Africa is a continent that is second only to Eurasia in area. The equator runs almost in its middle part. The position of Africa in relation to other continents is of genuine interest. The continent completely, with few exceptions, falls into the zone between the northern and southern tropics.
Continent description
In geography classes at school, 7th grade students can get this assignment: "Describe the position of Africa relative to other continents." Its implementation can begin with the following description. The continent is washed by several seas and oceans. The west coast goes to the Atlantic, the south and east to the Indian Ocean, the north to the Mediterranean, and the northeast to the Red Sea. Africa becomes a part of the world if the adjacent islands are added to the mainland. It occupies 6% of the surface of planet Earth and 20% of the land.
From the south, west and east, the continent ends with capes. These are Needle, Almadi and Ras Hafoon respectively. The northern end is represented by Ben Secka. The mainland cannot boast of a large number of islands. The most famous and largest of them is Madagascar. The position of Africa in relation to other continents and oceans, islands, bays, and straits is interesting.
The Somali Peninsula is located on the east coast, wedging into the Indian Ocean. The Gulf of Guinea breaks the even outlines of the western coastline. The width of the northern half of the mainland is 7.5 thousand km, there are several sea bays. There is practically no shelf, the shore is high, it ends with a cliff. Serious depths and powerful surfs make port construction and ship approach an extremely difficult task.
The Mediterranean and Red Seas are the natural border between Africa and Eurasia. The natural and climatic conditions of the northern part of the continent resemble southern Europe and south-western Asia. The Strait of Gibraltar , 14 km wide, is a barrier between the Old World and Africa. Suez Isthmus connects the mainland with Asia. As far back as the 19th century, a canal was made through it, intended for passage of sea vessels. Along the African coast are the most important trade waterways from the Old World to Australia and Asia.
The position of Africa and Australia relative to other continents
Southern continents have common geographic features that are reflected in natural and climatic conditions. The main zones of Africa and Australia are close to the equator, so a lot of solar radiation falls on their surface. It is worth noting that the amount of heat entering the earth practically does not change in different months.
Southern continents have weak physical connections between themselves and with other continents. The exception is Africa, which is clearly connected to the Eurasian continent. Australia has not had land communications with other continents since the Middle Mesozoic. Today, between the continents there is practically no exchange of representatives of the animal and plant worlds. The geographical position of Africa relative to other continents allows the flora and fauna to move freely beyond its borders. The nature of the Arabian Peninsula and the Sahara, as well as the Atlas region and the Mediterranean coast, have similar features.
The Australian mainland is wholly owned by the Southern Hemisphere. The northern tip is associated with warm seas. Pacific impact is weakened by archipelagos that protect the continent from the east. Among other southern continents, Australia is the most isolated. This fact has a strong influence on the local flora and fauna.
Africa and the oceans
The position of Africa relative to other continents can be described as follows:
- The western extremity is in contact with cold currents.
- The east coast is influenced by warm water masses.
- The southern tip is washed by the strong current of the West Winds, which is quite cold.
The listed features are characteristic of all southern continents, of course, with some amendments. The following parameters are unique to the African continent:
- Located exactly in the middle of the equator. The southern and northern shores have almost the same latitude.
- The northern extremity is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, it is reflected in the nature of the surrounding areas of the continent.
- Africa is a neighbor of the Eurasian continent and has similar features with Southwest Asia.
- Only one of the southern continents is mostly located in the Northern Hemisphere. This is Africa.
Area and shape
Considering the position of Africa relative to other continents and oceans, one cannot but mention its shape and size. The surface area of this continent is 29.2 million km 2 , which is approximately half the Eurasian.
The shape of the continent follows the laws that are characteristic of all earthly continents:
- The northern part is the widest, and the southern is narrow.
- The largest width is at low latitudes.
Equatorial, tropical and intermediate climatic zones cover approximately 85% of Africa. This is typical of continents located in the south. Northern continents account for only 20% of such territories.
