KOTEBE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION,MENELIK I,SCIENCE SHARED CAMPUS GEOGRAPHY NOTE FOR GRADE 10 2017/2024

UNIT- TWO:
2. CLIMATE OF AFRICA:
2.1 OVERVIEW OF WORLD CLIMATIC REGIONS AND TYPES:
Questions to do:
 What is a climate?
 What is weather?
 What is climate classification?
 What is the function of climate classification?
Climate:
 Climate is an average of weather conditions in a place over a long period of time for 30 years or more
Weather:
 Refers to a short-term atmospheric condition such as the temperature and precipitation on a certain day, the state of the atmosphere with respect to
heat or cold, wetness or dryness, calm or storm, clearness, or cloudiness.
Climatic region:
 Refers to a continuous geographic area in which similar climate characteristics are observed
2.1.1. Climate Classifications:
Ancient Greek climate classification system:
 There are various classification schemes used by climatologists for categorizing world’s climate into different regions, based on temperature and
sunshine with in latitudinal boundaries
 The first attempt at climate classification was made by the ancient Greeks, who divided each hemisphere into three zones:
 Torrid (tropical),
 Temperate, and
 Frigid

N.B:
 Climatic zones are spacious areas with a climatic similarity. The climate zones spread in an east-west direction around the Earth and can be
classified using different climatic parameters.
 Climatic region refers to a continuous geographic area in which similar climate characteristics are observed.
 Average temperature is the most important factor in determining climate regions of the world, although other weather aspects like precipitation
play roles.
 Climatic zones are spacious areas with a climatic similarity. The study of climate mostly uses averages or mean values of recorded data.
 Climate classifications help people know what types of conditions a region usually experiences throughout the year.
 Different functions of knowing a regions climate - useful when choosing building materials for protection and durability, or when considering what
crops are likely (or unlikely) to thrive in a region. For tourists, knowing a location’s climate classification can help them select and pack appropriate
clothing.

1 ‘’The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experience’’.
Mark Patterson
 KOTEBE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION,MENELIK I,SCIENCE SHARED CAMPUS GEOGRAPHY NOTE FOR GRADE 10 2017/2024

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, however, many climate-classification schemes have been devised. Long-term records of temperature and
precipitation reveal climate patterns across continents, delineating them into climate regions. Class names for classification systems based on weather patterns
often include geographical names such as polar, tropical, continental, and marine. These terms are modified by terms
describing temperature and moisture, or the intensity of weather during summer or winter. The descriptors that are used in this method of classification include
moist or dry, warm or cold, and temperate or severe.
Today, climate scientists split the earth into approximately five major types:
 Tropical
 Dry,
 Temperate,
 Continental, and
 Polar climates
By considering a variety of factors including: altitude, air pressure, wind patterns, latitude and geographical characteristics such as mountains and oceans.
Wladimir Koppen (1846-1940) climate classification system:
 One of the most widely used classification schemes is made by the German Climatologist and Botanist called Wladimir Koppen
 He divided the world’s climates into categories based upon general temperature profiles related to latitude
 He is classification uses easily obtained data: mean monthly and annual values of temperature and precipitation.
 He believed that the distribution of natural vegetation was the best expression of an overall climate.
Koppen recognized five principal climate groups, each designated with a capital letter:
 A (Humid tropical),
 B (Dry),
 C (Humid middle-latitude, mild winters),
 D (Humid middle-latitude, severe winters), and
 E (Polar), and
 H (Highland).
Four groups (A, C, D, E) are defined by temperature. The fifth, (group B), has precipitation as its primary criterion, while H is determined by altitude.
2.1.2 World climate zones and regions:
 Climate zones are areas with distinct climates, which occur in the east-west direction around the Earth, and they can be classified using different
climatic parameters.
 Generally, climate zones are belt-shaped and circular around the poles, but some areas, climate zones can be interrupted by mountains or oceans
The solar radiation reaches the ground on different parts of the Earth at different angles. On the equator, the sunlight reaches the ground almost perpendicularly,
whilst at the poles the angle of the Sun is lower or even under the horizon during the polar night. Due to temperature differences caused by the differences in
radiation, recurring climatic conditions develop.
There are four major global climate zones:
1. Tropical Zone from (0°– 23.5° ):
 The region lies between tropics
 In the regions the solar radiation reaches the ground nearly vertically at noontime during almost the entire year.
 The regions very warm throughout the year
 Through high temperatures, more water evaporates and the air is often moist.
 The resulting frequent and dense cloud cover reduces the effect of solar radiation on the ground temperature.
2. Subtropics Zone from (23.5°– 40°):
 It receives the highest radiation in summer, since the Sun’s angle at noon is almost vertical to the Earth, whilst the cloud cover is relatively thin.
 These regions receive less moisture (see trade winds), which increases the effect of radiation.
 Therefore, most of the deserts in the world are situated in this zone. In winter, the radiation in these regions decreases significantly, and it can
temporarily be very cool and moist.
3. Temperate Zone (40°– 60° ):
 The solar radiation arrives at a lower angle, and the average temperatures here are much cooler than in the subtropics.
 The seasons and day length differ significantly in the course of a year
 The climate is characterized by less frequent extremes, more regular distribution of the precipitation over the year and a longer vegetation period –
therefore, it is named as “temperate”.
4. Cold Zone ( 60°– 90°):
 The receive less heat through solar radiation, since there is very low angle of the Sun. Because of the changes of the Earth axis angle to the Sun, the
day length varies most in this zone.

