Agroclimatic resources of Africa table. Natural resource potential of Africa. Brief description of the African economy

Africa freed itself from colonial dependence only at the end of the 20th century. Now on political map There are 55 countries in this region, all of them are sovereign states.

By state system republics predominate, only three countries have a monarchical form of government: Morocco, Lesotho and Swaziland. Most African countries are quite large in area.

Among the features of the economic and geographical position of African countries, we can highlight:

Landlocked majority of states;
Access to international sea routes through the Gulf of Guinea and the Mediterranean Sea.

Africa is extremely rich natural resources.

Its main wealth is minerals. The region ranks first in the world in terms of reserves of most types of mineral raw materials. Oil and gas are mined here (Libya, Algeria, Nigeria), iron ore (Liberia, Mauritania, Guinea, Gabon), manganese and uranium ores (Gabon, Niger), bauxite (Guinea, Cameroon), copper ores (Zaire, Zambia), gold and diamonds (South Africa and West African countries), phosphorites (Nauru). South Africa is richest in mineral resources. There are almost all types of mineral resources here (with the exception of oil, gas and bauxite).

African countries are well supplied with water resources. Besides them, in Africa there are the whole system lakes (Victoria, Tanganyika, Nyasa). However, water resources are distributed unevenly: in the equatorial belt there is excess moisture, in arid regions there are practically no rivers and lakes.
African countries are generally well provided with land resources. However, as a result of erosion, a large amount of land is constantly being removed from agricultural use. The soils of Africa are not very fertile, and, in addition, they are demanding in terms of agricultural technology.

In terms of forest area, Africa is second only to Russia and Latin America. Forests occupy 10% of the region's total area. These are humid equatorial forests. Currently, they are being actively cut down, which leads to desertification of the territory.

The population of Africa is characterized by several specific features.

There are 300 - 500 ethnic groups, some of which have already formed into large nations (Arabs in North Africa), and some are still at the level of nationalities. In this regard, most states are multinational. In addition, the boundaries of colonial possessions were drawn without taking into account ethnic characteristics, which leads to interethnic conflicts.

Rapid population growth. Africa has the highest birth rate and natural increase in the world. The highest rates are in Kenya, Benin, Uganda, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

The significant predominance of young people in the age structure of the population is associated with high levels of fertility and mortality. Extremely uneven distribution of the population. The average density is 2 times lower than the world average. The contrasts within countries are very sharp. There are completely uninhabited territories (in the Sahara, in the equatorial forests), and on the coast, in valleys and river deltas, the population concentration is high (Egypt).

The region has historically low level urbanization. In Africa, only 20% of cities have millionaires, there are no urban agglomerations. However, there is now a high rate of urbanization, which leads to uncontrolled growth of capital cities due to the influx of rural residents.

Currently, the African economy is the most backward part of the world economy (with the exception of South Africa). The countries of the continent act on the world market as major suppliers of minerals and products Agriculture.

In the sectoral structure of the economy, the leading role belongs to the mining industry. For some types of minerals, Africa accounts for a significant portion of world production: diamonds (96%), gold (76%), cobalt and chrome ores (67 - 68%), manganese ores (57%).

The extracted raw materials are mainly exported. Main exporters:

Oil - Nigeria, Libya, Algeria;
Medi - Zaire, Zambia;
Iron ores - Liberia, Mauritania;
Manganese ores - Gabon;
Phosphorites - Morocco;
Uranium ores - Niger, Gabon.

The manufacturing industry is represented mainly by light and food industries. IN last years The share of metallurgy, mechanical engineering, and the chemical industry is increasing. However, the range of types of manufacturing products is still very narrow, and heavy industry enterprises are concentrated in a small number of countries: Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Zambia, Zaire and some others. Another sector of the economy that determines Africa's place in the world economy is agriculture. It employs up to 90% of the population of individual countries. The leading industry is crop production, in particular tropical and subtropical agriculture. It has an export orientation and often determines monocultural specialization. For example: the agricultural monoculture of Senegal is peanuts, Ethiopia is coffee, Ghana is cocoa beans. Other export goods include dates, tea, natural rubber, sorghum, spices, and cotton.

