homework encyclopedia

Africa is the second-largest

continent in the world after Asia.

More than one billion people live

there – nearly one in seven of

the world’s population. The majority of

Africans are Muslim or Christian, although

there are many local religious beliefs and

customs. Most people live in small

towns or villages, where they grow

crops, tend livestock, and sometimes

work in tourism and other industries.

Rapid population growth means that

people often need to move to cities in

search of food or work. They also move to

escape the civil wars, droughts, and famines

in rural areas.

SAHARA DESERT 1

Africa has three huge deserts: the Kalahari and Namib in the

south, and the Sahara in the north. The Sahara is the world’s

largest desert, and few animals other than camels can survive

its intense heat.

JOHANNESBURG 2

This is the commercial and

industrial capital of South Africa

and the centre of its gold and

diamond production. Despite the

city’s great wealth, many of its

inhabitants still live in primitive

shanty towns around its edge,

because housing is scarce and

wages are low.

DISAPPEARING WILDLIFE 2

These Namibian elephants, like

much of Africa’s wildlife, are in

danger of extinction from hunters

who kill the animals for their

ivory, hides, or meat. Game

reserves now protect these

creatures, and tourists can see

them in their natural habitat.

Africa

Nomad with

a camel train

crossing the desert

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Oran

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Abidjan

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Ceuta

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MONROVIA YAMOUSSOUKRO

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BISSAU

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CÔTE
D’IVOIRE
(IVORY COAST)
LIBERIA
MOROCCO
BURKINA FASO
GHANA
BENIN
Kano
(Spain)
(Spain)
(Portugal)
(Spain)
Tropic of Cancer
Equator