Africa is a huge continent, second only to Eurasia in area. It is washed by such oceans as the Atlantic and Indian. The northeastern shores of Africa go to the Red Sea, and the northern ones to the Mediterranean. This part of the world includes not only the mainland, but also the adjacent islands. The islands of Africa are increasing its area from 29.2 million square meters. km (the area occupied by the mainland) to 30.3 million square meters. km.
Brief description of the African islands
The most significant island in this part of the world is Madagascar. It is separated from the continent by the Strait of Mozambique. The Seychelles, popular with tourists, are located near the equator. Africa also includes Madeira, the Canary Islands, Socotra, Principe, Bioko, etc. The largest land area in the state of Sao Tome and Principe is Sao Tome, bordering the equator. The island is located in the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic). Its length is 48 km, and its width is 32 km. The nature, influenced by the equatorial and tropical maritime climate, attracts tourists from all over the world to the island. Its population is represented by the Santomeans and Portuguese using the Portuguese language.
The list of African islands also includes Moheli or Mwali. It is the smallest island that forms the Comoros. The island has a poorly developed infrastructure and is sparsely populated. But there is a National Marine Park, which has no analogues. Therefore, fans of scuba diving strive to get to Moheli Island to admire the coral formations. Reunion Island is considered an interesting land area. This is an overseas territory of France with a population of about 800 thousand people. Reunion is located east of Madagascar. The Swahili Islands are located nearby. The French managed to turn the island into their colony in 1665. In terms of climate, it resembles Hawaii, as it is also located in a very hot spot of the planet.
Tropical piece of land owned by Tanzania - Zanzibar. This is the main island of the archipelago of the same name. Zanzibar is the largest spice supplier. The share of Zanzibar cloves in world exports is over 70%. Therefore, more than half of the island is occupied by plantations of cloves, cinnamon and other spicy plants. The islands of Africa in the Arabian Sea (northwest of the Indian Ocean) are land areas in the Socotra archipelago. It is formed by 2 rocks and 4 islands.
Natural features
Different parts of Africa have a heterogeneous climate. The continent stretches from the subtropical northern belt to the subtropical southern belt, crossing the equator. The islands of Africa have a diverse flora and fauna. There is a rich underwater world, white sand beaches, impassable jungle and exotic animals.
AFRICA
Level I tests
1. The largest island off the coast of Africa:
a) Comoros b) Madagascar c) Sumatra d) Sri Lanka
2. Choose the correct answers.
1. The relief of Africa is dominated by:
a) lowlands b) hills and plateaus c) low mountains d) high mountains
2. Higher part of Africa:
a) northern and western c) southern and eastern b) northern and eastern d) southern and western
3. In the eastern part of the mainland there are:
a) the largest plateau on earth b) the largest mountain range on earth
c) the largest lowland on earth d) the largest fault on earth
3. Most high peaks Africa - Kilimanjaro and Kenya - located:
a) on the East African plateau
b) in the Atlas mountains
c) on the Ethiopian Highlands
d) in the Drakensberg mountains
4. The hottest place in Africa:
A) Tripoli city c) Somalia peninsula b) Congo depression d) Sahara desert
5. The source of the Nile is:
a) Lake Victoria c) Mediterranean Sea b) Lake Tanganyika d) Kagera River
6. Choose the correct answers.
a) Congo c) Niger b) Nile d) Zambezi
3. The largest lake in Africa:
a) Chad c) Tanganyika b) Nyasa d) Victoria
4. Most deep lake Africa:
a) Victoria c) Tanganyika b) Nyasa d) Rudolf
7. Choose the correct answer. Savannah plants are: a) rafflesia, ficus, oil palm b) roridula, baobab, doom palm
c) ebony, banana, vines d) date palm, velvichia, aloe
8. Choose the correct answer. The inhabitants of the equatorial forests are:
a) elephant, ostrich, lion b) camel, scorpion, hyena
c) giraffe, zebra, rhino d) okapi, gorilla, leopard
9. The shortest people on Earth are those living in Africa:
a) Tuaregs c) pygmies b) Masai d) bushmen
10. The most ancient state of Africa and the world:
a) Egypt b) Ethiopia c) Libya d) Zambia
Level 2 tests
Distribute extreme points Africa by their location:
