Detailed explanations in West Bengal Board Class 7 Geography Book Solutions Chapter 10 Continent of Africa offer valuable context and analysis.
WBBSE Class 7 Geography Chapter 10 Question Answer – Continent of Africa
(Page no. 105)
Point the following in the map of Africa :
Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Strait of Gibraltar, Equator, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Prime Meridian, Mt. Atlas, Mt, Drakensberg, Sahara Desart, Aahaggar and Tibesti plateaus, Nile Basin, Mt Kilimanjaro, Kalahari and Namib deserts in the outline map of Africa.
Match the following :
| a) Veld | a) Atlas mountain |
| b) Congo basin | b) Grassland of South Africa |
| c) Sahara | c) downward landmass between two faults. |
| d) Mt. Tanukal | d) dense forest (evergreen) |
| e) Rift Valley | e) almost devoid of settlement region. |
Answer:
| a) Veld | b) grassland of South Africa. |
| b) Congo basin | d) dense forest (evergreen) |
| c) Sahara | e) Almost devoid of settlement region. |
| d) Mt. Tanukal | a) Atlas mountain |
| e) Rift Valley | c) downward landmass between two faults. |
3. Can you say why?
Question 3.1
Settlements are almost absent at Sahara desert.
Answer:
Because of sandy landform, inadvancement of agriculture, lack of communication system settlement is almost absent at Sahara desert.
Question 3.2
The river Nile has made the desert of Egypt green.
Answer:
The river Nile flows through the desert region of Egypt. The agriculture could be possible through irrigation with the water of Nile. Flood occurs every year in this river. Thus aluvial accumulates on the both side of the river and makes the soil fertile. The agricuelture has made Egypt prosperity.
Question 3.3
The dense forest of Congo basin is green througout the year.
Answer:
The Conge basin is situated in the Equaterial region. So the rainfall occurs through out the year. The trees never shade their leaves. As they get heavy rainfalall throughout the year, they remain evergreen.
Question 3.4
Rift valley is formed at East Africa.
Answer:
Rift Valley is formed at East Africa for the movement of land mass.
Write down the correct information. (Page no. 107)
Question and answer : (Page no. 108)
a. The equator passes through almost bisects Africa. Then what would be the effect of latitude on climate of Africa?
Answer:
The climate of Africa is extreme hot as the equator passes through almost central part of Africa. Most of the places of Africa lie between 30° north to 30° south. Thus it belongs to torrid zone.
b. What would be the effect of seas or oceans on climate of coastal areas and the places away from the coasts?
Answer:
The ocean current influences on the coastal region. The warm and cold current wash the shore and increase or decrease the temperature.
c. Warm and cold currents move over different parts of African coasts. What is the effect of ocean currents on the climate of coastal region ?
Answer:
The cold Benguela current of South West and cold canary current of north west coast make the local region cold. On the other hand the warm Mozambique current of east-coast and Somali current make the local region heated.
d. What is the effect of altitude on temperature of high mountain regions of Africa?
Answer:
In high mountain region the temperature decreases at the rate of 6.4°C with the increasing of 1 km altitude.
Think about it. (Page no. 109)
a. Why is the climate not similar at the same time of the year in the northern and southern part of Africa?
Answer:
The northern and southern part of Africa lie in different hemispinere of the earth. Thus the climate is not the same in character at the same time in the nort’iern and southern part of Africa.
b. Why is a desert as big as Sahara, formed in the tropical region of Africa?
Answer:
The rainfall is scanty in the tropical region of Africa. The difference in temperature between summer and winter. So large desert like Sahara formed at the tropical region of Africa.
c. Why is the peak of Kilimanjaro permanently snow-clad in spite of being situated at the equatorial region?
Answer:
Inspite of being situated at the equator region snowfall occurs throughout the year at the peak of Kilimanjaro because it is locatet near equator.
(Page no. 111) Can you say?
Which tree is grown in which climate?
Answer:
| Features of Trees | Climate Region |
| Lacti | Hot desert vegetation |
| Wax-like membrance on the leaves | Mediteranean vegetation |
| Sal and Bamboo trees | Forest of monsoon deciduous trees |
| Olive tree | Mediteranean vegetation |
| Green grass (rough) | Temparate grass land. |
| Grassland with Baobab and other vegetations found in arid areas. | Savana grasland |
Class 7 Geography Chapter 10 Question Answer West Bengal Board – Continent of Africa
Multiple Choice Questions & Answers : (1 mark for each question)
Question 1.
Asia is seperated from Africa by-
i) Panama Canal
ii) Suez Canal and Red sea
iii) Gibralter straight
iv) Red sea
Answer:
ii) Suez Canal and Red sea
Question 2.
