Africa Today
Unit Review Sheet
These facts and definitions should be mastered throughout this unit. This page can be used for periodic review and study as you are finishing the unit and in the future.
Facts and Definitions
Lesson 1: Overview of Africa
- Africa is a continent made up of 54 countries.
- Africa's geography includes extremely different climates and terrains including deserts, rain forests, mountains, and grasslands.
- Africa is home to almost 1.5 billion people who represent over 3,000 different ethnic groups.
Lesson 2: Northwestern Africa
- The Sahara Desert covers much of northwestern Africa.
- Coastal regions of northwestern Africa are best suited for growing crops, and most of the population lives in these coastal plain areas.
- Northwestern Africa's population is growing rapidly, which has caused problems like housing shortages.
Lesson 3: Northeastern Africa
- Many of the countries of northeastern Africa have experienced devastation due to war as well as drought and famine in recent years.
- The Nile River is an important natural resource for several countries in northeastern Africa.
- The boundaries of the countries of northeastern Africa were drawn by colonial rulers. The people living within the borders of a given country may not share the same language or culture, and nomadic peoples may not use these borders as boundaries when moving with their herds.
Lesson 4: West Africa
- The climate and terrain of West Africa vary widely from north to south.
- Many of the folktales and cultural traditions of West Africa have traveled to other parts of the world and been incorporated into the cultural traditions of other continents.
Lesson 5: Central Africa
- European countries took over many parts of Africa and created colonies there from the 1880s through the early 20th century. Most African countries became independent in the 1960s.
- Central Africa includes countries that have created very successful systems after attaining their independence and countries that have been plagued with poverty, warfare, and governmental instability.
- Central Africa includes diverse environments including deserts, grasslands, and dense rain forests.
Lesson 6: Central East Africa
- The Great Rift Valley runs through central east Africa. Much of the rest of the region is grassland that is home to an amazing array of wildlife.
- Tourism related to the incredible landscapes and animals of central east Africa has become important to the economies of many countries.
- Many central east African countries have experienced violence and political instability. Other issues of concern include threats to endangered species, malaria, the spread of HIV and AIDS, and deforestation.
Lesson 7: Southern Africa
- African countries have many different forms of government, including some governments that are provisional or transitional at this time.
Final Project: African News Report
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