasian plate)

What underlies the rest of the mainland?

(African-Arabian platform)

What landform corresponds to the platforms?

(plain)

What landform will occupy large areas in Africa?

2. Relief of Africa.

- If you look at the FC of the world, you will see that in Africa, compared to other continents, plains from 200 to 1000m high prevail. There are few lowlands in Africa; they are located along the coasts of the oceans and seas. There are no high and extended mountain ranges on the mainland.

According to the prevailing heights, Africa is divided into two parts: high (East and South) and low (North and West).

Low Africa

This part of the mainland experienced subsidence for a long time. Repeatedly it was flooded with ancient seas. Therefore, in a significant part it is covered with strata of sedimentary rocks - continental and marine. Within the boundaries of North and West Africa, there are areas of solid crystalline rocks that form rather high highlands: Ahaggar, Tibesti, Darfur plateau.

Atlas is located on the northwest of the mainland.

Message about the Atlas Mountains.

High Africa.

The southern and eastern parts of the African-Arabian platform were rising, which led to the formation of high plateaus. A significant part is occupied East African Plateau. Here are the highest peaks of the mainland - volcanoes Kilimanjaro, Kenya.

- Locate these volcanoes on a physical map. Determine the geographic coordinates of the volcanoes.

Kilimanjaro 4S.W.37E

Kenya 2 S 35E

North of the East African Plateau is Ethiopian highlands. These are high plateaus bounded by high steep ledges.

The largest faults in the earth's crust stretched across the eastern part of Africa. They stretched from Asia through the Red Sea, the Ethiopian Highlands, the East African Plateau to the mouth of the Zambezi River. Here the lithospheric plates move apart (a rift zone is formed). Here in the eastern part of Africa, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent. Large lakes formed in the breaks of the earth's crust (grabens). Faults in the earth's crust in the eastern part of the mainland are called Great African Rifts.

The very south of Africa is bordered by the Cape Mountains (with flat tops) and the Drakensberg Mountains.

Post and Cape and Dragon Mountains.

3. Minerals.

Africa is rich in a variety of minerals. In connection with the predominance of igneous rocks in Africa, there are a lot of ore deposits. Africa is rich in diamonds. In North Africa, oil reserves have been discovered on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. Africa is rich in phosphorites, coal, manganese ores.

Determine the main types of p / and in Africa.

The teacher informs the topic and the specific goal, sets the students up for a new type of activity. slide 1

Demonstration slide 2

Repetition. Work with the tectonic map of the world.

(Atlas, p.4)

The teacher characterizes part of Africa using a map.

Slide show "Highlands in the Sahara".

The teacher checks and corrects the student answering at the blackboard.

The teacher advises and checks the work of students.

The teacher shows slides, talks about landforms, using a map.

The teacher demonstrates slides, comments on the student's story, corrects mistakes.

The teacher shows the main types of p / and on the map.

Story, show.

Frontal conversation on questions.

Story, show.

conversation, show

Conversation

Show

show, story

Students write the topic of the lesson in a notebook.

Students listen to the teacher's story, write down the necessary material.

Students work with a tectonic map, answer questions from the teacher.

Students write down the most important characteristics and names of landforms.

students

Students work with a map and atlas (p. 24) and write down the necessary material.

Students determine the coordinates on the map, show volcanoes.

Students memorize the material, write down the necessary information in a notebook, work with the atlas p. 24.

Students work with the atlas p.24

IV. Consolidation of what has been learned.

Task: mark the largest landforms and the main types of settlements on the c \ c.

Mini test.

(Annex 3)

key: 1a, 2a, 3b, 4a, 5a

V. Summarizing.

- What landform is predominant in Africa?

What is the peculiarity of the location of the lowlands in Africa?

Where are the mountains in Africa?

Name the highest mountain in Africa.

What is the difference between the topography of North and South Africa?

VI. Homework.

Paragraph 25, p.114-117, question 3 in writing.

8 min.

2 minutes.

1 min

slide show

The teacher explains the task.

The teacher distributes the worksheet.

The teacher sums up the lesson, marks the work in the lesson, asks the children to evaluate the lesson.

