Section · 68 articles

Geography of Africa

Climate zones, mountain ranges, rivers and the diversity of landscapes.

Different zones in Africa

The African continent is divided into several zones, which together include five regions. Among these is the northern part of Africa, where large parts of the Nile can be found. North Africa also includes the Sahara Desert as well as the Nile Valley and the Mahreb. The highest mountain in the Atlas Mountains is Mount Toubkal, which is located in southern Morocco. The region from west to east is known as the Sahara, as it extends along the African Atlantic coast. This area also includes the Red Sea and the Libyan Desert on the western Nile. However, the geography of Africa also offers the Ténéré Desert in the south of the Sahara. There are many mountains in North Africa, most of which extend into the Sahara. An extinct volcano can also be admired there. The main river Nile flows through the Sahara and forms a river delta at the coast, the famous Nile Delta.

West Africa and the central area of the country

Since the geography of Africa has even more regions to offer, Central Africa and West Africa are also counted among the most well-known sections. Central Africa lies south of the Sahara and the famous Congo River flows through this area. The land is very rich in water and the mountain ranges on the coast rise east of the equator. The Congo Basin and the Lunda Swell are very prominent in this area, and there is also a very large rainforest in the region. In West Africa, the geography of Africa is characterized by a significant part of the rainforests, and landscapes such as the Sahel or the Sudan are also integrated in the region. However, West Africa has become a popular holiday destination, especially due to the flat coastal regions, where the mountains provide real shade. The nature is exceptionally beautiful, as the rivers crisscross the western area. In West Africa, the large Volta Lake is also found, with the Niger and the Gambia being among the largest rivers in the area.

Southern Africa and the eastern area

Grasslands, steppes and rivers dominate the areas of Southern Africa and the eastern region of the African continent. East of the Nile, you can find the Great Rift Valley as well as the desert region around Danakil-Somalia. The highlands invite you to extensive excursions if you want to visit this region. There is also a lake highland in East Africa that should definitely be seen. The island of Madagascar also belongs to the eastern region of Africa and is mapped in the Indian Ocean. In Southern Africa, on the other hand, the coast dominates the geography of Africa, extending from Angola to Mozambique. Forests, grasslands and the Namib Desert can be found, and the Kalahari is also included in the geography. In South Africa, you can also find two very large rivers. Mountains such as the Brandberg Massif are part of the mature geography of the continent. Overall, Africa is the largest landmass on Earth.

 

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Geography · Cartography

How big is Africa really?

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Rwenzori Mountains
Geography · Mountains in Africa

Rwenzori Mountains

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Mountains in Africa
Geography

Mountains in Africa

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Geography

Lake Assal – Djibouti’s salty crater lake in the Danakil Depression

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Augrabies Falls – Geography and Natural Wonder in South Africa

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Geography

The Ahaggar Mountains: Algeria’s Volcanic Highlands

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Geography

Mount Cameroon – Africa’s Active Giant between the Atlantic and Savanna

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Bale Mountains in Ethiopia
Geography

The Bale Mountains – Ethiopia’s forgotten volcanic landscape

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Geography

The Blue Nile Falls – Geography and Features of Ethiopia’s Natural Wonder

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Geography

Drakensberg – South Africa’s spectacular mountain massif between geology and biodiversity

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Geography

Ennedi – The volcanic highlands in eastern Chad

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Geography

Erta Ale – The Sleeping Shield Volcano in the Danakil Depression

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Geography

Mount Elgon – Africa’s Sleeping Giant: Geography, Routes and Natural Wonders

Mount Elgon: elevation, formation, vegetation, routes & climbing tips. Info on permits, fitness level and best time to visit Africa’s oldest volcano.

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Mount Meru in Tanzania
Geography

Mount Meru – Africa’s forgotten volcanic giant in northern Tanzania

Mount Meru: height, formation, routes & best time to climb. Practical info for the hike to the crater rim in Tanzania.