a) northern | c) western | d) eastern |
|
Cape Agulhas 2. Cape Ras Khafun 3. Cape Ben Sekka (Ras Engela) 4. Cape Almadi
2. Determine which mountain systems correspond to the following peaks:
Kilimanjaro | Peak Margherita | Ras Dashen | |||||
A) Atlas B) Ahaggar C) Darfur D) Rwenzori E) Tibesti G) Ethiopian Highlands
E) East African plateau
3. Choose the correct answer.
1. Which of the following highlands not located in Africa? - a) Ahaggar c) Tibet b) Tibesti d) Ethiopian
2. Which of the following mountain systems is not in Africa? - a) Atlas c) Draconian b) Hindu Kush d) Cape
3. Which of the mountain peaks is not in Africa? - a) Mont Blanc b) Ras Dashen c) Kenya d) Toubkal
4. Which of the volcanoes not applicable to Africa? - a) Cameroon b) Karisimbi c) Kilimanjaro d) Etna
4. Determine what minerals are rich;
1. North Africa - a) gas c) copper ores b) gold d) oil
2. South Africa - a) oil b) diamonds c) gold d) phosphorites
5. Why is Africa the hottest continent?
1) It is washed by the warmest oceans of the Earth - Indian and Atlantic.
2) The largest deserts of the Earth, including the Sahara, lie in Africa.
3) Most of the mainland lies between the tropics.
4) In Africa, no high mountains with snow-capped peaks and a cold climate.
6. Select wrong statement about rivers and lakes in Africa.
2) Congo is the only large river that crosses the equator twice.
3) Niger is a river in the Indian Ocean basin. 4) Lake Victoria has no permanent shores.
5) Tanganyika is the deepest lake on the mainland. 6) The highest waterfall in Africa - Augrabis.
7) Victoria Falls was discovered by the great English traveler D. Livingston.
7. Determine in which natural zone these plants are found.
equatorial forests | ||
Acacia Aloe Banana Baobab Velvichia Wild Watermelon Ceiba Lianas Ficus Oil Palm Aoloe Dum Palm Rafflesia Date Palm Ebony
8. Determine in which natural area these animals live.
equatorial forests | ||
Antelope Camel Cheetah Gorilla Giraffe Zebra Pygmy Hippo
Pig-eared pig Lion Leopard Fennec fox Marabou Nectarium Rhinoceros
Scorpion Elephant Ostrich Termites Chimpanzee Okapi
9. Match a pair: people living in Africa - habitat:
Madagascar | Cape Mountains | Ethiopian highlands | Kalahari | Gulf of Guinea coast |
|||
Amhara Afrikaners Bushmen Hottentots Yoruba Malagasy Pygmies Tuaregs 10. Which of the African countries can I say ...
Level III tests
1. Select geographic objects associated with the Great African Rift:
a) Atlas Mountains f) Ethiopian Highlands b) Lake Nyasa g) Drakensberg Mountains c) Lakes Chad h) Red Sea d) Nile i) Ahaggar Highlands e) Lake Tanganyika j) Zambezi
2. Match a pair: discovery traveler or travel.
Phoenicians | V. da Gama | Ibn Battuta | D. Livingston | G. Stanley | V. V. Juncker |
||||
opened the Cape of Good Hope
explored the Niger river basin
discovered that Lake Chad is closed
made the first voyage around Africa
first crossed the Sahara
discovered the Kagera river and the Rwenzori massif
from sailed the Nile to Punt
sailed around southern Africa
discovered Victoria Falls
explored the Nile-Congo watershed
3. Determine which term or concept these definitions correspond to:
reserve | desertification | |||||||
Tropical steppe with tall grasses and rare trees
Strong and hot desert wind carrying clouds of sand
The spread of the desert as a result of unreasonable human economic activity
Plants that live on the trunks of other trees and use the moisture and nutrients of the host and air
Disruption of the continuous distribution of rocks as a result of the movement of the earth's crust
Part of the territory where the entire natural complex is protected in its natural state
A desert area with abundant moisture and rich vegetation
Natural area with hot dry climate and sparse or absent vegetation
Drying riverbeds in North Africa
4. Select which of the following national parks are located in Africa:
a) Kafue b) Wood Buffalo c) Serengeti d) Tsavu e) Banff f) Etosha Pan
g) Taimyr h) Galapagos i) Kruger j) Ngorongoro
5. Determine which natural zone the given statements correspond to.
equatorial forests | tropical deserts |
|
They occupy almost 40% of the mainland area.
