Displaying items by tag: social studies
Law, Peace and Conflict resolution - Class 7 Social Studies Revision Notes
Law, Peace and Conflict Resolution
Conflict – is a disagreement or quarrels between two or more people
Causes of Conflicts
- Unequal distribution of resources
- Poverty
- Inequality before the law
- Discrimination
- Lack of involvement in decision making
- Intolerance
- Religious differences
- Unpopular policies
- Oppression
Ways of Resolving Conflicts
- Negotiations
- Dialogue
- Mediation- used by ODM and PNU after 2007 elections
- Judicial settlement
- Arbitration
- Enquiry
- Conciliation
Democracy and Human Rights - Class 7 Social Studies Revision Notes
Democracy and Human Rights
Benefits of Democracy
- People are treated fairly
- All people are treated equally before the law
- Right to own property
- Freedom to choose meet others or practise their belief
- People participate in electios to choose leaders of their choice
- Right to make decisions on issues affecting them
- People develop a sense of belonging and responsibility
- Promote equal sharing of national reources
- Promote peace and prosperity
- Promote freedom of choice
Abuse of Human Rights
It is the act of denying or preventing people from enjoying their rights
Examples are;
- Mob justice
- Raping
- Discrimination and favouritism
- Wrongful arrest
- Beating of suspects
- Unfairness before the law
- Child labour
- Murder and killings
- Bullying others in schools
- Mishandling of suspects by the police
- Over-working and under paying workers
- Beating of wives by their husbands at home and vice versa
Importances of Respecting Human Rights
- Preservation of human dignity
- Promotion of social justice
- Freedom from discrimination
- Success of democracy
- Fair treatment and equal opportunities for all
- Positive critisism to the people’s in power(government)
- Involving people in making decisions on matters affecting them
- Promotes equal treatment of all people before the law
- Reduces misuderstanding between citizens and the government
- Controls abuse of power by the government against individual citizens
Drug and Drug Abuse - Class 7 Social Studies Revision Notes
Drug and Drug Abuse
Drugs – substance taken as medicine or illegal substance which when taken changes how the body
works.
Drug abuse – misuse or wrong use of drugs
Commonly abused drugs and substances
- Alcohol
- Nicotine(tobacco/cigarettes)
- Marijuana(bhang/hashish/cannabis/hemp)
- Opium
- Cocaine
- Heroine/morphine
- Miraa
- Kuber
- Caffeine
- LSD(lysergic diethy amide)
- Inhalants such as petrol and glue(cobbler’s glue)
Effects of Drug and Substance Abuse
- Phsychological instability
- Poor health
- Social instability
- Increase in cases of road accidents
- Increase in diseases
- Financial problems
- Work-related problems
Ways of Curbing Drug and Substance Abuse
- Promoting healthy leisure activities e.g.games
- Medical drugs are sold with the doctor’s presciptions
- Strengthening police inspection
- Educating the danger of drug and substance abuse
- Enforce strict lwas on drugs and substance abuse
- Parents should be good role models
- Provide moral guidance to the youth
- Provide warnings on the effects of the use of cretain drugs
Inclusion of Persons with Special Needs in Society
These people include
- Visually impaired(the blind)
- Hearing impaired
- Physically challenged
- Mentally challenged
- Behaviourally and emotionally disturbed
- Speech problems(dumb)
Others include
- Street children
- Orphan
- Refugees
- HIV and AIDS
- Elderly
They can be helped in the follwing ways
- Creating positive attitudes
- Creating friendly environment
- Providing equal opportunities
Collective Responsibilities
It is the act of citizens teaming up and joining hands to perform a certain duty or task for the benefits
of all in the society.
Things that citizens can do to support one another
- Supporting work of police
- Encouraging every person to take part in development activities
- Upholding moral values in the society
- Ensuring environment remains clean
- Ensuring people do not use dangerous and harmful drugs
- Participating in elections
- Being mindful of the welfare of others
Political Development and Systems - Class 7 Social Studies Revision Notes
- Traditional Forms of Government
- The Scramble for and Partition of Africa
- Colonial Systems of Administration
- Struggle for Independence in Africa
- Present Systems of Government in Kenya and Swaziland
- Organisation of African Unity(OAU)
- The African Union(A.U)
Traditional Forms of Government
Khoisan
They are said to have been the earliest inhabitants of southern africa
They consists of khoikhoi and san
They speak with click sound
They similar physical features
They are short
Khoikhoi
Economic organization
- They were formerly known as the hottentots
- They were mainly nomadic pastralist
- They traded with dutch who arrived in south africa.
- Khoikhoi exchanged cattle and sheep for beads, tobacco and iron.
Political organisation
- Clan was the basic political unit.
- The head of the senoir clan bocame the chief of the community
- The position of the chief was hereditary.
- The chief had power because decisions were reached through general consensus(government)by consensus
- Nomadic life never allowed them to develop a powerful political system
Social organisation
- They believed that God was the giver of all goo things on earth.
- Rites of passage were marked with special ceremonies
- They brewed alcoholic drinks during social occasions
- They celebrate festivals of the new moon.
San
Formerly known as bushmen
Economic organisation
- They were m ainly hunters and gatherers
- Men hunted wild animals such as buffaloes and antelopes
- Women gathered fruits, roots an dvegetable.
- They made arrows and spearhead.
- They also traded with khoikhoi
Political organisation
- They organised into units called hunting bands which consist of about 20to 40 people
- They did not have a central government
- Disagreement was reached through consensus
Social organisation
- They lived in caves or rock shelters
- Boys marry at 14 yrs of age
- Girls married at 12 yrs of age.
- Believed in the existence of God with praying mantis as God’s symbol on earth
- Decorated with necklaces made from ostrich eggs and sea shells
- Painted themselves for dances
- Painted pictures of the animals they hunted
- Their goods were stored in leather bags
- They also kept dogs used for hunting.
The Kingdom of Old Ghana
- Was the earliest of all kingdom of west africa
- Was situated between upper section of the niger and senegal rivers
- Founded by soninke peolpe
- The capital city was at kumbi saleh
- The soninke were under kaya maghan
- Factors that contributed to the rise of old ghana
- The king controlled the trans-saharan trade.(main)
- The kingdom had powerful, strong and respected rulers
- Well-equiped, strong and capable army
- Favourable climate conditions
- It was situated in a strategic position in the savannah.
Political organisation
- It was ruled by a king
- Position of kingship was hereditary(matrilineal)
- King was assisted by council of ministers and civil servants
- It was divided into;
- Ghana proper or metropolitan ghana
- Provincial ghana
- Kumbi saleh(capital)was divided into two
- Al-ghana – lived by king and african traditional
- Muslims section – lived by muslims
Social organisation
- Lived in mud and grass-thatched houses
- King was regarded as the chief priest
- They(soninike)believed life after death
- King was buried with all his belongings, including servants.
Economic organisation
- Traded with people from north
- They mined gold from walata
- People kept animals and grew crops for food and trade
- Trading caravans paid taxes to the kings
- Tax paid by the conquered states
- NB the main reason for the rise of old ghana kingdom was trans-saharan trade
Reasons for the decline and fall of the kingdom
- Kingdom was too large
- Lack of clearlydefined boundaries
- Succession disputes and political rivalry
- Overdependence on one income
- The army was weakened
- Attacked by almoravids(main)
The Scramble for and Partition of Africa
Scramble – struggle or compete in a disorderly manner
Partition of africa- dividing up africa into smaller parts
The european nations that took part in the scramble for africa were;
- Britain
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Portugal
- Italy
- Spain
Reasons for the Scramble for Colonies in Africa
- Europeans wanted raw materials
- Europeans wanted to establish market for their goods
- Europeans wanted areas to invest their surplus capital
- For prestige and as a show of power
- For strategic reasons meant to protect the source and course of the nile
- To end slave trade
- To spread christianity
- To settle surplus population.
The Partition of Africa
- During the berlin conference of 1884-1885 the european powers agreed to divide up africa peacefully
- They followed the guideline below
- They recognized leopold II king of belgium as leader of the congo free state
- River niger, zambezi could be used by any traders
- Areas not occupied could be claimed by any european power
- European to establish effective administration in their spheres of influence
- Areas where a europeanpower had laid claim were recognised as spheres of influence of that power.
- Any future differences between european nations would be settled through negotiations and agreements
NB african continent was under european control by 1910 except liberia and ethiopia.
- France colonies
Morocco Segal
Burkina faso Algeria
Mauritania Somalia
Benin Cote d ivoire
Congo Djibouti
Chad Seychelles
Guinea Mauritius
Mali Gabon
Niger Comoros
Madagascar Central african republic - Britain colonies
Egypt Sudan
Somalia Uganda
Kenya Gambia
Sierra leone Ghana
Nigeria Malawi
Zambia Zimbabwe
Botswana Swaziland
Lesotho South africa - Italy colonies
Libya
Eritrea
Somali - Portugal colonies
Guinea Cape
verde Angola
Mozambique - Spain colonies
Morocco
Western sahara
Guinea - Not colonised
Liberia
Ethiopia
Reasons why African were colonised easily
- Lack of unity
- Had inferior weapons(main)
- Not well organised in protecting their resources
African Response to the Scramble and Partition
Some african;resisted – collaborated
Resisted
Samoure toure’s resistance against the french
- Born around 1830 in sanankaro(guinea)
- He was a trader
- Took title almainly when cnverted to islam
- Founded mandinka empire with capital at bissandugu.
- Had powerful well trained and equiped army
- Resisted french
- He signed a peace treaty in 1886 with french
- Later french failed to honour the treaty
- Samouri imroved his weaponry and reorganised his army and he defeated the french
- Later french came back and defeated samouri
- He established another empire at dabakala
- He was defeated and imprisoned in gabon
- Died in 1900
Reasons for resistance
- Wanted to remain independent
- Against french interferance with his trading activities wiyh the coast
- Safeguard the purity of islam against christianity
Why Samouri was able to resist the french for a long time
- Used scorshed earth policy tactic (main)
- Well-trained, disciplined and strong army
- Efficient administration
- He used islam as a unifying factor
- Encouraged young men to join the french army to learn their tactics and how to use guns
Reasons why samouri was defeated
- Lack of support from other african leaders
- French had better weapons(main)
- French cut off coastal trade and gold mines
- Lack of support from his own people
Collaboration
Lewanika
- He was leader of lozi people of northern rhodesia present day zambia
- Reasons for the lewanika’s collaboration
- Feared the german, portuguese and the dutch from interfering with his affairs of his kingdom
- Wanted military support against his enemiessuch as ndebele and some chiefs
- He was inspired by his friend chief khama of the ngwata of botswana.
- The above reasons made him to sign;
- Treaty with BSAC which allowed to mine minerals
- Treaty which allowed british to have administration over barotseland(malawi)
- Treaty which made barotseland a british protectorate. Lewanika became a paramount chief. Lost his political authority over his territory.
Colonial Systems of Administration
- Direct rule
Europeans used the methods used in their own countries to rule the colonies. - Indirect rule
Europeans rule through the existence of traditional rulers and leaders - Assimilation
Making africans the same as europeans in terms of culture especially in french colonies.
Belgians in Congo
- They used direct rule in congo.
- They got involved through their king leopord II who was recognised as the owner of congo during the berling conference of 1884-1885.
- Due to oppresion of belgians in congo like;
- Severe punishment such as cutting off of people’s hands
- Forced labour on rubber plantations.
- Forced taxes
- It led to the babua and bushilele uprising of 1903-1904
- The war made leopold II to surrender it to the belgian government
- The belgians divided the country into;
- Minister for colonies – in charge of all colonies
- Governor general – in charge of the colony
- Provincial governors – in charge of provinces
- District officers – in charge of districts
- Chiefs – in charge of chefferies(villages)
- After the 2nd world war districts were subdivided into zones
- Each zone had a;nativecourt, dispensary, school.
- Belgians believed in civilizing the africans
- An african who aquired western culture, christianity, literate in french was known as an evolee and were granted certain privilages
Those who were not civilised were denied to:
- Move from one chefferie to another
- Own land
- Provide labour on plantation
The French in Senegal
French grouped their colonies to form federations
Example 1: french west africa federation
Algeria
Tunisia
Morocco
Mauritania
Senegal
Mali
Burkina faso
Niger
Ivory coast
Example 2. French central africa(equatorial)federation
Chad
Congo brazzavile
Gabon
Central african republic
French regarded their colonies as overseas provinces hence governed directly from france.