Africa is extended in hemispheres-
i) cast
ii) west
iii) east and west, north and south
iv) South and north
Answer:
iii) east and west, north and south
Question 3.
Continents of Europe and Africa is seperated by-
i) strait of Gibralter
ii) Panama Canal
iii) Suez Canal
iv) Red sea
Answer:
i) strait of Gibralter
Question 4.
Tanganyika is the name of a-
i) river
ii) mountain
iii) valley
iv) lake
Answer:
iv) lake
Question 5.
The longest river in Africa-
i) Niger
ii) Nile
iii) Congo
iv) Orange
Answer:
ii) Nile
Question 6.
River Orange originates from-
i) Burundi highlands
ii) wettest area of Africa
iii) GGuinea Highland
iv) Drakensberg mountain
Answer:
iv) Drakensberg mountain
Question 7.
Victoria falls lies on the course of –
i) river Zambezi
ii) river Orange
iii) river Congo
iv) river Nile
Answer:
i) river Zambezi
Question 8.
High temperature prevails yhroughout the year in-
i) Savana grassland
ii) south-eastern coasts west part of Africa
iii) equatorial region
iv) north-
Answer:
iii) equatorial region
Question 9.
Upper course of the river Nile is-
i) Malakal to Khartoum
iv) Burundi highlands
ii) Victoria to Malakal
iii) Cairo to Mediterranean sea
Answer:
ii) Victoria to Malakal
Question 10.
The percentage of Egyptians live in Nile Basin-
i) 60%
ii) 7 0%
iii) 80%
iv) 90%
Answer:
iii) 80%
Question 11.
Rocky parts of Sahara with no sand is called-
i) wadis
ii) aerg
iii) reg
iv) hamada
Answer:
iv) hamada
Question 12.
Timimom is the name of a-
i) hot wind
ii) oasis
iii) herd of camels
iv) plant
Answer:
ii) oasis
Question 13.
Tuaregs of Sahara now work as-
i) tourist guides
ii) farmers
iii) worker at oil mines
iv) businessman
Answer:
i) tourist guides
Question 14.
The capital city of Egypt-
i) port Suez
ii) port Said
iii) Cairo
iv) Alexandria
Answer:
iii) Cairo
Question 15.
Crops produced in upper course of Nile basin-
i) olive, barley
ii) coffee, banana
iii) wheat, date palm
iv) wheat, rice
Answer:
ii) coffee, banana
Question 16.
The length of river Congo-
i) 4180 km
ii) 2574 km
iii) 6650 km
iv) 4700 km
Answer:
iv) 4700 km
Question 17.
The second longest river of Africa-
i) Nile
ii) Niger
iii) Congo
iv) Orange
Answer:
iii) Congo
Question 18.
The Kalahari desert is in-
i) south Africa
ii) north Africa
iii) east Africa
iv) west Africa
Answer:
i) south Africa
Question 19.
The largest desert in the world-
i) Kalahari
ii) Namib
iii) Thar
iv) Sahara
Answer:
iv) Sahara
Question 20.
The second largest continent of the world-
i) Europe
ii) Asia
iii) Africa
iv) North America
Answer:
iii) Africa
Fill in the blanks : ( 1 mark for each question)
1. The joint flow of _______ and ________ rivers is known as the Nile.
Answer:
Blue Nile, White Nile
2. There are __________ countries in Africa.
Answer:
56.
3. The first man of the worid believed to have appeared in __________ Africa.
Answer:
East.
4. The continent of Africa is knows as ________ continent.
Answer:
Dark
5. The highest peak of Mt. Atlas is _________.
Answer:
Mt. Taubkal.
6 . The ___________ has extended through the middle of Africa.
Answer:
Equator.
7. The Nito river flows to the ____________ of Africa.
Answer:
North.
8. _____________ climate is found in East Coast.
Answer:
China type.
9. The source of _________ Nile is Burundi highland.
Answer:
white
10. In ___________ region trees remain green throughout the year.
Answer :
equitorial
11. The largest dam in the world is ____________.
Answer:
Aswan dam.
12. The cotton of deltaic region of river Nile is known as ____________.
Answer:
Egyption Cotton.
13. The largest port of Egypt is _____________.
Answer:
Alekzandria.
14. The ___________ dam is constructed on Blue Nile.
Answer:
Jadeel-Atalia.
15. In local language the dry air of summer is known as ____________.
Answer:
Khamsin.
16. The maximum temperature is recorded at ___________.
Answer:
Al-Azizia. of Libya.
