Map Skills
What is a map scale used for?
It shows how distances on a map relate to real-world distances.
How many continents are there?
7
Name one major city in South Africa.
Johannesburg or Cape Town.
Give one example of a physical characteristic in Africa.
Sahara Desert, Nile River, Mount Kilimanjaro, Congo Rainforest, Savanna, etc.
Name the five regions of Africa.
North, West, East, Central, Southern Africa.
How many countries are in Africa today?
54
Name Africa’s 3 main climate zones.
Rainforest, Savanna, Desert.
What is cultural diffusion?
The spread of cultural traits from one region to another.
What is a political border?
A human-made line separating areas like countries, states, or cities.
What is one human characteristic of West Africa?
Music (Afrobeats, drumming), farming, colorful clothing, gold/cocoa trade.
What is imperialism?
When a stronger nation takes control of a weaker one.
If the scale is 1 inch = 50 miles, and two cities are 3 inches apart, how many miles is that?
Which continent has the Amazon Rainforest and Andes Mountains?
South America
What natural resource is South Africa famous for mining?
Gold or Diamonds.
Give one example of a human characteristic in Africa.
Cities, religions, languages, clothing, art, or architecture.
What religion is dominant in North Africa?
Islam
Give an example of a cultural tradition from Africa.
Drumming, storytelling, beadwork, or dance.
What valuable resource is found in Nigeria and Libya?
Oil
How did African music influence American music?
It shaped jazz, blues, hip hop, and samba.
What’s one reason borders exist?
To organize land, resources, laws, and identity.
Which region is known for the Maasai culture and safaris?
What natural resources did Europeans want from Africa?
Gold, ivory, slaves, and later raw materials like cotton, rubber, and oil.
Why do geographers need map scales in the real world?
To measure distance, plan travel, and compare locations.
What makes Africa unique in its languages and cultures?
It has over 2,000 languages and diverse traditions.
Who is Nelson Mandela, and why is he important?
He fought against apartheid and became South Africa’s first Black president.
How do physical and human characteristics shape how people live?
They affect culture, jobs, settlement, and daily life.
Which region is known for safaris and the Great Rift Valley?
East Africa
How did European colonization affect African borders?
It created artificial borders that ignored cultural groups.
How do climate zones affect where people settle?
They determine farming, trade, and population centers.
Give one example of African culture seen in today’s fashion.
Kente cloth, braids, or African prints.
How can wars and treaties change borders?
They can divide or unite countries (e.g., Sudan & South Sudan).
What is one major city in Southern Africa?
Johannesburg or Cape Town
How did the slave trade affect African societies?
It decreased populations, increased wars, and tore apart families.