Administrative structure
Minister for colonies – in charge of all colonies
Governor general – for each federation
Lieutenant – for each colony
Commandant de cercle – for each cercle(province)
Chef de sub division – for each commune(district)
Chef de canton(chief) – for each canton(location)
Chef de village(headman) – for each sub-location
French used the policy of assimilation
The requirement for assimilation
- Ability to read and write in french
- Being a christian
- Readiness to practise french ways of life.
- Accepting the french adminitration and the french economic set-up.
Rights enjoyed by a french citizen
- Vote and to be elected
- Learn in institutions in france
- Get employment in france
- Start a business in france
The four coastal towns where assimilation was used in senegal
- Rufisque
- St.louis
- Goree
- Dakar
Africans in the commune were not subjected to forced labour and taxation
The rest of senegal was subdivided into
- Province
- Districts
Provinces and districts were administred through the policy of association
Through association africans were treated as subjects and not citizens of france e.g.
- Denied africans the freedom of movement
- Provide forced labour
- Pay taxes
- Grow cash crops needed in france
- Punished without trial
- The main work of the chief was to collect taxes and recruit labour
Reasons why policy of assimilation became difficult
- French colonies were very many
- Many african(subjects)refused to become chriatians
- Africans strongly criticized the french policies
- Africans refusedto abandon their culture e.g polygamy
- It became expensive to provide social facilities e.g. hospitals, schools, and roads
- French feared competition from africans.
The Portuguese in Mozambique
They were the 1st europeans to come to africa
Like the french they considered their colonies as overseas provinces
They used direct policy to administer mozambique
Colonies – minister for overseas provinces
Colony – governor general
Province – provincial officer
District – district officer
Location – chief(rogedores)
Africans held only junior posts in administration
Land was rented to british and french companies
British set up tea, sugar and cotton plantation
Plantation was called prazeros
In troublesome areas administration was carried out by millitary commanders
Portuguese administration was harsh and brutal which made africans to flee to malawi and tanganyika as refugees
In 1961 mozambique formed anti-portuguese political groups e.g.FRELIMO
British in Northern Nigeria
Comprised of three protectorates
- Lagos
- Southern nigeria
- Northern nigeria
In northern nigeria british used indirect rule
They used centralised system of traditional rulers called emirs
Each emir was in charge of an emirates
Northern nigeria was divided into provinces and districts
Emirs worked under district officers
Responsibilities of emirs were
- Collecting taxes
- Listening to cases in the muslim court
- Maintaining law and order in the emirates
- Abolishing undesirable practises among the citizens
Reasons why the british used indirect rule in northern nigeria
- Poor transport and communication network
- Cost of running the colony was high
- British officers were often sick with malaria
- The protectorate was large
- The existence of a well established system of administration among the africans
- Some chiefs such as nana of itsekiri were ready to co-operate
British overseas colonial officer – in charge of colonies(london)
British high commissioner- in charge of protectorate(northern nigeria)
British resident(provincial)commissioner – in charge of province
District officers – in charge of districts
African chief(emirs) – incharge of local areas(emirates)
Effects of Colonial Rule in Africa
Positive
- Introduction of new crops e.g.cocoa, tea, rice, coffee, cloves, wheat
- Development of infrastructure
- Introduction of western education
- Provision of social services
- Peace among the people
- Abolishment of slave trade
- Rise and growth of nationalism
- Introduction of new goods e.g.manufactured goods.
Negative
- Loss of independence
- Separation of communities
- Over-exploitation natural resources
- Mistreatment of africans
- Neglect of craft industries
- Loss of land
- Loss of african culture
- Creation of political boundaries
- Loss of lives and property
Struggle for Independence in Africa
Struggle for Independence in Ghana
Ghana was formerly known as gold coast
It was colonised by the british
Climate and high risk of malaria discouraged mass european settlement
Complaints of Africans in Ghana were
- They wanted majority seats in the legco
- Traders denied imports and exports licenses
- Ex-servicemen wanted employment as reward
- Unemployment
- Low cocoa prices and the africa being forced to cut down cocoa trees infected with diseases
In 1947 the united gold coast convention (UGCC) PARTY WAS FORMED –LED by J B.Danqah –
president and kwame nkrumah – secretary general.
In 1948 – a boycott of european shops. A demonstration of ex-servicemen
Demands of the party were;
- An end to colonial
- A policy of self-determination and complete national independence.
Leaders of UGCC were arrested
In 1949 nkrumah was released and formed conventional people’s party(CPP)
Main aim of CPP was to fight for self-governance
Between 1949 and 1950 nkurumah was arrested and other leaders
In 1951 nkrumah was released due to pressure from africas and elections were held
In 1951 CPP did not get a majority to form the government
In 1956- there was election again and CPP won
In 1957 march gold coast was granted full independence with kwame nkurumah as the prime minister.
Gold coast was renamed ghana
1960 – ghana became a republic with nkurumah as the 1st president
NB ghana got independence through peaceful means by using ;
- Diplomacy
- Negotiations
- Strikes
- Boycotts
- Motions through the legco
The Struggle for Independence in Zimbabwe
Formerly known as southern rhodesia
Colonised by british
In 1889 british government granted BSACO the right to
- Mine minerals
- Collect taxes
- Maintain law and order in zimbabwe
In 1923 british declared rhodesia a self-governing colony
Under colonial rule;
- African were given poor education and health facilities
- Africans not allowed to vote
- Africans were overcrowded in reserves
- Africans were poorly paid
- Africans had limited movements
- Africans were forced to pay high taxes
- Africans were controlled because their leaders were arrested
In 1934 african national congress(ANC)was formed to demand the removal of pass law and forced
labour
Settlers formed the rhodesian front party
The africans realised negotaitions would not work and they decided to use armed struggle.
In 1963 ZANU was formed. Its leaders were;
- Reverend ndabaningi sitole
- Robert mugambe
- Herbert chitepo
ZANU liberation army was called ZANLA
ZANLA was to wage guerilla warfare on settler rule.
In 1963 joshua nkomo formed ZAPU.
Later the two parties were banned and its leaders imrisoned
In 1965 rhodesian front party declared unilateral declaration of independence from britain led by ian smith
ZANU and ZAPU established fighting
Ian smith was forced to participate in discussions about the future of rhodesia
Elections were eventually held in 1980
ZANU won and robert mugabe became the prime minister
The name rhodesia changed to zimbabwe.
Contributions of Prominent Leaders in Africa
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
- Born in transkei province of south africa in 1918.
- Bacame a member of the african national congress in 1942
- Founded african national congress youth league(ANCYL)together with oliver tambo, walter sisulu, anton lembede.
- In 1952 elected deputy president of ANC.
- In 1961founded a movement called Umkhonto we sizwe(spear of the nation)
- In 1964 sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to roben island prison.
- In 1990 he was released by fredrick de klerk
- In 1991 he was elected president of ANC.
- In 1994 he became president of south africa as the 1st democratically elected
- Ruled for five years and retired voluntarily in 1999
- He died in December 2013.
Contributions
- United all races in south africa
- Set example by retiring from politics
- Fought for the abolition of apartheid
- Brought peace through negotiations e.g.chairman of the burundi peace talks
- Led other youths through ANCYL(AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS YOUTH LEAGUE)
- Provided leadership to the libration movement through the ANC
Gamal Abdel Nasser
- Born on 15th january 1918 at alexandria in eygpt
- Trained as a solder
- In 1952, he led a revolution which removed king falouk of egypt from power.in 1954, he took over as president of egypt.
Contributions of Gamal Abdel Nasser
- Carried out land reforms
- Improved woeking conditions
- Abolished sharia courts
- Improved the living standards e.g.use of birth control, provision of clean water
- Encouraged the formation of cooperative societies
- Established industries
- He planned and completed aswan high dam
- Participated in the formation of OAU
- Built more schools and universities
- He maintained the suez canal
- Died in 1970 while still the president
Leopold Sedar Senghor
- Born on 9th october 1906 at joal in senegal
- Studied poetry and politics
- Joined french army and fought germans
- He fought in the 2nd world war
- He was captured and released later
- In 1945 he was elected in french parliament
- In 1960 he became president of senagal
- He ruler for 20years
Contributions
- He was the greatest writer and poet of africa
- Used poetry to spread culture and values of africans
- Led senegal in their struggle for independence
- Represented p;eople in the french parliament
- First african president to retire voluntarily from active politics
- Died on 20th December 2001 at the age of 95yrs
Present Systems of Government in Kenya and Swaziland
The System of Government in Swaziland
- Swaziland is a landlocked country
- It is ruled by a king
- Kingdom was founded by king sobhuza I in 1830
- Became a british protectorate
- Attained independence in 1968 under sobhuza II
- King mswati succeeded sobhuza II in 1986
- Position of king is hereditary
- Title of king is ngwenyama(lion)
- Traditional system of government is called tinkhundla
- The king national council is called liqoqo
- The queen mother is called indlovukazi
- Swaziland parliament is called libandla
- Parliament has two houses
- the senate
- the house of assembly
- country has traditional courts under chiefs
- no political parties in swaziland
- there is a civil service
Similarities in the System of Government in Swaziland and Kenya
- both king and the president are head of state and government
- both king an president are commander-in-chief of the armed forces
- both countries have two houses
- both countries have civil services
Differences in the System of Government in Swaziland and Kenya
Kenya | Swaziland |
It is a republic headed by a president | It a kingdom headed by a king |
It has executive parliament and judiciary | It has a king, national council and parliament |
General elections are held after every five years | No general elections |
President rules for a maximum of two five years term | King rules until he dies. |
Many political parties | No political parties |
Members of parliament are elected by people others nominated. |
M.P.are appointed by king and elections by an electral college |
Organisation of African Unity(OAU)
Formation of OAU
Was formed on 25th may 1963
Headquarters in addis-ababa ethiopia
Members present during formation were
- Julius nyerere – tanzania
- Kwame nkurumah – ghana
- Ben bella – algeria
- Gamal abdal nasser – egypt
- Haile sellasie of ethiopia
- Siaka steven – sierra leone
First chairman was haire sellasie
Functions of OAU
- Promote peace
- Help countries to get independence
- Promote cooperation
- Protect independence states
- Promote friendly relations
- Promote, social, economic and political development.
Achievements of OAU
- Has assisted countries to get independence
- Has promoted economic development
- Has tried to find solutions to conflicts in africa
- Has encouraged cooperation in trade through trade blocs
- Provided forums where heads of state meet
- Has promoted economic development
Problems facing the OAU
- Lack of standing army
- Lack of adequate funds
- Lack of unity
- Political instability
- Interfered with individual government policies
- New emerging issues e.g.HIV/AIDS
- Border disputes e.g. kenya and uganda
- Misunderstanding among members
The African Union(A.U)
OAU was transformed to AU in 2001
AU was officially formed in 2002 in south africa
Reasons for the formation of AU
- Some poor policies
- New challenges e.g. drought
- Hoped that africa will one day work as one economic bloc
Objectives of AU
- To achieve greater unity
- Defend the sovereighty, borders and independence of its members
- Encourage international cooperation
- Promote peace
- Protect the rights of african people
- To work international parteners
- To promote democratic principles
- To coordinate and harmonise the policies of organizations through NEPAD
- To promote research in science and technology
Resources and Economic Activities - Class 7 Social Studies Revision Notes
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Mining
- Industial Development
- Fishing
- Trade
- Transport and Communication
- Tourism
- Urbanization
Things that we use to create wealth and meet our needs are called resources.
Activities that people undertake in order to earn income and create wealth are called economic activities
Agriculture
This is growing of crops and rearing of livestocks
Cash Crop Farming
The main cash crops grown in africa include.
- Coffee
- Sisal
- Sugarcane
- Tea
- Cocoa
- Cloves
- Pyrethrum
Cocoa in Ghana
Was brought from central america
Introduced to west africa countries like:
- Ghana
- Cote d ivoire
- Nigeria
- Cameroon
Ghana is one of the largest producer of cocoa.
NB Cote d ivoire is the leading producer of cocoa
Varieties of cocoa are;
- Cocoa criollo
Best in central america
Low yielding but superior quality - Cocoa forastern
Best in west africa
High yield but lower quality
Conditions Favouring the Growth of Cocoa.