17. In the region Sahara the sandy storm is called ___________.
Answer:
Simoom.
18. The desert Sahara is situated to the _____________ of Africa.
Answer:
North
19. The __________ is called the ‘Ship of the desert’.
Answer:
Camel.
20. The ___________ type plants are found in Sahara.
Answer:
Cactas.
State whether True or False : (1 mark for each question)
1. In respect of area and population Africa is the third largest continent of the world.
Answer:
False
2. The strait of Gibralter separates the continents of Europe and Africa.
Answer:
True
3. Mt TaTaubkal is the highest peak of Atlas.
Answer:
True
4. The Drakensberg mountain is at the south-western end of the continent.
Answer:
False.
5. Congo is the largest river in Africa.
Answer:
False.
6. The world famous Victoria fallsies on the course of river Orange.
Answer:
True.
7. In Equatorial region annual rainfall lies between 100-150 cm.
Answer:
False.
8. Orchards of orange, grapes are very common in Mediterranean type of clivaste.
Answer:
True.
9. Another name of temperate grassland is velt.
Answer:
True.
10. Upper course of the river Nile is Aswan to Cairo.
Answer:
False.
11. Cairo to Mediterranean sea region is fertile, alluvial agricultural land.
Answer:
True.
12. World’s largest dam is Jebel-Aulis.
Answer:
False.
13. Ezypt is called the gift of river Congo.
Answer:
False.
14. The Nile basin is not rich in mineral resources.
Answer:
True.
15. Hamada refers to the rocky parts of the desert, with no sand.
Answer:
True.
16. Gharjjaia is the name of a reg.
Answer:
False.
Match the column A with column B.
| Column A | Column B |
| a) Upper course in the Nile basin | i) are wadis. |
| b) 80% Egyptians live | ii) the rocky parts of the desert |
| c) The capital city of Ezypt | iii) the presence of the river Nile |
| d) Oak, walnut, olive trees grow | iv) in Nile Basin |
| e) Dry river channels of Sahara | v) produced wheat, date palm |
| f) Hamada refers to | vi) around the oasis |
| g) In Sahara the daytime is | vii) is Cairo |
| h) Source of the river Nile | viii) in Mediterranean type of climate |
| i) Prosperity of Ezypt is due to | ix) Burundi highlands of Tanzania |
| j) Date palm trees are found | x) severely hot and dry |
Answer:
a) Upper course in the Nile basin produced wheat, date palm.
b) 80 % Egyptians live in Nile Basin.
c) The capital city of Ezypt is Cairo.
d) Oak, walnut, olive trees grow in Mediterranean type of climate.
e) Dry river channels of Sahara are wadis.
f) Hamada refers to the rocky parts of the desert.
g) In Sahara the daytime is severely hot and dry.
h) Source of the river Nile Burundi highlands of Tanzania.
i) Prosperity of Ezypt is due to the presence of the river Nile.
j) Date palm trees are found around the oasis.
Very Short Questions & Answers : (1 mark for each question)
Question 1.
What is the higest peak of Africa ?
Answer:
Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest peak of Africa.
Question 2.
To which direction of Africa Kalahari desert lies?
Answer:
To the south of Africa Kalahari desert lies.
Question 3.
What is the capital of Egypt ?
Answer:
The capital of Egypt is Cairo.
Question 4.
Where the rainfall is maximum in Africa?
Answer:
The rainfall is maximum in Congo basin in Africa.
Question 5.
In which climate the citrus fruits grow ?
Answer:
The citrns fruits grow in Mediterranean climate.
Question 6.
Which straight seperates Africa from Europe ?
Answer:
The staight of Zibralter seperates Africa from Europe.
Question 7.
To which direction of Africa Mediterranean sea lies ?
Answer:
Mediterranean sea lies to the north of Africa.
Question 8.
On which river world famous Victoria falls lies?
Answer:
World famous Victoria falls lies on the river Zambezi.
Question 9.
How many rift valleys are there in Africa?
Answer:
There are two rift valleys in Africa.
Question 10.
What percent of total water of Africa the river Nile carries ?
Answer:
The river Nile carries 10 % of total water of Africa.
Question 11.
Wbich crops grow well in upper basin of Nile?
Answer:
Coffee, Banana, Tobaco grow well in upper basin.
Question 12.
In how many steps the river flows down from Aswan to Cairo?
Answer:
The river flows down in six steps from Aswan to Cairo.
Question 13.
In which climate the Blue Nile belongs to?
Answer:
The Blue Niles belongs to monsoon climate.
Question 14.
In which climate the White Nile belongs to ?
Answer:
The White Nile belonga to equatorial climate.