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Aerial view of Murchison Falls, where the Nile plunges through a narrow gorge and foams white as it descends
Geography

Murchison Falls – Uganda’s mighty waterfalls in Murchison Falls National Park

The Murchison Falls in Uganda: height, water flow, viewpoints and best travel times for a visit to Murchison Falls National Park.

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View of the glowing lava lake of Nyiragongo in Virunga National Park at night
Geography

Nyiragongo – Africa’s active lava lake in the Virunga Mountains

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View of Ol Doinyo Lengai at sunrise, volcanic landscape in the foreground
Geography

Ol Doinyo Lengai – Africa’s unique sodium carbonate volcano

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View of the pink Lake Retba in Senegal with salt workers and boats in the shallow water
Geography

Lake Retba (Lac Rose) – Senegal: Geography, Ecology and Travel Info

Lake Retba (Lac Rose) in Senegal: salt lake with pink water, area, depth, ecology and best travel time. Info for nature lovers and travelers.

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View of the rugged peaks of the Simien Mountains with deep gorges and scattered tree groups
Geography

Simien Mountains – Geological Portrait and Climbing Tips

Simien Mountains: formation, vegetation, endemic species, routes & best travel time for hikes in the Ethiopian Highlands.

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Panoramic view of the volcanic peaks of the Tibesti mountain range in northern Chad, with rugged rock formations and vast sandy plains in the foreground
Geography

Tibesti – Africa’s highest mountain range and its volcanic giants

The Tibesti mountain range in Chad: formation, volcanoes, climbing routes, permits, and the best travel time for adventurers.

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Panoramic view of the Tugela Falls in the Drakensberg, South Africa
Geography

Tugela Falls – Africa’s second-highest waterfall in South Africa

The Tugela Falls in South Africa are among the highest waterfalls in the world. Information on height, access, and best travel times.

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View of Victoria Falls with spray and rainbow over the Zambezi
Geography

Victoria Falls – Africa’s Mighty Natural Wonder on the Border of Zambia and Zimbabwe

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Geography

Danakil Depression – A Geological Extreme in East Africa

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Geography

The Congo Basin – Heart of Africa and the Earth's Green Lung

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Geography

The Red Sea – Geography and Significance of a Unique Marine Region

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Geography

The Niger – Lifeline of West Africa: Geography, Importance and Travel Destinations

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Geography

The East African Rift – How the Earth shaped the cradle of humankind

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Geography

The Sudd – Africa’s Giant Wetland in South Sudan

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Geography

Lake Victoria – Africa’s largest inland lake and its significance

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Geography

The Volta – Lifeline of West Africa: Geography, Ecology and Significance

The Volta flows through Ghana and Togo, shaping ecosystems and economies. Dams, history and travel destinations along the river.

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Geography

The Kalahari – A Desert Full of Life and History

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The Namib – One of the World’s Oldest Deserts

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Islands of Africa – Diversity between Sea and Continent

African islands: origins, climate, ecosystems and their significance for people and nature – with facts and travel ideas.

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Geography

Cape of Good Hope – Geography and Significance

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Geography

Climate in Africa – Geography and Significance

Africa: climate zones, formation, significance for people and neighboring states – facts and travel experiences.

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Map of Africa showing the most important climate zones and regional examples
Geography

Climate Zones of Africa: Diversity from the Equator to the Deserts

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View of the wide Congo River with boats and dense riverside vegetation
Geography

Congo (River) – Geography and Significance of Africa’s Second-Longest River

The Congo River: length, course, ecology, dams, and travel destinations along Africa’s second-longest river.

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Geography

African Coasts – Diversity between Ocean and Continent

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Geography

Limpopo – Africa’s great river between savanna and Savusavu

The Limpopo flows through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Information on its course, ecology, dams and travel destinations along the river.

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Geography

Lake Malawi – Africa’s third-largest lake and biodiversity hotspot

Lake Malawi in East Africa: surface area, depth, unique fish species and best travel time for divers and nature lovers.