- Plenty of rainfall – 1500mmand 2000mm is most preferred.
- High temperatures – 24°C and 28°C
- Humid condition
- Shelter from strong winds
- Deep and well drained soils
- Protection from strong sunlight – intercropping with bananans.
- Low altitudes of up to 750m.
Cocoa Growing Areas
Grown in small family farms.
Main growing areas is called cocoa triangle.
Cocoa triangle areas are;accra, kumasi, takoradi.
Importance of cocoa to the economy of ghana.
- Earns the country foreign exchange.
- Leds to creation of jobs
- Building of an artificial harbour at takoradi which enhaned transport in the region.
- Growth of other industries e.g. drugs, cosmetics, and chocolate industries.
- Improved the living standards of the employed
- Imrovement of the infrastracture e.g.road and railway.
Cloves in Tanzania
Grows in tropical climates
Grow in clusters
Picked when the buds are full but not open.
It has a life-span of 50-60years
It originated from indonesia.
They were introduced to the island of zanzibar by the arabs
Originally grown in plantations.
Today also grown on small scale farms
Conditions Favouring the Growth of Cloves
- Plenty of rainfall – 1500mm and 2000mm per year.
- High temperature – 27°C and 30°C
- Deep fertile soils
- High humidity throughout the year.
Growing areas
- Island of pemba
- Western highland of zanzibar
Importance of cloves to the economy of Tanzania
- Earn foreign exchange – produces about 80% of the world yields
- Creates employment
- Serve as raw materials for industries e.g. perfume, spices, soap and medicine industries.
- Used in the cigarette and confectionary industry.
- Farmers earn income for domestic use.
Activity
Draw map on our lives today pg 70 showing cloves in tanzania.
Pyrethrum in Kenya
Kenya is the world’s largest producer and exporter.
The plant was introduced from australia in 1929
Grown for its flowers substance called pyrethrin which is used to make pesticides.
Conditions favouring the growth of pyrethrum
- Well distributed rainfall- 1000mm and 1500mm per year
- Cool temperature
- High altitude 1800m
- Well drained and fertile soils
Growing areas in kenya
Mainly grown in small farms;
- Molo
- Nyeri
- Kiambu
- Meru
- Kisii
- Nyandarua
- Kericho
- Mt.elgon
Importance of pyrethrum to the economy
- Earn country foreign exchange
- Farmers earn income for domestic use
- Creates job opportunities
- The main growing area is nyandarua county.
Pastoral Farming
Keeping of animals as a way of life is called pastoral farming
Animals mainly kept are
- Cattle
- Sheep
- Goats
- Donkeys
- Camels
Transhumance – is the migration /movement of pastoralist seasonally between the wet and dry season in search of pasture
Pastoralism is mainly practised in the grassland savannah and some semi-arid areas of africa.
Major pastoral communities in africa:
- The maasai
- The fulani
- The tswana.
The Maasai
Best known nomadic pastoralists of east africa.
Mainly keep cattle, goats and sheep.
They practise transhumance
Conditions favouring pastoral farming among the maasai
- Low population
- Favourable climate
- Flat land for easy movement
- Crossing border easily i.e.kenya and tanzania.
The fulani
Are found in west africa
Are largest nomadic group in the world
They keep cattle, sheep, goats and horses
Occupy the savannah area between chad and senegal.
They practise transhumance
They uses horses to search for places where water and grazing land are available.
Conditions favouring pastoral farming among the fulani
- Extensive grassland belt
- Low population
- The absence of tsetse flies in the grassland
- Favourable climate to support pasture.
- Seasonality in rainfall maens pasture grow in seasons.
The tswana
Are found in botswana.
Kalahari desert lies to the west of the country
Soil is sandy
Soil mainly support savannah grassland vegetation
Water is tapped by drilling wells and boreholes.
Animals kept are cattle, sheep and goats.
Grazing areas are often far from the homestead
Conditions favouring pastoral farming among the tswana
- Low population
- Presence of grassland in most parts.
- Crop farming is generally difficult.
Benefits of Pastoral Farming
- Source of income/livelihood.
- Earn foreign exchange
- Source of wealth for individual pastoralists e.g. fulani.
- Good economic use of land
- Animal products support other industries e.g. tanneries
- Create employment
- Animals provide food for the pastoralists.
Problems Facing Pastoral Farming in Africa
- Diseases – foot and mouth, rinderpest, east coast fever, antrax.
- Drought
- Overstocking
- Poor quality pasture
- Poor quality breeds
- Fires
- Harsh climatic conditions
- Political differences
- Transport
- Land pressure
- Indequate capital
- Cattle rustling
- Attack by wild animals.
Development in Pastoral Farming Areas in Africa
- Cross-breeding
- Reduce problem of tsetse flies
- Constructed boarding schools and dispensaries
- Introduction of mixed farming
- Veterinary services are provided
- Introduction of group and individual ranching
- Selling some livestock to prevent overstocking to K.M.C
- Construction of dams and boreholes
- The maasai have started alternative economic activities e.g.making and selling handicrafts and curios.
Multi-purpose River Projects
- The river tana projects in kenya
- The aswan high dam in egypt
- The volta river schemes in ghana
- The kariba dam in zambia and zimbambwe
River Tana projects
Location
Found along river Tana
Source in the highlands around mt kenya
Involved the construction of seven dams hence the name seven forks schemes
- Kindaruma – 1968
- Kamburu – 1977
- Gitaru – 1980
- Masinga – 1986
- Kiambere – 1988
- Mutonga – not completed
- Kgrand falls – not completed
Reasons for establishment
- Production of HPE
- Control flooding
- Availability of large river.
Benefits from the river tana projects
- Reduce flooding in the lower tana valley
- Fishing e.g. masinga and kiambere
- Lakes behind the dam modify the climate around the area
- Tourists attraction
- Expansion of industries due to availability of HEP
- Provide water for domestic use
- Pruduction of HEP.
Problems Facing the Tana Projects.
- Inadequate fund to complete the projects
- Expensive to resettle people
- Reduction of water during the dry season
- Siltation of dams
- Some sections have no water because water moves through underground tunnels to neighbouring dams.
The Aswan High Dam
Found in egypt
Located on river Nile
Completed in 1971
Behind the dam is lake nasser 550km long.
Lake nasser is the second largest after kariba.
Reasons for establishment
- Provide water for irrigation(main)
- To produce HEP
- To contro floods
- To pvide water for domestic use.
Benefits resulting from the construction of the dam
- Control floods in the lower Nile region.
- Irrigated land receives a rugular and sufficient water supply
- Improve transportation in southern egypt – linking to sudan due to lake nasser.
- Development of fishing
- Growth of industries due to production of HEP.
- Create employment.
- Create tourists attraction
- Lake nasser has modified the weather conditions.
Problems facing the aswan high dam.
- Displacement of people
- Moving of ancient egyptian temples of abu simbel to new location
- Expensive to construct dam and egypt to look foreign assistance.
- Siltation
- Reduction of nutrients that flow down to the mediterrean sea to support aquatic life.
- Lack of enough silt to costruct bricks and for pottery.
- Erosion of the Nile delta due to lack of silt.
The Volta River Scheme
It is the largest river in ghana
Found across river volta a place called akosombo
A dam is also known as the akosombo dam
The location of the dam was chosen because of its narrow position.
Started in 1962 and completed in 1966.
A lake called lake volta was formed behind the dam
Lake volta is the world’s largest in terms of surface area.
Reason for establishment
- Control the waters of river volta at akosombo
- Generate HEP.
- Reduce the cost of generating electricity from oil.
Benefits from the development of the scheme.
- Establishment of fishing industry
- Improved water transport between northern and southern ghana through lake volta.
- Irrigation increased food production.
- Development of industries
- Led to earning of foreign exchange, since HEP is sold to togo and benin.
- Create employment.
Problems facing the volta river scheme
- Requires alot of capital to construct a dam.
- Displacement of people
- Transportation became difficult
- Water borne diseases e.g. bilharzia.
The Kariba Dam
Located at kariba gorge along river zambezi
Found on the boundary between zimbabwe and zambia in central africa.
Construction began in 1955 and completed 1977.
Lake kariba was formed behind this dam.
It is the world’s largest artificial lake by water volume.
Reasons for establishment
- There was need for cheap power for industries by the two countries.
- HEP production save forest clearing
- Existing railway could not transport coal.
Benefits resulting from the kariba dam.
- Production of HEP.
- Reduction in the cost of energy.
- Creation of jobs
- Existing railway station was reduced
- Reduction of flooding of river zambezi downstream.
- Lake kariba provides a safe and cheap method of transport.
- Tourist attraction due to dam and lake
- Reduction of over-reliance on coal as a source of fuel.
- Increased fishing activities.
- Forest around the area provides home for wildlife
Problems facing the establishment of the dam
- A lot of capital is required to construct a dam.
- Negotiation and agreement between zambia and zimbabwe.
- Endangered wild animals
- Political problems delayed construction.
- Bilharzia causing snails spread due to stagnant water
- The earth quakes pose danger due to weight of the dam.
- Displacement of people.
Forestry
A forest is a group of trees growing close together over a lrge area of land.
Forestry is the practice of planting and taking care of forests and trees in order to serve different purposes.
Forests in africa are both natural and planted
Natural forest mainly consists of hardwood and some softwood trees.
Planted or cultivated forests consist of softwood trees.
Location of Major Forests in Africa
Draw map showing location of major forests in africa on our lives today pg 88
The main type is the extensive tropical rain forest or the equatorial forest.it covers gabon, cote d ivoire, nigeria,
ghana, DRC, Liberia, cameroon and eastern coat of madagascar.
Mountane or mountain forest
Occurs in the highland and mountain regions of africa
Found at ;
- Drakensberg mountains
- Ethiopia highland
- Highland of east africa
Mangrove forests
Found ;
- Eastern coast of eastern africa between somalia and natal in south africa.
- Western coast of africa between angola and sierra leone.
Savannah woodlands
Found in the savannah belt of africa.
Mediterranean forest
Mixture of hardwood and softwood forest
Found at;
- Atlas mountain in north africa
- Cape province in south africa
Planted forests
- Mostly found in highlands
- Planted to replace indigenous trees
- Example is the great usutu in swaziland.
Forestry in the DRC.
- 57% of the total land is covered by forest
- Most forest is natural
- Are found in the northern region of the country
- Trees include;
- Teak
- Ebony
- Mahogany
- African cedar
Importances of forest to the economy of DRC
- Source of valuable hardwood timber
- Protect the water resources in the country
- Home to rich and diverse wildlife
- Attracts a lot of attention in scientific research
- Provided employment opportunities
- Source of revenue to the government.
- Problems facing forestry in the DRC.
- Locating and cutting needed trees species is expensive and difficult due to the closeness
- Buttress roots which make the trees difficult to cut.
- Creepers and undergrowth make it difficult to reach the trees needed for logging.
- Some trees are huge and when fall destroy unnecessarily
- Huge size and the heavy weight make them difficult to handle.
- Difficult to maintain roads.
- Expensive to transport logs to the market
- Valuable species take long time to mature and are in danger of disappearing.
- Deforestation.
Forestry in Swaziland
- Industry mainly depends on plantation forests
- It covers 120000ha of land
- Consists mainly of softwood that is pine and eucalyptus trees.
- Main forests are;
- Great usutu valley
- Piggs peak forest
- Swaziland’s forests provide softwood for:
- Pulp mills
- Saw mills
- Box factories
Importances of forests to the economy of swaziland
- Earn country foreign exchange
- The great usutu forest has helped to reduce soil erosion
- Protect water catchment areas
- Provide good picnic site thus promotingtourism.
- Help to conserve the wildlife
- Reduce soil erosion help to prevent flooding
- Creation of job opportunities
Problems facing forestry in swaziland
- Higher rate of forest exploitation than replacement
- Demand for arable land
- Attacks by pests and diseases
- Difficult in transportation
- Destruction by forest fires.
Mining
Is the process of extracting or removing minerals from within the ground.
Rocks containing minerals are called ores.
Extraction of Selected Minerals in Africa
- Petroleum in nigeria
- Copper in zambia
- Gold in south africa
- Soda ash in kenya
Petroleum in Nigeria
In natural state it is called crude oil
Mined in niger delta
Petroleum drilling
It is done by means of a large metal sructure called derrick.
