(a) On a sketch map of Africa, locate and name: (i) two fold mountain areas (ii) two important rivers north of the equator (iii) two ocean currents: one war...

(a) Sketch map of Africa

• Fold mountain areas: the Atlas Mountains in north-west Africa and the Cape Fold Mountains (Cape Ranges) in southern Africa.
• Important rivers north of the Equator: the River Niger and the River Nile.
• Ocean currents: the warm Guinea Current and the cold Benguela Current.
• Lines of latitude: the Tropic of Cancer at about \(23.5^\circ\text{N}\) and the Tropic of Capricorn at about \(23.5^\circ\text{S}\).

(b) Effect of the cold Benguela Current on the adjacent coastlands

The Benguela Current flows northwards along the south-west coast of Africa. Because it is a cold current, it lowers the temperature of the sea surface and cools the air above it. This also lowers the temperature of the nearby coastland.

Cool air holds less water vapour and is stable, so it does not rise easily to form rain clouds. Moisture may condense near the coast as fog or mist, but there is little rainfall over the land. The coast therefore has an arid climate; this helps to produce the Namib Desert.

Because rainfall is very low, vegetation is sparse. The natural vegetation consists mainly of drought-resistant desert plants, such as scattered grasses and succulents, with very few trees. Some plants can use moisture from the frequent coastal fog.

Examination reminder: link the current to climate first—cold water causes cool, dry, stable air and low rainfall—then link the low rainfall to sparse desert vegetation.