Question 15.
Which dams are constructed on the Blue Nile at Sudan?
Answer:
Senar and Atabara are constructed on the river Blue Nile at Sudan.
Question 16.
What lies to the east of Sahara?
Answer:
Red sea lies to the east of Sahara.
Question 17.
What is the highest place of the desert Sahara?
Answer:
Tibiesty mountain is the highest place of Sahara.
Question 18.
What is Aerg ?
Answer:
The heaps of sand is called Aerg in Sahara.
Question 19.
What is Hamada?
Answer:
The hard rocky region in desert is known as Hamada.
Question 20.
What is Reg ?
Answer:
The region where sand is mixed up with rock is called Reg.
Question 21.
What is Caravan ?
Answer:
The herd of camel in Sahara is known as Caravan.
Question 22.
Name some oasis in Sahara.
Answer:
Some oasis in Sahara are Kufra, Sewa, Timimon, Kharjaia, Baharia.
Question 23.
What is Khamsin ?
Answer:
In local language the dry wind of Sahara is known as Khamsin.
Question 24.
What is Harmattan ?
Answer:
Along the guinea coast the Khamsin is called Harmattan.
Question 25.
What is the people of Sahara called?
Answer:
The people of sahara is called Tuareg.
Question 26.
What is the leng ih of river Nile?
Answer:
The iength of river Nile is 6650 km.
Question 27.
Name the trees those are found around the oasis?
Answer:
Date palm and fan palm are found around the oasis.
Question 28.
What is the people of Sahara called?
Answer:
The people of sahara is called Tuareg.
Question 29.
whish is the delta region of the river Nile?
Answer:
Erom Cairo toMediterranean Sea is deita region.
Question 30.
What is wadis?
Answer:
Dried up river channels of Sahara are called wadis.
Short Questions & Answers : (2 marks for each question),
Question 1.
State the location and area of the continent of Africa.
Answer:
Africa is situated to the south west of Asia and south of Europe. The area of this continent is 3,04,20,000 square km. It is the second largest continent of the world.
Question 2.
Why is Africa called the dark continent ?
Answer:
Problems of accessibility, uncomfortably, hot and humid climate, dense forests, the fear of fierve wild animalswere the reason why the light of modern civilizationsould not reach this continent till the recent times. So this continent was known as ‘Dark Continent’.
Question 3.
What type of climate and vegetation are found here?
Answer:
The central Africa belongs to Torred Zone. For the diversity of soil and climate evergreen forest, monsoon deciduons forest, temperate grasslands are found here.
Question 4.
Describe the course of river Nile.
Answer:
River Nile is originated from the Burundi highland. After that it flows some distance and falls in Lake Albert. Then it flows through Uganda as Albert Nile and enters in Sudan. Near Malakal the river meets with its two tributaries. The joint flow of three flows to the north as White Nile. The river Blue Nile. generated from lake Tana of Ethiopea meets with white Nile near Khartum of Sudan. This flow of water is known as Nile and falls in Mediterra-nean Sea.
Question 5.
Why are the people of Sahara nomad ?
Answer:
The temperature of Sahara desert is very high and the rain fall is very low. The people of Sahara have no parmanent house. They generally live in tent. As they are very poor they have to be shifted from place to place.
Question 6.
Why does the rainfall not occur in Sahara desert.
Answer:
From the landmass of Europe dry north-east trade wind blows and for its influence the rainfall does not occur in Sahara. Besides, after shading rain in the eastern and southern part of the continent when the wet south east trade wind reaches in Sahara there is no moisture in the air. So the rainfall does not occur in Sahara through out the year.
Question 7.
What is cause of formation of waterfalls in Africa.
Answer:
The rainfall is more in equatorial region. So the tributories bring more water for the main river and there is suffecient water in the main river through out the year. For the rough surface of the coast the mouth of the rivers are wide and swift flowing. As the river Congo flows on the plateau region, it often flows down the steep slope forming water falls.
Question 8.
Write the location and area of the Nile basin.
Answer:
The region through which the river Nile and its tributaries and distributaries flow is called the basin of river Nile. The part of Tanganika, Ethiopia, Kenia, Uganda, Sudan and Egypt is situated in the Nile basin. Its area is almost 3,50,000 km. Most of the part of Egypt and Sudan belong to the Nile basin.
Question 9.
Why is Egypt called the ‘Gift of Nile’?
Answer:
The Egypt is the gift of Nile. The Egyptian civilization was flourished 6,000 years ago of the birth of Jesus Christ. This civilization has been ruined now. But the Pyramid, temple and the architecture of Egypt wonder every one till today. In the ancient time the alluvial deposited on the two banks of the river and made the soil fertile for growing crops. Without Nile the Egyptians could not prosper so much. So Egypt is called the ‘Gift of Nile’.