The drill head is called bit.
Mud is mixed with water to lubricate the bit
Where oil deposits are below the ocean floor, oil rig is floated on the water to drill the oil.
Oil is transported by pipeline to the refineries
Refineries are located at elesa eleme near port harcourt at wari and at kaduna.
Uses of petroleum
- Making chemicals
- Bitumen(tar)used for tarmacking roads
- Kerosene used to light lamps and stoves
- Petroluem and diesel used to run motor vehicles and locomotives.
- Cooking gas is obtained from petroluem
- Making plastics, fertilizers and medicines
- Lubricating to reduce friction
Contribution of oil to the economy of niger
- Earning foreign exchange
- Created employment
- Add revenue to the government
- Some oil is used in the country.
Copper in Zambia
It is shiny, fairly soft and reddish brown in colour
It is easy to bend and shape.
DRC and zambia are leading producer in africa
Copper belt extend from ndola in zambia to lubumbashi in DRC.
Copper Mining
Open cast or stripping method is used.
Also shaft or pit method is used.
Machines called excavators are used.
Open cast is done at Nchanga near chingaola
Deep in ground shaft or pit method is used.
Uses of copper
- Making electrical wires
- Making telephone wires
- Making water and gas pipe
- Making coils
- Making motor vehicles radiators
- Making ornaments, medals and utensils.
- Mixed with broze to make brass.
Contribution of copper to the economy of zambia
- Earn foreign exchange to the country.
- Create employment
- Copper sales are used to develop other sectors e.g. health services, education.
- Workers provide aready market for the agricultural products.
Gold in South Africa
It is a yellow precious metal
South africa is the largest producer of gold in the world.
Rock cointaining gold is called reefs
Reefs is the ore that is mined
Mining began in 1886 in south africa area called witwatersrand near Johannesburg in trasvaal province.
Other mining areas are orange free state
Gold Mining
Shaft or underground mining is used as method
Electric drills are used to remove gold reef.
Gold is separated from the rocks using chemical
Gold is melted and made into bars called ignots.
Uses of gold
- Make medals, ornaments and jewellery items e.g.rings, necklaces.etc.
- Used by dentists to replace and coat teeth.
- In the past gold were used as money.
- Used to coat items e.g.pens
- Symbol of wealth and power by kings or emperors
Contribution of gold to the economy
- Earns foreign exchange to the country
- Employment
- Growth of towns e.g.krugers dorp, welkam, klerksorp and johannesburg
- Improvement of other industries.
Soda Ash in Kenya
Rock cointaining soda ash is called trona
Mined at lake magadi.
Mining started in 1914.
Soda ash mining
Method is dredging
Machine is called dredger
Mixed with water to form shiny solution called slurry.
In factory unwanted rocks and dirt are removed from slurry
The product is then dried by evaporating
Soda ash is put in bags and exported
Uses of soda ash
- Making glass, soap, paper and aluminium
- Making dyes, drugs and chemicals
- Treat water
- Softening water in the cooking refinery
- Softening vegetable when cooking.
Contribution of soda ash
- Employment
- Development of transport network
- Growth of town e.g.magadi.
- Earn the country foreign exchange – it is the leading mineral export in kenya.
- Establishment of industries e.g.drug, glass, dyes and chemical manufacturers.
Problems Associated with Mining in Africa
- Led to death e.g. gold mines in south africa.
- Displacement of already settled people e.g. kwale district to allow for the mining of titannium.
- Other economic activities are neglected.
- Leds to diseases e.g. lung diseases due to dust.
- It degrade environment through pollution.
Effects of Mining on the Environment
- Ugliness of the land
- Destruction of plant and animal life.
- Pollution
Industrial Development
Is growth and expansion of industries in an area.
Industrial Development in Kenya
The development of industries in kenya started in 1941
Industries are made more diverse covering processing, assemblying, manufacturing, and service industries.
Factoring favouring industrial development in kenya.
- Availability of power
- Availability of raw materials
- Government polisies
- Research information.
- Economic policy
- Availability of capital
- Availability of labour
- Political stability
- Availability of transport
-
Availability of ready markets
Contributions of industries to the economy of kenya
- Creation of jobs
- Growth of industries led to improvement of roads
- Expansion of townsearn foreign exchange
- Increase income to the farmers
- Reduce cost of importing similar products.
- Development of new technology.
Industrial Development in South Africa
South africa is the most developed (industrialised nation in africa)
Factors favouring growth of Industries in South Africa
- Large reserves of coal
- Presence of a wide range of minerals
- Presence of agricultural raw materials
- Availablity of labour
- Government policy
- Infrastructure
- Cheap power
- Gold mining
- Ready market
- Favourable climate
- Availability of capital.
Contribution of industries to the economy of south africa
- Increased demanded of raw materials
- Country became self-sufficient
- Growth of industries
- Goods are used in domestic market. This saves country foreign exchange.
- Leds to growth of towns
- Create employment
- Earns the country foreign exchange
- Provide stable source of income.
Problems experienced due to industrial development
- Destruction of the natural environment
- High rate of crime
- Pollution
- Erosion of cultural values
- Rural-urban migration
- Displacement of people
- Loss of agricultural land
Fishing
Is harvesting of fish from water bodies or fishing grounds.
Can be harvested from fresh or salty water sources.
Fresh water sources of fish are called inland fishing ground
Sea water sources are salty and are called marine fishing ground.
Main Inland Fishing Ground in Africa
Carried out in:
- Lakes
- Large rivers
- Dams
- Ponds
Most important fishing ground ;
- Lake kyoga
- Lake victoria
- Lake turkana
- Lake tanganyika
- Lake malawi
- Lake chad
Fish caught are in the above named inland areas are;
- Nile perch
- Tilapia
- Dagaa(omena)
Artificial lakes where fishing is practised;
- Lake volta
- Lake nasser
- Lake kariba
- River orange
Rivers where fishing is carried out;
- Nile
- Niger
- Orange
- Tana
- Zambezi
- Congo
- Volta
Fish farming is practised in ponds;
- Tilapia
- Trout which are the main types of fish.
Main Marine Fishing Grounds in Africa
Carried out in seas and oceans
- Coast of angola, namibia and south africa
- Coast of morocco and algeria
- Coastal water of weat africa, gabon, and cameroon.
- Coasts of tanzania and kenya
- Main fish caught are;
- Tuna
- Mackerel
- Sardine
- Snapper
- Barracuda
- Cavalla
Methods of Fishing
Fishing methods depend on;
- The type of fish to be caught
- The area where fish are found
- The purpose of fishing, wheather commercial or subsistence.
Large scale fishing methods are;
- Longlining method
Improved on the hook and line methods
Mainly used in deep sea fishing - Trawling
Uses boat called trawlers
Used to catch fish which live near the sea bed/deep sea. - Purse-seining
Uses two boats
Used to catch fish living near the water surface and found in large groups. - Net drifting
Net stretched across the river or portion of the lake or ocean.
NB dagaa are attracted to the surface near the fishing boat by light from lamps.
Contribution of Fishing to the Economy of Africa
- It is a source of food
- It is a source of in come
- It is a source of employment
- Source of raw materials
- Source of foreign exchange.
- Led to the growth of some towns
- Led to improvement in living standards
- It is a tourist attraction
- Contributed to growth of other industries.
Problems Facing the Fishing Industry in Africa
- Overfishing
- Pollution
- Inadequate capital and modern equipment
- Poor transport system
- Mismanagement of co-operatives society
- Inability to protect fisheries
- Inadequate processing and storage facilities
- Growth of water weeds
- Use of harmful fishing equipment methods
- Destruction by fishing equipment
- Inadequate local market for fish
- Lack of clearly defined boundaries in fishing ground between different countries.
Trade
Is the exchange of goods and serviecs between people or countries.
Regional Trade Organizations in Africa
COMESA
Formed in 1994
Replaced PTA which was formed in 1981.
Mainly formed to increase trade in eastern and southern africa.
Headquaters are in lusaka zambia.
Members refer our live today pg 114
Mozambique withdrew and lesotho in 1997
Tanzania withdrew in 2000
Namibia withdrew in 2004
Angola has also withdrew.
Objectives of COMESA
- Create common market for all members
- Make members states to increase raw materials
- Promote cooperation in transport and communication.
- Promote peace, security and stability among members states.
- Promote trade relation between COMESA and rest of the world
- Establish common bank.
- Promote interaction and exchange of ideas
- Widen market
- Promote joint research in science and technology.
SADC
Formed in 1980 in lusaka zambia
Formed as SADCC.
Headquarters are in gaborone botswana.
Members – refer to our lives today pg 115
Objectives of SADC
- Promote trade and widen markets.
- Promote friendly relationship
- Alleviate poverty
- Promote development of transport and communication.
- Promote and defend peace and security.
- Develop common political values, systems and institutions.
- Promote sustainable development and economic development.
- To utilize natural resources found in the region.
ECOWAS
formed in 1976 in togo.
Headquaters Abuja nigeria
Members – refer our lives today pg 116
Mauritania withdrew in 2000
Guinea suspended in 2008
Objectives of ECOWAS
- Promote trade by removing taxes on goods
- Promote free movement of people
- Promote friendly relations.
- Create a common market in the region.
- Encourage improvement of intrastructure
- Promote co-operation and integration
- Encourage industrial development
- Raise living standards
- Maintain and enhance economic stability
- Prevent and settle regional disputes and conflicts.
Benefits of Regional Trade in Africa
- Members become economically stronger
- Create employment
- Increase trade within the organization
- Promote political unity
- Creation of large market for goods.
- Improvement of infrastructure
- Create wider market hence lowering prices of goods
- Creation of banks to support trading activities.
Problems Facing Regional Trade in Africa
- Production of similar goods.
- Poor transport systems
- Lack of a common currency.
- Political differences
- Political instability.
- Lack of a common tax system
- Quota system.
- Level of purchasing power
- Differences in development levels
Transport and Communication
TRANSPORT is the movement of goods and people from one place to another.
COMMUNICATION is the sending of messages from one person or place to another.
Major Transport Networks in Africa.
- Road transport
- Pipeline transport
- Railway transport
- Cables transport
- Water transport
- Air transport
Road Transport
- All-weather
Made of murram or tarmac - Dry-weather road
They are not tarmacked
Used during dry season.
Major international roads
- Trans-african highway
Runs from mombasa to lagos in nigeria. - Great north road
Runs from cape town to cairo in egypt - Trans-sahara highway
Runs from lagos to algiers in algeris - Cotonou-gao-oudja highway
Runs/connects benin with morocco
The road has a branch at gao that stretches to dakar in senegal.
Railway Transport
Built during colonial period
Few were built after independence.
South africa has the most developed railway notwork in africa
Somalia, rwanda, burundi and niger do not have a railway.
It transports bulky goods.
- The tanzania – zambia railway(tazara)
Connects zambia to the port of dar es salam - The trans-cameroon railway
Connects chad and the central african republic with the coast
Used to exploit forest and minerals e.g. bauxite in cameroon. - The south african railway
Connects other countries such as zimbabwe, zambia, mozambique, botswana and DRC.
NB most railway are narrow gauge
This means they are one metre wide
In zimbabwe, south africa, morocco, algeria, tinisia and the DRC.there are sections of electrified railway line.
Water Transport
It is cheap form of transport
Water transport in rivers and lakes is called inland water transport.
Water transport in sea and ocean is called sea transport.
Rivers
Mainly not navigable because;
- Seasonal flow
- Floating vegetation and weeds
- Rapids
- Waterfalls
- Shallow water depth
- The nile
Only navigable from lake albert in uganda up to nimule on the border with sudan
Between juba and khartoum in sudan
At lake nasser in egypt. - The congo
Only navigable at between its mouth and matadi
Between kinshasa and kisangani
Between ibundu and kindu. - The niger
Only navigable between kouroussa and bamako
Ansongo and border between mali and niger - The benue
Only navigable betwee where it joins the niger and garoua in cameroon.
NB Rivers senegal and gabia are also navigable.
Lakes
Victoria
Tanganyika
Malawi
Artificial lake are l.nasser, kainji, cobora bassa and volta.
Pipeline Transport
Transport water, petroleum and gas
Biggest concentration is in north africa.
