Physical Geography of Southern Africa

Eswatini

• 2018: 50 years of Independence from British rule

• King Mswati II changed the name to Eswatini (Land of the Swazis)

• Swaziland came from the English language

Nyasaland to Malawi

• Marks the end of Colonial Rule

Rhodesia to Zambia and Zimbabwe

• Named for British colonizer, John Rhodes

• Zambia is named for the Zambezi River

• Zimbabwe was named for the ancient medieval city

Bechuanaland to Botsana

• Named for the main ethnic group, Tswana

This region of Africa is known as Southern Africa

Countries South of the Congo River Basin

Located on Africa's Southern tip

• South Africa is a country located in southern Africa

• Lesotho: a landlocked country that is surrounded by one country, South Africa. 

The Great Escarpment (a long cliff or slope that seperates a plateau from lower land)

• Located in Southern Africa

• Large enough that it can be seen through satellites in space

• The terrain is very rugged and difficult for humans to construct infrastructure (Drakensburg)

Namib Desert

• One of the lowest population densities in the world

• One of the oldest deserts in the world

Kalahari Desert

• Home of the San and Himba people

  • Desert wells

  • Hunters and Herders (cattle and goats)

• Part of this desert is a Savana

Southern Africa's largest river

Forms a natural boundary between five countries

Produces rich silt for farming (Commercial and Subsistence)

Not navigable due to its shallow spots, rapids, waterfalls, etc.

• Small sections of the river can be navigable but not for commercial use

Kariba Dam

• Creates power for 7 million homes in Zimbabwe and Zambia

• 50 years old

Lake Kariba: Largest artificial lake

Mosi-oa-Tunya

• The Smoke That Thunders and The Place of the Rainbow

• Victoria Falls: one of the world's largest waterfalls

Northeast: warm and dry; wet and dry seasons

Central East: arid and semiarid; the hottest times of the year are January and February

Southern tip: Interior of the region is much hotter then coastal regions

Drakensberg Region: cool and wet; can see snow

Northeastern: humid and warm; wet and dry season

4th largest island in the world

Theory of Pangea: Madagascar was closer to India - now it's closer to Africa

Rain Shadow Effect: air drops its moisture as it crosses over a mountain

• East Coast receives more rain (145 inches)

• West Coast receives less rain (40 inches)

Madagascar's Rainforest

• Endemic animal species (plants and animal species that can only be found in one specific location)

Deforestation

• Slash and Burn Agriculture

• Forest Fragmentation: as humans remove trees to create settlements, smaller forest areas become separated from the main forest area 

Human inhabitants

• Indigenous people were seafarers from Southeast Asia

• Culture is a mixture of Asian and African influence (brought through migration)