Physical Divisions of Africa – Notes for Competitive Exams
Africa is the second largest continent in the world after Asia. It covers about 30.3 million square kilometers, which is nearly 20% of the Earth’s land area. The continent is almost equally divided by the Equator, which gives Africa a wide variety of climates ranging from tropical rainforests to deserts.
Africa is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea in the north, the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the Indian Ocean in the east, and the Red Sea in the northeast. Much of the continent consists of high plateaus with narrow coastal plains, which is why Africa is often called the “Plateau Continent.”
The physical geography of Africa can be divided into several major divisions including plateaus, mountains, deserts, river basins, and coastal plains. These divisions influence the climate, vegetation, and economic activities of the continent.
Major Physical Divisions of Africa
| Physical Division | Description | Important Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Plateaus | Dominant landform of Africa | Ethiopian Plateau |
| Mountains | Limited but significant highlands | Atlas Mountains |
| Deserts | Largest desert regions in the world | Sahara Desert |
| River Basins | Major drainage systems | Nile Basin |
| Rift Valleys | Geological depressions formed by tectonic forces | Great Rift Valley |
Plateaus of Africa
Plateaus cover most of the African continent and give it a generally elevated appearance. These plateaus were formed due to tectonic uplift and volcanic activity. The plateaus are often surrounded by steep escarpments and separated by deep valleys.
One of the most important plateaus is the Ethiopian Plateau, which is located in northeastern Africa. It has an average elevation of more than 2000 meters and is sometimes referred to as the “Roof of Africa.”
Another significant plateau is the East African Plateau, which extends across countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This plateau contains several lakes and volcanic mountains.
Major Plateaus of Africa
| Plateau | Location | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Plateau | Ethiopia | High volcanic plateau |
| East African Plateau | Kenya–Tanzania | Contains large lakes |
| Southern African Plateau | South Africa region | Large plateau region |
Mountains of Africa
Although Africa is mainly a plateau continent, it has several important mountain ranges. Most African mountains are old mountains formed by volcanic activity or uplift.
The most prominent mountain range in northwestern Africa is the Atlas Mountains, which extends across Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. These mountains act as a barrier separating the Mediterranean climate from the Sahara Desert.
Africa also contains the highest mountain on the continent, Mount Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania. It is a volcanic mountain with a height of about 5895 meters.
Another important mountain range is the Drakensberg Mountains, which forms a natural boundary between South Africa and Lesotho.
Important Mountain Ranges
| Mountain Range | Location | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Atlas Mountains | Morocco–Algeria–Tunisia | North Africa’s major range |
| Drakensberg Mountains | South Africa | High escarpment |
| Rwenzori Mountains | Uganda–DR Congo | Glaciated peaks |
Deserts of Africa
Africa contains the largest desert regions in the world, which occupy a large portion of the continent.
The most famous desert is the Sahara Desert, which stretches across northern Africa. It covers approximately 9 million square kilometers and is the largest hot desert on Earth.
Another important desert is the Kalahari Desert, located mainly in Botswana and Namibia. Unlike the Sahara, the Kalahari receives slightly more rainfall and supports some vegetation.
The Namib Desert is one of the oldest deserts in the world and lies along the Atlantic coast.
Major Deserts of Africa
| Desert | Location | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Sahara Desert | North Africa | Largest hot desert |
| Kalahari Desert | Southern Africa | Semi-arid desert |
| Namib Desert | Namibia | Oldest desert |
River Systems of Africa
Africa has several important river systems that support agriculture, transportation, and hydroelectric power.
The Nile River is the most famous river in Africa. It flows through northeastern Africa and empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile Valley has supported human civilization for thousands of years.
Another major river is the Congo River, which flows through the Congo Basin and is the second longest river in Africa. It carries a huge volume of water and flows through dense tropical forests.
The Niger River is another important river that supports agriculture and settlements in West Africa.
Major Rivers of Africa
| River | Length (Approx.) | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Nile River | 6650 km | Longest river in the world |
| Congo River | 4700 km | Large water discharge |
| Niger River | 4180 km | Major West African river |
| Zambezi River | 2574 km | Contains Victoria Falls |
Rift Valley System
One of the most important geological features in Africa is the Great Rift Valley. This valley was formed due to tectonic plate movements that caused the Earth’s crust to split apart.
The Great Rift Valley extends from the Red Sea to Mozambique and contains many lakes and volcanoes. Important lakes in this region include Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika.
Important Points for Competitive Exams
Africa is the second largest continent in the world.
Africa is often called the Plateau Continent because most of its land surface is elevated plateau.
The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world.
The Nile River is the longest river in the world.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa.
The Great Rift Valley is one of the most important geological features of Africa.
Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
UPSC
Which river is considered the longest river in the world?
Answer: Nile River.
Which desert is the largest hot desert on Earth?
Answer: Sahara Desert.
SSC
Mount Kilimanjaro is located in which continent?
Answer: Africa.
RRB
Which river flows through the Congo Basin?
Answer: Congo River.
JKSSB
Africa is often called the:
Answer: Plateau Continent.