Located in the river basin. Congo and along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea.
They occupy almost a third of the mainland, especially in the northern part.
Precipitation occurs throughout the year, especially in the afternoon.
Clouds are rare.
There are two seasons - wet and dry.
Fertile and humus-rich red-brown soils.
There are practically no soils.
Multi-tiered forest vegetation.
Grasses dominate, trees and shrubs grow along rivers or singly.
Vegetation is concentrated in oases.
The most common trees are the baobab and the umbrella acacia.
The most valuable plant is the date palm.
There are many trees with valuable timber.
The richest and most diverse animal world on Earth.
Animals can go without water for a long time or run long distances in search of it.
Many animals live on trees
6. Determine which of the following countries are located in Africa:
a) Albania b) Algeria c) Botswana d) Guatemala e) Denmark f) Cameroon g) Kenya h) Laos i) Mongolia j) Tunisia
ProgramState standard on the corresponding level general education: - certificate ... d) Antarctica b) Africa e) South America c) Eurasia f) North America AFRICA 1. MostbigIsland at shoresAfrican: a) Comoros ... each of them. Test
The largest island in Africa is, of course, Madagascar.
Madagascar is not only the largest African island, but also one of the largest islands in the world - the fourth largest. The French called this island "Great" because of its enormous size. It separated from the African continent more than 100 million years ago. And it seems that according to the testimony of some scientists, Madagascar is still moving away from the continent at an incredible speed - as much as 2 centimeters per century. The island is located in the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of Africa, and from which it is separated by the Strait of Mozambique. The climate on most of the island is tropical, only in the extreme south of the island is subtropical. The length of the island is about 1600 kilometers, the width is over 600 kilometers, the area is 587 040 square kilometers - this is about twenty Moscow regions or the territories of France and Belgium taken together. The highest point of the island is the currently inactive volcano Marumukutru, whose height is 2876 meters, it is located in the Tsaratanana mountain range, in the north of the island. The Anjafi mountain plateau occupies the central part of the island. The mountainous terrain of the island is up to 2600 meters high, rich in minerals and metals: copper, iron, gold; the vast coastal plains are boggy, and some of them are very fertile.
The fauna and flora of Madagascar is quite unique - it contains 5 percent of the species of plants and animals in the world, and 80 percent of them exist only on this African island. Because of this uniqueness, Madagascar is often referred to as the "small continent".
The state of the same name is located in Madagascar, with its capital in the city of Antananarivo, which occupies the territory of the entire island. The state was formed on June 26, 1960, declaring its independence from France. The area is 587,041 square kilometers - forty-fifth in the world. Population 20,042,552, 2008 estimate, 58th in the world.
Previously, there were several states on the island, but the most powerful and developed among them was the state of Imerina, founded by the Merinan people. The heyday of Imerin dates back to the 19th century. The name of this state indicates the place where it was located. Merina is translated into Russian as "highest". The kingdom was located on the High Plateau of Madagascar. At the beginning of the 16th century, Tananarive was founded - "the city of a thousand", which received such a name in memory of the many thousands of troops who annexed the land on which this city was built to the kingdom. The great ruler Ramboazalam, who ruled at the end of the 18th century, significantly expanded the boundaries of the kingdom, uniting under his rule many scattered early tribes. It is Rambozalame who owns the famous formula of a single Madagascar: "Our border is the sea." And soon the unification of the island took place, a state "from sea to sea" was created, which occupied the territory of the entire island. August 10, 1500 Portuguese Diego Diaz was the very first of the Europeans to "discover" Madagascar. Soon after him, the French, British, and Dutch were drawn to the island.