Air Transport
Major airlines in africa are;
- South africa
- Kenya airlines
- Ethiopia airlines
- Egypt airline
- Nigeria airways
Cable(wire) Transport
Mainly used to transport electricity from the power stations to the consumers.
Advantages of road | Disadvantages of road |
Wide spread | Traffic jams |
Flexible | Maximum load is limited |
Quite fast | High rate of accident |
Goods delivered directly to their destination | Few passengers at a time |
Wide variety of goods can be transported by road | Greatly affected by weather. |
Convenient all time | Expensive to maintain |
Gases cause air pollution | |
Railway advantages | Railway disadvantages |
Convenient for bulky goods | Expensive to build |
Minimal accidents | Expensive to buy wagon, trains |
Cost is low for transport | Gauge are narrow |
No traffic jam | Require flat land to build |
More durable | Stopping point are far |
Not greatly attected by thief | Not economical when quantities are small |
Low consumption of fuel | Not flexible |
Comfortable for passengers travelling over long distances | Greatly affected when there are breakdown |
Does not require alot of labour | Generally slow |
Very dependent on infrastrature only when there is a railway | |
Water transport advantages | Water transport disadvantages |
Occurs naturally therefore no maintaince | Slow form of transport |
Suitable for bulky goods | Waterfalls and rapids |
Cheapest | Expensive to construct ports |
Suitable for transporting special goods e.g.petroleum | Affected by storms |
Can reach many parts of the world bordered by water bodies | Not accessed by all especially landlocked countries |
Harsh climate | |
Air transport advantages | Air transport disadvantages |
Fastest form of transport | Expensive to buy and maintain aeroplanes |
Few theft cases | Not used for bulky goods |
Transport distant countries | Operate on strict timetable |
Low damage of goods | carry limited number of people |
Affected by weather e.g.food | |
Require high qualified people | |
Pipeline tranport advantages | Pipeline tranport disadvantages |
Enables continousflow of commodities | Expensive to build |
It is fast | Great losses through leakage |
Laid on both land and in the sea | Not flexible |
Low maintenance cost | Economical only where gas and oil is constant |
Reduces damages on roads | Cannot transport solid commodity |
Reduces cases of theft | Cannot transport people |
Require very little human labour. | |
Cable transport advantages | Cable transport disadvantages |
Delivery of the product is constant | Expensive to install |
Used above the surface and underground | Dangerous if wire drop to the ground |
Require very little human labour. | |
Used above the surface and underground | |
Power can be transported over long distances | |
Last for long time |
Current Development in Communication Systems in Africa
The recent ICT development iclude the introduction and uses of;
- Mobile phones
Majority replaced the fixed line telephones - Card phones
Used when making calls from public telephone booth instead of coins - Computers
- Used mainly to send emails, browse the internet, look for jobs
- Cybercafes are opened in most towns
- Many radio and television stations(digital)
- Fibre – optic cable
- Makes connectivity faster and cheaper
Tourism
Is the movement of people from one place to another for leisure, sightseeing and also for business.
Main Tourist Attractions in Africa
- Wildlife
- Historical sites
This tells us about the way of life of the people inthe past.- e.g pyraids and ruins in egypt.
- Slave forts and port of goree island- senegal
- Shimoni caves – mombasa
- Old slave market – zanzibar
- Olduvai gorge – tanzania
- Kariandusi and olorgesailie – kenya
- Sango bay – uganda
- Lalibela and lowervalley of river omo – ethiopia
- Beaches
Morocco, algeria, south africa, tunisia, mauritius and kenya. - Scenery
Snow – capped mountain
Great rift valley
River nile and wind surfing
Hot spring and geysers - Cultural heritage
African traditional crats, artifacts
Dances
Mode of dressing
Traditional foods - Climate
Warm climate
Main Tourist Destinations in Africa
Is a place where tourist desire to visit.
Country in africa | Main tourist attraction |
Kenya | Game parks and reserves e.g. maasai mara, tsavo, warm beaches, historical and pre-historical sites e.g. koobi fora, gedi ruins |
South Africa | Kruger national park, table mountains, roben island, coastal beaches |
Egypt | Pyramids at giza, valley of king, cairo musuem, nile cruises ,library at alexandria |
Zimbabwe | Victoria falls, lake kariba, hwango national park, city of harare |
Mauritius | Coastal beaches and warm climate, black gorges national park, ruins of europeans settlement |
Morocco | Ancient town of marakach, sandy beaches, berber villages, atlas mountains. |
Contributions of Tourism to the Economy
- Earn foreign exchange
- Employment oppounities
- Development of infrastructure network
- Led to growth of the building and construction of industries
- Creation of market for goods and services
- Increase in agricultural activities
- Improvement on retions between africa and rest of the world
Challenges Facing Tourism in Africa
- Overdependence on tourists from particular regions
- Poor marketing of destinations
- Stiff competition from other tourist destinations
- Competition for land e.g. agricultural and wildlife
- Poaching
- Environmental threats and calamities
- Human-wildlife conflicts
- Political instability
- High taxation costs and fees
- Insecurity
- Diseases
Possible Solutions to Challenges Facing Tourism
- Making african destination cheaper
- Diversify tourist attraction
- Manage well wildlife and human conficts
- Improving transport and communication network.
- Market tourist destinations
- Improve and maintain peace and security
- Encourage group tourist visit
- Reducing the cost of tourist trade e.g. cut down trees
Urbanization
The growth and development of towns and urban centres
Capital cities in africa
Is town where central government operates from
Also called seat of government
Reasons for the Rapid Growth of Towns in Africa
- Transport systems e.g. road and railway.e.g.nairobi, kisumu, addis ababa.
- Establishment of industies and commercial activities e.g.lagos, dar es salaam.
- Mining activities – johannesburg, tema and accra.
- Administrative centres e.g.nairobi, cairo, addis ababa, kampala, abidjan, antananarivo.
- Functions as a port e.g. kinshasa, abidjan, lagos, maputo, mombasa, dar el salaam.
- Political factor e.g. dodoma, abuja
Social Relations and Cultural Activities - Class 7 Social Studies Revision Notes
Social relations refers to the way members of the society relate or get on with each other.
Cultural activities refers to things or activities done according to the way of life of people.
The Family
Is a group of people related and joined by blood, adoption or marriage.
Is the smallest basic unit of a society.
It begins when an adult man and an adult woman are joined together in marriage.
Marriage
Is a lawful union between an adult man and woman as a husband and wife.
Marriage is for companionship, love and procreation.
Marriage Systems
- Customary marriage
- Civil marriage
- Religious marriage
Customary marriage
Also called traditional marriage
Is conducted according to the traditional customs and culture of the community.
Is presided over by the elders within a community.
Dowry is paid as per the customs of the community
It allows polygamy
Dowry strengths the marriage bond.
Marriage certificate is not issued.
Civil marriage
It takes place in a government office
Is presided over by a government officer e.g.attorney general, magistrate, a district commissioner
The couple gives 21 days or three weeks notice
It is strictly monogamous
Is registered after the exchange of vows.
A marriage certificate is issued
Bride price is usually given to the brides parents before the wedding .
Religious marriage
Is carried out according to the religious beliefs of the couple.
Is presided over by a religious leader
Is conducted in a mosque, church or a temple.
It is monogamous except in islam.
Islamic law allows a maximum of 4 wives(polygamay)
Vows are exchanged
Marraige certificate is issued
Bride price is paid before the wedding.
Importance of the institution of marriage
- It ensures the continuity of the family and community.
- It provides campanionship
- It is the base for building family life.
- It provides security to family members
- It gives identity/sense of belonging to family members.
- It enriches the culture of different communities.
- It helps to control the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
- It promotes responsibility for both men and women.
The School
This is a place where children go to learn.
Is a place where children acquire knowledge and skills.
The School Administration
This is the day to day management of the school.
This refers to how an institution or organization is run or managed.
Public schools are built and managed by the government
A well managed school runs property and pupils learn well.
The team involved in school administration include;
- School committee
- Headteacher
- Deputy headteacher
- Teachers
- Pupils
- Parents
The School Committee
Is hresponsible for managing each public primary school
Is made up of ;
- Headteacher
- Members of local community
- Parents representatives
- Schoolsponsors
- D.E.B rep
It is headed by a chairman
The headteacher is the secrectary to the school committee.
The Headteacher
Incharge of day to day running of the school
Links between the teachers and the ministry of education.
Ensures good discipline and cleanliness in the school.
Secretary to the school committee.
Keeps important school records.
Takes care of the school property
Ensures safety of everyone in the school
Admits new pupils to the school.
Supervises work done by teachers, pupils and other workers.
Receives all school funds an behalf of the school committee.
Ensures school finances and resources are well used.
Assigns duties to other members of staff.
Deputy Headteacher
Assists the headteacher
Heads disciplinary committee in the school
Supervises teacher lesson attendance
Writes minutes during staff meetings
Prepares school timetable and duty roster.
Incharge of discipline in the school.
Teaches his/her subjects.
Teachers
Main role is to teach
Supervising pupils on thier responsibilities
Maintaining discipline among pupils
Guiding and counseling pupils
Role model to the pupils
Day to day running of the school as teachers on duty.
Preparing and maintaining class registers and progress records.
Identifying and developing talents in pupils.
Parents
Making sure their children attend school
Making sure their children attend to their homework.
Attending all school meetings called by the school management.
Contribute funds and other materials to build the school.
Importance of the school administration
- It decides on the pupils enrolment
- Coordinates the running of the school and its programmes
- Promotes high standards of discipline
- Ensures high academic standards
- Ensures that pupils needs are met.
- It looks for teachers to teach the pupils who come to school.
- Purchases school books, desks and other equipment.
- Is a link between the community, the school and the government.
The role of the school in community development
- Teaching pupils to obey the law of the land.
- Equip pupils with necessary skills to help them in their life.
- Helps pupil to discover and nurture their talents
- Offering employment the community in the school.
- Helps in preservation of the community’s culture.
- It provides facilities such as playing fields, halls for use by the community.
- Pupils and teachers participate in community projects e.g.tree planting and cleaning the environment.
Contributions of the community in the school development.
- Taking their children to school
- Source of labour for the school
- Donates land for building or expanding the school
- Donating materials needed for constructing school.
- Providing resource personnel for guidance and counselling.
- Allows schools to use their facilities.e.g halls
- Giving moral support to the school e.g.
- During prize giving
- Sports days.
- Providing pupils with necessary materials e.g. books, pens.
People and Population - Class 7 Social Studies Revision Notes
- Major Language Groups in Africa
- Interactions among African Communities
- Factors Influencing Population Distribution
Major Language Groups in Africa
A language group is a group of who speak same or similar language.
Communities in africa belong to different language groups
The people of africa are grouped geographically
They include;
- The people of west africa
- The people of north africa
- The people of central africa
- The people of southern africa
The People of North Africa
This region is made up of egypt, morocco, libya, algeria, western sahara, tunisia and mauritania.
People is this region include.
B – Berbers
A – arabs(semites)
T – tuaregs
Arabs mainly came to: trade, spread islam.
Berbers are found in tunisia, morocco, western sahara, libya, algeria.
Arabs are found in tunisia, libya, egypt, algeria, morocco and north sudan.
Tuaregs live in ahaggar plateau in algeria.
The People of Western Africa
This is the largest group in africa
They include;
- Mande speakers
- Kwa speakers
- Voltaic speakers
- West atlantic speakers
- Nilo – saharan speakers
- Afro-asiatic speakers
The Mande speakers
They are also called mandinkas or mandigoes
They are mainly cultivators
They live in;
- Mali
- Senegal
- Ghana
- Guinea bissau
- Burkina faso
- Sierra leone
They include;
S – Soninke
M – mande
S – susu
M – malinke
B – bambara
The Kwa speakers
They are the largest language group in west africa
They initially lived in north africa
Mostly live in ghana and nigeria
They include;
Ashanti, kwahu, akyem, akwapim, fanti, wassa, nzima, fula, denkyira and ga.
Igbo, yoruba, nupe edo, ijaw, igala and efik.
Voltaic speakers
They moved from lake chad.
They live between the upper and lower volta rivers
They were prominent traders
They are found mainly in ghana and burkina faso
They include;
Ewe – ewe
Mo – mossi
Gu – gurma
Da – dagomba
Be – bergu
Fo – fon
Eg – egun.
