Geographic objects of Africa. Etymology of the names of the physico-geographical objects of Africa Adenian Bay. Etymology names of physico-geographical objects of Africa
The second continent in size on the planet Earth is the mainland of Africa. The first in size is the mainland of Eurasia. There is still a part of the world, which is also called Africa. In this article will be considered Africa as the mainland of the planet.
In its area, the size of Africa is 29.2 million km2 (with the islands - 30.3 million km2), which is about 20% of the entire surface of the planet's sushi. Mainland Africa is washed by the Mediterranean Sea on the North Coast, west Coast washed by the Atlantic Ocean, in the south and east the continent is washes by the Indian Ocean, and north east Coast Washes the Red Sea. On the territory of Africa there are 62 states, of which 54 independent states, and the population of all the mainland is about 1 billion people. Turning on the link you can see full list African countries in the table.
The size of Africa from north to south is 8000 kilometers, and if you look from the east to west, then approximately 7,500 kilometers.
Extreme points on the mainland of Africa:
1) The easternmost point of the mainland is Cape Rasha Hafun, which is located in the territory of Somalia.
2) The northernmost point of this mainland is Cape Blanco, which is located in the Tunisia Republic.
3) The most western point of the continent is Cape Almadi, which is located on the territory of the Republic of Senegal.
4) And, finally, the southernmost point of the mainland of Africa is a needle cape, which is located on the territory of the South African Republic (South Africa).
Relief Africa
Most of the mainland make up the plains. The following relief forms are dominated: Highlands, plateaus, stepped plains and plateau. Conventionally divide the mainland on High Africa (where the heights of the mainland reach the size of more than 1000 meters - southeast of the mainland) and low Africa (where the heights reach the size preferably less than 1000 meters - the north-western part).
The highest point of the mainland - Kilimanjaro volcano, which reaches a height of 5895 meters above sea level. Also in the south of the mainland there are dragons and caps of mountains, in East Africa there are Ethiopian Highlands, and south of it is East African Plateau, in the north-west of the continent are located Atlas Mountains.
In the north of the mainland there is the largest desert on the planet - sugar, in the south there is a desert of Kalahari, and in the south-west mainland there is a desert Namib.
At the same time, the lowest point of the mainland is the bottom of the salt lake ASALAL, the depth of which reaches 157 meters below the sea level.
Climate Africa
The climate of Africa can be put in the first place from all the mainland heat. This is the hottest mainland, as it is completely in the roast climatic belts of the planet Earth and intersects the line of equator.
Central Africa is located in the equatorial belt. This belt is characterized by a large precipitation and there is no change in the seasons. South and norther from the equatorial belt are subequatorial belts, which are characterized in the summer season of the rains, and in the winter dry season at high air temperatures. If you follow on the south and north after the subequatorial belts, then the Northern and Southern Tropical Belt followed by respectively. Such belts are characterized by low precipitation at quite high air temperatures, which leads to the formation of the desert.
Inner waters of Africa
The inner waters of Africa in their structure are uneven, but at the same time extensive and extensive. On the mainland the longest river is the River Nile (the length of its system reaches 6852 km), and the most full river It is considered to be the Congo River (the length of its system reaches 4374 km), which became famous for the fact that the only crosses from all rivers the equator twice.
There are on the mainland and the lake. Most. large lake Lake Victoria is considered. The area of \u200b\u200bthis lake is 68 thousand km2. The greatest depth reaches 80 m in this lake. The lake itself is the second in its area on the planet Earth from fresh lakes.
30% of the sushi of the continent of Africa make up the deserts in which the reservoirs may be temporary, that is, at times completely dispel. But usually underground water can be observed in such desert regions, which are in the artesian basins.
Vegetable and animal world of Africa
Mainland Africa has become famous for its diversity as vegetable worldand the animal. On the continent, wet tropical forests are growing, which are replaced by a parel and savannahs. In the subtropical belt you can meet mixed forests.
The most common plants in African forests are palm trees, Saibi, Rosyanka and many others. But in the savannas most often you can meet spiky shrubs and small trees. The desert is characterized by a small variety of plants growing in it. Most often it is herbs, shrubs or trees in oases. Many desert areas do not have vegetation at all. A special plant in the desert is considered a plant of Velvichia amazing, which can live more than 1000 years, it releases 2 sheets that grow throughout the life of the plant and can reach a length of 3 meters.
Diverse in Africa and animal world. In the areas of Savannah very quickly and well grows her grass, which attracts a lot of herbivorous animals (rodents, hares, gazelles, zebras, etc.), and respectively, predators that feed on herbivorous animals (leopards, lions and so on).
The desert at first glance may seem uninhabited, but in fact there lives a lot of reptiles, insects, birds that hunt mostly at night.
Africa became famous for animals as an elephant, giraffe, hippopotamus, a wide variety of monkeys, zebras, leopards, branched cats, gazelles, crocodiles, parrots, antelopes, rhinos and much more. This mainland is amazing and unique.
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Etymology names of physico-geographical objects of Africa
Adenian Bay. Bay of the Indian Ocean. The name was received by Aden in the south of Arabian P-Ova. According to one version, the toponym is based on the Arab root in the meaning of "settlement", in another interpretation, the name was formed by the term from the ancient seven-khamitic languages \u200b\u200bedinu - plain, the steppe, which clearly reflects the natural features.
Azores. Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Belongs to Portugal. Named by Portuguese Ilhas Dos Azores - "Islands of Hawks" for the abundance of these birds off the coast and on the archipelago.
Amyranta Islands. Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Opened as an expedition Admiral Vasco to Gama and are named after LLHAS De Almitante - "Admiral Island".
Annobon. Island in the Gulf of Guinea. Named by Portuguese Anno Bon - "Good Year" (New Year), because On the island, they first set foot on January 1, 1474
Atlas. Atla's russian mountains. In the north-west of Africa. The name has a direct connection with the name of the mythical titanium of the Atlas, which on its mighty shoulders holds the earthly sol. The ancient Greeks deified these mountains, worshiping the mountain spirit in the image of a petrified giant supporting land. So read the legend. Apparently, it was facilitated by a possible primary source from (Berber's "Adrar Berber", which means "Mountain"
Augrabis. Waterfall on r. Orange. The name comes from Gottentoti Aukrebis - "big noise".
Afar. Tectonic Wpadin in Djibouti. The lowest place in Africa (-153 m n.owa seas). The name is given by the name of the people of Afar living in Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Ahaggar. Mountain array in central sugar. The name comes from the name of the Tairegs of Kel-Ahaggar. At the heart of Etnonym, apparently lies the Arabic term "Ahgar" - cave, i.e. "Ahaggar" - "residents of the caves", "Spirits Caves."
Bab El Mandant Strait. Separates Africa and South-West Arabian P-Ova. The name comes from the Arab words "Bab" - Gate, Mandib - Tears, i.e. Means "Gate tears." Toponym metaphor reflects complex navigation conditions in the strait.