2 ‘’The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experience’’.
Mark Patterson
 KOTEBE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION,MENELIK I,SCIENCE SHARED CAMPUS GEOGRAPHY NOTE FOR GRADE 10 2017/2024

For instance, in the summer, polar days occur. Vegetation is only possible during a few months per year and even it is often sparse. The conditions in these
regions make life very challenging.
Generally, the characteristics of the climate zones change with great altitude differences within a small area, like in mountain areas, since temperatures
decrease rapidly with altitude.

Questions to do:
1. What is climate classification?
2. How do scientists classify world climates into different types?
3. List the main climate types according to the ancient Greeks.
4. List the main climate types according to Koppen.
5. What criteria had Koppen used in climate classification?
2.2 Climate types and zones of Africa:
Questions to do:
 What are the major types and zones of climate in Africa?
 Which factors determine the types of climates in Africa?

The climate of Africa is characterized by a range of climates such as the equatorial climate, the tropical wet and dry climate, the tropical monsoon climate, the
semiarid climate (semi-desert and steppe), the desert climate (hyper-arid and arid), and the subtropical highland climate. Temperate climates are rare across
the continent except at very high elevations and along the fringes of the continent. The climate of Africa is more variable in rainfall amount than in
temperatures, which are consistently high. African deserts are the sunniest and the driest parts of the continent, owing to the prevailing presence of the
subtropical ridge with subsiding, hot, dry air masses
2.2.1 Types and characteristics of climate zones in Africa:
1. The Equatorial Climate Region:
 Is experienced in the lowland area between latitudes 5 0N and 50S of the equator
 Covers mainly parts of Central Africa which includes the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Cameroon
 It is also experienced in the Southern part of Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and Sera Leone.
 Highland and coastal areas, especially in Eastern Africa, experience modified equatorial climate where the temperature is much lower than it is
experienced in the true equatorial climate.
 In the Equatorial climate, temperatures are very high throughout the year averaging about 26°C, the hottest months in the year are March and
September when the sun is overhead at the equator.
 The diurnal temperature range is very low, about 3°C.
 There is often heavy cloud cover and the humidity is high throughout the year.
 This region mainly receives convectional rainfall
2. The Tropical Wet-and-Dry Region:
 Is often called the savanna climatic region; this implies, incorrectly, that all areas with savanna vegetation have this type of climate.
 This region covers a little less than half of the total surface area of the continent, extending toward the Equator from the semiarid areas.
 The great distinguishing feature of this climatic region is the seasonal character of its rainfall
 During the period of high sun, the maritime air masses produce up to six months of rainfall, the length of the rainy season depending on the nearness
to the Equator. The rest of the year is dry.
 In a few places, for example, on the coast of Mauritania and Senegal, there is also a little rainfall in the period of low sun.
 As in the desert and semiarid climatic zones, mean monthly temperatures show less variation than daily temperatures
 In western Africa, the period of low sun corresponds to the harmattan season
 is characterized by; covering very large area, has seasonal rainfall, and has double passage of the ITCZ, hence has double peaks of rainfall.
Harmattan:
 Is a warm, dry, northeasterly or easterly wind that blows out of the southern Sahara and is frequently laden with large quantities of sand and dust.

