Impact of Physical Features

on Population
In Africa

Sahara
1/3 of Africa
Little water/vegetation
Temperatures are over 100 degrees during
the day

How does the Sahara impact

the population in regards to:
Where people live?
VERY low population because no water and too
hot!
The type of work they do?
No jobs-cant farm and no cities. Some nomadic
herders
How they travel?
To difficult to cross because of heat and lack of
water

Sahel
Belt of dry grassland across the southern
Sahara
Semi-arid climate
Little rainfall

How does the Sahel impact

the population in regards to:
Where people live?
Many have moved to cities because of
desertification, drought, and famine
The type of work they do?
Farming and raising livestock have ended because
of drought and desertification
How they travel?
People often have to travel many miles to get water

savanna
Hot, dry grassland with scattering trees and
shrubs(ex: Kenya)
Have both dry and rainy seasons

How does the savanna impact

the population in regards to:
Where people live?
People live near rivers in order to have access to water.
The type of work they do?
Mining, livestock raising. Although soil is fertile, farming is
limited because of disease carrying insects (tsetse fly)
and lack of water.
How the people travel?
Roads are being built to connect urban areas, which is
leading to loss of natural habitat for animals.

Tropical rainforest
Congo Basin contains the worlds 2nd
largest rainforest
Averages over 70 inches of rain per year
Tall, thick trees cause sunlight never to
reach the forest floor

How does the tropical rainforest

impact the population in regards to:
Where people live?
The rainforest provides food and water for over 75 million
people.
The type of work they do?
Agriculture, mining, and timber industry all cause
deforestation.
How the people travel?
Poorly maintained roads make travel difficult.

oases
A wet, fertile area in a desert where a natural
spring or well provides water

How do oases impact the population

in regards to:

Where people live?

Limited population develop around oases.
The type of work they do?
Farming crops that require limited water
(dates).
How the people travel?
Surrounding desert can make travel difficult.