Coastline
Whatever continent is discussed, a description of the geographical location of the mainland is not complete without mentioning the properties of the coasts. Africa is no exception. If we compare the degree of roughness of the outlines of different continents (the ratio of the area occupied by large peninsulas to the rest of the continent), we get the following picture:
- 1:99 - African.
- 1:50 - South American.
- 1: 4 - Australian.
- 1: 3 - Eurasian and North American.
In general, continents located in the southern latitudes have a much smaller number of large peninsulas.
Exploring the continent
Africa began to be actively studied at the end of the 18th century, when Western researchers were motivated by a desire to get new sources of useful natural resources. The main number of expeditions organized inside the continent. The upper, and then the middle and lower reaches of the river were studied. Niger. Travelers crossed the Sahara.
After this study, the territories of the southern African continent are affected. R is being studied. Limpopo The expedition of Russian scientists was engaged in the description of the tributaries of the Blue Nile. Gradually, new lakes, mountain peaks opened up, rivers were studied. One of the results of the study towards the end of the 19th century was a survey of the rivers: Congo, Nile, Zambezi and Niger. And at the beginning of the next century, significant deposits of natural resources were discovered on the mainland.
Relief
The relief and position of Africa relative to other continents of the Earth is the result of the historical development of the continent. Her surface is distinctive. The main area is occupied by flat places and plateaus located at an altitude of 200-1000 m above sea level. There are few lowlands. The most famous plateaus are East and South Africa. The elevated areas are interspersed with hollows (Kalahari, Congo, etc.).
Tectonic history of the continent
What are the features of the geographical position of Africa and its historical development? The mainland is the Arabian-African platform, which is quite ancient. It was formed as a result of the split of Gondwana, which appeared in the Archean-Proterozoic. Over several billion years, the platform has become sustainable. The North Atlas Mountains and the South Cape formed much later.
The giant platform suffered periods of elevations and lowerings. The northern tip was several times below sea level. There are sedimentary layers on the crystalline rocks of the base. Closer to the south, in the center of the Sahara, the foundation rises to the surface.
The surface of the east and south of the African continent formed in a different way: the crust more often rose and broke. Volcanoes appeared and functioned. In these areas there are many plains formed by lava flows. The grabens were filled with water to form lakes. Volcanic activity and tremors of the crust are still noted. Volcanoes are located in the rift zone, including Kilimanjaro. This is the highest point of the mainland, equal to 5895 m.
Minerals
What are the features of Africa's geographic location and mineral reserves? The mainland has a rich set of deposits, most of which are among the largest on Earth.
Ore minerals - gold, iron, copper, zinc, etc. - belong to the ancient foundation of the platform. It consists of the following rocks: igneous and metamorphic. The richest deposits exist in the southern and eastern regions of the continent. Africa leads in gold reserves, and copper in second place in the world.
Diamonds are another property of the mainland. These stones are used not only in jewelry, but also as the hardest material on Earth. Africa provides ½ of global diamond demand. Deposits of this stone were discovered in the South-West and in the central regions of the continent.
Climate
The position of Africa relative to other continents explains its climatic conditions. It is considered to be the hottest place on the planet. The main part of the continent is characterized by temperatures above +20 ºC. Such conditions are associated with the location of Africa between the northern and southern tropics. In this area, the sun rises high, and twice a year falls into the zenith. Seasonality is expressed not so much by temperature differences as precipitation.
The circulating atmospheric flows determine the climatic conditions, the degree of humidification and its frequency. A region of low pressure is formed above the equator, and high, towards the poles. The trade winds cover almost the whole of Africa. Precipitation is brought only by winds blowing from the southeast. In winter, in the subtropics, rains form from the moist air that came from the Atlantic.
Climatic zones
Considering the position of Africa relative to other continents, it is worth touching on the issue of climatic zonality:
- Equatorial belt. It includes the river basin. Congo and the north of the Gulf of Guinea.
- Tropical belt. South and north of the equatorial.
- Subtropical belt. Includes the northern and southern outskirts of the continent. Climate conditions are optimal for humans.
A number of scientists do not share the first two belts, but consider it to be equatorial-tropical. Within its borders, regions are distinguished by the number of wet months.