3 ‘’The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experience’’.
Mark Patterson
 KOTEBE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION,MENELIK I,SCIENCE SHARED CAMPUS GEOGRAPHY NOTE FOR GRADE 10 2017/2024

3. Semi-arid Climatic Region:

 This region fringes the desert areas and include the greater part of the land south of the Zambezi River
 They differ from true desert regions in being just within reach of the ITCZ in the course of its seasonal movement and therefore receiving more
rainfall.
 Temperatures are about the same as those in the desert regions.
4. The Hot Desert Climatic Region :
 are places where there is little or no rainfall
 The hot desert region consists of the Sahara and Kalahari deserts, which are always under the influence of dry continental tropical air masses, and
the northern Kenya–Somali desert, the aridity of which is principally caused by the stable nature of the maritime air masses that pass over it
throughout the year.
 The stability of these maritime air masses is induced by their passing over the cool body of water offshore. In addition to aridity, the desert climate is
characterized by high mean monthly temperatures; the diurnal (daily) temperature range is, however, greater than the annual range of the mean
monthly.
 The daytime temperatures are extremely high; temperatures usually range between 30ºC - 40ºC, some places in the Sahara Desert experience above
40°C, the highest ever recorded temperature in the region, and also in the world, was 58°C in Azizia, Libya.
 At night, temperatures are very low, dropping to below 10º C.
 The skies are clear and because of this, the heat received from the sun during the day is quickly lost back into the atmosphere at night.
5. Mediterranean Climate Region:
 This climate is also called Warm Temperate Western Margin Climate and it is experienced in very small areas of the continent.
 The Mediterranean climate is best developed on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
 It is also experienced in the South Western tip of Africa.
 Temperatures in the Mediterranean climate region range from 10º C in winter to about 21º C in summer.
 These areas lie in the path of westerly winds.
 In the summer season, winds blow from the land to the sea.
 Therefore, they are dry winds. Winters are wet because cool moist winds blow towards the land from the sea.
 The influence of moist westerly winds also makes the winters mild.
 The average amount of rainfall each year is about 500-750 mm.
6. The Warm Temperate East Coast Climate Region:
 The climate is experienced between latitudes 30º - 40º North of the Equator and 30º - 40º South of the Equator.
 It is experienced along the Eastern coast of South Africa, especially in Natal and Cape Provinces, as well as in Mozambique.
 These areas are under the strong influence of the warm Mozambique current and the warm southeast trade winds.
 Summer temperatures are generally high with an average of about 26ºC.
 Winter temperatures are low, averaging about 10ºC. Annual rainfall is between 1000 - 1500 mm per year but it decreases as one moves westwards
into the interior.
7. Warm Temperate Continental Climate Region:
 This climate is mainly experienced in the interior of South Africa, between the Drakensberg Mountains and the Kalahari Desert.
 The rainfall amount is generally low because the area is inland and the winds blowing from the sea reach here when they are already dry.
 Most of the rain falls during the winter season and averages about 700 mm per year.
 The Eastern areas are wetter than those in the West which are close to the Kalahari Desert.
 The annual temperature ranges from about 26ºC in summer to about 10ºC in winter.
8. The Mountain Climatic Region:
 This climate region includes the high mountain areas of Kenya, Ethiopia and the lakes region of East Africa.
 In some respects, the climate is similar to the warm temperate upland climate, except the temperatures are even lower and snow occurs on the tops
of the highest peaks, such as Kilimanjaro.
 The area receives more rainfall than the surrounding areas. It mostly receives relief rainfall, formed as the warm moist winds are forced to rise up
the highlands.

4 ‘’The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experience’’.
Mark Patterson
 KOTEBE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION,MENELIK I,SCIENCE SHARED CAMPUS GEOGRAPHY NOTE FOR GRADE 10 2017/2024