Question 10.
Describe the climate of equatorial region.
Answer:
In equatorial region, high temperature prevails throughout the year. Annual rainfall lies between 200-250 cm. Dense forests of hardwood trees have been formed due to direct sunlight and rainfall throughout the year. Trees rsmain green throughout the year.
Question 11.
What do you know about the vegetation of Nile basin.
Answer:
Different types of vegitation are found according to the difference of climate. In equatorial region tropical rain forests are found, on the other hand the Savana grassland is found in southern part of Sudan as the rainfall is scanty. Tall grass grows here. At the western part of Sudan thorny bushes, shrubs are grown.
Question 12.
What industries are developed in the Nile basin.
Answer:
The agro based industries have been developed well in the Nile basin as the alluvial soil is very much fertile and suitable for agriculture. The cotton textile, sugar mill, cigarettes, woollen textiles are well developed at Sudan, Cairo, Aswan, Alekzandria. These are famous industrial centre of this region. Cement factory, iron and steel industry are also found here. But for the lack of technology engineering industry is not grown here.
Question 13.
Name the important cities of Nile basin.
Answer:
In the entire Africa Cairo is the largest city and trade centre. It is situated at the deltaic region of Nile basin. Cairo is the capital of Egypt. Alekzandria, Khartum are the another cities of Nile basin. Alekzandria is the ancient capital of Egypt. Khartum is the capital of Sudan.
Question 14.
Why is Cairo famous?
Answer:
Cairo is famous as the capital of Egypt and the largest city of Africa. It is denslety populated city. The great education centre of the Muslims. A university is situated here. Cairo is an international airport. The pyramids are found near Cairo. There are automobile industry, sugar mill, wollen textile industry in Cairo.
Question 15.
How is the settlement in the Nile basin ?
Answer:
Different types of settlement have been found in aifferent places in Nile basin. In the upper course of the river basin population is very scanty. Nomads live in Savana grass land. In the lower course of the basin prehistoric civilization had been floureshed like India. This region is densely populated.
Question 16.
What is cause of the flood in the river Nile every year ?
Answer:
The river Nile has been formed with the joint flow of the rever Blue Nile and White Nile. Generating from the Burandy highlavel the White Nile and from Tana lake of Etheopean highland the Blue Nile flow through equatorial climatic region and monsoon-climatic region. Covnentional rainfall occurs in these region through out the year. So the flood occurs in the river Nile every year.
Question 17.
State the location or boundary area of Sahara.
Answer:
Sahara desert is located from 10° north to 35° north latitude and from 25° east to 37° east lougitud.
The Sahara desert is located to the north of Africa. To the west of Sahara there is the Atlantic Ocean, to the east the Red Sea, to the west Atlas mountain and Mediterranean sea and to the south there is the Nizer Valley. The area is 63 lac square km and east-west length is 5000 km and northsouth length is 2000 km.
Question 18.
Describe the landform of Sahara.
Answer:
Diversity can be found in the landform of Africa. According to the physical feature it is a plat 14 with some highland. They are Tibesty, Aahagaar etc. Kandara and Siua are the main lowland, sand dunes are found in the desert. The desert with sand dunes are called Aerg. Rocky desert is called Hamada. The land with sand and rocks of different size is called Reg. Some times lake and oasis are found in the desert.
Question 19.
Why is the camel called the ‘Ship of Desert’?
Answer:
The main mode of transportation in desert is camel. The camel can live for long without food and water. More over they can forecast about the desert storm. They can bear hot sand storm. So the camel is called the ‘Ship of Desert’.
Question 20.
Describe the rivers of Sahara.
Answer:
Most of the rivers of Sahara are generated from Atlas mountain and central highlands. The rivers almost dry-up for lack of water or become narrow. Wadis is the volatele river of this region. In local language the dry rivers are called Wadi.
Question 21.
What is oasis?
Answer:
In the desert area when the sands are carried off the level of the ground water opens out. Then the lakes, ponds are formed there and plants grow. This is called oasis. In desert area the oasis is very useful.
Question 22.
What are the causes of forming Sahara desert ?
Answer:
The Sahara belongs to north east trade wind. The north-east trade wind, coming from Indian Ocean, gets obstracted by the mountain of eastern coast and could not enter in Sahara. So the rainfall does not occur in Sahara. On the otherhand westerlis gets obstructed by Atlas mountain and causes no rainfall in Sahara. So Sahara has become a desert.
Question 23.