White Nile The name of the middle course of the Nile before the flow of blue. Arabic name River Bahr-El-Abead - "White River". According to experts, the definition of "white" refers to either a mutal color of water, or corresponds to an unknown color orientation.
Bengelege current. Cold flow in the Atlantic Ocean. The name is given in Benghel in Angola: in one of the languages \u200b\u200bof Benguela - "Country Country".
BENUE. Lei inflow p. Niger. The name comes from the language of Batta, where BE - "Water", Nue- "Mother", i.e. means
"Mother Waters",
Bio. Island in the Gulf of Guinea. Portuguese, opening biko, called it Formosa - "Beautiful" for the abundance of lush vegetation and the presence of fresh water. Later, the island called Fernando-on in honor of the Portuguese Chief Powder, and in the 70s of the 20th century, - Masia-Ngema-Biyoy and honor of the President of Equatorial Guinea. Bioo is a modified name, so it is difficult to call a true meaning.
Bush. General name of shrub formations of South Africa. Dutch and English geographical term Bush - "Shrub".
Waal. River, right inflow r. Orange, the name was given by Dutch colonists for the water color: Vaal - "muddy", "gray". Toponym is included in the name of one of the provinces of South Africa - Transvaal (Transvaal) - "Behind Waale".
Wadi, Weddy. The general name of the team of temporary watercourses of North Africa filled with water only during the rain period. Arabic geographical term "Wadi", "UEDD" - dry bed, valley.
Veld. The name of the arid plateau in southern Africa. In Dutch and Afrikaans (Afrikaner language), Veld is a popular geographical term in the "field" value.
Victoria. Lake in East Africa, the largest on the mainland. Unlike Victoria's waterfall, named by D. Livhingston in honor of Queen of Great Britain, the name of Lake Victoria was given by the traveler D.Pikik. So currently in the lakes located on the shores of the lake african countriesah offered other names: Smug - "Unity", Wuora - "Freedom", Shirikisho - "Association", Uhuru Na Umoja - State Motto of Tanzania, drawn on the coat of arms of the state.
Victoria. Waterfall on r. Zambezi. Opened by an outstanding English traveler David Livingston and is named after the Queen of Great Britain. Local residents They call the MOSI-OA-Tuna waterfall - "Rading smoke", or Seongo - "Rainbow Scene".
Virung. Volcanic mountains in East Africa. The name in the language of the people of Nyoro means "volcano".
Volta. River B. West Africa. The name Rio-Da-Volta - the "Return River" was given by Portuguese, because In the XV century At the mouth of the river, their ships stopped before returning to their homeland. In Ghana on r. Volta created the reservoir of the same name is one of the largest in the world (8480 km 2).
Guardfuju. Cape in the east of P-oval. Scientists believe that the name is educated from the GUARDAFU portuguese distorted by Arabs - "Beware", which is associated with hazardous navigation conditions. There is a long time that there is a magnetic mountain of the very eastern tip of Somalia Peninsula, which attracts the iron parts of the ships approaching it. As a result, the ships, approaching it, was broken about the rocks. The most narrow shelf zone is here. With a strong wind, a high wave, a bad visibility, the ships often endured the peninsula, and they were broken about coastal reefs. The word "Guardafui" was a warning of sailors who floated past this cape.
Guinean bay. Atlantic Ocean Bay at the Western Coast of Africa. Named in the historical and geographical area of \u200b\u200bGuinea washed by him. There are several versions of the origin of the toponym Guinea. According to one of them, the name is the name of the Berber tribe Kinava (Arabic scientist Ibn-Yakut in the XIII century. Mentioned the edge of Kinava). Another point of view is based on the fact that Toponym is formed by the Berber words "Agvinau" - "black" or "iguven" - "dumb" (that is, not knowing the language of Berberov) and referred to the territory populated by black tribes. Later, the Europeans distorted the original word in Gunua, Ginua and, finally, in Guinea.
Strait of Gibraltar. Separates Africa from the Pyrenean Peninsula in Europe. Named on the rock of Gibraltar on the European Side of the Strait. The modern form of the name of the cliff arose as a result of centuries-old use and transformation of the primary Arabic Jebel-El Tarik - "Mount Tarika".
Blue Neal. The largest influx of the Nile. In Ethiopia, the river is called Abbai - "Father Waters, and in the Arab countries Bahr el-Azrak -" Blue River ". Colorsoe Title, according to some scientists, reflects the color of water in the river carrying bluish il.
Good Hope. Cape in southern Africa. Opened in 1488 by the Portuguese navigator B.Diash and named it Cabo Tormentoso - "Cape of Storms". The name did not like the king of Portugal Zhuan II and at his order, Cape was renamed Cabo Da to Esperanza - "Cape of Good Hope", having in mind the hope of achieving a fabulously rich and attractive for Europeans of India. Some historians believe that at B.Diash immediately called the Cape with the name of good hope, and the above version is only a historical legend. However, it is impossible to prove or refute this hypothesis due to the lack of sources, modern swimming DRash.
Dragons Mountains. Located in South Africa. It is assumed that the mountains are named by the name of one of the European colonizers of Harrow Drainstein. Etymologically, the surname consists of two words: Draken - "Dragon", Stein - "Stone".
Zambezi. River in South Africa. Previously, the name of the river on the maps was transmitted in a variety of options; Ambezi, Luambezi, Liambey, etc. According to modern toponyms, the primary form of names is Ambezi (or Ambey), which in local languages \u200b\u200ba bow means "Big River". The same value is the name of the river in the middle course in the language of Tonga - Murongo-Mucuri, which is the cataca of the main toponym.
Zanzibar.Island in the Indian Ocean eastern Shore Africa. Toponym comes from the Persian, the term "bar" - "shore", "edge" and the ethnonym "Zinj", which is based on the Arab or Persian "Zang", "Zeng" - "black". Zindji is the collective name of the Neosal African Negroid tribes in medieval Muslim literature.
Green Cape. Located on the Peninsula to the same name to the east of the m. Almadi. Named in 1445 by the Portuguese, D. Didash Cabo Verde - "Green Cape", because He was the first seaman seamans covered with tropical flora, which sharply contrasted with the sands of the Sahara.
Green Cape Islands. Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Named by m. Green, against which is located. The transfer of the names of the islands into other languages \u200b\u200bis adopted in the form of translation, in contrast to the name of the state located on them.
Needle.Cape, the most southern tip of Africa. Opened in 1488 by B.Diash and named Cabo Sao Brandao - Cape Sv.Brange, because The opening occurred on the day of this saint. However, soon the name was changed, and Cape was on maps called Agulhas - needle. The word Agulha in Portuguese means "needle", "boom". Modern toponymists are based on the name of the Portuguese metaphorical term Agulha in the value of "peak", the vertex. Based on this, the toponym is comprehended as "Cape of Peaks", and the cause of the nomination served as an acuteness of the rocky cape.
Idi-amin-dada; Edward. Lake in East Africa. Opened in the XIX century. And Edward is named after the Crown Prince of Great Britain. In 1971, President Idi Amin Dada came to power in Uganda, and the lake called him name. To this day, both names have been preserved behind the reservoir.