 The highest amount of rainfall is received on the windward slopes. At the lower slopes, the mountains are warmer and wetter. The slopes facing away
from the sea are called leeward or rain shadow slopes.
 They receive little or no rain. The winds here are descending and have a cooling effect. Temperature decreases with an increase in altitude. At the very
top of high mountains, temperatures are below freezing point.
2.2.2 Factors Controlling Climate of Africa:
Questions to do:
 How does latitude affect the climate of Africa?
 How does altitude affect the climate of Africa?
 What is the effect of warm and cool ocean currents on the climate of adjacent areas?
 Is the ITCZ a high-pressure or low-pressure cell area?
1. Latitude and its influence on solar radiation received:
 Africa straddles the Equator from 37⁰ N to 34⁰ S, hence it lies within the tropics. Variations in the receipt of solar energy and temperature differences
are largely a function of latitude.
 Temperature is high throughout the continent because of the continent’s location relative to Equator.
 As latitude increases, the sun shines more obliquely and provides less energy.
 The equator, however, faces the sun’s rays directly, so the climate is warm year-round.
2. Pressure Systems, Winds, and the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ):
 Located on about Latitude 30o North and South of the Equator are Sub-tropical High Pressure Belts that dictate surface wind patterns and influence
rainfall and temperature regimes on the continent.
 The Subtropical High-Pressure Systems on both sides of the Equator generate two wind systems that converge on the equator in a zone termed as
Inter-Tropical Converge Zone (ITCZ).
 From the north, Subtropical High-Pressure Belt zone blows the Northeast Trade Winds (locally called Harmattan). The Harmattan dry and cool and
blows over Sub-Saharan Africa from about November to April. From the south Sub-tropical High Pressure belt zone blows the Southwest Trade Winds
(locally called Monsoon).
The Monsoon winds are moist and bring rainfall to the coasts of West Africa. The African continent does not extend much beyond 35o of latitude from the equator.
The implication is that the range of climatic conditions is limited and that the general direction of wind movement is towards the equator (or in more accurate
terms towards the inter-tropical convergence zone - ITCZ). The ITCZ shifts with the seasonal movement of the sun across the tropics:
In June:
 The northern summer season, the ITCZ is located at about 13 degrees of latitude in North Africa at the southern boundary of the Sahara.
In December, the Northern winter season, the ITCZ moves southward along the West African Coast and to the northern and eastern margins of the Congo basin
and continues to Madagascar.
Movements in the ITCZ are closely related to the distribution of rainfall and climatic zones. The climatic zones assume symmetry around the equator, although the
high altitudes in some parts of the continent and the adjacent disturb the symmetry.
3. Major Ocean Currents:
Winds that tend to blow persistently over the ocean tend to drag a thin surface layer of the water in their direction of flow. This layer of ocean water called Ocean
Current dictates the temperature and moisture characteristics of the wind and the coastal regions over which the wind blows. When ocean currents blow from
low latitudes (near to the equator) towards higher latitudes (towards the pole) the currents carry Warm ocean water into relatively cool regions. Such an ocean
current is called Warm Ocean Current.

Warm Ocean Currents supply moisture to winds blowing over them to develop rainfall on the adjacent coasts. In Africa, Warm Ocean Currents include Warm
Guinea Currents - in West Africa, Warm Mozambique Currents – in Southeast Africa. The cool surface of Cool Ocean Currents causes moisture in winds blowing
over them to condense and form fogs, etc. The winds are deprived of their moisture so they tend to absorb rather than deposit moisture at the adjacent coasts.
Cool currents, therefore, cause dry conditions and in Africa the Cool Canary Currents - the western coast of the Sahara Desert, the Cool Benguela Currents – the
Western coast of Kalahari Desert.

The cool ocean currents tend to create rich fishing grounds. Rich fishing grounds exist along the Morocco and Spanish Saharan Coasts that are washed by the
Cool Canary Currents. The Namibian coast that is washed by the Cool Benguela current also has rich fishing grounds.

5 ‘’The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experience’’.
Mark Patterson
 KOTEBE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION,MENELIK I,SCIENCE SHARED CAMPUS GEOGRAPHY NOTE FOR GRADE 10 2017/2024

