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African Geography & Empire

Total questions: 49

Worksheet time: 29mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the world's second largest continent?

a)

Asia

b)

Africa

c)

Europe

d)

North America

2.

How many countries are in Africa?

a)

45

b)

52

c)

60

d)

48

3.

What percentage of the world's population lives in Africa?

a)

5%

b)

10%

c)

15%

d)

20%

4.

What are the major physical features of Africa?

a)

Mountains, rivers, lakes

b)

Deserts, forests, plains

c)

Sahara, Sahel, savannahs, tropical rain forests

d)

Valleys, plateaus, hills

5.

What is the Sahara?

a)

A large mountain range

b)

The world's largest hot desert

c)

A vast ocean

d)

A dense forest

6.

How much of Africa does the Sahara cover?

a)

1/4

b)

1/3

c)

1/2

d)

2/3

7.

What are the living conditions like in the Sahara?

a)

Many people live there comfortably

b)

Very few people live there due to harsh conditions

c)

It is a popular tourist destination

d)

It is densely populated

8.

What does the word 'Sahel' mean?

a)

Desert

b)

Forest

c)

Border or margin

d)

River

9.

What is the Sahel?

a)

A large river

b)

A strip of dry grassland located south of the Sahara

c)

A mountain range

d)

A tropical rainforest located north of the Sahara

10.

What is the climate like in the Sahel?

a)

Wet and tropical

b)

Dry, semi-arid with 6-20 inches of rainfall

c)

Cold and snowy

d)

Humid and rainy 15-20 inches of rainfall

11.

What are the characteristics of the African savanna?

a)

Cold, icy plains

b)

Hot, dry grasslands with diverse wildlife

c)

Dense, tropical forests with a great deal of wildlife

d)

Mountainous regions

12.

Where is Africa's tropical rain forest located?

a)

Northern Africa

b)

Along the central coast of Africa, near the Equator

c)

Along the coast of Southern Africa near the Cape of Good Hope

d)

Eastern Africa

13.

What is the Congo River?

a)

A large desert in North Africa

b)

A mountain range

c)

A river in west central Africa, over 3,000 miles long

d)

A tropical rainforest

14.

What is the Nile River known for?

a)

It is the world's longest river at 4,150 miles.

b)

It is the largest river in Asia.

c)

It is the shortest river in Africa with over a billion cubic feet of water

d)

It is the widest river in the world.

15.

What is Lake Victoria?

a)

The largest lake in Africa and the second largest freshwater lake in the world.

b)

The smallest lake in Africa but the third largest fresh water lake in the world.

c)

A saltwater lake in Europe.

d)

A desert in Africa.

16.

What is the Great Rift Valley?

a)

A giant dip in the Earth's surface, created by tectonic plate separation.

b)

A mountain range in Asia that reaches over 20,000 feet all along its mountain tops.

c)

A river in South America.

d)

A desert in Australia.

17.

What is Mt. Kilimanjaro?

a)

The tallest mountain in Africa, rising 19,340 feet above sea level.

b)

The longest river in Africa.

c)

A desert in Africa over 4,000 miles long

d)

A lake in Europe.

18.

What are the Atlas Mountains?

a)

A mountain range in North Africa extending from Morocco to Tunisia.

b)

A river in South America.

c)

A mountain range in Southern Africa extending from The Congo to Mozambique .

d)

A lake in North America.

19.

What is the Kalahari Desert?

a)

A large arid to semi-arid sandy area located in southwestern Africa.

b)

A mountain range in Europe.

c)

A large arid to semi-arid sandy area located in northwestern Africa.

d)

A river in Asia.

20.

How much rain does the Kalahari Desert receive?

a)

3-10 inches of rain per year.

b)

50-60 inches of rain per year.

c)

100-150 inches of rain per year.

d)

200-250 inches of rain per year.

21.