Kabareg. Waterfall and national park on r. Victoria-Neal in Uganda. The waterfall is open in the XIX century. and named Murchison in honor of Rhrung Merixon, an outstanding geologist, President of the London Royal Geographical Society. In 1962, renamed in honor of the National Hero of Uganda, a fighter with English colonialists Cabareg II.
Calahari. A semi-desert area in South Africa, the toponym is based on the geographical term from the Karaha Gottentotov language - "terrain of sand and stone." The interpretation of the name from the TSSvan language, where Karri-Karri - "" tormented by thirst "or" painful "is currently recognized by toponymists unlikely. Dutch migrants Buras called Bosjeveld semi-desert -" field of barbed shrubs ", which reflected the specifics of vegetation.
Cameroon. Volcanic array in Equatorial Africa. Portuguese Funcharchal Fernan Gomizh, sailing past the coast of Africa in the Equatorial waters of the Guinean Gulf, noticed a high mountain, which he wanted to learn more. He sent the detachment of the bolt deep into the mainland. On the way they met an obstacle in the form of a small river with clean transparent water, which was very by the way, since they needed to replenish the reserves of drinking water. Filling the kegs with delicious water, the sailors saw in the river the abundance of crabs, after which the fun caught the crabs and shrimps and delivered to the ship. And the river flowing in close proximity to the mountain was called Rio Des CamaroEs (CamarweS), which in the rende of Portuguese means "Krabov River". At the same time, the Mount Cameroon also received such a name, and later the state was called. Local residents have long experienced a superstitious fear of the Snow Volcanic Top Cameroon and call it "Maanga Ma Loba, which means" Heavenly Mountain "or" God's Mountain ".
Canary Islands. Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Belongs to Spain. Islands are known to the ancient time under the Latin name insulas Fortunatae. Spaniards who visited the archipelago at the beginning of the XV century, called the Islas Canarias - "Dog Islands". According to one version, the sailors saw a large number of dogs on the shores of the islands, which was the reason for the appearance of toponym. According to another version, the archipelago was called the main island of Gran Canaria. And the island - in the fabulous country, Canary, referred to in medieval European legends.
Canary current.Cold flow in the Atlantic Ocean. Named by Canary about you.
Cape mountains. Located in southern Africa. Named according to the Kapskaya Colony founded by the Dutch, which received the name at the initial location on the M. Good Hope (Gol. Kaar - "Cape"). With the expansion of the colony, the name has spread to the mountains. National etymology connects toponym with Dutch kaar - "Profit", i.e. The colony was allegedly named as the fact that he brought a big income of the treasury. However, there is no scientific evidence to this interpretation.
Carr. The general name of semi-desert plateau and intermountain depression in South Africa. The name is the names of the Gottentot geographic term of Karusa - "dry", "anhydrous" by the boots - "dry", "anhydrous", which clearly reflects the natural conditions.
Kenya. Volcanic array in East Africa. Toponymists are based on toponym Masaysky term "Kei-Neiya" - " white Mount"What is associated with the presence of glaciers and snow on the top of the mountain.
Kilimanjaro. Volcanic array in East Africa. Highest point Mainland. The origin of the name Kilimanjaro scholars are associated with a distorted Europeans with a word from the Sauhili language, which has the meaning of the "God Hod Mountain", or, according to another version, "a mountain that shines."
Comoros. Archipelago in the Mozambic Strait of the Indian Ocean. The islands are known to the Arabs from the VIII century, they called the Jezair-Al-Romr archipelago, "The Luna Islands", which was associated with the spread of the cult of this shine. The Portuguese borrowed the Arabic name in a distorted form of codes, which he gained on European maps.
Congo; Zaire.River B. Equatorial Africa. The mouth of the river opened in the XV century. Portuguese D. Kalka and called him Rio Da Padrao - "River Padran" (Padran - a stone pillar, which put the Portuguese in honor of the discoveries, caring the coat of arms, the name of the king and the discoverer on it). The name did not fix it, and the river was renamed Congo - the so-called the country and the people who lived in it to the coming of Europeans. Locals call the river at different sections of the flow in different ways: nzadi or nzari - "River absorbing all others" or "Great River" (a distorted form of Zaire appeared from this name), Zembere - "Mother of Waters"; Kulla - "Great Water", and in the upper course of Lualaba - "big re".
Red sea. Sea of \u200b\u200bIndian Ocean between Africa and Arabian P-Ova. IN Ancient Egypt It was called the Great Greens, later - the Arabian Bay, in the Greeks Pelagos Eritré ("Eritros" - "Red"), from where they got into European languages. There are several versions of the origin of toponym. One of them, the name is given for the red shade of water into the sea. Another version is based on an ancient color orientation among the peoples of the East, where the south was designated in red. Another version of the interpretation of toponym was noted - from the ethnic name of the ancient tribe of Hamarites, which meant "red".
Kruger. National Park in South Africa. Named in honor of Stefanus Kruger - President of the Bristian Republic Transval: Commander of the army of the boots in the war with the UK 1899-1902.
Libyan desert. Located in Sahara. The name is given according to the ancient name of Africa - Libya, which comes from the ethnonym "Luba".
Livingston Waterfalls. Located in the lower river. Congo (Zaire). Named in honor of the outstanding researcher of Africa, Scots by origin, D. Livingston.
Limpopo. River in South Africa. The etymology of the name is unknown. Dutch colonists Buras called the Krokodil River River - "Crocodile River" for the abundance of these reptiles in her waters.
Mauritius. Island in the Indian Ocean. The Dutch, capturing the island, called him Mauritius - Mauritius in honor of the Netherlands Prince Mauritius (Mauritius; Maurice) Orange.
Maghreb. The total Arabic name of the North-West Africa since the days of the early Middle Ages: "Magrib" - West.
Madagascar. Island in the Indian Ocean. Known by Arab Morakhodam as Jesira Al-Komr - "Moon Island", which is associated with the cult of this shine. In the XVI century Portuguese called SAO Lourenzo Island - St. Lorence, because They saw the land of Madagascar on the day of this saint. The French, won the island in the XIX century, called it ILE Dauphine - "Dofina Island" (i.e. the heir to the throne). Malagasy residents call their homeland Nossi Damba - "The Island of the Wild Vepray" or Tani-Be - "Great". Toponym Madagascar in a distorted form Madeigaskar first meets Marko Polo (xiii century). According to scientists, on its basis - the ethnic name of Malagasi, as is now called the inhabitants of the island.
Madeira. Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Belongs to Portugal. Named by Portuguese Maderia - Forest, because It was indeed covered with forests, later completely cut down. The earliest names of the archipelago: Carthaginian Al-Agnam - Khod Island (for the abundance of these animals), at the Romans Insulae Purpurinae - "Purpur Islands" (for paint mined there).
Man'yara. National Park in Tanzania. Named Manyara, around which is located. Etymology of Hydronism is unknown.
Maskarensky O-Wa.Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Opened in the XVI century. Portuguese expedition to Pedra di Mashkarenyasha (Maschenas) and named in his honor.
