Ancient Africa
What is silt?
This term refers to the rich, fertile soil deposited along the Nile River after the annual floods.
What is colonialism?
The economic theory where a European power controlled resources and trade in an African territory.
What is Apartheid?
The Afrikaans word for "apartness," which was the official policy of racial segregation in South Africa.
What is communism (or the Communist Party)?
This is the official name for the ruling political system in the People’s Republic of China today.
What are islands (or archipelagoes)?
The physical geography of Southeast Asia is divided into two main parts: the mainland and these numerous land masses surrounded by water.
"What is Kush?"
This ancient kingdom was located south of Egypt and was a major center for iron production.
What is corruption?
A major challenge in modern African nations that involves dishonest or illegal actions by government officials.
What is the African National Congress (ANC)?
This organization was founded to oppose the discriminatory policies of the South African government.
What is the Mandate of Heaven?
The concept that Chinese emperors ruled only as long as they had the blessing of heaven.
What is the Mekong River?
This major physical feature runs through countries like Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, creating fertile floodplains.
What is the Nile River?
This river was the central life source for both Ancient Egypt and the Kingdom of Kush.
What is Ghana?
This country, formerly a British colony, was the first in Sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence in 1957.
Who is Nelson Mandela?
This person, a leader of the ANC, was imprisoned for 27 years for his anti-apartheid activities before becoming president.
What is Confucianism?
This ancient Chinese philosophy emphasizes respect for elders and authority, and order in society through defined roles.
What is the Ring of Fire?
The islands of Indonesia and the Philippines are part of this area of high volcanic and earthquake activity surrounding the Pacific Ocean
What is the Great Pyramid?
This massive monument, built in Giza, demonstrates the technological and organizational skill of the Egyptian Empire
What is ethnic conflict (or civil war)?
Following independence, many African nations struggled with this problem due to borders being drawn arbitrarily by colonial powers.
What are townships?
Under Apartheid, Black South Africans were forced to live in segregated areas called these, such as Soweto.
What is air pollution?
A major modern environmental challenge facing East Asia, especially in large industrial cities in China.
What are mountains (or highlands)?
A type of terrain that dominates much of the mainland portion of Southeast Asia, making travel and farming difficult in many areas.
What is Meroë?
The capital city of Kush known for its hundreds of small, steep-sided pyramids.
What is a republic (or democracy)?
This is the most common type of government in Africa today, though it is often challenged by internal instability.
Who is F.W. de Klerk?
The name of the South African President who initiated the process of dismantling Apartheid laws in the early 1990s.
What is a dynasty?
The name given to a series of ruling families who held power in China for centuries, such as the Tang or Ming.
What is tropical (or monsoon)?
This wet, hot climate zone is responsible for the dense jungles and abundant rainfall throughout much of the region.