Describe the minerals of Sahara region.
Answer:
The amount of minerals in Sahara is less. Among them the major mineral is mineral oil. Mineral oil is found plentifully in Aljiria and Libia. Besides natural gas, iron core, manganese, copper. coal. lead are found in different parts of Sahara. Unfavourable climate settlement, lacking transportation system creat obstruction for mining.
Question 24.
Discuss about the natural vegetation and the agriculture of the Sahara desert.
Answer:
The rainfall is very less in Sahara and for sandy soil natural vegetation could not found here. The thorny bushes, cactus, babool are found here and there in the desert. Date palm grows in the oasis. Agriculture could not be possible for lacking of water, infertile soil. But with the help of irrigation rice, wheat, jowar, bajra, maize, watermelon, cotton are grown in the oasis.
Long Questions & Answers : (3 marks for each question)
Question 1.
Why is Africa called dark continent ? How are the lakes formed in rift valley region ?
Answer:
The cause for calling Africa as the dark continent :-
a) Sahara desert lies to the north of Africa.
b) There are dense forests with wild animals in the central part of Africa.
c) The unbroken coast and unhealthy climate.
d) There are water-falls, swift flowing rivers and uneven platean in the continent.
e) Ferocious man eater premitvre people live here.
In nineteenth century living stone has discovered the unknown part of Africa.
There are two rift valleys in the plateau situated to the West of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Many seas, lake have been ereated by accumulating water in the lower portion of rift valleys. In the longer rift valley there are gulfs like Suer and Akaba and lakes like Tana Rudolf, Victoria, Tana neyasa etc. In the other rift valley, lies to the north of Niyasa lake, there are lake Tanganika, Edward and Albert.
Question 2.
Give a description of the vegetation of Africa.
Answer:The vegetation of Africa, grown depending on temperature, rainfall etc. Can be divided into different kinds –
i) Equatorial evergreen forest : For high temperature and heavy rainfall dense forests of evergreen trees have grown here. Season change does not occur here, so the leaves of the trees remain evergreen. Mahogany, Rosewood, Ebony are the main trees of the forest. Mangrove forests are grown in coastal region.
ii) Savan grassland : This type of grassland is found in Sudan, Kenya, Chad etc. As the rainfallis less big trees do not grow here. Some deciduous trees are grown in this grassland.
iii) Mediterranean vegetation : This type of vegetation is found at the coast of Mediterranean Sea. Alexandria, Morcco are the countries where this type of vegetation are found. The trees are olive, oak, walnut etc. Citrus fruit like orange, grapes are very common in the region.
iv) Hot desert vegetation : The plants and trees do not grow in this region for lack of water. Only thorny bushes, small grass and date palm are found.
v) Temperate grassland : In the rainshadow area of Darkensberg mountain this type of vegetation grow. The popler, willow are the main trees of this region. Thise plains are covered with small green grass which are known as veld.
vi) Forest of monsoon deciduous trees : In Syberian, Madagascar island this type of vegetation is found. The trees shade their leaves in winter. The major trees are teak, bamboo, sal, palash, sandal etc. Form these forests honey, wax, silk, black peeper, cardamo are collected.
Question 3.
Give a short description about the Southern and eastern highland of Africa.
Answer:
This region consists of high mountain plateau rift valley and lakes. The highest part of this region is the plateau of Etheopia. It is stretches from red sea to the north to Niyasa lake. Other rift valley stretches from the north of Niyasa lake through Tanganik and Edward lake to Albert lake. This is known as western rift valley Ethiopea plateau is the centre of African mountain. One of its branch stretches to the north and other to the south. The mountains of south is the highest part of the plateau.
Mt. kenya (5,190 m), Mt. Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) and Ruenjori mountain are situated here. The peaks are in fact valcanoes. Mt. Kilimanjaro remains snow covered throughout the year. To the south of the plateau Mt. Draskensberg stands as a wall little away from the sea. The southern part of the mountain is known as New Veld. Lake Victoria, the largest lake of this region, has been formed by accumulating water in the lower part of this plateau.
Question 4.
Describe the rivers of Africa.
