This is perhaps the most mysterious continent, the land of great contrasts that with interest the geography of science.Africa - the continent of the planet the hottest and highest.On its territory is home to many tribes and nationalities, each of which speaks its own language.
In this article, I'll describe Africa, its nature and people.
Africa coordinates of extreme points
It is the second largest continent on the planet.It covers an area of 30 million square kilometers.Eurasia Africa joined the narrow Isthmus of Suez.
8000 kilometers - is stretched to a distance from north to south the continent of Africa.The coordinates of the extreme points of the continent following:
- North - Cape Ras Engel (37.21 degrees north latitude).
- South - Cape Agulhas (34.51 degrees south latitude).
7,5 thousand kilometers - the distance between the western and eastern outskirts of the continent such as Africa.The coordinates of the extreme points of the continent following:
- West - Cape Almadies (17.33 degrees west longitude).
- East - cape Ras Gafun (51.16 degrees east longitude).
mainland coastline is 26,000 kilometers.It is not enough for the continent of this size.The reason is that the coastline of Africa is very poorly dismembered.
should also be noted that the extreme point of Africa, have other names.So, Cape Agulhas Cape Agulhas is sometimes called.A Cape Ras Engel sometimes called Cape Blanco.Therefore, in the scientific literature can meet these place names.
Africa's unique geographical position.The fact that the line intersects the mainland almost middle.This fact has two important consequences:
- Firstly, the continent receives a large amount of solar radiation, as it is located between the two tropics.
- Secondly, in terms of the natural features of South Africa symmetrically (mirror) similar to North Africa.
Geography: Africa - the highest continent of the planet
Africa is often called the highest continent, as is dominated by high relief forms.To those geomorphologists refer plateau highlands and plateaus, and mountains-outliers.Interestingly, these landforms like a fringe mainland, while the plains are located in its central part.In other words, Africa can be thought of as not very deep saucers.
continent's highest peak - Mount Kilimanjaro is (5895 meters).It is located in Tanzania, and an overwhelming desire to conquer this peak occurs in many tourists.But the lowest point is located in the small country of Djibouti.This lake Assal with altitude 157 m (but with a "minus").
Mineral Resources in Africa
Africa explored deposits of almost all well-known man of mineral resources.Especially rich in various minerals, South Africa (it is diamonds, coal, nickel and copper ore).Engaged in the development of fields, usually foreign companies.
Africa's rich mineral and iron ore.Many steel mills in Europe and North America working on the ore mined here.
North Africa is known for its numerous deposits of oil and natural gas.The countries in which they are very lucky - they live quite happily.First of all, we note Tunisia and Algeria.
Climate and inland waters of the territory
Africa takes the longest river in the world - the Nile.Other major rivers of the continent - the Congo, Niger, Zambezi, Limpopo and Orange.The East African tectonic faults formed deep lake - Nyasa, Tanganyika and others.In a state under the name Chad is the largest salt lake of the continent with the same name.
Africa, as mentioned above, is the hottest continent on the planet Earth.Due to its location the surface of the continent gets a lot of solar energy and heats up.
In Central Africa, as well as on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea receive higher rainfall.In areas south and north have clearly seen the climatic seasons - a dry winter and rainy season in the summer.Farther to the north and south rainfall is very low, which leads to the formation of deserts.Africa is the largest desert in the world - the Sahara.
population of "black" continent
Africa really dominated by the black population.Moreover, conventional boundary that separates Negroid and Caucasoid race, is the Sahara desert.
Today, Africa is home to nearly one billion people.This continent's population is growing rapidly.Scientists predict that by 2050 there will be living about 2 billion people.
If you carefully consider the political map of Africa, you will notice one interesting detail.The fact that the boundaries between many states held in straight lines.It's kind of a legacy of the colonial past in Africa.Such negligent conduct of borders (excluding ethnic peculiarities of the regions) today leads to many conflicts between the tribes and nationalities.
average population density in Africa - 30 people per square kilometer.The level of urbanization is also low, and is only 30%.However, large megacities missing.The biggest of them - it's Cairo and Lagos.
Africa speaks a thousand languages!Koren (especially African) are considered Swahili, Fula and Congo.In many countries of the continent have the status of official languages: English, Portuguese and French.If we talk about the religious preferences of the African population, the majority of the inhabitants of the continent are Muslims and Catholics.Distributed here and many Protestant churches.
In conclusion ...
Africa - the hottest continent on the planet.The reason for this - in particular geographical situation of the continent.
African Geographical coordinates following: the mainland is located between 37 degrees north latitude and the 34th degree south latitude.Thus, the Equator divides Africa almost in half, making its surface receives a huge amount of solar radiation.
Now you know the main natural features of the continent of Africa, the coordinates of the extreme points of its territory.