In the 19th century, the state of Imerina achieved quite significant success. Even universal compulsory education was introduced. The level of education of the population in the country increased so much that the royal court dismissed heralds and hung their decrees on the walls of houses. Almost everyone could read them. The Malagasy state continued to develop, the first factories and metallurgical factories appeared on the island, the development of minerals began, periodicals were born, a network of medical institutions was created (in 1870 alone, more than 200 thousand people became their visitors). In 1876 - 6 years earlier than in France - free education was introduced in Madagascar. But despite all this, Imerina could not withstand the onslaught of one of the largest imperialist powers. Relying on military force, exploiting the divisions between the tribes, France annexed the island in 1896. Here there is the fact that before the emergence of European "civilizers" on the island there was a highly developed state in which there already existed what was "supercivilized" and "supercultural" far away - free and universal education, free medical care and almost universal literacy. The only thing that the "civilized" Europeans, the French, clearly surpassed the "wild" African aborigines, was their military strength.
The main population of the island is Malagasy. They speak Malagasy. This language is also called Malgash, and it belongs to the Indonesian group of the Austronesian language family.
The Malagasy language has nothing to do with the surrounding African languages. It is the westernmost of the Malay-Polynesian languages belonging to the Austronesian family. The Malagasy language is related to the languages of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The closest to it are the languages spoken on the island of Borneo. The basic vocabulary of the Malgash language is 90% identical to the vocabulary of the Maanyan language in the Barito River region in southern Borneo. This can only mean one thing, Madagascar was inhabited by people from those places. For what reason this colonization took place is not known for certain. Later, settlers from the distant island of Borneo mingled with Arabs and immigrants from East Africa. Malagasy has loanwords from Bantu, Swahili, and Arabic, as well as from French and English. The language has a written literature since the 15th century and a rich tradition of oral poetry and legends.
Comorians, Chinese, Indians, Creoles, French and Pakistanis make up a fairly small percentage of the island's population.
52 percent of the population are adherents of local ancient traditional beliefs - this is animalism, fetishism, the cult of ancestors, the forces of nature and others, 41 percent are Christians, of which about half are Catholics and half are Protestants, 7 percent are Sunni Muslims - immigrants from Pakistan and the Comoros ... The spread of Christianity began in the 17th century. Most Christians at the same time also profess local traditional beliefs.
From all of the above, I can conclude that the island of Madagascar is quite interesting and unusual place of our globe, with unique flora and fauna, and it is inhabited by people with a peculiar history and culture. In general, this is the place that is in no way inferior to the now popular places of tourism and recreation and is worth visiting. Moreover, since March 1, 2010, the Madagascar authorities have canceled visa fees for all tourists from Russia who come to the island for up to thirty days.
Africa is still full of mysteries today. This continent is washed by the waters of the Red and Mediterranean Seas, as well as the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Its area is more than 30 million km². But this figure includes those adjacent to Black. It is about the islands of Africa that I want to talk in more detail. They are, like fragments of paradise, scattered in the warm waters of the oceans. Each island is beautiful in its own way.
Madagascar island
Information about this bright exotic location many have learned from the children's cartoon of the same name. On TV screens, we saw funny fussy lemurs, greedy and voracious foss and other unusual heroes. The thing is that this island separated from Africa and India many millions of years ago, and there is concentrated a large number of endemic animals.
Madagascar, like many African islands, used to be a foreign colony. For a long time, the French ruled here. Today it is self-sustaining with a population of over 17 million.
Madagascar, like other islands in South Africa, is a unique holiday destination. After all, in fact, this is a huge open-air zoo. Here baobabs support the sky, and gentle waves tickle the golden sand of beaches, the total length of which exceeds 5 thousand km. The year here mainly consists of sunny days, and the water in the ocean is always warm. The winds have been blowing for only a few months. The dry season lasts from April to November.
Madeira Island
The island in the north of the Atlantic is also amazing. It is located on the African lithospheric plate and is geographically assigned to Africa. But it is so intertwined with Europe by cultural, ethnic and political roots that it has become a part of it.
The island is of volcanic origin with a subtropical and tropical climate. The air temperature here is 20-30 ° C, and the Gulf Stream provides warm water near the beaches. Madeira Island has a rich flora. There are also many endemics preserved here. About 20% of the island's area is occupied by laurisilva relict forests. The Madeira dove and many endemic insects are found here.