4. Distribution of Land and Water:

Large water bodies such as the Ocean and huge lakes modify climates in adjacent lands. In the continental interior, where there are no large bodies of water,
temperatures get very warm in summer or during the day. The land is solid, so it heats up more rapidly during the day. The compact nature of the land means that
only a thin surface gets heated. As a result, heat absorbed into the thin layer of surface rocks is released very rapidly. The land surface is, therefore, very cool at
night and in winter. The interior location does not also allow rainfall to reach such places thereby creating warm, humid, hot and dry climates. These extremities in
climate affect all states located in the interior of continents. Such climates are called Continental Climates as against Maritime Climates experienced on lands
located along coasts. In places such as Timbuktu in Mali the diurnal and annual ranges in temperature are very high because of continentally.
5. Altitude:
Since energy from the sun is transformed into heat on the surface of the earth, air temperature decreases with altitude at an average rate of 6.4 oC per 1000
meters. This change in temperature with altitude is called the Lapse Rate. Because of this decrease in temperature with height, mountainous regions such as the
Ethiopian highlands have very cool temperatures. Very high peaks such as Mountain Kilimanjaro located along the equator even have permanent snow cover.
Why temperature increase or decrease with altitude increase or decrease? There are several reasons for this:
 One of the reasons that temperature is low in higher altitudes is that the air is very thin. This reduces the temperature-retention capacity of
the air.
 The other reason is that, when air rises, it cools
 The third factor is the fact that the atmosphere is heated from below (by the earth) directly, not by the sun. These are some of the factors why
we feel colder at mountain tops than in valley bottoms.
 Air temperature decreases with increasing altitude. The normal decrease of temperature with height is 6.4 oC per 1000
m=10c=167m=0.60c=100m. This is known as the normal lapse rate
 Normal lapse rate: is the average rate or proportion at which temperature changes per unit of altitudinal change.

N.B:
Latitude and its influence on Solar Radiation :
 Received influences climate through the variations in the receipt of solar energy and temperature differences that it creates at different
latitudes. Particularly, area near the equator receive high angle of the Sun hence have warm climate all the year-round.
Pressure Systems, Winds, and the Inter tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ):
 Located on about Latitude 30o North and South of the Equator are Subtropical High-Pressure Belts that dictate surface wind patterns and
influence rainfall and temperature regimes on the continent. The Subtropical High Pressure Systems on both sides of the Equator generate two
wind systems that converge on the equator in a zone termed as Inter-Tropical Converge Zone (ITCZ).
Major Ocean Currents:
 When ocean currents blow from low latitudes (near to the equator) towards higher latitudes (towards the pole) the currents carry warm ocean
water into relatively cool regions. Such an ocean current is called Warm Ocean Current. Warm ocean currents have cooling effect on the
bordering areas. Whereas, cool ocean currents have drying effect.
Distribution of Land and Water
 Large water bodies such as the Ocean and huge lakes modify climates in adjacent lands. In the continental interior, where there are no large
bodies of water, temperatures get very warm in summer or during the day.
 Since energy from the sun is transformed into heat on the surface of the earth, air temperature decreases with altitude at an average rate of
3.5 o F per 1,000 feet (6.4 o C per 1000 meters) called the Lapse Rate. Because of this decrease in temperature with height, mountainous regions
such as the Ethiopian highlands have very cool temperatures. Very high peaks such as Mountain Kilimanjaro located along the equator even have
permanent snow cover.
2.3 BENEFITS OF CLIMATE FOR LIFE OF PEOPLE OF AFRICA:
Questions to do:
 Explain the role of climate on the lives of people
 Discuss how climate fosters agriculture, creates a healthy environment, and sustains water resources

Africa is a continent with a diversity of climate landscapes. It has a climate that ranges from intense heat to bitter cold in its different parts. This diversity in turn
influences the living style of people including settlement patterns, livelihood options, resource endowments, health, and wellbeing.

6 ‘’The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experience’’.
Mark Patterson
 KOTEBE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION,MENELIK I,SCIENCE SHARED CAMPUS GEOGRAPHY NOTE FOR GRADE 10 2017/2024

2.3.1 Climate and Agriculture in Africa:

 Agriculture is the backbone of Africa’s economy and accounts for the majority of livelihoods across the continent.
 Is an extremely important sector on the African continent, on average accounting for 70% of the labor force and over 25% of the Gross Domestic
Product (GDP).
 Agriculture has always been deeply dependent on the weather, with farmers needing a steady mixture of sun, warmth, and rains to reliably produce the
crops they need.
 The bulk of agricultural systems in Sub-Saharan Africa are highly climate-dependent: the region is marked by a strong dependence on rain-fed
agriculture and natural resources.
Africa is one of the continents that are most highly affected by climate change for two reasons:
 Its geographical characteristics of having a major land lying across the warming tropics and
 The limited human, social, and economic capacity that African countries have to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
A change in a climate, therefore, exacerbates the complexity of issues (such as few technological inputs, the majority of Africa’s farmers working on a small-scale
or subsistence level and have few financial resources, limited access to infrastructure, and, etc.) in the continent.
2.3.2 Climate and Health in Africa:
 Climate change has widespread effects on human health by impacting both environmental and social determinants.
 Humans have understood the importance of climate to human health since ancient times.
In some cases, the connections appear to be obvious. For instance, a flood can cause drowning, a drought can lead to crop failure and hunger, and temperature
extremes pose a risk of exposure. In other cases, the connections are obscured by complex or unobserved processes, such that the influence of climate on a
disease epidemic or a conflict can be difficult to diagnose. In reality, however, all climate impacts on health are mediated by some combination of natural and
human dynamics that cause individuals or populations to be vulnerable to the effects of a variable or changing climate.

