The Geography of Central Africa
The Land of the Middle
By Syed Hussain
November 8th, 2012
Have you ever wondered about the middle of Africa, or its geography? The Central African region has some of the most diverse geological features of Africa. Not only does Central Africa have diverse features in terms of geography, there are also many ethnic groups and native tribes. Many of these tribes live in the rainforests of Central Africa, and many have been around ever since 600 CE. These rainforests are a big part of the geography of Central Africa.
The Central Africa region contains most of Africa’s rainforest. The Congo River, which runs through Central Africa, is nearly 3,000 miles long. Many smaller rivers drain into the Congo River, forming a very large Congo Basin. According to a study from 2005, this Basin is the 10th largest basin in the world, and the Congo is the 8th longest river. There are many grasslands and hardwood forests in the south side of Central Africa, as well as mountains and lakes on the east side of Central Africa. The equator runs through Central Africa, and there is a lot of tropical climate.
Central Africa also is very rich in rubber, diamonds, gold, iron, copper, and manganese. Though, this is a major factor that attracted many Europeans to start imperialism in Africa. After the Europeans arrival in the 19th century, they had begun to exploit the land for resources. There was a high demand for rubber, and laborers gathered it for the Europeans. The laborers were killed, causing Central Africa to have the least urbanized area even today. This process of gathering the rubber caused the Europeans to start deforestation. Deforestation is the process of cutting down forests to use the wood and resources. This destroyed the rainforests and geography of Central Africa.
Deforestation is still a large problem today. The governments cannot choose between being able to make money and houses and saving the rainforests. Though, there is much effort being put in to stop it. There are still many things emerging good about Central Africa. There is now the use of oil, and there is the renewable resource of hydroelectricity being used. There is still a very large rainforest within the Congo Basin, and there are many small rivers and grasslands. All of the forests, tropical savannas, and physical as well as resourceful features make Central Africa truly geographically diverse.
By Syed Hussain
November 8th, 2012
Have you ever wondered about the middle of Africa, or its geography? The Central African region has some of the most diverse geological features of Africa. Not only does Central Africa have diverse features in terms of geography, there are also many ethnic groups and native tribes. Many of these tribes live in the rainforests of Central Africa, and many have been around ever since 600 CE. These rainforests are a big part of the geography of Central Africa.
The Central Africa region contains most of Africa’s rainforest. The Congo River, which runs through Central Africa, is nearly 3,000 miles long. Many smaller rivers drain into the Congo River, forming a very large Congo Basin. According to a study from 2005, this Basin is the 10th largest basin in the world, and the Congo is the 8th longest river. There are many grasslands and hardwood forests in the south side of Central Africa, as well as mountains and lakes on the east side of Central Africa. The equator runs through Central Africa, and there is a lot of tropical climate.
Central Africa also is very rich in rubber, diamonds, gold, iron, copper, and manganese. Though, this is a major factor that attracted many Europeans to start imperialism in Africa. After the Europeans arrival in the 19th century, they had begun to exploit the land for resources. There was a high demand for rubber, and laborers gathered it for the Europeans. The laborers were killed, causing Central Africa to have the least urbanized area even today. This process of gathering the rubber caused the Europeans to start deforestation. Deforestation is the process of cutting down forests to use the wood and resources. This destroyed the rainforests and geography of Central Africa.
Deforestation is still a large problem today. The governments cannot choose between being able to make money and houses and saving the rainforests. Though, there is much effort being put in to stop it. There are still many things emerging good about Central Africa. There is now the use of oil, and there is the renewable resource of hydroelectricity being used. There is still a very large rainforest within the Congo Basin, and there are many small rivers and grasslands. All of the forests, tropical savannas, and physical as well as resourceful features make Central Africa truly geographically diverse.