Main exporters:

Cotton - Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Mali, Tanzania;
Coffee - Ethiopia, Angola, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda;
Cocoa beans - Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria;
Peanut - Senegal, Gambia, Sudan;
Olive oil - Tunisia, Morocco.

Livestock farming plays a secondary role and is characterized by low productivity.

Agriculture relies on backward production - technical base. Poor development of irrigation leads to droughts, and the use of slash-and-burn agriculture leads to land deterioration, erosion, and desertification.

Africa's transport system is underdeveloped. The transport network was formed in accordance with the interests of the former colonialists to ensure the removal of export goods. Therefore, transport routes are represented by “penetration lines” connecting the port of call with areas of export specialization (raw material extraction area or tropical farming area).

The call for raw materials required organization, primarily maritime and railway transport. Maritime transport continues to play a leading role in the region's transport system. The largest ports in Africa: Alexandria, Dakar, Algiers, Casablanca, Lagos, Dar es Salaam.

IN Lately Other modes of transport also developed. A highway across the Sahara was built, large oil and gas pipelines were laid in Algeria and Libya.

From the above it follows that in Africa the colonial type of sectoral economic structure is still preserved. Its characteristic features:

The predominance of small-scale, low-productivity agriculture;
Poor development of the manufacturing industry;
Underdevelopment of the transport network;
Limitation of the non-productive sphere to trade and services.

The territorial structure of the economy of the countries of the region is characterized by disproportions in the location of the economy, separate centers of industry and highly commercial agriculture.

Several subregions can be distinguished in Africa. They differ in their geographical, natural and cultural - historical features. The economic regionalization of Africa has not yet taken shape.

South Africa(South Africa) is the only country in Africa that belongs to the group of developed countries. By all indicators economic development it holds first place in Africa. It accounts for 25% of weapons and military equipment and 40% of volume industrial production. The economy is based on the mining industry. South Africa ranks first in the world in gold mining, second in diamond mining and third in mining uranium ores. Metallurgy and mechanical engineering are highly developed.

The video lesson is devoted to the topic “Natural resource potential and general characteristics of the African economy.” From the lesson you will learn what resources the continent is rich in and what is special about their use. The teacher will tell you in detail about the specifics of the economy of African countries. As additional material, the lesson covers three topics: “Monoculture”, “South African Republic” and “Trans-African Highways”.

Topic: Africa

Lesson: Natural resource potential and general characteristics African economies

Africa is exceptionally rich in mineral resources, although they are still poorly studied. Among other continents it ranks first in reserves of the following natural resources:

1. Manganese ore.

2. Khromitov.

3. Bauxite.

4. Gold.

5. Platinum.

6. Cobalt.

7. Almazov.

8. Phosphorites.

There are also great resources of oil, natural gas, graphite, and asbestos. Africa's share in the global mining industry is 1/4. Almost all extracted raw materials and fuel are exported from Africa to economically developed countries.

Rice. 1. Diamond mining in Africa ()

Central Africa has large reserves of forest and water resources.

In addition, Africa's land resources are significant. There is more cultivated land per inhabitant than in South-East Asia or Latin America. In total, 20% of the land suitable for agriculture is cultivated. However, extensive farming and rapid population growth have led to catastrophic soil erosion, which reduces crop yields. This, in turn, aggravates the problem of hunger, which is very relevant in Africa.

Rice. 3. Map of desertification in Africa ()

Agroclimatic resources Africa is determined by the fact that it is the hottest continent and lies entirely within the average annual isotherm of +20 °C. But the main factor determining differences in climatic conditions is precipitation. 30% of the territory is arid regions occupied by deserts, 30% receives 200-600 mm of precipitation, but is subject to droughts; equatorial regions suffer from excess moisture. Therefore, on 2/3 of Africa, sustainable agriculture is possible only through reclamation work.

After gaining independence, African countries began to make efforts to overcome centuries of backwardness. The restructuring of the sectoral and territorial structure of the economy began. The greatest successes along this path have been achieved in the mining industry, which now accounts for 1/4 of the world's production volume.