Mobutu-seed seed. Lake in East Africa. Opened in the XIX century. The British and named Albert in honor of the wife of Queen Victoria. In 1973, he was renamed in honor of the president of Zaire Mobutu SCS SEO. Locals are called the MButan Nzighe reservoir - the "reservoir of the dead shells" for the abundance of mollusks on the shores, or NYASA - the geographical term "lake" in the Languages \u200b\u200bof the bow. Perhaps one of these, names will become new official, which is associated with the death of President Mobutu.
Mozambique Strait. Shares Africa and about. Madagascar. Named by the state Mozambique. A similar origin of the title of warm Mozambique flow in the Indian Ocean.
Nakuru. National Park in Kenya. Named Nakuru, within which it was created. Etymology of Hydronism is unknown.
Namib. Desert in the south-west of Africa. There are two versions of the origin of toponym from the languages \u200b\u200bof the Gottentot tribes. For one of them, NAMIB - "shield"; On the other, "what they bypass" (dangerous, lifeless). The second interpretation version reflects the complexity. natural conditions in desert,
Nasser. Reservoir on r. Neal in Egypt. Named in honor of the President of Egypt Gamal Abdel Nasser, during the reign of which the reservoir was created and the Asuan dam was built.
NGORONORO. Reserve in Tanzania. Named about LV. NGoronoro, in the crater of which is located. Etymology is unknown.
Niger. River in West Africa. The name is a distorted portuguese and other Europeans by the Berbery name of the River N "Egypt -" River ". In different parts of the flow, there are various names in local languages: in the upper reaches of Joliba -" Greater Water "; on average and Nizhny Quara -" River ", Issa Bari - "Great River"; Mayo - "River". An explanation of the name from the word Niger in the meaning of the "black" from European languages. Modern toponymists consider incorrect.
Nile. The longest river Africa and the whole world. The oldest form of the name of the Aur River is "hiding" (i.e., with an unknown source). Egyptians called her Hapi in honor of God fertility and crop. Modern Arabs call the El Bahr River - "River". Toponym Nile in the form of naulos is first found in the ancient Greeks. Romans borrowed it as nilus. On one of the versions, the toponym is based on the ancient term "Nazal" - "River", changed by the Greeks. According to another version, the Greeks borrowed the word LIL in the Libyan tribes - "water", distorting it in Nil. Philologists note the possibility of such a transformation.
Nubian desert. Located in the northeast of Africa. Named by historical area Nubia, located between the Nile Rights. The toponym is based on the ancient Egyptian word "Nuba" - "Gold". In antiquity there were the largest mines here, from where the gold was received to the Palace of Pharaoh.
Nyasa; Malawi. Lake in East Africa. Toponym formed by the popular geographical term from the languages \u200b\u200bof the Nyasa - "Lake" bow. In the Republic of Malawi, Lake officially referred to Malawi on the main people of this country.
Orange. River in South Africa. Gottentotes called her Kai Garib - a large river, the Dutch migrants of the Groat River Bura with the same meaning. At all times, people often gave names to objects (rivers, lakes) in the color of water or shore. But the name of the orange river to the color does not have any relationship. Such a name she was given by immigrants from the Netherlands (Holland) Bura in honor of the princes of the Orange - the then rulers of the Netherlands. From someone's easy hand, and perhaps the name of the transformation, the name Orange turned into an orange.
Principe. Island in the Gulf of Guinea. Opened in the XV century. Portuguese expedition and named PRINCIPI - "first", because He was the first exposed this expedition to the island. According to another version - "Prince".
Reunion. Island in the Indian Ocean. Named at the end of the XVIII century, the French Reunion is "compound", because The inhabitants of the island decided to unite with about. Mauritius in a single administrative district. The name has changed repeatedly: in the XVI century. Portuguese Santa Apollonia (in honor of St. Apollonia), in the XIX century. - Bonapart (in honor of Napoleon), Ile de Burbon - "Bourbon Island" (in honor of the kings dynasty). From 1848 - again Reunion.
Ruvenzori. Mountain array in East Africa. The height of the mountains was reflected in their name: in local languages \u200b\u200ba bow of Ruwenzori - "Lord of the Clouds". By the name of the mountains are called the National Park in Uganda.
Savannah. Borrowed by the Spaniards at the end of the XV century. From the Language of Caribbean Indians (or Aravakov), where Sabana is "High-retarded plain", "open space". The general name of the zonal type of landscape.
Sao Tome. Island in the Gulf of Guinea. Opened by Portuguese on St. Tome's Day (Thomas) and named Sao Tome in his honor.
Sahara. Desert B. North Africa. The name is formed by the Arabic geographical term "sugar" - "desert" in the form of a plural, i.e. Sugar - "Desert". According to philologists, the term is based on the Arab "Ashar" - "reddish", which reflects the dominant color and the color of the desert.
Sahel. The strip of semi-desert and deserted savannah in North Africa. The name is assigned to Arabs in the Middle Ages; "Sahel" - "shore", "edge", "border", or rather - "shore of the desert".
Saint Helena Island. Located in the Atlantic Ocean. Opened by Portuguese on the day of St. Elena and named in her honor. The worldwide fame received as a place of reference and death of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Seychelles. Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Named in the XVIII century. French in honor of the Minister of Finance Moro de Setwege (Seychelles)
Senegal. River in West Africa. According to one version, the toponym is based on the name of the Berber tribe of Senega, go Santa. Other toponymists believe that the name ancient City Senegana passed on the river. In the past, Toponym was explained as "shipping", however, due to the lack of evidence, this option does not consider modern scientists.
Serengeti.National Park in Tanzania. Named the Serengeti Plateau, within which it is located. The toponym is based on the term from the language of Masaev Serenget - "Spacious", which fully corresponds to geographical realities - extensive savannam on the territory of the plateau.
Socotra. Island in the Indian Ocean. The name of the island was given by Indian nauticals: Dviz Sakhadar - "Island of the foreclosure of good luck." Later is the name, reflecting the value of the island as an essential nodal point on the ancient seaways from India Pa West, was transformed under the influence of Arabic in Socotra.
Africa is part of the light, which has the area with Islands 30.3 million km 2, is second place after Eurasia, 6% of the entire surface of our planet and 20% sushi.
Geographical position
Located Africa in the northern and eastern hemisphere (most), a small part in southern and western. Like all major fragments of the ancient mainland Gondwan, has massive outlines, large peninsula and deep bays are absent. The length of the continent from the north to the south is 8 thousand km, from the west to the east - 7.5 thousand km. In the north is washed by waters Mediterranean Sea, in the northeast of the Red Sea in the south-east of the Indian Ocean, in the West - the Atlantic Ocean. Africa from Asia separates the Suez Canal, from Europe - Gibraltar Strait.