What is unique about the vegetation in the Kalahari Desert?

a)

It supports grass, shrubs, and wild animals due to underground water supplies.

b)

It has no vegetation at all.

c)

It is covered with dense forests.

d)

It is home to only aquatic plants.

22.

What are some major rivers in Africa?

a)

Congo River, Niger River, Nile River.

b)

Amazon River, Mississippi River, Yangtze River.

c)

Thames River, Seine River, Danube River.

d)

Ganges River, Indus River, Brahmaputra River.

23.

What is the significance of the Nile River for Sudan and Egypt?

a)

It provides water, transportation, and irrigation for agriculture.

b)

It is a major tourist attraction.

c)

It is a source of gold and diamonds.

d)

It is a natural barrier against invasions.

24.

What is the climate of Africa's tropical rain forest?

a)

Hot and humid with over 17 feet of annual rainfall.

b)

Cold and dry with little rainfall.

c)

Mild and temperate with moderate rainfall.

d)

Hot and arid with no rainfall.

25.

What is the impact of deforestation on Africa's tropical rain forest?

a)

About 90% of the rain forest has shrunk due to deforestation.

b)

About 50% of the rain forest has shrunk due to deforestation.

c)

About 30% of the rain forest has shrunk due to deforestation.

d)

About 10% of the rain forest has shrunk due to deforestation.

26.

What types of wildlife can be found in the African savanna?

a)

Lions, zebras, elephants.

b)

Tigers, pandas, kangaroos.

c)

Penguins, polar bears, seals.

d)

Koalas, emus, dingoes.

27.

What is the geographical significance of the Sahara Desert?

a)

It divides Africa into North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

b)

It is the largest desert in the world.

c)

It is home to the largest population of camels.

d)

It is the hottest place on Earth.

28.

What is the vegetation like in the Sahel?

a)

Sparse, with unevenly distributed grasses and shrubs.

b)

Dense, with thick forests and jungles.

c)

Lush, with abundant tropical plants.

d)

Barren, with no vegetation at all.

29.

This African Empire in Ethiopia was known for its powerful navy and trade system.

a)

Aksum

b)

Mali

c)

Ghana

d)

Benin

30.

This African Empire in Nigeria was known for its production of Brass and its trade network on the Niger River.

a)

Benin

b)

Kush

c)

Aksum

d)

Mali

31.

This African Empire was known for its massive wealth due primarily to the resource of gold.

a)

Ghana

b)

Aksum

c)

Kush

d)

Benin

32.

This African Empire was known for the Lion King and King Mansa Musa. Other than Solomon, king Mansa Musa may have been the second richest man in history (supposedly worth 400 billion dollars).

a)

Mali

b)

Ghana

c)

Aksum

d)

Kush

33.

This African Empire in the Sudan was known to be very similar to Egypt. This kingdom built pyramids.

a)

Kush

b)

Mali

c)

Benin

d)

Ghana

34.

Which African Empire of West Africa was known for its strong centralized government and a mighty 200,000 man army?

a)

Zulu

b)

Carthage

c)

Songhai

d)

Punt

35.

Which African Empire in Somalia was known as the Atlantis of Africa due to its homes being built on stilts over water?

a)

Zulu

b)

Punt

c)

Songhai

d)

Carthage

36.

Which African Empire in South Africa had a very fierce and well-trained army that defeated the first British attempt to take them over?

a)

Carthage

b)

Songhai

c)

Zulu

d)

Punt

37.

Which African Empire in Tunisia had a constitution with a system of checks and balances and fought major wars with Rome known as the Punic Wars?

a)

Songhai

b)

Zulu

c)

Punt

d)

Carthage

38.

What river is labeled on this map?

a)

Zambezi River

b)

Nile River

c)

Congo River

d)

Niger River

39.

What is the name of the yellow zone found approximately in the center of this map of Africa?

a)

Congo

b)

Sahara

c)

Kalahari

d)

Sahel

40.

The red line on this map represents what major river?

a)

Amazon

b)

Nile

c)

Euphrates

d)

Tigris

41.

