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Africa: Geography and Exploration Insights

Africa is the second largest and most populated continent, covering about 30 million sq. km and housing 12% of the world's population across more than 50 countries. It is located south of Europe and southwest of Asia, with significant geographical features including the Equator, the Tropic of Cancer, and the Tropic of Capricorn. Historically known as the 'Dark Continent,' Africa's exploration was hindered by natural barriers such as the Sahara Desert, high plateaus, and difficult coastlines.

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6 views2 pages

Africa: Geography and Exploration Insights

Africa is the second largest and most populated continent, covering about 30 million sq. km and housing 12% of the world's population across more than 50 countries. It is located south of Europe and southwest of Asia, with significant geographical features including the Equator, the Tropic of Cancer, and the Tropic of Capricorn. Historically known as the 'Dark Continent,' Africa's exploration was hindered by natural barriers such as the Sahara Desert, high plateaus, and difficult coastlines.

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rudraxgulati
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© All Rights Reserved
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and

Africa
Nigg
Location and Physical Features
most tourists
are available
es them and
Switzerland.
** Location.
KEY CONCEPTS
* Boundaries.
**Political Divisions.
*Major Physical Features.
frica is the second largest and the second
Amost populated continent after Asia. It has a total landmass of about 30 million
sq. km, which is nine times the size of India. In fact, its area is so vast that
the landmasses of India, Japan, the USA and Europe could easily fit into it. It
comprises about 12 per cent of the total population of the world, residing in more
than 50 countries.
LOCATION
Africa is situated to the south of Europe and southwest of Asia. Africa lies
between 37° N and 35° S latitude and stretches from 17° W and 51° E longitude. The
Equator divides Africa into two parts. It is the only continent through which the
Equator, the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn pass. The greater part of
Africa lies in the zone between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn,
called the Torrid Zone. Since the Torrid Zone is the hottest zone of the earth, the
temperature over most of Africa remains high throughout the year.
BOUNDARIES
Africa is bounded by the Mediterranean sea in the north, the Red sea in the north
east, the Indian Ocean in the east and the Atlantic Ocean in the west and
southwest. Its northernmost point is Cape Blanc in Tunisia and the southernmost
point
is Cape Agulhas in South Africa. It is completely surrounded by water bodies. It is
the only continent that lies in all the four hemispheres. It is linked with Asia by
the narrow Isthmus of Suez. It is separated from Arabia by the Strait of Bab-el-
Mandeb and from Europe by the Strait of Gibraltar.
EXPLORATION OF AFRICA
Africa was known as the Dark Continent as it remained unknown to the outside world
for several centuries. This was because of the following
reasons:
(i) The huge Sahara desert with its hot climate acted as a great barrier in the
forward movement of people towards Africa.
(ii) A great part of Africa is a high plateau rising steeply from the coast. This
made it difficult for the explorers to climb up from the coast and come inland.
(iii) The regular coastline, with its lack of good harbours proved a great obstacle
for anchoring of ships and opening up of Africa. (iv) Many African rivers are not
navigable due to the falls along the edge of the plateau.
(v) Thick forests which extend for hundreds of miles presented a major hurdle.
E
(vi)
Hot and humid climate, insects and reptiles and deadly tropical diseases were the
other hazards which prevented the opening up of Africa to the outside world.
Bartholomew Diaz, Portuguese succeeded in rounding the southernmost tip of Africa
in 1486. However, the opening up of Africa to the outside world began with the
adventures
a
sailor,
AFRICA: LOCATION AND PHYSICAL FEATURES
93

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