Africa is commonly described as a “climate-vulnerable” continent in which rainfall variability, hydrological extremes, and anthropogenic climate change have the
potential to inflict significant harm on a large population.
2.3.3 Climate and Water Resources in Africa:
 Water is the most important of all natural resources. Without water, life would not be able to thrive on the Earth. It has been argued that the level of
streams, flow of streams/ rivers, the volume of underground water and the like all depend on types of climates and water availability. Therefore,
persistent climate change may lead to shrinkage in the surface-water supply as well as the quantity and regularity of streams and rivers, and water
supplies in Africa.
2.4 CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS CHALLENGES TO AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT VISION:
Climate change in Africa is an increasingly serious threat for Africans as Africa is among the most vulnerable continents to climate change. Anthropogenic climate
change is already a reality in Africa, as it is elsewhere in the world. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the vulnerability of Africa
to climate change is driven by a range of factors that include weak adaptive capacity, high dependence on ecosystem goods for livelihoods, and less developed
agricultural production systems. The risks of climate change on agricultural production, food security, water resources and ecosystem services will likely have
increasingly severe consequences on lives and sustainable development prospects in Africa.

Most studies on the potential impact of climate change have predicted that Africa is likely to experience higher temperatures, rising sea levels, changing rainfall
patterns and increased climate variability, all of which could affect much of its population. The actual and potential impacts of climate change in Africa are large
and wide-ranging, affecting many aspects of people’s everyday lives. Many climate models predict negative impacts of climate change on agricultural production
and food security in large parts of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Higher temperatures, the drying up of soils, increased pest and disease, shifts in suitable areas for
growing crops and livestock, desertification, floods, deforestation, and erosion are all signs that climate change is already happening. Therefore, this indicates
that climate change is one of the greatest environmental, social and economic threats facing Africa. The impact of climate change is more serious on the world’s
poorest countries, most of which are found in Africa. Poor people already live on the frontlines of pollution, disaster, and degradation of resources and land.

Unfortunately, despite growing concern, no exact and reliable figures are available to quantify the economic costs of the negative impacts of climate change in
Africa for either individuals or society as a whole. As far as development is concerned, climate change will have a strong impact on Africa’s ability to achieve the
Millennium

7 ‘’The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experience’’.
Mark Patterson
 KOTEBE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION,MENELIK I,SCIENCE SHARED CAMPUS GEOGRAPHY NOTE FOR GRADE 10 2017/2024

Development Goals (MDGs) and the Africa 2063 goal and on its development policies in general, with increased pressure on agriculture, water supply and demand,
health, and political stability.

In general, African has been seriously affected due to the following reasons. First, the African society is very closely coupled with the climate system; hundreds of
millions of people depend on rainfall to grow their foods. Second, the African climate system is controlled by an extremely complex mix of large-scale weather
systems. Third, the degree of expected climate change is large. The two most extensive land-based end of- century projected decreases in rainfall anywhere on
the planet occur over Africa, particularly in North and South Africa. Finally, the capacity for adaptation to climate change is low.

N.B:
 Climate affects nearly every aspect of our lives from our food sources to our transport infrastructure; from what clothes we wear, to where we
go for recreation.
 It has a huge effect on our livelihood, our health, and our future
 Agriculture is the backbone of Africa’s economy and it is the bases of livelihoods across the continent
 Agriculture has always been deeply dependent on the weather, with farmers needing a steady mixture of sun, warmth, and rains to reliably
produce the crops they need
 Humans have understood the importance of climate to human health since ancient times.
 Africa is commonly described as a “climate-vulnerable” continent in which rainfall variability, hydrological extremes, and anthropogenic climate
change have the potential to inflict significant harm on a large population.
 The level of streams, flow of streams/rivers, volume of underground water and the like all depend on types of climates and water availability.

8 ‘’The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experience’’.
Mark Patterson