Despite certain successes, most regions of Africa are still characterized by a colonial type of economy.

The main features of the colonial type of economy:

1. The predominance of small-scale agriculture.

2. Poor development of the manufacturing industry.

3. Significant backlog of transport.

4. Limitation of the non-productive sphere to trade and services only.

5. Monocultural specialization.

Africa exports bananas, coffee, tea, dates, citrus fruits and other agricultural products.

In total, there are seven main mining regions in Africa. Three of them are in North Africa and four are in sub-Saharan Africa.

Rice. 4. Map of mining areas in Africa ()

Mining areas of Africa:

1. The Atlas Mountains region is distinguished by reserves of iron, manganese, polymetallic ores, and phosphorites (the world's largest phosphorite belt).

2. The Egyptian mining region is rich in oil, natural gas, iron, titanium ores, phosphorites, etc.

3. The region of the Algerian and Libyan parts of the Sahara is distinguished by its largest oil and gas fields.

4. The Western Guinea region is characterized by a combination of gold, diamonds, iron ores, and graphites.

5. The East Guinea region is rich in oil, gas, and metal ores.

6. Zaire-Zambian region. On its territory there is a unique “Copper Belt” with deposits of high-quality copper ores, as well as cobalt, zinc, lead, cadmium, germanium, gold, and silver. Congo (formerly Zaire) is the world's main producer and exporter of cobalt.

7. The largest mining region in Africa is located within Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. Almost all types of fuel, ore and non-metallic minerals are mined here, with the exception of oil, gas and bauxite.

Africa is divided into 5 regions or 2 large regions (North Africa and Tropical Africa).

Rice. 5. Map of African regions ()

Each region differs in the composition and distribution of the population, natural and climatic conditions, resources, and economic specialization. Tropical Africa (Sub-Saharan Africa) is the least industrialized, least urbanized region of the world, and the most backward region of the world.

Rice. 6. Map of Tropical Africa ()

Monocultural specialization- narrow specialization of the country's economy in the production of one, usually a raw material or food product, intended mainly for export.

Rice. 7. Monocultures of African countries ()

Republic of South Africa. This country ranks first in Africa in many indicators of economic development. South Africa accounts for the lion's share of Africa's GDP, manufacturing output and vehicle fleet. South Africa is distinguished by the development of the mining industry, the extraction of gold, diamonds, iron ores, etc.

Trans-African highways: Maghreb, which connects all the countries of North Africa from Morocco to Egypt (Rabat - Cairo) and runs along the Mediterranean coast; Trans-Saharan Railway Algiers (Algeria) - Lagos (Nigeria); Trans-African highway Lagos - Mombasa (Kenya), or the West - East highway, etc.

Homework

Topic 8, P. 1, 2

1. What resources is Africa richest in?

2. What is monoculture?

Bibliography

Main

1. Geography. A basic level of. 10-11 grades: Textbook for educational institutions/ A.P. Kuznetsov, E.V. Kim. - 3rd ed., stereotype. - M.: Bustard, 2012. - 367 p.

2. Economic and social geography of the world: Textbook. for 10th grade educational institutions / V.P. Maksakovsky. - 13th ed. - M.: Education, JSC "Moscow Textbooks", 2005. - 400 p.

3. Atlas with set contour maps for 10th grade. Economic and social geography of the world. - Omsk: FSUE "Omsk Cartographic Factory", 2012. - 76 p.

Additional

1. Economic and social geography of Russia: Textbook for universities / Ed. prof. A.T. Khrushchev. - M.: Bustard, 2001. - 672 p.: ill., map.: color. on

Encyclopedias, dictionaries, reference books and statistical collections

1. Geography: a reference book for high school students and applicants to universities. - 2nd ed., rev. and revision - M.: AST-PRESS SCHOOL, 2008. - 656 p.

2. Africa // encyclopedic Dictionary Brockhaus and Efron: In 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 extras). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.

Literature for preparing for the State Exam and the Unified State Exam

1. Thematic control in geography. Economic and social geography of the world. 10th grade / E.M. Ambartsumova. - M.: Intellect-Center, 2009. - 80 p.

