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Exploring Africa's Physical and Cultural Geography Using GIS

Activity 2 - Answer Key

Step 4.  

A) [The largest number of cities are located in the Low Mountain areas along the

Ivory Coast and the Mediterranean Sea. Close to ocean for shipping and

supplies, and low mountains for a more temperate climate.]

B) [The fewest number of cities are located in the High Plains. Most High Plains

areas are desert with little or no water available for farming or living.]

C) [Proximity to water determines city size. Coastal areas for movement of goods.

Inland areas are located on large rivers for transportation to the sea.]

Step 6.  

Cities greater than population 3,000,000 are:

1) Cairo, Egypt - population 9,300,000

2) Lagos, Nigeria - population 3,800,000

3) Johannesburg, South Africa - population 3,650,000

4) Alexandria, Egypt - population 3,350,000

Step 8.  

A) [The least number of cities is located in the High Plains, with the least precipitation.

The Sahara Desert and the Desert of Western South Africa.]

B) [Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt are at the mouth of the Nile River. Even though there

is little precipitation, the Nile is there with water for living, farming, and shipping.]

Step 11.  

A) [The climate does have an effect on city size (yes). Desert/Tropical Belts are too hot

and dry to support most populations. The High Population areas are in Equatorial,

Subequatorial, or Subtropical areas, near the coasts where trade winds keep the

land cooler and wetter.]

*** End of Activity 2 Answer Key ***