Africa

Continent that represents about 20% of the world’s land; two-thirds of its surface lies north of the Equator. Characterized by very hot climates, Mediterranean in the north and south, tropical and arid elsewhere.

Lake Tanganyika

The world’s deepest lake (4,710 feet) after Lake Baikal; it empties into the Congo River.

Lake Victoria

Africa’s largest lake (26,000 mi2) is relatively shallow; it is bordered by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Gulf of Aden

Northwestern arm of the Indian Ocean between southern Saudi Arabia and northeastern Africa; it connects to the Red Sea through the strait of Bab El Mandeb.

Red Sea

Gulf (165,000 mi2) located between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula; it connects to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal.

Nile

The world’s longest river (4,150 mi) is known for its summer flooding.

Lake Chad

Large lake, shallow and marshy, the vestige of what was once a sea; it continues to diminish in size and could one day dry up.

Mediterranean Sea

One of the largest inland seas in the world (965,000 mi2); it lies between Europe, Africa and Asia and connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar.

Sahara Desert

Largest desert in the world (3 million mi2); it covers one-quarter of Africa.

Atlas Mountains

Mountain chain composed of several ranges; it extends from Tunisia to Morocco, where Jebel Toubkal is its highest peak (13,665 feet).

Tropic of Cancer

Parallel located at 23°26' N latitude (a distance of about 1,600 mi from the Equator).

Senegal River

River (1,050 mi) forming the boundary between Senegal and Mauritania; it empties into the Atlantic.

Niger River

Africa’s third longest river (2,600 mi) after the Nile and the Congo.

Gulf of Guinea

Gulf extending from Ivory Coast to Gabon; its waters are warm.

Equator

Imaginary circle surrounding Earth at its widest circumference, dividing it into two hemispheres: the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere.

Congo River

Second longest river in Africa (2,850 mi) and the world’s second river in size of drainage basin and volume of flow.

Atlantic Ocean

The world’s second largest ocean; it covers 20% of the Earth’s surface.

Tropic of Capricorn

Parallel located at 23°26' S latitude (a distance of about 1,600 mi from the Equator).

Namib Desert

Arid region extending 1,250 mi along the Atlantic coast. Frequent fog brings the equivalent of 2 in of annual rainfall.

Kalahari Desert

Semiarid region bordering the Namib Desert; the north is marshy while the south is characterized by very sparse vegetation.

Cape of Good Hope

Former island now connected to the continent by a ridge of sand; located only 90 mi to the west of Africa’s southernmost point.

Madagascar

Island (1,000 mi long); because it is isolated off the coast of Africa, Madagascar’s flora and fauna are unique.

Mozambique Channel

Arm of the Indian Ocean between the African continent and Madagascar.

Indian Ocean

Relatively small ocean (29 million mi2) located between Africa, Asia and Australia; it has high water temperatures and is dotted with numerous islands.

Lake Malawi

Lake shared by Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique; it is 310 mi long and 30 mi wide.