West Atlantic speakers
They live along the coast of atlantic ocean.
They are mainly pastorists
They are found in senegal, mali, gambia, guinea, mauritania, guinea bissau.
They include:
Fu – fulani
Tu – tukolor
Wo – wolof
Se – serer
Te – temme
C – creole
K – kru.
Afro-asiatic speakers
Are as a result of intermarriage betwee africans and arabs
Were mainly traders
Played an important role in the tras-saharan trade
They include
Ha – hausa
Tu – tuaregs
A – andarawa
Hawa | In northern nigeria |
Tuaregs | Niger, chad, mauritania, sahel region in mali |
Andarawa | Burkana faso. |
The Nilo-Saharan speakers
They migrated from nile region to west africa through sahara.
They live in nigeria, niger, mali and cameroon,
They include;
So – songhai
Za – zarma
De – dendi
Ka – kanuri.
The People of Central Africa
Majority of the people are bantu
The earliest inhabitants of the region were the khoikhoi, san, and pygmies.
The pygmies are also called the bambuti
The pygmies lived in the forests
The san and khoikhoi were forced to move southwards
The bantu were mainly cultivators
Some of the bantu group of central africa are:
Bakongo, balunda, baluba, banyamlenge | D.R.C |
Yao, makwa | Mozambique |
Nyanya, yao, chewa,lambya, sena, manganja, mgonde, mgoni, nyasa, tonga. | Malawi |
Shona ndebele,ngoni | Zimbabwe |
Mbundu, ovimbundu | Angola |
Bemba,lozi, onga, lala lunda, luba, kaonde | Zambia |
Tutsi, twala, hutu | Rwanda and burundi |
Sara | Central africa republic |
Farig | Cameroon |
Pygmies
Also called bambuti
Are forest people
Are mainly hunters and gatherers
They lead a communal life i.e.sharing most of the food they get.
They are found in the forest lands of:
- Central african republic
- Congo republic
- Gabon
- D.R.C
The People of Southern Africa
- Southern africa countries include;
- South africa
- Lesotho
- Botswana
- Swaziland
- Namibia
- Madagascar
- Main language groups in southern africa are the khoisan, bantu, afrikaners
- Majority of the people here are the bantu
The khoisan
They are the earliest and oldest inhibitants of southern africa
They migrated from congo forest
They speak with click sounds
They are made up of
Khoikhoiand the san
The khoikhoi
Also called hottentos
Are pastoralists
Are mainly found in namibia
The san
Also called the bushmen
Are hunters and gatherers
Are mainly found in kalahari desert in botswana and namibia
The bantu speaking people of southern africa
Tswana, bechuana, bulala, kalahari, | Botswana |
Sotho, bajuto | Lesotho |
Swazi | Swaziland |
Ovambo, herero, griqua | Namibia |
Xhosa, zulu, ndebele, tsonga, ovahimba, bakwena, venda | South Africa |
The Afrikaners
They are also known as the dutch
They migrated from the holland/netherlands
They came as settlers in 1652 in south africa
They were also called boers a dutch wod for farmers
They speak a language called afrikaans
They fought with british colonialists and were granted independence 1934
Other Language Groups in Southern Africa
They include asians and coloureds.
Asians
Are mainly indians
They were brought to work in sugar plantations of natal
They live in towns as businessmen
Coloureds
Are as a result of intermarriage between
Whites and blacks, white and asians, asians and blacks
Are mainly found in the urban centres of south africa
Interactions Among African Communities
Interactions refers to the coming together of different communities
Communities in the past interacted through the following ways:
- During migrations
- Through intermarriages
- During wars and raids
- Through games and sports
- During famine and drought
- Through trading(main)
Modern Ways of Interaction
- Trade i.e local and international trade
- Games and sports e.g. CECAFA,All african games, african cup of nations.
- Regional organisations e.g.E.A.C, IGAD,AU
- International workshops, seminars and conferences
- Intermarriages
- Reliious organisations e.g. catholic women association
- Ceremonies and celebrations
- Migrations e.g.emmigration
- Women and youth groups e.g. federation for african women educators
- Employment i.e places of work
- Local and international tourism.
Benefits of Interaction among Communities
- It promotes trust among people
- It promotes economic development
- It promotes friendly relations
- It enables people to appreciate other’s culture
- It facilitates learning and exchange of new ideas and skills
- It promotes spiritual growth through religion
- Promotion of international peace and security
- It improves transport and communication
- Rich nations offers support to the poor countries
Factors Influencing Population Distribution
- Population distribution is the way people are spread over an area
- Population is not evenly distributed in africa
- Some areas are densely populated whereas others are sparsely populated
- Most people of africa live in rural areas
- Urban centres have high population densities
- Densely populated areas include;
- Major towns and cities
- Mining areas
- Highland areas
- River valleys
- Lake basins
- Coastal lowlands
- Sparsely populated areas include:
- Deserts
- Forests
- Swamps
- Mountain tops
- Pest infested areas
- Steep slopy areas
Factors Influencing Population Distribution in Africa
Climate
Areas receiving high rainfall are densely populated
Areas receiving low rainfall and high temperatures are sparsely populated
Relief
Steep slopes of hills and mountaions are sparsely populated
Gentle slopes of highlands are densely populated
Cold and rocky peaks of mountaions are unihabited
Drainage
River valleys are densely populated due to irrigation
Poorly drained areas such as swamps are sparsely populated
Soils
Areas with fertile soils are densely populated
Areas with infertile sandy soils are sparsely populated
Vegetation
Areas with thick rainfall do not allow human settlement
People are not allowed to live in forest reserves
Pests and diseases
Areas infested with pests like tsetse flies discourages human settlement e.g. miombo woodland and lambwe
valley.
Urbanisation
Urban areas are densely populated because of development of trade industries, employment opportunities and good social amenities.
Mining activities
Presence and discovery of minerals attracts large number of people
This encourages setting up of business centres and related industries
Natural disasters/calamities/catastrophies e.g floods, eruption of volcanoes, landslides
Such areas are sparsely populated
Security
Areas with good political stability are densely populated
Areas experiencing instability due to civil wars are sparsely populated.
Social amenities
Areas with good social facilities like schools, hospitals, roads and recreational facilities are densely populated.
Government policy
Government ideas of settlement or irrigation schemes attracts large population
Gazettement of forest resrves makes some areas to have little or no population.
Vegetation - Class 7 Social Studies Revision Notes
- Vegetation Zones in Africa
- Factors Influencing Distribution of Vegetation
- Characteritics of Vegetation in Different Zones
Vegetation refers to the total plant life/cover on the earth sorface.
It consists of trees, bushes, thickets and grasses.
We have natural vegetation and planted vegetation.
Natural vegetation
This is a type of vegetation that grows on its own
Planted vegetation
Also called man-made or artificial vegetation
This is a type of vegetation cultivated by human beings.
Vegetation Zones in Africa
- Tropical rainforest
- Savannah vegetation
- Mediterranean vegetation
- Temperate grassland vegetation
- Mountain vegetation
- Desert and semi desert vegetation
- Mangrove vegetation
Factors Influencing Distribution of Vegetation
- Climate
- Altitude an relief
- Soils
- Human activities
- Government policy
- Animal activities
Characteritics of Vegetation in Different Zones
Tropical Rainforests
It is also called equatorial vegetation
Is located latitude 5°N and 5°S of equator.
Are found in equatorial climatic zone.
Are found in:
- Eastern madagascar
- Gabo
- Congo
- Ghana
- Cote d ivoire
- Cameroon
- Nigeria
- Benin
- Togo
Characteristics
- Tall evergreen trees
- Tops of trees form layers called canopies
- Trees have straight trunks
- Trees have buttress roots
- Trees have broad leaves
- The forest has little or no undergrowth
- Has climbing plants such as lianas
- Consists of different tree species
- Trees are mainly hardwood e.g.
- Oak
- Ebony
- Obeche
- Rosewood
- Sapele
- Camphor
- Teak
- Mahogany
- Iroko
- Ironwood
- Mvule
- Heartwood.
Savannah Vegetation
It covers the largest portion of africa
Is found between 5°N and 15°S of equator
Grows in tropical type of climate
It is made up of; savannah woodland and savannah grassland
Savannah Woodland
- Main vegetation are trees
- Trees are of medium height
- Trees have umblerra shape at the top
- Trees are widely spaced
- Trees are decidious
- Tall grass grow between the trees
- Trees have thick barks and deep roots
- Main trees are acacia and baobao
Savannah Grassland
- Main vegetation is grass
- Is made up of grass and trees
- Trees are few and scattered
- Grasses are tall and have stiff blades
- Main trees are acacia and baobao
- Trees have small leaves and thorns
- Trees have dep roots and thick barks
Examples of savannah woodland in africa- Miombo woodland in tanzania
- Shimba hills forest of kenya
- Zambia
- Malawi
- Angola
Mediterranean Vegetation
Also called marguis vegetation
Grows in the mediterranean climatic zone
Characteristics
- Is made up of woodland(trees)and shrubs
- Trees are short and thin
- Main trees are oak, olive, fir, cedar, beech, pine, cypress, parasal.
- Trees are short and cone shaped
- Trees have small hard evergreen leaves
- Trees have deep taproots and thick stems
- Aromatic shrubs such as thyme, lavender, rosemary, aloe, sage.
- Other plants have fleshy stems and shiny leaves.
Desert and Semi-desert Vegetation
Found in areas experincing arid and semi-arid climate
Found in sahara and namib desert, kalahari and sahel regions
Consists mainly of drought resisitance shrub
Characteristics
- Mainly includes fleshy and thorny plants e.g.cactus and euphorbia
- Plants are deep rooted
- Plants have thin, spiky needle shaped leaves
- Scattered thorny bushes and tough bunch of grass
- Plants store water in fleshy stems and leaves
- In some places the ground is bare
Temperate Grassland Vegetation
Grows in warm temperate climatic zone
Is also called the veld
Main vegetation is grass
Characteristics
- Tuft/short grass and shrubs
- Grass turns yellow-brown during the dry season
- Has shrubs,bulbons plants and few trees.
- Few trees are found along the river valleys.
Mangrove Vegetation
Is found along the muddy coasts of eastern and western africa.
Characteristics
- Trees grows in salty water
- Trees are hardwood and of medium height.
- Trees are evergreed and they grow close together
- Trees have aerial/breathing roots above the water surface.
Mountain Vegetation
Is found in the highlands and mountain regions
It grows in belts or zones according to the altitudes
It changes with increase in altitude
It is also known as afro-alpine vegetation
At average altitude above 400m there is no vegetation.
It grows on the slopes of :
- Nyandarua ranges
- Cameroon highlands
- Ethiopia highlands
- Atlas mountains
- Mt.kilimanjaro
- Mt.kenya
The Physical Environment - Class 7 Social Studies Revision Notes
- Position, Shape and Size of Africa
- Major Longitudes and Latitudes
- Rotation of the Earth
- Revolution of the Earth
- Map Reading and Interpretation
- Physical Features
- Climate
Position, Shape and Size of Africa
Position
Africa lies between latitude 37°N and 35°S and on longitute 18°W and 52°E.
Separated by water from all other continent except at the point where it joins Asia.
NOTE; When giving the position start with the latitude and then longitude.
Mostly Easterly point is called ras hafun(cape guardafui)
Mostly westerly is cape verde
Mostly northerly is cape bon
Mostly southerly is cape agulhas
Africa is connected to sinai peninsula by suez canal
Separated from spain by strait of gibraltar
Separated from rabia by strait of bab el-mandeb
Shape
The northern half is very wide while the southern is much narrower
At the cape guardafui extends outwards in the shape of a horn therefore the horn of africa.