Main geographical characteristics
Africa lies on an ancient platform, which causes its flat surface, which cuts into the deep valleys of rivers. On the coast of the mainland, small lowlands are located, North-West - the location of the Atlas Mountains, northern part, practically fully occupied by the desert sugar, - Nagrai Ahaggar and Tibetse, East - Ethiopian Highlands, Southeast - East African Plateau, Last South - Caps and Dragon Mountains. The highest point of Africa is Kilimanjaro volcano (5895 m, Masai's plateore), the lowest - 157 meters below the ocean level in Lake Assal. Along the Red Sea, on the territory of Ethiopian Highlands and to the mouth of the River Zambezi, the largest rode in the world of the earth's crust, which is characterized by frequent seismic activity.
Rivers flow around Africa: Congo (Central Africa), Niger (West Africa), Limpopo, Orange, Zambezi (South Africa), as well as one of the most free and extended rivers in the world - Nile (6852 km), current from the south North (its origins are on the East African Plateau, and she flows, forming a delta, in the Mediterranean Sea). The rivers are distinguished by multi-way in the equatorial belt, thanks to the falling out of a large amount of precipitation there, most of them differ in high flow rate, have many thresholds and waterfalls. In lithospheric faults filled with water, lakes were formed - Nyasa, Tanganyik, the largest freshwater lake of Africa and the second on the square after the lake top ( North America) - Victoria (its area is 68.8 thousand km 2, length 337 km, Max depth - 83 m), the largest salt-free lake - Chad (its area of \u200b\u200b1.35 thousand km 2, is located on the southern outskirts of the greatest desert of the Sugara world).
Due to the arrangement of Africa between two tropical belts, it is characterized by high total indicators of solar radiation, which gives the right to call Africa the hottest continent of the Earth (the highest temperature on our planet was registered in 1922 in El Azizia (Libya) - +58 C 0 in the shadow).
On the territory of Africa, such natural zones are distinguished as evergative equatorial forests (the coast of the Gulf of Guinean, Wpadina Congo), in the north and south passing into mixed leaf full-time-evergreen forests, then there is a natural zone of Savannan and a parel, spreading to Sudan, Eastern and South Africa, Sevra and South Africa Savannah are replaced by semi-deserts and deserts (sugar, Kalahari. Namib). In the southeastern part of Africa there is a small zone of mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, on the slopes of the Atlas Mountains - the zone of severe evergreen forests and shrubs. Natural zones of mountains and flatbed are susceptible to the laws of high resistance.
African countries
The territory of Africa is divided between 62 countries, 54 - independent, sovereign states, 10 dependent territories related to Spain, Portugal, Great Britain and France, the rest are unrecognized, self-proclaimed states - Galmudug, Puntland, Somaliland, Sahakkaya Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). For a long time, Asia countries were foreign colonies of various european states And only by the middle of the last century they received independence. Depending on the geographic location Africa is divided into such five regions as North, Central, Western, East and South Africa.
List of African countries
Nature
Mountains and Plains of Africa
Most of the African continent is a plain. Available mountain systems, Highlands and plateau. They are presented:
- Atlas mountains in the north-western part of the continent;
- highlands Tibest and Ahaggar in the Sahara desert;
- Ethiopian highlands in the eastern part of the mainland;
- Dragon Mountains in South.
The highest point of the country is the Kilimanjaro volcano, 5,895 m height, relating to East African plateau in the southeastern part of the mainland ...
Desert and savanna
The largest deserted zone of the African continent is in the northern part. This is a sugar desert. In the south-western side of the continent there is another desert of a smaller area, Namib, and the Kalahari desert is available on the East of the continent.
The Savannah territory occupies the bulk of Central Africa. On the area it is much more than the northern and southern part of the mainland. The territory is characterized by the presence of pastures characteristic of savannah, low shrubs and trees. The height of herbal vegetation varies, depending on the number of drop-down precipitation. It can be practically desert savannahs or high-colored, with herbal cover from 1 to 5 m in height ...
River
On the territory of the African continent there is the most extended river of the world - Nile. Direction of its current from the south to the north.
In the list of large water systems, the mainland, Limpopo, Zambezi and an orange river, as well as the Congo, flowing through the territory of Central Africa.
On the Zambezi River there is a famous Victoria Waterfall, 120 m high and 1,800 meters wide ...
Lakes
In the list large lakes The African continent has a lake Victoria, which is the second in the world in the area of \u200b\u200bfreshwater reservoirs. Its depth reaches 80 m, and the area is 68,000 km square. Two more large lakes Continent: Tanganica and Nyasa. They are located in the faults of lithospheric plates.
There is a lake of Lake Chad on the territory of Africa, which is one of the world's largest interconnect relic lakes, not having connections with the world ocean ...
Seas and oceans
The African continent is washed by the waters of two oceans at once: Indian and Atlantic. Also, his shores are the Red and Mediterranean Sea. From the side of the Atlantic Ocean in the southwestern part of the water form a deep Guinea Bay.
Despite the location of the African continent, coastal waters are cool. Influence this cold flow of the Atlantic Ocean: Canary in the north and Bengal in the south-west. From the side of the Indian ocean the flow is warm. The largest is Mozambique, in the northern waters, and needle - in the southern ...
Forest Africa
Forest arrays from the entire territory of the African continent make up a little more than a quarter. Here are subtropical forests growing on the slopes of the Atlas Mountains and the Valley Valleys. Here you can meet a stone oak, pistachio, strawberry tree, etc. Highly in the mountains grow coniferous plants, represented by Alepopian pine, atlask cedar, juniper and other types of trees.
Closer to the coast there are forests from cork oak, in a tropical area evergreen equatorial plants are common, for example, a red tree, sandalwood, ebony, etc.
Nature, Plants and Animals Africa
The vegetation of equatorial forests is distinguished by variety, about 1000 species of various types of trees grow here: ficuses, saba, wine tree, oil palm tree, wine palm, banana palm trees, tree fern, sandalwood, red wood, rubberous trees, Liberian coffee tree, etc. . Many species of animals, rodents, birds and insects living right on the trees live here. On Earth lives: cystheuhi pigs, leopards, African deer - relatives Girafa Ogapi, major man-like monkeys - Gorillas ...
40% of the territory of Africa is occupied by savannahs, which are huge steppe spaces covered with disintegration, low, spiny shrubs, rustic, and separately standing trees (tree acacias, baobabs).
It has the most huge cluster of such large animals as: rhino, giraffe, elephant, hippopotamus, zebra, buffalo, hyena, lion, leopard, cheetah, jackal, crocodile, hyena dog. The most numerous animals are savannahs are such herbivores like: Bubal (Antelope family), Giraffe, Impala, or Corropean Antilope, various types of gazelles (Thomson, Grant), Blue GNU, Somewhere else there are rare jumpers - Springboki.
The vegetation of deserts and semi-desert is distinguished by poverty and unpretentiousness, these are small spiky shrubs, separately growing herbs beams. In oases, the unique palm palm trees Erg-Shebbi, as well as plants resistant to the conditions of drought and salting formation conditions. In the desert, Namib grows unique plants of Velvichia and Nara, the fruits of which dickelings, elephants and other wilderness animals feed.
