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Africa-Location, Physical Features and Natural Vegetation

A: Choose the correct option

1: Which latitude passes through the middle of Africa? Equator
2: Which of these countries lies on the West Coast of Africa? Senegal
3: Lake Chad is located in: Central Africa
4: The Benguela current flows along the Southwest coast of Africa.
5: A tree that belongs to the savanna is: Teak

B: Fill in the blanks

1: The famous explorers David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley have been responsible for opening Africa to the outside world.
2: The Strait of Gibraltar separates Africa from Europe.
3: Ethiopian Highlands are of volcanic origin.
4: The Victoria Falls are located on the river Zambezi.
5: The monsoon winds coming from the Indian Ocean cause rain in Madagascar Island.

C: Mark the wrong statements and correct them

1: The presence of dense forests and wild animals made venturing into Africa difficult.
✅ Correct.

2: The southernmost tip of Africa is known as Cape Town.
❌ Correction: The southernmost tip of Africa is Cape Agulhas.

3: Drakensberg Mountains are volcanic mountains.
❌ Correction: Drakensberg Mountains are fold mountains.

4: Zaire Basin forms a lowland region.
✅ Correct.

5: Namib Desert is found on the eastern part of Africa.
❌ Correction: Namib Desert is found on the western part of Africa.

6: The rivers of Africa carry little water.
❌ Correction: Some African rivers, like the Nile and Congo, carry a significant amount of water.

Here are the answers to your questions on Africa, written in a clear and ICSE Class 6-friendly style, grouped by section:

Answer these questions in 10–20 words

1. Name the important parallels of latitude that pass through Africa.
   Equator, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn pass through Africa.
2. What are the two types of mountains found in Africa? How were they formed?
   Fold mountains (formed by earth’s movements) and block mountains (formed by land breaking and lifting).
3. Name the plateaus of Africa.
   Ethiopian Plateau, East African Plateau, and South African Plateau.
4. Where are the hot deserts of Africa located?
   In the north (Sahara) and southwest (Namib and Kalahari) regions of Africa.
5. Name the ocean currents that influence the climate of Africa.
   Canary Current, Benguela Current, and Agulhas Current affect Africa’s coastal climate.
6. What do you mean by the term Savanna?
   Savanna is a tropical grassland with scattered trees, found between deserts and rainforests.
7. What is the characteristic feature of the Mediterranean type of climate?
   Hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters are typical of Mediterranean climate.
8. Where in Africa would you find the monsoon type of climate?
   Along the southeastern coast, especially in parts of Mozambique and Madagascar.

E: Answer these questions in 50–60 words

1. Describe the Great Rift Valley of Africa.
   The Great Rift Valley is a deep trench-like landform running from the Red Sea to Mozambique. It was formed by the movement of Earth’s plates. The valley is home to lakes, volcanoes, and fertile lands. It is a major geological feature of eastern Africa.
2. What type of climate and vegetation is found in the deserts?
   Deserts have hot days, cold nights, and very little rainfall. Vegetation is sparse and includes cacti, thorn bushes, and shrubs that store water. These plants are adapted to survive in dry conditions.
3. What are the special features of Mediterranean vegetation? Why do they have them?
   Mediterranean plants like olive, fig, and grapes have thick leaves and deep roots to store water. These features help them survive the hot, dry summers and grow well in the cool, wet winters.

Look at the essay on Air Pollution

Also, look for the Study Guide of Locating Places on the Earth Question and Answer | ICSE Class 7

F: Answer these questions in 75–100 words

1. Factors that discouraged travelers and traders from venturing into the continent of Africa.
   Travelers and traders were discouraged by thick forests, dangerous animals, hot climate, and vast deserts. Africa also has many waterfalls and rapids, making rivers hard to travel on. Diseases like malaria and the lack of good roads made travel risky. The isolated location and harsh geography made it difficult for outsiders to enter easily.
2. Give an account of the rivers of Africa.
   Africa has many long rivers. The Nile is the longest and flows north into the Mediterranean Sea. The Congo River flows through forests and has strong currents. The Niger River is important for western Africa. The Zambezi River is known for Victoria Falls. Many African rivers have rapids and waterfalls, so they’re not suitable for ships.
3. Describe the equatorial region of Africa under the following headings:

• Climate:
  Hot and wet throughout the year with high humidity and heavy rainfall.
• Vegetation:
  Thick rainforests with tall trees, creepers, and evergreen plants.
• Animal life:
  Monkeys, elephants, parrots, snakes, and insects like butterflies and mosquitoes.

G: Give reasons for the following

1. The Suez Canal has benefited international trade.
   It connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, saving time and distance for ships.
2. The coastal plains of Africa are very narrow.
   Africa rises quickly from the coast to high plateaus, leaving little flat land near the sea.
3. Most of the rivers of Africa are unsuitable for navigation.
   They have waterfalls, rapids, and uneven flow, making them hard for boats to travel.
4. River Nile is a perennial river.
   It flows throughout the year, fed by lakes and rainfall from central Africa.
5. The greater part of Africa has a hot climate.
   Most of Africa lies between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, close to the Equator.
6. Lake Chad is an important inland drainage area.
   It collects water from rivers but has no outlet to the sea, making it a key inland lake.
7. The Mediterranean region receives winter rainfall.
   Moist winds from the sea blow during winter, bringing rain to the Mediterranean coast.
8. Coniferous trees are found in the highlands.
   Cooler temperatures and higher altitudes in highlands support coniferous forests like pine and cedar.

