Theory question 107
Geography of Africa(a) Draw an outline map of Africa. On the map, mark and name the following: (i) the Tropical Climatic region; (ii) the Hot Desert Climatic region; (iii) the Warm Temperate Eastern Margin Climatic region (b) Describe any three characteristics of the Tropical Climate. (c) Outline three ways in which the vegetation of the Tropical Climate has adapted to the Climatic conditions of the region.
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(a) Tropical (savanna) climate: belts north and south of the equatorial region (West African savanna, Sudan, East Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe); hot desert: Sahara and Namib/Kalahari; warm temperate eastern margin: south-east coast of South Africa (Natal, around Durban).
(b) Distinct wet season (summer) and dry season (winter); high temperatures all year (21-32°C) with an annual range of 5-10°C; rainfall 500-1,500 mm, decreasing away from the equator; mainly convectional rain; low humidity and dusty winds (harmattan) in the dry season.
(c) Trees shed their leaves in the dry season; long tap roots reach underground water; thick bark resists fire and drought; small, thorny or waxy leaves reduce water loss; baobabs store water in their trunks; grasses dry up and remain dormant in the dry season and sprout quickly with the rains; umbrella-shaped crowns.
Link each adaptation to the long dry season.