The teacher explains the homework.

Show, story.

conversation, show

Students work with the atlas p.24 and k \ k.

Students work on what they have learned

Students evaluate the lesson using handouts.

The students write the assignment in their diary.

Appendix 1

Card number 1.

1. What continents are southern?

2. Determine the coordinates of the extreme points of the African continent.

3. How Africa was called in ancient times.

Annex 2

Card #2

Set match:

1. David Livingston A) discovery of the Rwenzori massif

2. Vasco da Gama B) discovered Victoria Falls

3. Henry Stanley B) opened the sea route to India

4. N.I. Vavilov D) study of central Africa

5. V. Juncker D) established that Ethiopia is the homeland

durum wheat

Annex 3

mini test

1. Flat-topped mountains:

a) Draconian b) Cape c) Atlas

2. The extreme northern point of the mainland is:

a) Cape Ben Secca b) Cape Almadi c) Cape Agulhas

3. Africa lies in ... hemispheres.

a) 3 b) 4 c) 2

4. Mountains lying on the NW of the mainland.

BUT a) Atlas b) Rwenzori c) Draconic

5. Reserves found on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea:

a) oil b) coal c) diamonds

Nikitina Yulia Yuryevna, geography teacher of MKOU "KSOSh No. 2" 3

Africa is located on the African Plate. Its movement is in the direction of the northeast. In the process of movement, the plate collides with the Eurasian plate. This affects the formation of the relief of Africa.

This process influenced the formation of the Atlas Mountains in the northern part of the African continent.

According to scientists, the natural convergence of tectonic plates can lead to the disappearance of the Mediterranean Sea and the transformation of Africa and Eurasia into a single continent.

Rice. 1. Confluence of Africa and Eurasia

The African plate is not stable.

In the relief of the continent, the main role belongs to the plains of Africa and its plateaus. Lowlands occupy less than 10% of the entire continental area.

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The relief features of the mainland are due to the platform structure. In the northwestern tip of the continent, a deep occurrence of its basement is noted. For the most part, altitudes of less than 1000 m prevail there; for the southwestern part, where the base is raised and exposed in many places, heights exceeding 1000 m are characteristic. Depressions and large forms of the platform correspond to depressions that are impressive in size:

  • Kalahari;
  • Congo;
  • Chad.

The outskirts of Africa, which is located in the east of the mainland, are considered elevated and at the same time fragmented. It includes:

  • East African plateau.

Rice. 2. Ethiopian highlands.

Here is the system of East African faults. Interesting: Due to its average height relative to sea level (750 m.), Africa is second only to Antarctica and Eurasia.

The mid-altitude Cape Mountains run along the southern tip of the mainland borders, and the Atlas mountain peaks rise in the northwestern regions, whose northern ranges are considered the only heights of the Neogene-Paleogene age in Africa.

Plateaus here occupy very vast areas. The number of lowlands is not significant. Lake Assal is recognized as the lowest point of the mainland, the height of its depression is 157 meters above sea level. The highest point of the continent is the famous Mount Kilimanjaro. Its height is 5895 meters.

Volcanoes, and, as a result, earthquakes are quite common phenomena for the black continent. In addition to Kilimanjaro, there are volcanoes here: Karisimbi (4507 m) and Cameroon (4100 m).

Rice. 3. Volcano Cameroon.

Tremors are observed both in the north and in the east of the mainland. For the most part in areas famous for tectonic cracks and in areas near the Red Sea.

The highest African peak formed over a million years ago. This was facilitated by excessive volcanic activity. This is indicated by characteristic outlines. Kilimanjaro in its structure is a trio of volcanoes, which time once combined into one.

Relief and minerals of Africa

The continent is famous for the richest deposits of kimberlite pipes, from which diamonds are mined. Africa also has gold reserves. Oil fields are located in Algeria, Libya, and in Nigeria. Active bauxite mining is carried out in Guinea and Ghana.

Phosphorite deposits, as well as manganese, iron and lead-zinc ores are mainly concentrated in the region of the northern coast of Africa. Significant deposits of copper ores are concentrated on the territory of Zambia.