Which region of Africa is GREY on the map?

a)

Northern Africa

b)

Southern Africa

c)

Eastern Africa

d)

Central Africa

42.

Which region of Africa is BLUE on the map?

a)

Northern Africa

b)

Southern Africa

c)

Eastern Africa

d)

Central Africa

43.

Which region of Africa is GREEN on the map?

a)

Northern Africa

b)

Western Africa

c)

Eastern Africa

d)

Central Africa

44.

Which region of Africa is YELLOW on the map?

a)

Northern Africa

b)

Western Africa

c)

Eastern Africa

d)

South Africa

45.

Which region of Africa is ORANGE on the map?

a)

Northern Africa

b)

Western Africa

c)

Eastern Africa

d)

South Africa

46.

What geographic feature is circled on the map?

a)

Kalahari Desert

b)

Congo River

c)

Congo Basin or Congo Rainforest

d)

Sahara Desert

47.

What geographic feature is circled on the map?

a)

Kalahari Desert

b)

Congo River

c)

Congo Basin or Congo Rainforest

d)

Sahara Desert

48.

What does this picture show?

a)
  1. Savanna

b)
  1. Desert

c)
  1. Sahel

d)
  1. Tropical Rainforest

49-53.

Exploring Ancient African Kingdoms

The Mali Empire was one of the most powerful and wealthy kingdoms in ancient Africa. It was located in West Africa and was known for its rich culture and trade. The empire was famous for its gold, which attracted traders from all over the world. Mansa Musa, one of its greatest rulers, was known for his pilgrimage to Mecca, where he displayed the empire's wealth. The Mali Empire played a significant role in spreading Islam in Africa.

The Ghana Empire, not to be confused with the modern country of Ghana, was another influential kingdom in West Africa. It existed before the Mali Empire and was known for its strong economy. The empire's wealth came from controlling trade routes and taxing goods like gold and salt. The Ghana Empire was a center of trade and culture, attracting merchants from different regions. It eventually declined due to invasions and internal conflicts.

The Kingdom of Axum was located in what is now Ethiopia and Eritrea. It was a powerful trading empire that connected Africa with Asia and Europe. Axum was known for its impressive architecture, including tall stone obelisks. The kingdom adopted Christianity in the 4th century, making it one of the earliest Christian states in the world. Axum's strategic location helped it become a major center of trade and culture.

These ancient African kingdoms were known for their rich cultures and contributions to world history. They were centers of trade, religion, and learning, influencing regions far beyond their borders. The wealth and power of these kingdoms were built on trade, especially in gold and other valuable resources. Their legacies continue to be studied and admired today. Understanding these kingdoms helps us appreciate the diverse history of Africa.

Learning about the Mali Empire, Ghana Empire, and Axum Kingdom gives us insight into the past. These kingdoms show us how advanced and interconnected ancient African societies were. They remind us of the importance of trade, culture, and religion in shaping history. By studying these kingdoms, we can better understand the rich heritage of Africa. These stories inspire us to learn more about the world and its history.

49.

What was the Mali Empire known for?

a)

Its rich culture and trade

b)

Its military conquests

c)

Its isolation from other regions

d)

Its lack of resources

50.

Who was one of the greatest rulers of the Mali Empire?

a)

Mansa Musa

b)

Sundiata Keita

c)

Askia the Great

d)

Sunni Ali

51.

What was the main source of wealth for the Ghana Empire?

a)

Controlling trade routes and taxing goods

b)

Agriculture and farming

c)

Mining silver

d)

Fishing and maritime trade

52.

Which kingdom was known for its impressive architecture, including tall stone obelisks?

a)

The Kingdom of Axum

b)

The Mali Empire

c)

The Ghana Empire

d)

The Songhai Empire

53.

In which century did the Kingdom of Axum adopt Christianity?

a)

4th century

b)

5th century

c)

6th century

d)

7th century