World Geography – Unit 9: Sub-saharan Africa

Africa is known as the plateau continent because it is characterized by a large number of plateaus across its landscape. A plateau is a flat, elevated landform with steep sides, and Africa is home to several major plateaus such as the Ethiopian Highlands, the Angolan Plateau, and the South African Plateau. These plateaus have played a significant role in shaping Africa's geography and climate, as well as influencing the distribution of flora and fauna. The term "plateau continent" accurately describes Africa's topography and distinguishes it from other continents that may have different dominant landforms.

The Great Rift Valley and the Great Escarpment were caused by plate movement. Plate tectonics is the scientific theory that explains how the Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large plates that are constantly moving. In the case of the Great Rift Valley and the Great Escarpment, these geological formations were created by the movement of tectonic plates that caused the Earth's crust to crack and form deep valleys and steep cliffs. This process is still ongoing today, as the African Plate continues to slowly separate, causing the Rift Valley to widen and the Escarpment to erode further.

Cataracts and rapids are the factors that make portions of Sub-Saharan rivers unnavigable. Cataracts are large waterfalls or rapids that obstruct the flow of the river, making it difficult for boats or ships to pass through. Rapids, on the other hand, are fast-flowing, turbulent sections of a river that can be dangerous and challenging to navigate. These natural features pose obstacles to navigation in Sub-Saharan rivers, limiting their usability for transportation and trade.

The rainforest is most likely to be found closest to the equator because it requires warm temperatures, high humidity, and abundant rainfall to thrive. These conditions are typically found in tropical regions near the equator. The rainforest ecosystem is characterized by a dense canopy of trees, rich biodiversity, and a variety of plant and animal species adapted to the warm and wet climate.