The topic of the relief of Africa in geography is studied in the 7th grade. The relief of Africa is quite complex, although there are no high mountain ranges and lowlands. Basically, the mainland is dominated by plains, the average height of which is from 200 to 1000 meters (above sea level).

Relief types

The African plains were formed in different ways. Some were formed due to the destruction of the mountains that existed here in the Precambrian era. Others were formed due to the rise of the African platform.

The African-Arabian platform, on which Africa stands, is also a relief-forming one for the Arabian Peninsula, the Seychelles and Madagascar.

In addition to the plains in Africa, there are also:

  • plateaus ;
  • hollows (the largest are located in the states of Chad and Congo);
  • faults (It is on this continent that the largest fault in the earth's crust is located - East Africa, from the Red Sea to the mouth of the Zambezi River, through the Ethiopian Highlands).

Fig 1. Map of the relief of Africa

Relief characteristics by regions of Africa

Judging by the height map, all of Africa can be divided into two parts: South and North Africa and East and West Africa. There is one more conditional division: High and Low Africa.

The lower part is wider. It occupies up to 60% of the entire territory of the continent and is geographically located in the north, west and in the central part of the mainland. Peaks up to 1000 meters prevail here.

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High Africa is the south and east of the mainland. The average heights here are 1000 - 1500 meters. Here are the highest point, Kilimanjaro (5895) and slightly inferior to her Rwenzori and Kenya.

Figure 2. Mount Kilimanjaro

If we talk about the characteristics of the reliefs, then they can be briefly represented as follows.

Region

Dominant relief

North Africa

Here is the Atlas mountain range (the longest on the mainland - more than 6 thousand km), quite young, formed at the junction of two lithospheric plates (the highest point is Mount Toubkal, Morocco, 4165 meters). This region also contains part of the Ethiopian highlands with maximum peaks of 4 m (the most seismically region, which is sometimes called the "roof of Africa").

East Africa

Most of this region is occupied by the East African Plateau (or the East African Rift Valley). Here are the highest mountains and extinct volcanoes (Kilimanjaro), as well as the deepest lakes of the continent.

South Africa

In this region, the relief is quite diverse. There are mountains (Cape, Draconian), basins and the South African Plateau.

West Africa

The region is also dominated by mountains (Atlas) and plateaus.

In terms of average height, 750 meters above sea level, Africa ranks third in the world after Antarctica and Eurasia. So, Africa can rightly be considered one of the "highest" continents on the planet.

Relief and minerals of Africa

The minerals of Africa, due to its tectonic structure, are diverse. In addition, the deposits of some of them are the largest in the world.

Since serious tectonic activity took place in Africa at the dawn of its formation, there are a lot of igneous rocks that led to the formation of various ore minerals. These deposits are not deep, especially in South and East Africa, where the crystalline rocks lie close to the surface, so that they are mined in an open way.

The largest deposits are located in South Africa:

  • gold;
  • uranium;
  • tin;
  • tungsten;
  • lead;
  • zinc;
  • copper.

North and West Africa is also rich in:

  • coal;
  • salts (of various types and properties);
  • manganese;
  • oil (the coast of the Gulf of Guinea; Algeria, Libya, Nigeria);
  • natural gas;
  • phosphorites;
  • chromites;
  • bosquitoes.

Deposits of cobalt, tin, antimony, lithium, asbestos, gold, platinum and platinoids were discovered here.

The richest country in Africa is South Africa. Almost all types of natural resources are mined here, with the exception of oil, natural gas and bauxite. There is especially a lot of coal in South Africa, and its deposits here are as superficial as possible, so the extraction of this natural resource does not cause difficulties.

Fig 3. Map of mineral resources of Africa

What minerals is Africa rich in yet? Naturally, diamonds, which are used not only for the manufacture of diamonds, but also in industry due to their exceptional hardness.

What have we learned?

The African relief is complex. Basically, it consists of plains, plateaus and highlands. There are very few lowlands, although there are faults and depressions.

Due to the fact that Africa once experienced the strongest tectonic activity, there are a large number of deposits of a wide variety of natural resources on the mainland.

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