Madeira Island is an autonomous part of Portugal.
The Canary Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Geographically, these are the islands of Africa, and politically, the autonomous community of Spain. The largest of these is Tenerife.
The climate of the Canary Islands is characterized as a tropical trade wind. It is hot and dry here, the proximity of the eastern lands of the archipelago is generally arid.
The Canary Islands are popular resorts that gather wealthy tourists from all over the world.
Bazaruto Islands
It is a unique archipelago of five islands off the coast of Mozambique. Here, among the orange trees, there are very expensive resorts inscribed in the African flavor. Moreover, two of the five islands are considered uninhabited.
Archipelago Bazaruto - islands off the coast of Africa, declared a national natural park. Everything is protected here: salt lakes, coral reefs, and unique beaches. Holidays on the islands are imbued with incredible beauty and tranquility.
Zanzibar archipelago
Zanzibar is located near mainland Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. The largest islands of the archipelago are Pemba and Unguja. The climate here is warm and humid. The archipelago is famous for its unique white sand on numerous beaches. There are also many endemic plants and animals preserved here. On the islands you can observe giant turtles, colorful butterflies and red monkeys.
You can relax in Zanzibar all year round. The air and water temperatures are very comfortable. Numerous African islands that make up this archipelago have convenient and well-developed infrastructure. Here you can find activities for every taste.
There are many islands, both large and small, adjacent to the African continent. Some of them are so remote from the mainland that it would be more correct to attribute them to oceanic islands. The flora and fauna are not always very different from the coastal regions of the mainland, but endemic life forms are often found. Washed by the warm waters of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the African islands look like paradises among the endless expanses of water. This article provides a list of the ten largest islands in Africa with names, brief description, photo and location on the map.
Tristan de Cunha archipelago
Tristan da Cunha island
The total area of all the islands of the archipelago is 207 km², and the largest island, Tristan de Cunha, has an area of 98 km². The island is round in shape and 9.5 km in diameter. This is the most remote land from the African continent, located in the southwest. Tristan de Cunha was formed thanks to the active volcano Queen Mary about 1 million years ago.
Tristan de Cunha on the map / Wikipedia
The island has a rocky coastline and mountainous terrain. Rainy weather with winds prevails on the island. There are practically no mammals, and the Tristan shepherd boy lives among the birds. The flora is represented by shrubs and dwarf trees. Tristan de Cunha, together with the islands of Saint Helena and Ascension, belongs to the British overseas territories. The permanent population lives in the capital city of Edinburgh.
Sao Tome
The area of the island is 854 km²; length - 48 km, width - 32 km. Sao Tome is located at west coast African mainland at a distance of 240 km from the port city of Port-Gentil, Gabon, as well as 2 km north of. The island is of volcanic origin. Convenient bays and bays have formed along the coastline. Most of the island is occupied by mountains up to 2024 m high. Rapid rivers are the sources of fresh water.
Sam Tome Island on the map / Wikipedia
Sao Tome is famous for its citrus and peach groves. Coconut and banana palms grow on the plains. The coastal waters are inhabited by barbells and sailfish. There are many amazing and endemic bird species on the island. Of the animals, sea turtles are remembered, which lay their eggs on local beaches. Sao Tome is part of the island state of Sao Tome and Principe. The indigenous people are the descendants of slaves, except for them, Creoles live on the territory. In total, the island is home to over 150,000 people, or 96% of the country's total population.
Zanzibar
The area of the island is 1666 km²; length about 85 km, width - 30 km. The island is located in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of the continent. Zanzibar is a mainland island that was formed about 20 million years ago. The coast is replete with small islands, rocks and reefs. In the central part of the island is Mount Karnuhala, which has a height of 136 m. There are many rivers on the island that flow into the Zanzibar Strait.
Zanzibar island on the map / Wikipedia
The flora is not very diverse; several types of palm trees dominate. Due to the abundance on the coasts, various species of birds build their nests. National park teeming with monkeys, flying dogs and turtles. The island belongs to Tanzania. Zanzibarians are from mainland Africa.