2. The most complete edition typical options real tasks of the Unified State Exam: 2010. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Astrel, 2010. - 221 p.

3. The optimal bank of tasks for preparing students. Single State exam 2012. Geography: Tutorial/ Comp. EM. Ambartsumova, S.E. Dyukova. - M.: Intellect-Center, 2012. - 256 p.

4. The most complete edition of standard versions of real Unified State Examination tasks: 2010. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: AST: Astrel, 2010. - 223 p.

5. Geography. Diagnostic work in the format of the Unified State Exam 2011. - M.: MTsNMO, 2011. - 72 p.

6. Unified State Exam 2010. Geography. Collection of tasks / Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Eksmo, 2009. - 272 p.

7. Geography tests: 10th grade: to the textbook by V.P. Maksakovsky “Economic and social geography of the world. 10th grade” / E.V. Baranchikov. - 2nd ed., stereotype. - M.: Publishing house "Exam", 2009. - 94 p.

8. Unified State Exam 2009. Geography. Universal materials for preparing students / FIPI - M.: Intellect-Center, 2009. - 240 p.

9. Geography. Answers on questions. Oral examination, theory and practice / V.P. Bondarev. - M.: Publishing house "Exam", 2003. - 160 p.

10. Unified State Exam 2010. Geography: thematic training tasks/ O.V. Chicherina, Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Eksmo, 2009. - 144 p.

11. Unified State Exam 2012. Geography: Typical exam options: 31 options / Ed. V.V. Barabanova. - M.: National Education, 2011. - 288 p.

12. Unified State Exam 2011. Geography: Standard exam options: 31 options / Ed. V.V. Barabanova. - M.: National Education, 2010. - 280 p.

Materials on the Internet

1. Federal Institute pedagogical dimensions ( ).

2. Federal portal Russian Education ().

3. Electronic version of the journal Geography ().

The main question of this article is the characteristics of Africa. The first thing you need to know is that Africa makes up a fifth of the landmass of our entire planet. This suggests that the continent ranks second in size, only Asia is larger.

We will examine the characteristics of Africa from different angles; we will get acquainted with countries, natural areas, belts, peoples and natural resources. Africa has more than 50 countries, or rather 55. It is customary to divide the continent into the following regions:

• Northern.
• Tropical.

This is what school textbooks offer us, but scientific literature adheres to a slightly different division:

• Northern.
• South.
• Western.
• Eastern.
• Central.

Colonies and slave trade

It is impossible to characterize Africa without mentioning colonies and the slave trade. The continent we are considering suffered like no other from the colonial system. Its collapse began only in the fifties, and the last colony was liquidated only in 1990, it was called Namibia.

The characteristics of Africa, or rather the assessment of the EGP of countries, can take place according to different criteria, but we will take the main one - the presence or absence of access to the sea. Since Africa is a fairly large continent, there are also a considerable number of them. They are less developed; now, after the collapse of the colonial system, all countries are sovereign states. But there are exceptions that adhere to the monarchical form:

• Morocco.
• Lesotho.
• Swaziland.

Natural resources

A general description of Africa also includes an analysis of the natural resources of this continent, in which it is very rich. Africa's main wealth is minerals. What is mined on the territory of this endless continent:

• Oil.
• Iron ore.
• Uranium ore.
• Copper ore.
• Gold.
• Diamonds.
• Phosphorites.

So what is the general characteristic of Africa? While it is very difficult to answer, we know that the continent is rich in minerals and a large number of countries are located far from the sea, which slows down their development. South Africa especially stands out in terms of the presence of mineral resources; oil, gas and bauxite are not extracted here.

The country has little need for water resources, as there are lakes such as:

• Victoria.
• Tanganyika.
• Nyasa.

Forest

Forest in Africa occupies more than ten percent of the total area of ​​the countries. It is second only to Latin America and Russia. Now these are being actively cut down, which leads to desertification of the territory. The characteristics of African countries, namely security, cannot be considered unambiguously, since there is a lot of heat, and moistening occurs unevenly. Forest areas cover approximately 8.3 million square kilometers. According to the degree and nature of forest distribution, Africa is usually divided into regions:

• Northern (subtropics).
• Western (tropics).
• Eastern (mountains and tropics).
• Southern (subtropics).

