(a) Draw a sketch map of Africa. On the map, mark and name; (i) Rivers Nile and Limpopo; (ii) Lakes Victoria and Chad; (iii) Namib and Kalahari deserts (b) ...

(a) Sketch map of Africa

Key locations: River Nile is in north-eastern Africa and flows northwards to the Mediterranean Sea. River Limpopo is in south-eastern Africa and flows eastwards to the Indian Ocean. Lake Victoria is in East Africa near the Equator, while Lake Chad is in the north-central interior. The Namib Desert lies along the south-western coast, and the Kalahari Desert lies in the interior of southern Africa.

(b) Uses of rivers and lakes in Africa

1. They provide water for domestic purposes such as drinking, cooking and washing.
2. They provide water for irrigation and support livestock farming.
3. They provide fish and employment in fishing, fish processing and boat building.
4. They are used for inland water transport of people and goods.
5. They are dammed for the generation of hydro-electric power.
6. They supply water for industries and serve as tourist and recreational centres.

(c) Factors limiting the use of rivers and lakes in Africa

1. Rapids and waterfalls interrupt river courses and hinder navigation.
2. Seasonal fluctuations in water level cause some rivers to become shallow or dry up in the dry season, while flooding occurs in the wet season.
3. Silting and sand bars, especially at river mouths, obstruct navigation.
4. Aquatic weeds, such as water hyacinth, block waterways and hinder fishing and transport.
5. Many rivers pass through sparsely populated, desert or otherwise unproductive areas, reducing their economic usefulness.
6. Some rivers cross international boundaries, creating problems of joint control, development and use.