Answer:
There are many rivers in Africa.
a) River Nile : The Nile is the longest river of Africa. The length of the river is 6,650 km. The source of this river is Burundi highland which is situated to the north of Tanganika lake. This river flows through Sudan and Egypt and falls in the Mediterranean sea.
b) River Congo : River Congo is the second largest river of Africa. Its length is 4,700 km. This river is originated from the wettest area of Africa and falls in Atlantic Ocean. The tributaries of this river are Kasai. Ubangi and Kumangi. On the course of river Zaira lie two water falls Stanley and Livingstone.
c) River Niger : The river Niger is west flowing and the third largest river of Africa. Its source is at Guinea highland. The river flows through Nigeria and falls in the gulf of Guinea.
d) River Zambezi : The source of the river Zambesi is tri-junction of Angola, Zambia and Congo. The world famous Victoria falls lie on course of this river. Its length is 2574 km.
e) River Orange : The source of the River Orange is the Drakensberg mountain and the mouth is Atlantic Ocean. The length is 2,200 km. The tributaries are Caledon, Vaal, Fish river.
Question 5.
Describe the landform of Africa.
Answer:
The land form of Africa is divided into four parts –
a) North eastern mountain region : The Atlas mountain lies to the North-East of the continent of Africa. Atlas is a fold mountain. This mountain is divided onto three parts – Tale Atlas, Great Atlas and Anti Atlas. Tae Atlas is to the north, Anti Atlas is to the south and Great Atlas is in the middle. The highest altitude is 4.500 m.
b) Central desert plateau : Central plateau covers Lybia Chad Congo basin. The average autitude is 760 m. Mountain ranges are foun 1 scattered. They are Tibesty, Ahaggar and Tano. The slope of the plateau is from south to north west.
c) South eastern high plateau region : The height of plateau is gradually increasing from north to south. The Drakensberg mountain lies at the end of the plateau. The south eastern coast seems as the steps of the stair from distance. The local name of it is ‘Karu’. To the north of Africa the plateau region is made up of lava. The Mt. Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) is the highest peak of these volcanoie mountain which reamins snow-covered through out the year.
Famous rift valley :- Tanganika, Rudlof, Niyasa are the famous lake of Africa. They belong to the rift valley. This stretches upto the Red sea, Suez Canal and the gulf of Akaba. To the south of Africa there is Kalahari desert.
d) Coastal low land :- Narrow plain is found in the river basin and the coastal region of Africa. The basins of the river Nile, Congo, Zaira, Niger, Zambesi, Orange belong to the coastal plain.
Question 6.
Describe the climate of Africa.
Answer:
There are influence of some natural factors on the climate of Africa. So we have to discuss about the location, area and the landform of Africa first. The three main latitudes like Equator, the tropic of cancer and the tropic of capricorn have passed through Africa. So most part of the continent belong to Torrid Zone. But the mountain region is cooler than plateaues and plains. Diversity can be found in the rainfall of Africa. More over there is great relation in between rain fall, climate and vegetation.
The climate region of Africa can be diveded into six categories :- i) equatorial climate ii) tropical wet and dry climate iii) tropical monsoon climate iv) semi arid climate v) desert climate vi) subtropical highland climate
Question 7.
How is the land form of river Nile basin divided and give a description of it.
Answer:
According to landform the Nile basin is divided into five parts.
i) Uneven plateau region near the source :- The landform here is uneven. This region is stretches from Burundi (Tanjania) mountain region to lake Victoria.
ii) The marshy land of upper course of the river basin :- This part includes the region of Voctoria lake to Malakal of Sudan. The altitude of land is midium. As the rainfall occurs throughout the year marshy lands are formed in some places. The local name of this region is Sud that means obstraction. As the water hyasinth, papyrus create obstruction to flow the water freely the region is named such as that.
iii) The grassland of the middle course of the river basin:- This region stretches from Malakal to Khartum. The land form is uneven. Savana typed grassland is formed here.
iv) The plain of lower course of the river basin :- The region from Aswan to Cairo belongs to the plain of lower course of the river-Nile. The land in the north course down step by step. From Khartum to Aswan the river flows in six steps.
v) Deltaic region :- The region from Cairo to Mediterranean sea is made up of rich alluvial soil and thus it is furtile.
Question 8.
What is the significant of the river Nile in the agriculture of Egypt.
Answer:
The land from Khartum to Aswan is desert typed and from Aswan to Cairo it is entirely desert without rainfall. So the climate is desertic. The agriculture of Egypt totally depend on irrigation. The river Nile provides with the water through out the year. The dams constructed on the river Nile help in agriculture to increase the production of crops. Only the water of Nile has made the desert of Egypt as green agricultural land. Besides, the water has made the land fit for agriculture and land holding is increased. For the proper irrigation even the desertic country Egypt is now exporting rice. The production of long staple cotton has been increased. The proverty has been removed. With the help of the water of Nile plenty of wheat and rice production has been done.
Question 9.
Why the importance of Nile is given on flood in past and on irrigation at present in case of agriculture?