Size
Africa is the second largest continent in the world
Has an area of about 30.3 million square kilometres(20% of the total land surface)
It measures 8000 km from north to south and 7400km from east to west
Other continents
- Asia – 43608000km2
- Africa – 30335000km2
- North america – 25349000km2
- South america – 17611000km2
- Antarctica – 13340000km2
- Europe – 10498000km2
- Australia – 8923000km2
Countries of Africa and their Location
Africa has the largest number of countries in the world making a total of 55 countries
The newest country is South Sudan
African countries are given below in alphabetical order:
Algeria 2381741km2
Angola 1246700km2
Benin 115773km2
Botswana 600372km2
Burkina faso 274200km2
Burundi 28490km2
Cameroon 475900km2
Cape verde 7275km2
Central africa republic 622984km2
Chad 1284000km2
Comoros 2117km2
congo 34965km2
cόte d’ ivoire 322463km2
djibouti 23310km2
DR congo 2345409km2
Egypt 1101449km2
Equatorial guinea 28051km2
Eritrea 124320km2
Ethiopia 1221900km2
Gabon 267667km2
Gambia 11369km2
Ghana 238537km2
Guinea 245957km2
Guinea bisau 36125km2
Kenya 582648km2
Lesotho 30460km2
Liberia 111369km2
Libya 1775000km2
Madagascar 592900km2
Malawi 118484km2
Mali 1240192km2
Mauritania 1030700km2
Mauritius 2040km2
Morocco 724730km2
Mozambique 802000km2
Niger 1267000km2
Namibia 824295km2
Nigeria 923773km2
Rwanda 26338km2
Sόo Tome & principe 964km2
Senegal 196192km2
Seychelles 453km2
Sierra leone 72325km2
Somalia 626541km2
South africa 221037km2
South sudan 644329km2
Sudan 1886068km2
Swaziland 17368km2
Tanzania 947419km2
Togo 56785km2
Tunisia 164154km2
Uganda 236036km2
Western sahara 252120km2
Zambia 752618km2
Zimbabwe 390759km2
The largest country in africa is Algeria while the smallest is Sychelle.
Offshore island also form part of africa;
- Seychelle
- Sao Tome and principe
- Mauritius
- Comoros
- Madagascar
- Cape verde
Activity
Draw and label map of africa(including all countries)
Major Latitudes and Longitudes
Major longitude is called prime meridian also called greenwich meridian
In africa it passes through:
- Ghana(Accra)
- Algeria
- Burkina faso
- Mali
All other longitudes are measured and named from prime meridian upto 180° on both sides
Major latitude in are three passing through africa
-
Equator 0°
- divides africa into two parts
- It passes through;
- Gabon
- Congo
- DR congo
- Uganda
- Kenya
- Somalia
-
Tropic of cancer 23½° north of equator
It passes through;- Western sahara
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Algeria
- Libya
- Egypt
-
Tropic of capricorn 23½° south of equator
It passes through:- Namibia
- Botswana
- South africa
- Mozambique
- Madagascar
Other important lines of latitude are far from africa are:
- Arctic circle 66½° N
- Antarctic circle 66½° S
Rotation of the Earth
This is movement of earth on its own axis. One complete rotation is 360°
The direction of the rotation is from west to east i.e.anticlockwise direction. One complete rotation takes 24 hours
Effects of Rotation of the Earth
- Differences in time along different longitudes
- Occurrence of day and night
Effects on time note:
24hrs=360
1hr= ?
(360 × 1) ÷ 24 =15
Therefore 1hr=15 or 360 = (24×60)minutes=1440min
1 = 1440 ÷ (360 ×1)= 4min
Example 1
The time in accra 0° is 7.00am.calculate time in bermbera 45°E
1hr =15
? = 45 = (45×1) ÷ 15 =3hrs
So 3hrs is equavalent to 45 then add 3hrs to 7.00am to get 10.00am
Revolution of the Earth
It is the movement of the earth around the sun on its own axis through a path known as orbit
Effects of the Revolution of the Earth
- Causes different seasons
- Summer
- Winter
- Spring
- Autumn
The four seasons follows
Summer → Autumn → Winter → Spring (SAWS)
- Differences in length of day and night
- In December North pole experiences longer hours of darkness than days
- In June south pole experiences longer hours of darkness than day
- In March and September days and night are equal. This is because neither south pole or north pole is facing the sun or away from it.
- Position of the midday sun
- On 21st June the sun is overhead at the tropic of cancer. This is called summer solstice
- On December 22nd the sun is overhead at the tropic of capricon. This is called winter solstice.
- On March 21st and September 23rd the sun is overhead at the equator. This is called Equinox.
Map Reading and Interpretation
A map is a representation of the earth or part of it on a flat surface.
The symbols used in a map help to identify;
- Economic activities
- Population distribution
- Relief
- Drainage of an area
Economic activities
These are things that people engage in to obtain wealthe.g –mining,fishing, farming, livestock keeping,trading,
Quarry | People keep cattle or livestock |
Road | People and goods are transported using road |
Fish trap | People practise fishing |
National Park | Tourism activities are carried out |
Relief
This is physical appreance of the earth’s surface. They include;
- Hills
- Valleys
- Plateaus
- Mountains
- Plains
High ground or plateaus may be identified by the presence of;
- Mountain
- River source
- Tea
- Coffee
- Pyrethrum
Low attitude or plains may be identified by presence of;
- Swamps
- Direction of flow of rivers
- Cotton
On the atlas colour:
- Light green represent plains
- Yellow represents plateaus
- Brown represents highlands
- Purple represents mountain tops
Drainage
Includes all water features. They are;
- Rivers
- Lakes
- Swamps
- Ponds
- Wells
- Human made lakes
Colour is used to represent drainage
- Seasonal rivers – broken blue lines
- Permanent rivers – continuous blue lines
Swampy areas have few settlement because they are breeding ground for mosquitoes
Population distribution and settlement
Many dots in an area indicate there are many people living there. Such areas are said to be densely populated.
When dots are far apart or scattered the area is said to be sparsely populated.
Physical Features
Main Physical Features of Africa
The main physical features in africa are:
- Plateaus
- Basins
- Valley
- Swamps
- Lakes
- Rivers
- Mountains and highlands
Activity
Our lives today pg 17
Draw map of africa showing main physical features
Plateaus
It is a high area which is generally level or flat ot the top
They are made up of very old and hard rocks
Plateaus surface | Country where found |
Fouta Djallon | Guinea |
Bie plateau | Angola |
Nyika plateau | East Africa |
Jos plateau | Nigeria |
Basins
These are broad and shallow depressions. Most prominent ones are:
- Congo
- El Djouf
- Sudan
- Chad
- Kalahari
- Danakil depression
Other smaller basins – qattara in egypt,Lake victoria – kyoga basin
The lowest depression in africa is danakil depression
Valleys
It is a long depression on the earth surface
The world’s biggest and most famous is the great rift valley. It covers a distance of 5600km.
Great rift valley is divided into four sections
- Ethiopia rift valley
- Eastern branch
- Western branch
- Malawi rift valley
Ethiopian rift valley
- It begins from the red sea and extends down to lake turkana
Eastern branch
- Begins from lake turkana through kenya down to tanzania
Western branch
- Starts from lake rukwa in tanzania and runs along the borders of uganda and DRC to south sudan border.lake tanganyika, kivu,goerge,albert and edward are found in this branch.
Malawi rift valley
- It is a continuation of the eastern branch. Starts from lake malawi and ends at port of beira in mozambique
River shire valley, luangwa of zambia and the urema trough of mozambique are found here
Mountains and Highlands
The main highlands in africa include:
- Ethiopian highlands
- Guinea highlands
- Adamawa highlands in cameroon.
Mountain | Country where found |
Kilimanjaro | Tanzania |
Kenya | Kenya |
Elgon | Kenya/Uganda |
Cameroon | Cameroon |
Gimbala | Sudan |
Ras dashan | Ethiopia |
Margherita | Uganda/Congo |
Toubkal | Morocco |
Mountain Range | Country where found |
Atlas | Morocco |
Drankensberg | South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland |
Usambara | Tanzania |
Cape Ranges | South Africa |
Ruwenzori | Uganda |
Ahaggar | Algeria |
Tibesti | Chad |
Aberdare | Kenya |
Lakes
Natural lakes
Lake victoria, tanganyika, malawi, chad, bangweulu.
- Victoria is the second largest lake in the world
- Tanganyika is the deepest (second)lake in the world
Human made lakes
Volta – ghana, kainji – nigeria, nasser – egypt, kariba on border of zambia and zimbabwe.
Some lakes are salty e.g. magadi, natron, shala, bogoria, nakuru.
Salty lakes have no river flowing out of them.
Rivers
Major rivers include the:nile, congo, niger, zambezi, benue, orange, limpopo, volta, senegal,
River Nile is the longest in africa
Rivers that form delta are; Niger, and Nile
Niger delta is the largest in africa
Other rivers drain into the sea or lake in a single channel called estuary.
Examples: are zambezi, congo and senegal.
Swamps
They are areas of soft,wet land covered with vegetation.
They are named according to the types of vegetation in them e.g.papyrus swamps have papyrus reeds
Mangrove swamps have mangrove trees.
Examples of swamps are;
- Okavango and makarikari in botswana
- Sudd along the nile in south sudan
- Lorian in kenya
- Lake – kyoga in uganda
- Malagasi in tanzania
- Swamp around lake chad
Formation of Mountains
There are four types of mountains
- Block mountain
- Volcanic mountain
- Fold mountains
- Residual mountains
Fold mountains
Formed after sedimentary rock fold at the edges
Examples of fold mountains includes:
- atlas in north africa
- Cape ranges in south africa
- Drankenberg in south africa
Residual mountains
Formed when rock masses are reduced in size after many years of erosion
Examples are namuli – mozambique, homboli – mali
Other smaller features which may be formed in smaller manner are inselbergs
Formation of Lakes
A lake is hollow or depression on the surface of the earth which is filled with water. Lakes are formed in different ways
- Erosion
- Earth movements
- Deposition
- Volcanic actions
- Human activities
Erosion
May be either through action of wind or glaciers
Wind actions
Examples are maghra, birket(lake siwa)both in egypt
Glacier actions
A glacier is a big block of moving ice
It is found on top of high mountains
Glacial lakes are known as tarns or corrie lake. Examples are teleki, hanging, gallary
Materials eroded by ice(moraine)may be deposited to form a barrier in a valley.
Behind such a barrier water may be collected to form a moraine dammbed lake.
Earth movements
They are of two types.these are;faulting and downwarping
- Faulting
Examples are:- Lake tanganyika – tanzania
- Eyasi – tanzania
- Malawi – malawi
- Edwajrd and george – uganda
- Turkana, baringo and magadi – kenya
- Downwarping
Examples of downwarping lakes are:- Victoria
- Kyoga
- Bangweulu
- Chad
Deposition
The lakes formed in this manner are ox-bow lakes
Examples are:
- Utange – on river rufiji in tanzania
- Kanyaboli – on river yala in kenya
- Gambi – on river tana in kenya.
Such lakes can also form in a delta areas e.g. lake manzala on nile delta.
Activity
draw diagrams on our lives today pg 24.
Volcanic activity
- Crater lakes
Examples of crater lakes are:- Lake shala – ethiopia
- Lake nyos – cameroon
- Lake paradise – kenya
- Lava – dammed lakes
Formed when water accumulates behind the lava barrier to form a lake
Examples:
- Lake kivu – uganda
- Lake tana – etiopia
- Lake itasy – madagascar
- Lake bunyoyi – uganda
Human activities
Lakes formed as a result of human activities are called artificial lakes
Examples:
- Lake nasser
- Lake kariba
- Lake volta
Relief Regions of Africa
Relief regions in africa are
- Plateaus
- Rift valley
- Highlands and mountains
- Coastal and lowlands
Plateaus
Is high and generally level ground
They lie between 400 – 2600 m above sea level
They have residuals hills (inselbergs)and valleys\
They are separated by short steep slopes known as scarps or escarpments.
The rift valley
The great rift valley enters africa from the red sea to beira in mozambique.
The narrowest part is about 30km wide while the widest is about 100km.
There are depressions occupied by lakes; e.g. bogoria and malawi etc
There are hills and mountains e.g. mt.longonot, suswa and ruwenzori
Some rivers flow along the floor of the rift valley .e.g. kerio, ewaso nyiro, and semliki
Highlands and mountains
Areas lying above 2000m can be described as highlands
Areas lying aove 2600m form mountains
The main highlands and mountains in africa
- Atlas mountains – morocco
- Ethiopia highlands – ethiopia
- East african highlands
- Ahaggar and tibesti mountains – chad
- Adamawa highlands – cameroon.
- Drankens berg and cape ranges – south africa
- Guinea highland – guinea
Mt.kilimanjaro is the highest in africa 5895m
Mt kenya – 5199m
Mt ruwenzori – 5109m
Coastal plains and lowlands
These are low – lying areas that border coast
They lie 0 – 400m above sea level.
