World Geography / Unit 8: Africa
8.2 Climate and Biomes of Africa
Notes
Because the equator crosses Africa, climates are arranged in bands north and south of it.
- Tropical rainforest is near the equator, especially the Congo Basin and the Gulf of Guinea coast.
- Savanna covers a large part of the continent, with grass, scattered trees, wet and dry seasons and famous wildlife areas like the Serengeti.
- Desert (Sahara, Namib, Kalahari) and semi-arid steppe (Sahel).
- Mediterranean climate is found on the far northern coast and the southwestern tip of South Africa.
- Desertification is the spread of desert-like conditions into dry grassland, due to drought, overgrazing and clearing of trees. It threatens the Sahel.
Practice
Which biome covers much of Africa and has wet and dry seasons with scattered trees?
The Serengeti is a famous savanna.
Overgrazing and tree cutting on the edge of a desert can lead to
Plant loss lets the desert spread.
Where in Africa would you most likely find tropical rainforest?
The Congo Basin straddles the equator with heavy rain.
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