Answer:
The farmers of Egypt totally depend on the irrigation for farming. The Egyptians have been using the water of Nile very skillfully for 5000 years to grow crops. The flood water is channeled to the agricultural field and is stored there by making dams. At the time of flood some part of the dam is cut open and let the water come in. This flood water is stored in the agricultural land for two months. So the submerged land can absorb sufficient water and the time of farming the lands do not require any water. Another benefit of the method is that this silt in flood water sediment down and makes the land fertile.
The farmers cut the wall of the dam and channel it to the iand when it is necessary. It should be noted that by this process, crop production can be done once a year only. Beside this process the irrigation is done through Donga, Persian wheel or Archimielian screw in Egypt.
At present with the help of scientific method the dams are constructed on the river Nile at Aswan, Insa, Vagahmidi etc. and water is stored in the reservair behind the dam to irrigate water through channels all the year round. Among the dams Aswan is the greatest.
Question 10.
Discuss the landform of Sahara.
Answer:
Sahara is a vast low plateau with sand and rock. High land as well as low land are found here and there. According to the land form Sahara is divided into four parts – i) desert with sand and rock. ii) Central highland. iii) Law land region. iv) Nile basin.
i) Desert region :- Entire region is full of sand dumes and rocks. Sandy desert is called Aerg. Rocky desert is called Hamada.
ii) Central highland :- The central part of the desert is high. Some mountain and plateaus are found here. Tibesti, Aahagaar, Tasini are high lands.
iii) Low land region :- The north-west part of Sahara is low land. Maritania is lower than sea level. Moving sand dunes and salty lakes are found here.
iv) Nile basin :- The Nile basin is found to the east of Sahara desert. The low land is found here and there in this area.
Question 11.
Describe the climate of the Sahara desert.
Answer:
The climate of Sahara is dry and extreme. Temperature is very high through out the ycar. It is so high that rain drops dry out before reaching the ground. The days are extreme hot and nights are extreme cool. The difference between the temperature of summer and winter is high. In summer the temperature may rises upto 58° C in some places. On the other hand the temperature falls down ro 7°-8° in winter. A hot wind called Khamsin blows in summer.
The sand storm, blows during day, called Simoom. The rainfall is almost nil here. The annual average rainfall is 20-30 centemeter. In some places of Sahara the rainfall does not occured in 4 or 5 years. The Sahara belongs to north east trade wind. The north east trade wind coming from Indian Ocean, gets obstructed by the mountain coast and could not enter in Sahara. So the rainfall does not occur in Sahara. On the other hand westerlis gets obstructeds by Atlas mountain and causes no rainfall in Sahara. So Sahara has become a desert.
Additional Questions and answers
Question 1.
Write about physical diversity of Africa.
Answer:
Sahara, the largest desert in the world, lies to the south of Atlas mountains. Aahagaar and Tibesti plateaus are located amidst the Sahara Desert. There are almost no settlements due to the extremely dry and arid conditions.
The Nile basin lies partly to the east of Sahara desert. This river carries huge volumes of water from the lake region of central Africa and makes the desert in Egypt green. The dense forests of Congo river basin are found around the equator. Due to heavy rainfall, these forests remain green throughout the year. The relief of East Africa is a little different. Due to tectonic movements faults have formed on the surface. The land between two faults has subsided to form Rift valley (Great Rift Valley). A number of lakes are found in the rift valley region. These lakes are large and deep.
Tanganyika, Malawi, Rudolf and Albert are examples. In East Africa, there is also the highlands of Ethiopia. These highlands extend upto Mt. Kenya, Mt. Kilimanjaro and Ruenjori mountain in the south. Mt Kilimanjaro (5,895 mt) is the highest peak of Africa. It remains snow clad throughout the year due to high altitude, in spite of being located near the equator. There are two deserts, the Kalahari and the Namib, in South Africa. The grassland lying in the high plateau is known as Veldt. The Drakensberg mountain is at the south-eastern end of the continent.
Question 2.
Give a short description of river Niger and Orange
Answer:
Niger : Niger is a main river of West Africa. Its source is in the Guinea highlands Just 200 km. away from the Atlantic Ocean. The map shows that this river flows towards the Sahara Desert and away from the Atlantic Ocean for some distance. The river flows northward. upto Timbaktu, then turns south and enters Nigeria. It forms a delta at its mouth which is highly populated. Cultivation and livestock rearing are major sources of livelihood here. Migratory birds flock the marshy lands of this delta
Orange : This river flows westwards. It is the fifth longest river of Africa. This river originates from the Drakensberg Mountain and empties into the Atlantic ocean. A number of hydel power stations are developed on this river. 29 reservoirs have been constructed on this river for irrigation.