7th Grade Notes

Here are notes for 11-2. They need to be in your notebook. I will be checking.

Climate and Vegetation
Chapter 11
Section 2
What Influences Climate?
• Distance from the Equator
– Runs through the midsection of Africa
– Tropics also run through Africa
– Much of Africa has a tropical climate
– Influences not only climate, but also seasons
• Role of Elevation
– Higher the elevation- colder the temperature
– Irrigate- supply with water from another source
– Drought-long period with little or no rain
– Oasis- a fertile place in the desert with water and vegetation
• Unpredictable Rainfall
– Because of Africa’s size, rainfall varies from region to region
– West Coast and Central Africa get a lot
– North and South get very little
Vegetation Regions of Africa
• Tropical Rain Forests
– Covers close to 20% of Africa
– Lush vegetation and variety of wildlife
– Farming, Fishing, Hunting, Logging
• Tropical Savannas
– 2 seasons- dry and wet
– Tall grasses and scattered trees
– Large pack animals
– Farming(wet season) Trade(dry season)
• Desert Living
– Nomads- people who have no permanent home
– They follow trade routes or migrating animals
– Live up in the mountain regions during rainy season and around oases during dry seasons
– Make a living trading, herding, or caravan leaders
Climate & Health
• Sleeping Sickness
– Tsetse Fly- found in 1/5 of Africa
– A bite can kill a cow
– A bite to a human causes “sleeping sickness”
Malaria
– Spread by mosquitoes
– Moist climates- breed in swamps or standing water