Africa-Resources

A: Choose the correct option

1. Soil formed from volcanic rocks is found in the:
   ✅ Rift Valleys
2. Which is the important cereal in Africa?
   ✅ Millets
3. Africa has vast reserves of:
   ✅ Diamond and gold
4. The most commonly spoken language in Eastern Africa is:
   ✅ Swahili
5. The southernmost tip of Africa is called:
   ✅ Cape of Good Hope

B: Fill in the blanks

1. The Boyoma Falls on the Congo River and Victoria Falls on the Zambezi are examples of important waterfalls in Africa.
2. Alluvial soil is found in the Nile Valley.
3. Central Africa has dense rainforests of hardwood trees.
4. Kola nuts are used for making medicines and soft drinks.
5. Ostriches are found in the Kalahari desert.
6. People of Bantu origin are mostly found in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa.
7. Christianity and Islam are the major religions followed in Africa.

C: Mark the wrong statements and correct them

1. ❌ There has been a rapid increase in the number of wild animals since early times.
   ✅ There has been a rapid decline in the number of wild animals due to hunting and habitat loss.
2. ✅ Iron ore and coal are found in large quantities.
   (No correction needed)
3. ❌ Seashell is a root crop.
   ✅ Cassava is a root crop.
4. ✅ Machinery and chemicals are major items of import for Africa.
   (No correction needed)
5. ❌ Arabic is a common language spoken in the southern part of Africa.
   ✅ Arabic is mainly spoken in North Africa.
6. ❌ The colonial powers exploited the resources of Africa for the benefit of the native people.
   ✅ Colonial powers exploited the resources of Africa for their own benefit.

D: Answer these questions in 10–20 words

1. What are the different ways in which the African people use their water resources?
   For drinking, farming, fishing, electricity generation, and daily household needs.
2. What are safari parks?
   Wildlife parks where people can see animals in their natural habitat.
3. What are the chief food crops of Africa? Why are they grown?
   Millets, maize, rice, and cassava are grown to feed the local population.
4. Where in Africa is sheep rearing practiced?
   In the grasslands of South Africa, Kenya, and Namibia.
5. Name the valuable minerals found in large quantities in Africa.
   Gold, diamonds, copper, bauxite, and uranium.
6. Which are the most important industries of Africa?
   Mining, food processing, textile, and petroleum industries.
7. Name the two important sea routes that connect Africa with other continents.
   The Suez Canal and the Cape of Good Hope route.
8. Mention the principal items of import and export of Africa.
   Exports: Minerals, oil, coffee. Imports: Machinery, chemicals, vehicles.
9. Why have many Africans migrated from rural areas to cities?
   For better jobs, education, health care, and living conditions.
10. What do you understand by the term animism?
    Belief that natural objects like trees and rivers have spirits or souls.

E: Answer these questions in 50–60 words

1. Give an account of the rich and varied wildlife of Africa.
   Africa has elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and gorillas. Many live in grasslands, forests, or deserts. Birds and reptiles are also common. Wildlife safaris are popular. Sadly, hunting and habitat loss have reduced their numbers. National parks help protect these animals.
2. Suggest some measures to check the over-exploitation of minerals in Africa.
   Governments should monitor mining, set strict rules, and promote sustainable use. Use of modern technology and proper planning can help. Reforestation and land restoration after mining are also important to protect the environment.
3. Why is the population in Africa unevenly distributed? Which are the densely and sparsely populated regions?
   People prefer living near rivers and coasts. Deserts, forests, and mountains have fewer people. Nile Valley, coastal West Africa, and parts of South Africa are densely populated. Sahara Desert and Congo Basin are sparsely populated.

F: Answer these questions in 75–100 words

1. Describe the forest resources of Africa.
   Africa has tropical rainforests, mainly in Central Africa and the Congo Basin. These forests provide hardwood like mahogany and ebony. They are home to rich wildlife. Timber is exported and used in furniture. Savanna and Mediterranean forests also exist. Deforestation is a serious issue, and conservation steps are needed to protect these green resources.
2. Give an account of the cash crops grown in Africa.
   Important cash crops include coffee, cocoa, cotton, tea, sugarcane, and tobacco. These are grown in regions with good rainfall and fertile soil. Coffee and cocoa are exported from West Africa. Tea is grown in Kenya. These crops help earn foreign exchange and support the economy of many African countries.
3. Name the various tribes of people that inhabit Africa. Describe the lifestyle of any one of them.
   Africa is home to tribes like the Masai, Zulu, Tuareg, Pygmies, and Berbers.
   The Masai of Kenya and Tanzania are tall, proud cattle herders. They live in small huts, wear colorful robes, and depend on milk and meat. Their customs and dances are famous around the world.

G: Give reasons for the following

1. The governments of many African countries have taken action against hunting.
   To protect endangered animals and stop illegal poaching that threatens Africa’s wildlife.
2. Some African nations are facing acute food shortages.
   Due to droughts, poor farming methods, wars, and population growth.
3. Many large mines in Africa have been closed.
   Because of over-mining, pollution, and fall in world demand for minerals.
4. Africa is not industrially developed.
   Lack of money, skilled workers, and modern technology limits industrial growth.
5. It is difficult to develop continuous lines of transport in Africa.
   Due to deserts, forests, mountains, and large distances between cities.
6. Most African rivers are not suitable for navigation.
   They have waterfalls, rapids, and uneven flow, making travel difficult.
7. Agriculture is limited to river valleys and coastal plains.
   These areas have fertile soil, water supply, and better climate for farming.
8. Airways are an important mode of transport.
   They connect distant places quickly where roads or railways are hard to build.