From animals there are various types of antelope and gazelles adapted to hot climate and capable of searching for food to overcome huge distances, many types of rodents, snakes, turtles. Lizards. Among mammals: Spotted hyena, ordinary jacal, grivy ram, capsky hare, Ethiopian hedgehog, Gazelle-Dorcas, Saberloogaya antilope, Babian Anubis, Wild Nubian Donkey, Cheetah, Jackal, Fox, Mouflon, there are constantly living and migratory birds.
Climatic conditions
Seasons, weather and climate of Africa
The central part of Africa, through which the equator line passes, is located in the low pressure area and receives sufficient moisturizing, territory north and south of the equator are located in a sub-screen climatic belt, this is a zone of seasonal (monsoon) moisturizing and arid desert climate. The extreme north and south are in the subtropical climatic belt, the south receives precipitation, brought by the air masses from the Indian Ocean, here is the Kalahari desert, the North is the minimum amount of precipitation, due to the formation of the field of high pressure and the features of the movement of trade winds, the largest desert The world - sugar, where the amount of precipitation is minimal, in some areas it does not fall out at all ...
Resources
Natural resources of Africa
In stock water resources Africa is considered one of the least secured continents of the world. The average annual volume of water is enough only to meet the priority needs, but this concerns not all regions.
Land resources are represented by significant territories with fertile land. You are treated with only 20% of all possible land. The reason for this is the absence of due water, soil erosion, etc.
Africa forests are the source of wood, including the breeds of valuable varieties. Countries, in the territory of which they grow, the raw materials goes on export. Resources are used unwise and ecosystems gradually destroyed.
In the depths of Africa there are mineral deposits. Among the export departed: gold, diamonds, uranium, phosphorus, manganese ores. There are significant reserves of oil and natural gas.
Energy-intensive resources are widely represented on the continent, but they are not used, due to the lack of proper investments ...
Among the developed industrial areas of the countries of the African continent can be noted:
- mining industry, departing mineral raw materials and fuel for export;
- the oil refining industry, common in the territory of South Africa and North Africa;
- chemical industry specializing in the production of mineral fertilizers;
- as well as the metallurgical and engineering industry.
The main products of agriculture are cocoa beans, coffee, corn, rice and wheat. In the tropical regions of Africa is grown by oil palm tree.
Fisheries developed slightly and constitute only 1-2% of the total volume of agriculture. Livestocking indicators are also not high and the reason for the infection of livestock Tsetz ...
Culture
Peoples of Africa: Culture and Traditions
About 8,000 nations and ethnic groups live in 62 African countries, which is in general about 1.1 billion people. Africa is considered a cradle and pranodina of human civilization, it was here that the remains of ancient primates (hominids) were found, which according to scientists are considered to be ancestors of people.
Most of the peoples in Africa can have both several thousand people, and a few hundred living in one or two villages. 90% of the population are representatives of 120 peoples, their number of more than 1 million people, 2/3 of them - peoples with more than 5 million people, 1/3 - nations with more than 10 million people (this is 50% of the total population of Africa) - Arabs , House, Fulbe, Yoruba, Igbo, Amhara, Oromo, Rwanda, Malagasy, Zulusi ...
Two historical and ethnographic provinces are distinguished: the North African (the predominance of the Indo-European race) and the tropical African (most population are a Negroid Race), it is divided into such areas as:
- West Africa. Peoples speaking Mande languages \u200b\u200b(Susu, Maninka, Mende, Vai), Chadsky (Haus), Nilo-Sakhai (Songai, Canoruri, Tuba, Zagava, Mava, etc.), Nigero-Congolese languages \u200b\u200b(Yoruba, igboo, Bini, NUPU, GBARY, IHAL AND IDOMA, IBIBIO, EFIC, CAMBARI, BIR AND JUKUN, etc.);
- Equatorial Africa. Inhabited by buano-tasked nations: Douala, Fong, Bubi (Fern Dernants), MPonongwe, Teca, Mboši, Ngala, Como, Mongo, Tetla, Cuba, Congo, Ambund, Ovimbundum, Chokwe, Luen, Tonga, Pigmey, etc.;
- South Africa. Buntery peoples, and speakers in Koysansky languages: Bushmen and Gottentotes;
- East Africa. Groups of nations bowls, nilots and sudanents;
- Northeast Africa. Peoples speaking Ether (Amhara, Tiger, Tiger.), Kushytsky (Oromo, Somalis, Sidamo, Agau, Afar, Konso, etc.) and Omotian languages \u200b\u200b(Otter, Himirra et al.);
- Madagascar. Malagasy and Creoles.
In the North African province, the main peoples are the Arabs and Berbers belonging to the South-European Small Rasse, which are mainly confessing the Islam of the Sunni sense. There is also an ethno-religious group of Copts, which are direct descendants of the ancient Egyptians, they are Christian monophysites.
People who lived not far from the ancient Carthage, the inhabitants of the city called the word "Afri". With the Phoenician word AFAR means "dust", it is to this language and refer to this name. When the Romans won Carthage, they called this province of Africa. Later, they began to call the regions that were known on this continent. And then the entire continent at all.
Another version says that the word has the roots of the Berber word IFRI, i.e. cave. There were cave inhabitants, the people "Afri". Also the Muslim province called "Iphrikia", which later arose in this place, also had the same root in the title.
I. Efremov, a famous writer and a scientist, believed that the word "Africa" \u200b\u200bhas a root in ancient language She, who ("Afros" is a foamy country, Egypt). This is due to the fact that during the approach to the mainland in the Mediterranean, several flows are faced.
Etymology names of physico-geographical objects of Africa
Adenian Bay. Bay of the Indian Ocean. The name was received by Aden in the south of Arabian P-Ova. According to one version, the toponym is based on the Arab root in the meaning of "settlement", in another interpretation, the name was formed by the term from the ancient seven-khamitic languages \u200b\u200bedinu - plain, the steppe, which clearly reflects the natural features.
Azores. Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Belongs to Portugal. Named by Portuguese Ilhas Dos Azores - "Islands of Hawks" for the abundance of these birds off the coast and on the archipelago.
Amyranta Islands. Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Opened as an expedition Admiral Vasco to Gama and are named after LLHAS De Almitante - "Admiral Island".
Augrabis.Waterfall on r. Orange. The name comes from Gottentoti Aukrebis - "big noise".
Ahaggar.Mountain array in central sugar. The name comes from the name of the Tairegs of Kel-Ahaggar. At the heart of Etnonym, apparently lies the Arabic term "Ahgar" - cave, i.e. "Ahaggar" - "residents of the caves", "Spirits Caves."
Bab El Mandant Strait. Separates Africa and South-West Arabian P-Ova. The name comes from the Arab words "Bab" - Gate, Mandib - Tears, i.e. Means "Gate tears." Toponym metaphor reflects complex navigation conditions in the strait.
White NileThe name of the middle course of the Nile before the flow of blue. Arabic name River Bahr-El-Abead - "White River". According to experts, the definition of "white" refers to either a mutal color of water, or corresponds to an unknown color orientation.
Bengelege current. Cold flow in the Atlantic Ocean. The name is given in Benghel in Angola: in one of the languages \u200b\u200bof Benguela - "Country Country".