They are narrow
Many parts are covered by sandy beaches
Climate
Climate is the average weather conditions of a particular place over a long period of time normally 30-35years
Factors Affecting Climate
- Relief and altitude
- Wind
- Latitudes
- Ocean currents
- Shape of the coastline
- Distance from the sea
Relief and Altitude
It influences the temperatures, the higher you go the cooler it becomes. The rate for every 100m of vertical height is 0.6
It also affects rainfall
Winds
Onshore wind absorbs water vapour from the sea and therefore bring rain to the land.
Offshore wind are dry winds and bring no rainfall.
The wind which influenceclimate in africa are;
- Westerly winds – bring rainfall to mediterranean
- North-east trade winds – they are offshore wind since they originate from asia.
- South-easttrade winds – they bring alot of rainfall to eastern africa
- South-westerly winds – they bring alot of rain to west africa and congo basin.
- Hamarttan winds – they are hot and dry. They cause dry conditions to the north and west africa.
Activity
Draw map of africa showing the winds.our lives today bk 7 pg 29
Latitude
This is the distance from equator.
Places near the equator experiences high temperatures while those far awy expriences lower temperatures
Africa lies within the tropics that is 23½° N and 23½° S. This region does not experience big change in
temperature during the different seasons.
Places outside the tropics experience winter and summer seasons. This is because the farther away one moves
from the tropics the cooler it gets.
Ocean Currents
These are the horizontal movements of water in the ocean.
They can be either be cold or warm.
Cold moves toward the equator while warm away from the equator.
The cold ocean currents are;
- Canary current
- Benguela current
Cold current cause fog and mist to land
Warm currents are;
- Somali current
- Mozambique current
- Guinea current
Warm currents causes rainfall to the land
Distance from the sea
Places that are far away from the sea receive low rainfall than those that are near.
This rainfall is called convectional rainfall
The sea also helps in the formation of cool sea breezes and land breezes
Shape of the coast line
When winds blow parallel to the coastline, they bring no rainfall to the land e.g. coast of ghana
Example axim town receives more rainfall than accra.
Climatic Regions of Africa
Africa has the following climatic regions
- Equatorial
- Tropical/savannah
- Mediterranean
- Mountain
- Desert and semi desert
- Humid sbtropical
- Warm continental
Characteristics of climatic regions of africa
Equatorial Climate
Also called hot and wet climate It is experienced in;
- Nigeria
- Liberia
- Cote d ivoire
- Sierra leone
- Gabon
- Cameroon
- Congo
- Democratic repblic of congo
Characteristics
- Receives heavy rainfall – highest rainfall between April to June and lowest rainfall between september to october
- Have double maxima rainfall
- Most of the rainfall is convectional
- Rainfall is accompanied by thunder and lightning
- Temperatures are high throughout the year
- No dry season
- Dinurnal temperature range is small
- High humidity
Savannah Climate
Also called tropical climate.
Mainly found within the tropics
Characteristics
- Experiences hot rainy season and acool dry season
- Temperature range is between 15 C to 25 C.
- When the rainy season is being experienced in the north of the equator, the dry season inthe south of africa and vice versa
- Rainfall ranges from 380mm to 2000mm p.a.
Mediterranean Climate
It is experienced to the north africa along coast of;morocco, algeria, tunisia and around benghazi in libya.
Also experienced in south africa around cape town.
Characteristics
- Experience hot, dry summer and cool, wet winter
- During the winter season, winds are on shore hence rain , while during summer winds are offshore hence no rain.
- Annual rainfall varies from 500 – 750mm
- Most rainfall is brought by westerly winds
- Temperatures range between 13 C and 24 C.
Semi – desert Climate
Experienced in kalahari and the sahal regions
This region have low rainfall and high temperatures
Characteristics
- Rainfall between 380-500mm p.a.
- Temperature between 22 C to 27 C
- The skies are generally clear
Desert or Arid Climate
True desert are experienced in sahara in north africca and in the namib in namibia
Characteristics
- Lands are dry
- Highest temperatures 58°C and lowest 4°C
- The skies are normally cloudless
- Diurnal
- Temperature range is very big.
- Rainfall is less than 250mm p.a. it fall within short period accompanied by storms.
Humid Subtropical Climate
Experienced in the coastal areas of eastern cape province and natal in south africa and also in mozambique.
Is influenced by warm mozambique currents and south east trade wind.
Characteristics
- Rainfall between 900 to 11500mm
- Most rainfall falls in summer.
- Both convectional and relief rainfall are recieved.
- Temperature range betwwen 13°C to 26°C.
Warm Continental Climate
Also known as the high veld climate
Experienced between the mediterranean climate zone of cape region in south africa and the humid subtropical
zone.
Characteristics
- Rainfall received all year
- Annual rainfall between 780mm in the east and 400mm in the west
- Winds from the indian ocean influence the rainfall.
- Temperature from 10°C to 19°C.
Mountain Climate
Also known as alpine climate
It is influenced by altitude
Characteristics
- Temperature decreases with increase in altitude
- High rainfall is received in mountain areas due to rising of moist air.
- Seasons exprienced in africa
Activity draw the diagrams on our lives today bk 7 pg 37
Places outside the equatorial regions but within the tropics, we have tropical region.these regions experience dry seasons and rainy seasons during other parts of the year.
Places farther away from equatorial and tropical regions experiences the four seasons
Mediterranean lands experiences hot and dry summer and cool, wet winter
Arid and semi-arid regions experiences hot and dry seasons throughout the year.
Influences of Climate on Human Activities
- Savannah are used for grazing
- Wild animals in savannah encourage tourism
- In the hunid subtropical region of south africa sheep are reared for meat and wool.
- Sawmilling is common in equaltorial regions
- Nomadic pastralism is practised in desert and semi desert regions
- Farming is practised in equatorial, modified equatorial, tropical and subtropical climatic zone.
- Tourism is practised at the top of mt.kenya, kilimanjaro and ruwenzori mountain because of snow.
- Climate influences types of houses to be built e.g.in wet areas the roof is steep for water to drain while flat tops are built in hot areas e.g. manyatta among the maasai.
- Areas that encourages breeding of mosquitoes and tsetse discourage settlement e.g.miombo woodland in tanzania and lambwe valley in kenya
Social Relations And Cultural Activities - Class 8 Social Studies Revision Notes
The School
- A school is a centre where learning takes place both formally and informally.
- It is also a place where the learners acquire knowledge.
School Management
- The public schools are run by the government through the ministry of education.
- At the district level, the schools are managed by:
- the District Education Board. (D.E.B)
- The chairman of the district education board is the district commissioner.
- The secretary of the District education board is the district education officer (D.E.O)The D.E.O is in charge of all the education matters in the district. He/She:-
- Ensures there are teachers in the school.
- Inspects schools to ensure standards are set and maintained.
- Organizes co-curriculum activities.
- Assigns teachers responsibilities by posting and transferring them.
The Teacher
- He/She is the secretary to the school committee.
- He/She signs duties and responsibilities to all the teachers in the school
- Receive information from the ministry and pass them on to teachers.
- Ensures that the school is stable and runs smoothly.
- He supervises the work of teachers, pupils and school workers.
- He ensures that good academic standards are made and maintained.
- He writes minutes during school committee meetings.
- He maintains discipline among pupils.
The Deputy Headteacher
- He is the principal assistant of the head teacher.
- He attends to lessons by planning and teaching.
- He acts in the absence of head teacher.
- He is in charge of discipline.
The Senior Teacher
- Ensures all lessons are attended to.
- Acts in the absence of head teacher and the Deputy head teacher.
- Plans and teaches the pupils.
Head Prefects (head boy and head girl)
- They co-ordinate the activities of other prefects.
- Ensures the pupils are orderly.
- Prefects act as the eyes of teachers on other pupils.
Importance of School Administration.
- It promotes high academic standards.
- It promotes high standards of discipline.
- It helps in maintaining school facilities like chairs tables and desks.
- It co-ordinates the daily academic activities in the school.
- It maintains proper school records.
- It organizes and promotes co-curricular activities in the schools e.g. games, music, athletics, drama.
- It acts as the link between the community in school.
- It ensures that the school maintains cleanliness.
- It acts as a link between the school and the government education agents like:
- Assistant education officers (AEO)
- District Education Officers
- Provincial director of education
- It allocates teachers their teaching subjects and other duties.
The School Motto
- It is a phrase that expresses the beliefs of a school.
- It describes the goals that a school intends the school learners to achieve by the time they leave the school.
- School routine is the program of activities in the school either on daily or weekly basis.
- The school timetable forms a major part of the school routine.
The Family
- Family is a group of people who are related by blood or marriage.
Main Types of Family
- Nuclear family - father, mother and child/children
- Extended family - nuclear and other relatives.
- Single parent family - One parent and child/children
Needs of Family Members
- Needs are requirements that are necessary for people to live.
- Basic needs - things we cannot do without.
- Secondary needs - Things that add comfort to our lives but we can do without them.
Basic needs | Secondary needs |
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Resonsibilities of Family Members
- Roles and duties in a family are well defined.
EXAMPLES:
Responsibilities of Parents
- Providing basic needs for the family.
- Providing security in the family.
- Providing medical care for the family.
- Installing good morals in the children.
- Providing financial assistance.
- Teaching religious values.
- Providing love for the family members.
Marriage
- Marriage is a permanent union between adults.
- Marriage systems recognized in Kenya are:
- Religious marriage.
- Customary marriage.
- Civil marriage.
Religious Marriage
- It is usually conducted in a church , mosque , or a temple.
- A wedding ceremony is conducted.
- Christians and Asian marriages are monogamous (one man and one wife)while Muslim marriages are polygamous (more than one wife).
- Couple exchange marriage vows.
- A marriage certificate is issued.
Customary Marriage
- Conducted according to the African customs and beliefs.
- Polygamy is allowed.
- Bride wealth is given before the wedding ceremony.
- It is usually conducted by the clan elders.
Civil Marriage
- It is presided over by a magistrate or an authorized government officer.
- A couple intending to marry must issue a 21 day notice to the district commissioner or the district registrar of marriage.
- The marriage partners pay a marriage fee.
- A marriage certificate is issued.
- Divorce or separation is granted by a court of law.
Importance of Marriage
- It provides companionship.
- It ensures the continuity of the family name and culture.
- It unites different families hence promotes unity and harmony in the society.
- It ensures good upbringing of the children.
- It provides security and legal rights to the children, wife, and the husband.
- It helps to regulate social behavior of the couple.
- It helps to enrich culture especially when man and wife are responsible.
Rights and Responsibilities of Spouses in Marriage
- To be loyal and faithful to each other.
- To stand by each other as a source of comfort and strength.
- To love one another.
- To give each other emotional and physical security and protection.
- To earn an income to support the family.
- To promote the family’s standard of living.
- To discuss the decisions regarding the family matters.
- They should be caring to the children.
Succession and Inheritance
- Succession means taking over property after the owner dies or give up ownership.
- Inheritance is receiving property left behind when the owner dies.
- People succeed or inherit the estate (belonging of the deceased ) through:
- customary laws
- written wills
- parliamentary acts (law of succession).
- The property of the diseased is called an estate.
- A written document that shows how the property of the deceased should be shared out is known as the will.
- The person who inherits the estates of the deceased is known as an heir.
- The distribution of the estate of the deceased is done by:
- Court of law.
- The public trustee.
- The bearer of the letter of administration or the grant of probate.
- The authority to manage the estate is granted by a court of law.
- The following are entitled to the estate of the deceased :
- wife or wives
- former wife ( in case of a divorce in a court of law).
- sons
- daughters
- parents
- Any other person with proof that they depend on the deceased.
- Where both the parents have died, the adult first born child should apply to get a letter of administration, if the parent did not leave a will or a grant of probate, if the parent left a will.
NB: daughters of the deceased whether married or not have the right to benefit from the property of the deceased.
Resources and Economic Activities.
- Resources are the things that are useful to human beings e.g. Soil, water, money, land, forest, mineral, wildlife, domestic animals.
- Economic activities are the different ways that we use the resources to earn income.
- The main economic activities in Kenya include:
- Transport and communication.
- Livestock keeping.
- Wildlife and tourism.
- Fishing.
- Mining.
- Crop farming.
- Forestry.
- Manufacturing.