Geography of Southern Africa
By: Abhiram k
Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland at the tip of South Africa. The cape was used as a stopping point for trade ships between Europe and other European colonies in the East and therefore was very important in its history. Though the cape was very important in its history, it is also very critical today.Countless boats pass though the harbor every day. Cape of Good Hope is a part of many trade routes and will always remain a strategic the and economic importance.
The Namib Desert
The Namib desert is a coastal desert, located in the southwest coast. It stretches for over 2000 Kilometers and takes up part of Angola,Namibia and South Africa. The temperatures in the Namib desert can reach a sweltering 45 degrees and during the night they can drop to even freezing. Though the Namib may seem as if there is nothing there the area is actually rich with diamonds,tungsten and salt. This makes the desert very important.
Johannesburg
By population the city of Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa. The city is one of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the entire world. Johannesburg is one of the world's leading financial centers. The economy mainly depended on mining, but since now there are service and manufacturing industries mining is no that big. The city has a wide array of industries which includes banking, IT, real estate and others.
Zambezi RIver
The Zambezi River is the fourth longest river in Africa, and is also the largest river that empties out in the Indian Ocean. A notable feature of the 2575 Kilometer long river is Victoria Falls. About 32 million people live in the Zambezi River Valley, and most of this population depends on agriculture. Many people also fish in the river. The Zambezi river is also a form of transportation. But because the river has many rapid it cannot be used for long distance travel.
Limpopo River
The Limpopo river starts at Central Southern Africa and end at the Indian Ocean. The Limpopo is estimated to be 1750 Kilometers long. The river helps to provide water for farming.
Lusaka
Zambia's largest city and also capital is Lusaka. Lusaka is one of the fastest growing cities in South Africa. Lusaka is the center of both government and commerce in Zambia. Lusaka has a mixed economy and it makes cement,textiles and food products.
Kalahari Desert
Kalahari in Afrikaans means thirsty land. The Kalahari desert is 900,00 sq kilometers occupying parts of Botswana South Africa and Namibia. The Kalahari Desert is not a sandy desert but more of just a dry land. In some spaces there is even place for animals to graze. The Kalahari also provides food,shelter and nutrients to many animals.
Cabinda
is a Province of Angola. When Angola won its independence from Portugal Cabinda was the main place of fighting. Cabindan separatists are fighting against Angolan forces as they have been accused for human rights abuses. In 2002 the Angolan forces gained the upper hand. Though Cabinda has offshore oil wealth it has not been able to take advantage of it due to all of the fighting.
Orange River
The Orange river is the longest river in Africa. It flows from the Drakensburg Mountains and flows in the direction of the Atlantic ocean. The Orange River is essential for the South African economy. It provides water for irrigation and hydroelectric power.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is located on the Zambezi River at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The falls were named after David Livingston who was a Scottish man who is said to be the first European to see Victoria Falls. He named the falls Victoria falls in the name of the Scottish queen, Queen Victoria. While Victoria falls are neither the tallest or widest waterfall they are the largest in size. It has a height of 1708 meters, and a base of 108 meters, which creates the largest falling sheet of water in the world. Victoria Falls is important because it attracts tourists and gives people in the area jobs in the National Parks.