BENUE.Left tributary p. Niger. The name comes from the language of Batta, where BE - "Water", Nue- "Mother", i.e. means"Mother Waters",
Bio.Island in the Gulf of Guinea. Portuguese, opening biko, called it Formosa - "Beautiful" for the abundance of lush vegetation and the presence of fresh water. Later, the island was called Fernando-by in honor of the Portuguese Chief Powder, and in the 70s of the XX century, - Masias Ngema-Byoyan in honor of the President of Equatorial Guinea. Bioo is a modified name, so it is difficult to call a true meaning.
Waal. River, right inflow r. Orange, the name was given by Dutch colonists for the water color: Vaal - "muddy", "gray". Toponym is included in the name of one of the provinces of South Africa - Transvaal (Transvaal) - "Behind Waale".
Wadi, Weddy. The general name of the team of temporary watercourses of North Africa filled with water only during the rain period. Arabic geographical term "Wadi", "UEDD" - dry bed, valley.
Veld.The name of the arid plateau in southern Africa. In Dutch and Afrikaans (Afrikaner language), Veld is a popular geographical term in the "field" value.
Victoria.Lake in East Africa, the largest on the mainland. Unlike Victoria's waterfall, named by D. Livhingston in honor of Queen of Great Britain, the name of Lake Victoria was given by the traveler D.Pikik. Therefore, at present, other names located on the shores of the lake, other names are offered: Moorja - "Unity", Wuora - "Freedom", Shirikisho - "Association", Uhuru Na Umoja - State Motto of Tanzania, drawn on the coat of arms of the state.
Victoria.Waterfall on r. Zambezi. Opened by an outstanding English traveler David Livingston and is named after the Queen of Great Britain. Locals call Mosi-Oa-Tuna waterfall - "Rading smoke", or Seongo - "Rainbow Scene".
Virung.Volcanic mountains in East Africa. The name in the language of the people of Nyoro means "volcano".
Volta.River in West Africa. The name Rio-Da-Volta - the "Return River" was given by Portuguese, because In the XV century At the mouth of the river, their ships stopped before returning to their homeland. In Ghana on r. Volta created the reservoir of the same name - one of the largest in the world (8480 km 2 ).
Guardfuju.Cape in the east of P-oval. Scientists believe that the name is educated from the GUARDAFU portuguese distorted by Arabs - "Beware", which is associated with hazardous navigation conditions. There is a long time that there is a magnetic mountain of the very eastern tip of Somalia Peninsula, which attracts the iron parts of the ships approaching it. As a result, the ships, approaching it, was broken about the rocks. The most narrow shelf zone is here. With a strong wind, a high wave, a bad visibility, the ships often endured the peninsula, and they were broken about coastal reefs. The word "Guardafui" was a warning of sailors who floated past this cape.
Guinean bay.Atlantic Ocean Bay at the Western Coast of Africa. Named in the historical and geographical area of \u200b\u200bGuinea washed by him. There are several versions of the origin of the toponym Guinea. According to one of them, the name is the name of the Berber tribe Kinava (Arabic scientist Ibn-Yakut in the XIII century. Mentioned the edge of Kinava). Another point of view is based on the fact that Toponym is formed by the Berber words "Agvinau" - "black" or "iguven" - "dumb" (that is, not knowing the language of Berberov) and referred to the territory populated by black tribes. Later, the Europeans distorted the original word in Gunua, Ginua and, finally, in Guinea.
Strait of Gibraltar.Separates Africa from the Pyrenean Peninsula in Europe. Named on the rock of Gibraltar on the European Side of the Strait. The modern form of the name of the cliff arose as a result of centuries-old use and transformation of the primary Arabic Jebel-El Tarik - "Mount Tarika".
Blue Neal.The largest influx of the Nile. In Ethiopia, the river is called Abbai - "Father Waters, and in the Arab countries Bahr el-Azrak -" Blue River ". Colorsoe Title, according to some scientists, reflects the color of water in the river carrying bluish il.
Good Hope. Cape in southern Africa. Opened in 1488 by the Portuguese navigator B.Diash and named it Cabo Tormentoso - "Cape of Storms". The name did not like the king of Portugal Zhuan II and at his order, Cape was renamed Cabo Da to Esperanza - "Cape of Good Hope", having in mind the hope of achieving a fabulously rich and attractive for Europeans of India. Some historians believe that at B.Diash immediately called the Cape with the name of good hope, and the above version is only a historical legend. However, it is impossible to prove or refute this hypothesis due to the lack of sources, modern swimming DRash.
Dragons Mountains. Located in South Africa. It is assumed that the mountains are named by the name of one of the European colonizers of Harrow Drainstein. Etymologically, the surname consists of two words: Draken - "Dragon", Stein - "Stone".
Zambezi.River in South Africa. Previously, the name of the river on the maps was transmitted in a variety of options; Ambezi, Luambezi, Liambey, etc. According to modern toponyms, the primary form of names is Ambezi (or Ambey), which in local languages \u200b\u200ba bow means "Big River". The same value is the name of the river in the middle course in the language of Tonga - Murongo-Mucuri, which is the cataca of the main toponym.
Zanzibar.Island in the Indian Ocean at the eastern shore of Africa. Toponym comes from the Persian, the term "bar" - "shore", "edge" and the ethnonym "Zinj", which is based on the Arab or Persian "Zang", "Zeng" - "black". Zindji is the collective name of the Neosal African Negroid tribes in medieval Muslim literature.
Green Cape.Located on the Peninsula to the same name to the east of the m. Almadi. Named in 1445 by the Portuguese, D. Didash Cabo Verde - "Green Cape", because He was the first seaman seamans covered with tropical flora, which sharply contrasted with the sands of the Sahara.
Green Cape Islands.Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Named by m. Green, against which is located. The transfer of the names of the islands into other languages \u200b\u200bis adopted in the form of translation, in contrast to the name of the state located on them.
Needle.Cape, the most southern tip of Africa. Opened in 1488 by B.Diash and named Cabo Sao Brandao - Cape Sv.Brange, because The opening occurred on the day of this saint. However, soon the name was changed, and Cape was on maps called Agulhas - needle. The word Agulha in Portuguese means "needle", "boom". Modern toponymists are based on the name of the Portuguese metaphorical term Agulha in the value of "peak", the vertex. Based on this, toponym is comprehended as "Cape of Peaks", but the cause-rocky cape.
Idi-amin-dada; Edward.Lake in East Africa. Opened in the XIX century. And Edward is named after the Crown Prince of Great Britain. In 1971, President Idi Amin Dada came to power in Uganda, and the lake called him name. To this day, both names have been preserved behind the reservoir.
Canary Islands.Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Belongs to Spain. Islands are known to the ancient time under the Latin name insulas Fortunatae. Spaniards who visited the archipelago at the beginning of the XV century, called the Islas Canarias - "Dog Islands". According to one version, the sailors saw a large number of dogs on the shores of the islands, which was the reason for the appearance of toponym. According to another version, the archipelago was called the main island of Gran Canaria. And the island - in the fabulous country, Canary, referred to in medieval European legends.
