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PENNSVALLEY
Lesson 37:
Introducing the Continent of Africa
Welcome to the continent of Africa, theworld’s second-largest continent.Only the continent of Asia
is larger in geographical size. Africamakes up nearly 20 percent of the world’s total land area. Africa
includes 53 independent countries, more than any other continent in the world. Africa is a land of
physical contrasts and ethnic diversity.Africa’s deserts, grassy plains and savannas, and thick tropical
rain forests are home to some of the world’s rarest animals – including elephants, lions, cheetahs,
wildebeests, gorillas, and long necked giraffes. Many animals are now threatened because of
population growth, human development, climate changes, and illegal hunting.
Next to Asia, Africa is also the secondmost populated continent in theworld, withmore than 866
million people. Africa’s population is increasing at an alarming rate. In 2005, Africa’s population grew
bymore than 30million people, and nearly half those people are 15 years of age or younger.
When we began our study of the Eastern Hemisphere, we learned about ethnic and cultural
diversity. In Europe we learned that there are many ethnic groups and that there are 60 languages
spoken. In Africa more than 800 ethnic groups have been recorded. Most Africans speak a native
language or “first language.” But Arabic, English, and French, or amixture of these three languages,
are relied upon for communication, especially in trade activities. Scientists have estimated that as
many as 2,000African languages and tribal dialects are spoken throughout the continent.
ACTIVITY 1:
To locate answers to following questions, refer to the information in the lesson above.
1.What is theworld’s largest continent?
2.Which continent has the second largest landmass?
3.Howmany independent countries are inAfrica?
4.Which continent has the largest population –Asia or Africa?
5.Whichword below best describes Africa’s population?
a. similar
b. diverse
6.Name threemajor languages Africans have relied upon to
conduct commercial trade?
7. Thecontinent of Africa iswhat fractionof theworld’s total landarea?
One of Africa’smany
diverse groups are
known as Pygmies.
They live in the
tropical rainforests
of the Congo Basin.
Pygmies are very small
people who rarely reach
5 feet in height.
Africa