Mauritius
The area of the island is 1865 km²; length - 65 km, width - 45 km. The island is located in the Indian Ocean at a distance of about 900 km from Madagascar. Mauritius is of volcanic origin. The island has mountains that used to be active volcanoes.
Mauritius island map / Wikipedia
About 400 plant species grow in Mauritius. Various amphibians have chosen the coastal zone. almost not represented. Mauritius is an island state. Indigenous population calls himself Indo-Mauritians.
Bioko
Bioko area - 2017 km²; length about 70 km, width - 32 km. The island is located 32 km from the west coast of Africa. Bioko is of volcanic origin. There are many craters of extinct volcanoes on the island. Before the sea level rose about 10 thousand years ago, Bioko was a peninsula attached to the territory of modern Cameroon. The highest point of the island, Pico Basile, is 3012 m above sea level.
Bioko Island on the map / Wikipedia
Diverse due to its fertile soil. Most of the territory is covered with tropical forests. is also rich due to its close location to the continent and the absence of large ones. The island belongs to Equatorial Guinea. The indigenous people call themselves bubi and fernandino.
Tenerife
The area of the island is 2034 km²; length about 80 km, width - 11 km. The island is located in the Atlantic off the northwest coast of Africa, and is the largest in the Canary Islands archipelago. Tenerife is of volcanic origin. There are many rocks along the shores, and the area itself is mountainous.
Tenerife island map / Wikipedia
The climate of the north and south is influenced by a mountain range that divides the island in half. The unique flora is represented by balsamic milkweed, Canarian pine, dracaena. Nowhere else in the world can you find the Tenerife gecko, spotted lizard and skink. The island belongs to Spain. The indigenous population by all indications is Spanish.
Comoros
Mayotte island
The area of the archipelago is 2236 km². The Comoros are of volcanic origin and are located in the Indian Ocean between continental Africa and Madagascar. The most ancient island of the archipelago, Mayotte, has an area of about 360 km²; length - 39 km, width - 20 km. All year round, the archipelago is dominated by a humid climate without significant temperature fluctuations. The flora and fauna, despite this, are diverse.
Comoros on the map / Wikipedia
Most of the area is covered with evergreen forests. In coastal coral reefs live different kinds fish, as well as sharks and manta rays. Of the animals, lemurs, turtles, bats and mongooses live here. The islands of the archipelago belong to the Comoros and France, and are inhabited by Aborigines, Arabs and immigrants from France.
Reunion
The area of the island is 2511 km²; length - 63 km, width - 45 km. The island is located in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar and 175 km from Mauritius. The reunion was formed as a result of volcanic activity. There are large lava fields on it, part of the area is covered with forests.
Reunion Island map / Wikipedia
Many species of birds live here. An oceanarium and a croco-park have been created on the island. Reunion belongs to the overseas possessions of France. The Creoles are considered indigenous people, in addition to them, Indians and French live on the island.
Socotra
The area of the island is 3626 km²; length - 130 km, width - 42 km. Socotra is located in the Indian Ocean east of the mainland, 240 km from the Horn of Africa. It was formed as a result of the shift of tectonic plates. The coast is dominated by coral reefs and rocks.
Socotra Island on the map / Wikipedia
The island has a unique flora and fauna. Only here you can see the dragon tree, long-tailed starling and the Socotran sunbird. Socotra belongs to Yemen. The population is mainly represented by the local ethnos, Socotrians.
Madagascar
The area of the island is 587041 km²; length - 1600 km, width - 400 km. It is a mainland island located in the southeast direction from the coast of mainland Africa. The mountainous relief smoothly turns into plains. The highest point is the extinct volcano Marumukutru, 2876 m. The river system is replete with waterfalls and rapids. The climate is monsoon, equatorial.
Madagascar island map / Wikipedia
Minerals have been found on the island. The flora and fauna have been preserved since ancient times and about 90% of the species are endemic. Only here you can see iron wood, baobab, rosewood. Madagascar is famous for lemurs, tomato frogs and leaf-tailed geckos. The territory of the island is under the control of the Republic of Madagascar. The population of about 25 million is represented mainly by the Malagasy ethnic group.