Population

In Africa there are about five hundred ethnic groups; this is the main distinguishing feature of the population of this continent. Some of them have grown into nations, while others remain at the level of nationalities. Most of the states on this continent are multinational, the boundaries between them are unclear (they do not separate one nationality from another), and this leads to interethnic conflicts.

In terms of natural increase, Africa has the highest birth rate, especially in some countries:

• Kenya.
• Benin.
• Uganda.
• Nigeria.
• Tanzania.

Since both the birth rate and death rate are high, young people predominate in the age structure. Peoples are distributed unevenly, there are completely uninhabited territories (the Sahara), but there are also places where the main population is concentrated, for example Egypt. As for urbanization, historically it has been growing at a very slow pace; now in Africa there are only twenty percent of millionaire cities.

Zones

Since the continent has a relatively flat topography, and most of it is located between the tropics, there is a pronounced zonation. What are the characteristics of African zones? First you need to divide the entire territory into parts. Next will be presented detailed characteristics belts of Africa. So, belts are distinguished:

• Equatorial.
• Subequatorial.
• Tropical.

It should also be noted that alternately variable-humid forests, savannas, woodlands, deserts, semi-deserts, subtropical forests diverge in both directions from the equatorial forests, but their location in relation to the south or north is not the same.

Equatorial belt

It's pretty large territory, occupying the area from to the depression in the Congo. A distinctive feature is the year-round predominance of equatorial air masses. The temperature ranges from 24 to 28 degrees, there are no changes in seasons. Precipitation occurs quite frequently and evenly over 365 days. Up to 2.5 thousand millimeters of precipitation falls per year.

Considered full characteristics Africa is impossible without mentioning that this territory is home to the equatorial rainforest. This happened thanks to the same daily precipitation. During the day, the heat in this area is unbearable, which is relieved by cool evenings, rain or thunderstorms.

Subequatorial belt

• Rainy.
• Dry.

Since there is insufficient precipitation, the following phenomenon can be observed - dense forests are gradually replaced by sparse ones, and they, in turn, turn into savannas. We have already mentioned that two seasons alternate; in one part, rains predominate, which brought air masses from the equator, and in the other, there is drought at this time, since air masses from the tropics dominate there.

Tropics

The characteristics of the natural zones of Africa under consideration must necessarily contain a description of the tropical zone. This is what we will now begin to do. Let us immediately note that this belt can be divided into two zones:

• North of subequatorial.
• South Africa.

A distinctive feature is dry weather and low precipitation. All this contributes to the formation of deserts and savannas. The dry wind prevails here due to the distance from the sea; the deeper we go into the continent, the hotter the air and drier the soil.

The largest desert located in tropical latitudes is the Sahara. Since the air contains small grains of sand, and the temperature during the day rises above forty degrees, it is extremely difficult for a person to be here. Moreover, at night the temperature can drop by at least twenty degrees, and may even go into the negative range.

Subtropics

The climate in this part is characterized by changing seasons, hot in summer and rainy in winter. But in southeast Africa, a humid subtropical climate prevails, which contributes to the uniform distribution of precipitation. It should be noted that the subtropics are divided into two zones:

• southern;
• northern.

Why is there climate change here? In summer, air masses blown from the tropical zone dominate here, and in winter - from temperate latitudes. The subtropics are distinguished by the fact that evergreen forests are located here. This territory is being improved by people for agriculture, so it is almost impossible to see these latitudes in their original form.

Climatic conditions and agroclimatic resources

The region, climatically, is located in the subequatorial zone (a zone of sufficient moisture in the west, insufficient moisture in the east of Tanzania). Far North Ethiopia, Tanzania and Eritrea lie in a tropical arid climate (Figure 2).

