Theory question 108
Geography of Africa(a) On a sketch map of Africa, locate and name: (i) two fold mountain areas (ii) two important rivers north of the equator (iii) two ocean currents: one warm; one cold (iv) the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn. (b) Explain how one of the ocean currents in 8(a)(iii) above affect the climate and vegetation of the adjacent coastlands.
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(a) Fold mountains: Atlas (north-west), Cape Ranges (south); rivers north of equator: Niger, Nile, Senegal, Volta, Benue; warm current: Guinea current or Mozambique/Agulhas current; cold current: Benguela (south-west) or Canaries (north-west); Tropic of Cancer 23½°N across the Sahara, Tropic of Capricorn 23½°S across southern Africa.
(b) Cold current (e.g. Benguela): cools the air above it so onshore winds are cool and dry; air is stable so little rain falls; fog and mist form along the coast; low temperatures and low rainfall give desert or semi-desert (Namib) with scanty, drought-resistant vegetation.
Warm current (e.g. Mozambique/Guinea): warms the air and adds moisture; onshore winds bring heavy rain; raises coastal temperatures; supports dense forest vegetation.
Show warm currents and cold currents with different arrows in the key.