Kenya.Volcanic array in East Africa. Toponymists see the toponym of the Masai term "Kei-Niya" - "White Mountain", which is associated with the presence of glaciers and snow on the top of the mountain.
Livingston Waterfalls. Located in the lower river. Congo (Zaire). Named in honor of the outstanding researcher of Africa, Scots by origin, D. Livingston.
Limpopo.River in South Africa. The etymology of the name is unknown. Dutch colonists Buras called the Krokodil River River - "Crocodile River" for the abundance of these reptiles in her waters.
Madeira.Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Belongs to Portugal. Named by Portuguese Maderia - Forest, because It was indeed covered with forests, later completely cut down. The earliest names of the archipelago: Carthaginian Al-Agnam - Khod Island (for the abundance of these animals), at the Romans Insulae Purpurinae - "Purpur Islands" (for paint mined there).
Niger. River in West Africa. The name is a distorted portuguese and other Europeans by the Berbery name of the River N "Egypt -" River ". In different parts of the flow, there are various names in local languages: in the upper reaches of Joliba -" Greater Water "; on average and Nizhny Quara -" River ", Issa Bari - "Great River"; Mayo - "River". An explanation of the name from the word Niger in the meaning of the "black" from European languages. Modern toponymists consider incorrect.
Nile.The longest river Africa. The oldest form of the name of the Aur River is "hiding" (i.e., with an unknown source). Egyptians called her Hapi in honor of God fertility and crop. Modern Arabs call the El Bahr River - "River". Toponym Nile in the form of naulos is first found in the ancient Greeks. Romans borrowed it as nilus. On one of the versions, the toponym is based on the ancient term "Nazal" - "River", changed by the Greeks. According to another version, the Greeks borrowed the word LIL in the Libyan tribes - "water", distorting it in Nil. Philologists note the possibility of such a transformation.
Nubian desert. Located in the northeast of Africa. Named according to the historical region of Nubia, located between the Nile Rights. The toponym is based on the ancient Egyptian word "Nuba" - "Gold". In antiquity there were the largest mines here, from where the gold was received to the Palace of Pharaoh.
Orange.River in South Africa. Gottentotes called her Kai Garib - a large river, the Dutch migrants of the Groat River Bura with the same meaning. At all times, people often gave names to objects (rivers, lakes) in the color of water or shore. But the name of the orange river to the color does not have any relationship. Such a name she was given by immigrants from the Netherlands (Holland) Bura in honor of the princes of the Orange - the then rulers of the Netherlands. From someone's easy hand, and perhaps the name of the transformation, the name Orange turned into an orange.
Sao Tome.Island in the Gulf of Guinea. Opened by Portuguese on St. Tome's Day (Thomas) and named Sao Tome in his honor.
Somalia.Peninsula in East Africa. Named by the people of Somalia living on his big part. Etnonym comes from Kushitsky languages \u200b\u200band means "dark", which is associated with the color of the skin of the people. Ptolemya (II century) the peninsula is called southern horn (sometimes African horn is sometimes found). In the peninsula, the cold current in the Indian Ocean is called Somali.
Tristan da Qu'nya. Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Opened by the Portuguese navigator Tristan yes Kunya and called him name.
Africa - the second largest mainland, is located in all four hemispheres. Africa Square - 30 million km2.
Extreme points of Africa:
- north: Cape Ras Engel (38 ° S.Sh., 10 ° V.D.);
- south: Cape needle (35 ° Yu.Sh., 20 ° V.D.);
- western: Cape Almadi 1 (5 ° S.Sh., 17 ° C);
- east: Cape Rasha Hafun (11 ° S.Sh., 51 ° V.D.).
From the West Africa is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, from the East - Indian, from the north - waters, from the northeast - red. Previously, it was connected with a 120 km wide width, now a Suez canal passes through it. From the mainland is separated by the Gibraltar Strait.
The coast of Africa is relatively weakly cut, there is a large Guinean bay in the West and Adensky - in the East, a large peninsula - ps. B is: Madeira, Green Cape, etc. In the east of the mainland there large Island - except for him in the accumulations of small islands - Comoros, etc.
The specificity of the relief of Africa lies in a large number of plains and a flatbed. Most of the north of the mainland occupies with Highlands Ahaggar and Tibst. Noticeable mountain ranges Two: Atlas Mountains in the north and caps - in the south. In the east of Africa there is a large East African plateau. Such a structure of the relief is explained by the fact that most of the mainland is located on a single ancient African-Arabian platform, separated in antiquity from the general continent - Gondwana. The Northern and Southern Mountain Ridges are formed in the collision area of \u200b\u200bthis platform with other large plates.
Lakes in Africa are quite large, formed in the faults of the rock and therefore very narrow, long and deep: ( maximum depth - 1400 m), (700 m). The lake, on the contrary, petty, feeds mainly due to precipitation, in the arid periods of its area is greatly reduced.
Since most of the mainland is in tropical, subequatorial and belts, it is warm here. Summer and winter average monthly temperatures differ slightly, seasons differ in the number of drop-down precipitation: for the summer there are rainy season, while drought comes in winter. There are tropical forests - swimming pool, east coast of Africa, where up to 3000 mm falls. precipitation. There are arid areas - savanna, desert.
Natural areas of Africa are expressed quite clearly and are arranged accordingly. At the equator and in the Congo, a zone of wet equatorial forests was formed. Here there is a huge variety of trees and shrubs, a tirelessness is well expressed. Form red. In the forests live monkeys, small ungulates, many birds.
Equatorial forests are almost immediately moving to Savannah - a special kind of encountered single trees. This natural zone in Africa occupies an extensive space. There are many herbs, from trees there are acacias, Baobabs. The soil is formed red-brown. Many large empty animals (giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, zebras, rhinos), there are predators (lions, cheetahs, hyena).
No less large natural zone - tropical deserts, represented by two large deserts: Namib in the south and sugar in the north. Sugar desert is a huge desert located in the northern part of the mainland. Dry Passats, prevailing here, raise sand particles, so for the desert there are no rarity storms, literally paralyzing all living things. Even in the shade rises to + 50 ° C, the sand heats up to + 70 ° C. At night, the temperature drops sharply, it can descend to 0 ° C. In this regard, survival is very difficult, people live exclusively in oases arising due to the proximity of groundwater. Most animals lead a nightlife, afternoon afternoon in Norah.
The zone of subtropical harshish evergreen forests stretched out with two narrow stripes on the north and southern coast of the mainland. Here are growing beech, oaks, citrus fruits, many coniferous plants and shrubs. Animals are mostly small: foxes, small deer, boys.
IN XIX-XX centuries Europeans actively destroyed the unique nature of Africa, cutting valuable forests, exterminating animals. Many species died themselves due to the destruction of their natural habitat. This led to the fact that the territories occupied by forests are sharply reduced, but the desert areas, on the contrary, are increasing. To preserve and increasing the populations of wild animals, many of them have acquired world fame - Kruger, Serengeti.