In agroclimatic terms, the region is confined to the tropical zone, characterized by continuous vegetation throughout the year (can only be interrupted by a dry period for a subequatorial climate with insufficient moisture). The tropical zone is characterized by the possibility of harvesting several harvests per year. Most of the region is within the isotherm of the sum of air temperatures over a period with temperatures above 10C and more than 8000C. Under these conditions, heat-loving perennial and annual crops with the longest growing season can be grown (sugar cane, coffee, cocoa, cinchona, rubber plants, etc. The eastern part of Ethiopia and the western part of Tanzania, as well as the western part of Kenya and the eastern part of Uganda are within the sum isoline air temperatures for a period with temperatures above 10C from 4000C to 8000C These areas belong to the subtropical agroclimatic zone and are characterized by the possibility of growing heat-loving temperatures with a very long growing season (cotton, late corn, olives, citrus fruits, tobacco, tea, in some places date palm, etc. .).

Hydrological conditions and water resources

There are no large rivers in the region. However, small rivers, descending from the plateaus, develop a fairly high speed, which characterizes their hydroelectric potential as acceptable for the construction of hydroelectric power stations.

In terms of water resources, the region is considered to be rather poorly supplied. Ethiopia, Tanzania, Eritrea and Somalia are characterized by resource availability of total river flow of 2.5 - 5 thousand m 3 per year, Kenya - 0.5 - 2.5 thousand m 3 per year. Most favorable conditions Zambia is characterized by the availability of resources for the full river flow (10 - 25 thousand m 3 per year).

The region contains largest lakes mainland - Victoria, Nyasa, Tanganyika. The lakes have significant recreational potential, which is intensively used.

Vegetation and fauna. Land resources

The region is characterized by the presence of 3 natural zones - moist equatorial forests (west of the region), subequatorial forests and woodlands (Zambia, Malawi), wet savannas (along river valleys), typical savannas (Ethiopia), desertified savannas (Somalia, Kenya).

In connection with the above, the land resources of the region are mainly grazing oriented (this is due to the large distribution of savannas). There are fragmentary forest areas that have no industrial significance. Land suitable for cultivation is rare.

east africa economic geographical

Figure 2 - Climatic zones of East Africa

(I - equatorial climate; II - Subequatorial climate: 1a - with sufficient moisture, 1b - with insufficient moisture; III - tropical climate)

Figure 3 - Land resources of East Africa

geographical africa resource political

Political division

Africa is home to 55 countries and 5 self-proclaimed and unrecognized states. Most of them were colonies of European states for a long time and gained independence only in the 50s and 60s of the 20th century.

Before this, only Egypt (since 1922), Ethiopia (since the Middle Ages), Liberia (since 1847) and South Africa (since 1910) were independent; in South Africa and Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), the apartheid regime, which discriminated against the indigenous population, remained in place until the 80-90s of the 20th century. Currently in many African countries ruled by regimes that discriminate against the white population. According to the research organization Freedom House, in recent years, many African countries (for example, Nigeria, Mauritania, Senegal, Congo (Kinshasa) and Equatorial Guinea) have seen a trend of retreat from democratic achievements towards authoritarianism.

Natural conditions and resources

Africa is the hottest continent on the planet. The reason for this is geographical location continent: the entire territory of Africa is located in hot climate zones, and the continent is intersected by the equator line. It is in Africa that the hottest place on Earth is located - Dallol.

Central Africa and the coastal regions of the Gulf of Guinea belong to the equatorial belt, where there is heavy rainfall throughout the year and there is no change of seasons. To the north and south of the equatorial belt there are subequatorial belts. Here, in summer, humid equatorial air masses dominate (rainy season), and in winter, dry air from tropical trade winds (dry season). North and south of the subequatorial belts are the northern and southern tropical belts. They are characterized by high temperatures and low precipitation, which leads to the formation of deserts.

In the north is the largest desert on Earth, the Sahara Desert, in the south is the Kalahari Desert, and in the southwest is the Namib Desert. The northern and southern ends of the continent are included in the corresponding subtropical zones.

Africa is exceptionally rich in natural resources. The reserves of mineral raw materials are especially large - manganese ores, chromites, bauxites, etc. There are fuel raw materials in depressions and coastal areas.

Oil and gas are produced in Northern and West Africa(Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Libya).

