Physical & Human Geography
What is the difference between homogenous and heterogenous?
Homogenous means uniform or all the same, while heterogenous means diverse or consisting of different elements/groups.
What meeting took place in 1885 where European powers met to divide up Africa?
The Berlin Conference
What is the main difference between subsistence farming and commercial farming?
Subsistence farming is growing food to feed oneself/family; commercial farming is growing crops to sell for a profit.
What innovation or tool can be used to reduce malaria transmission?
Mosquito/bed nets treated with insecticide (or anti-malarial medicine/vaccines).
Define Population Density.
The average number of people living in a specific area (like a square mile or kilometer).
What types of physical features in Sub-Saharan Africa support a high population density?
Fertile land, fresh water sources (like rivers and lakes), and mild climates.
What were some social and political reasons why European nations colonized African nations?
To gain power/prestige, spread European culture/religion, expand empires, and exploit natural resources.
What is microlending, and how does it help small business owners in Sub-Saharan Africa?
It is giving small loans to help people start or grow businesses, especially in poor or developing areas.
What innovations can help solve the problem of dirty water?
Water filtration systems/straws, building protected wells, or water purification tablets.
Define Infrastructure.
The basic physical systems and structures a society needs to function, such as roads, bridges, power grids, and water pipes.
What physical characteristics in Sub-Saharan Africa might result in a low population density?
Deserts, mountains, or dry/arid regions with little water.
Why did Europeans create new borders and nations in Sub-Saharan Africa, and what happened as a result?
They drew borders to split up land for European control without regard to local ethnic groups, which resulted in internal conflicts, civil wars, and divided communities.
What does "NGO" stand for, and what do these organizations do?
Non-Governmental Organization; they are groups that work independently of governments to help people or solve social/health/environmental problems.
What are some reasons why many African hospitals experience a shortage of medical personnel like doctors?
"Brain drain" (doctors moving abroad for higher pay/better working conditions), lack of medical training facilities, and limited funding.
Define Exploit and Colonists.
Exploit: To take advantage of someone/something for one's own gain.
Colonists: People who settle in a new area to take control on behalf of their home country
What bodies of water are shrinking in Africa due to desertification?
Lake Chad (or other regional lakes/rivers affected by drought).
: How did the location of ancient African empires (Ghana, Mali, and Songhai) impact their economic and social development?
Being located along major trade routes (like the Trans-Saharan trade) allowed them to control trade in salt and gold, making them wealthy and culturally prosperous.
How has the Carter Center (Carter Organization) helped African nations?
By working to eradicate diseases (like Guinea worm disease), improving public health, and monitoring elections/promoting democracy.
What is the definition of "innovation"?
A new idea, product, or way of doing something that improves conditions or solves a problem.
What is a Transitional Government?
A temporary government set up to lead a country while it shifts from one political system or leadership to another.
Why is Islam prevalent in Northern Africa while Christianity is prevalent in Southern Africa?
Northern Africa was heavily influenced by trade routes and cultural diffusion from the Middle East, while Southern Africa was influenced by European Christian missionaries and colonizers.
After European nations left their colonies, single-party political systems or dictatorships began to take over. What did this mean for newly formed democracies?
It weakened or destroyed early democratic institutions, leading to loss of voting rights, instability, and authoritarian rule.
Define a "for-profit business" and explain how it differs from an NGO.
A for-profit business aims to make money by selling goods/services, whereas an NGO focuses on solving societal problems or providing aid without aiming for profit.
What is poaching, and why is it a significant issue in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Poaching is the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals; it threatens biodiversity, causes animal extinction, and disrupts ecosystems.
Match the definitions for Prevalent, Onerous, and Insurmountable:
Prevalent: Common or widespread.
Onerous: Very difficult or requiring a lot of effort.
Insurmountable: Too difficult to overcome or solve