Enormous reserves of cobalt and copper ores are concentrated in Zambia and People's Republic Congo; manganese ores are mined in South Africa and Zimbabwe; platinum, iron ores and gold - in South Africa; diamonds - in Congo, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Ghana; phosphorites - in Morocco, Tunisia; uranium - in Niger, Namibia.

Africa has quite large land resources, but soil erosion has become catastrophic due to improper cultivation. Water resources distributed extremely unevenly across Africa. Forests occupy about 10% of the territory, but as a result of predatory destruction their area is rapidly declining.

The continent is crossed almost in the middle by the equator and lies entirely between the subtropical zones of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The originality of its shape - the northern part is 2.5 times wider than the southern part - determined the difference between them natural conditions. In general, the continent is compact: 1 km of coastline accounts for 960 km2 of territory.

The topography of Africa is characterized by stepped plateaus, plateaus, and plains. The outskirts of the continent are the highest.

Africa is exceptionally rich in mineral resources, although they are still poorly studied. Among other continents, it ranks first in reserves of manganese, chromite, bauxite, gold, platinum, cobalt, diamond, and phosphorite ores. There are also great resources of oil, natural gas, graphite, and asbestos.

Mining industry

Africa's share of the global mining industry is 14%. Almost all extracted raw materials and fuel are exported from Africa to economically developed countries, which makes its economy more dependent on the world market.

In total, there are seven main mining regions in Africa. Three of them are in North Africa and four are in sub-Saharan Africa.

• 1. The Atlas Mountains region is distinguished by reserves of iron, manganese, polymetallic ores, and phosphorites (the world's largest phosphorite belt).
• 2. The Egyptian mining region is rich in oil, natural gas, iron and titanium ores, phosphorites, etc.
• 3. The region of the Algerian and Libyan parts of the Sahara is distinguished by the largest oil and gas reserves.
• 4. The Western Guinea region is characterized by a combination of gold, diamonds, iron ores, and bauxite.
• 5. The East Guinea region is rich in oil, gas, and metal ores.
• 6. Zaire-Zambian region. On its territory there is a unique “Copper Belt” with deposits of high-quality copper, as well as cobalt, zinc, lead, cadmium, germanium, gold, and silver.

Zaire is the world's leading producer and exporter of cobalt

7. The largest mining region in Africa is located within Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. Almost all types of fuel, ore and non-metallic minerals are mined here, with the exception of oil, gas and bauxite. Africa's mineral resources are unevenly distributed. There are countries in which the lack of raw materials slows down their development.

Africa's land resources are significant. There is more cultivated land per inhabitant than in Southeast Asia or Latin America. In total, 20% of the land suitable for agriculture is cultivated. However, extensive farming and rapid population growth have led to catastrophic soil erosion, which reduces crop yields. This in turn exacerbates the problem of hunger, which is very relevant in Africa.

Agroclimatic resources.

Africa's agroclimatic resources are determined by the fact that it is the hottest continent. But the main factor determining differences in climatic conditions is precipitation.

Water resources of Africa. In terms of their volume, Africa is significantly inferior to Asia and South America. The hydrographic network is distributed extremely unevenly. The extent of utilization of the huge hydropower potential of rivers (780 million kW) is small.

Forest resources of Africa.

Africa's forest resources are second only to Latin America and Russia. But its average forest cover is significantly lower, and, moreover, as a result of deforestation that exceeds natural growth, deforestation has assumed alarming proportions.

Tropical and subtropical agriculture.

Agricultural products account for 60-80% of GDP. The main cash crops are coffee, cocoa beans, peanuts, dates, tea, natural rubber, sorghum, and spices. Recently, grain crops have begun to be grown: corn, rice, wheat. Livestock farming plays a subordinate role, with the exception of countries with arid climates. Extensive cattle breeding predominates, characterized by a huge number of livestock, but low productivity and low marketability. The continent is not self-sufficient in agricultural products.

Transport also retains the colonial type: railways go from the areas of raw material extraction to the port, while the regions of one state are practically not connected. Rail and sea modes of transport are relatively developed. In recent years, other types of transport have also developed - road (a road has been built across the Sahara), air, pipeline.

All countries, with the exception of South Africa, are developing, most of them are the poorest in the world (70% of the population lives below the poverty line).