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Flamingos at the shore of Lake Nakuru in Kenya
Geography

Lake Nakuru – Kenya’s shallow salt lake and its significance for humans and nature

Kenya’s Lake Nakuru: area, depth, fish population and best travel time – information on ecosystem and neighboring countries.

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Lesser flamingos stand in the shallow waters of Lake Natron in Tanzania, surrounded by white soda ash and volcanic hills in the background.
Geography

Lake Natron – Africa’s unique soda lake in Tanzania

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Geography

Niger Inland Delta: Africa's Green Lung in the Sahel

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Geography

The Nile – Africa’s Lifeline: Geography, History and Significance

The Nile: river system, riparian states, ecology and economic significance – from its sources in Burundi to the delta in Egypt.

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Okavango Delta – A unique inland delta in Botswana

The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta. A portrait of its formation, climate, wildlife and travel experiences.

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Geography

Orange – Africa’s longest river flowing through South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho

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Geography

Rainforests in Africa – The Green Lungs of the Continent

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Geography

Sahel – Geographic Portrait of a Transition Zone

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Aerial view of Victoria Falls on the Zambezi with spray and rainbow
Geography

Zambezi – Africa’s fourth-longest river: Geography, significance and travel destinations

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View of Table Mountain with the cable car station in Cape Town
Geography

Table Mountain – Geological Wonder and Symbol at the Cape

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View over Lake Tanganyika with fishing boats on the shore
Geography

Lake Tanganyika – Geography, Ecosystem and Travel Destinations on the World’s Second-Oldest Lake

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Aerial view of Lake Chad with surrounding savanna landscapes and small fishing villages
Geography

Lake Chad – Africa’s Shrinking Giant Between Desert and Savanna

Lake Chad: area, depth, bordering countries. Ecological situation, fish stocks, best travel time. Info for geography enthusiasts.

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View over the emerald-green waters of Lake Turkana with volcanoes in the background
Geography

Lake Turkana – Africa’s largest desert lake and its unique ecology

Lake Turkana in East Africa: surface area, depth, formation, and ecological significance. Information on riparian states, fish stocks, and travel tips.

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Map of Africa’s vegetation zones with typical landscapes
Geography

Vegetation Zones of Africa: Diversity from Desert to Rainforest

Discover Africa’s vegetation zones: From the Sahara to the rainforest, climate, flora, fauna and significance for people and neighboring states.

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Africa’s Highest Mountains

Discover Africa’s highest peaks and their geographical features in this overview.

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Table formations and settlement in the mountainous south of Africa
Geography

Geographical Location

The geography of Africa is shaped by interactions. Here you will find numerous landscapes, mountains and outcrops that blend seamlessly into nature.

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Snow-covered Atlas Mountains above arid foothills
Geography · Mountain Ranges in Africa

Atlas Mountains

Rising far above the states, the Atlas Mountains record two watersheds. On the one hand, there is a humid climate, and on the other, the Atlas forms in northern Africa, the arid Sahara. The Atlas Mountains are divided into various units…

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River landscape with dense riverside forest
Geography · African Waters

Rivers

Regions with diverse riverbeds Animals use these water sources to refresh themselves, and locals also go to the rivers to wash. Since Africa is a very poor continent, people can also do their laundry in the rivers…

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Geography · Mountains in Africa

Ethiopian Highlands

Individual mountain ranges and a great many animals. It consists largely of the Nubian Desert, where the terrain becomes rugged as it descends toward the Red Sea. Part of the African Rift Valley is also present in this region, extending to the Great R…

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Geography · Mountains in Africa

Kilimanjaro Massif

Notable Mountain Massifs The Kilimanjaro Massif is a central point in Africa, as from there one can reach any location. To the southwest, other mountain massifs become accessible, including Mount Meru, which stands at 4,500 meters and is located 70 kilometers away.

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Geography · Mountains in Africa

Mount Kenya Massif

Equator-near and treacherous mountain range It is also called the black-and-white mountain and is located in Mount Kenya National Park. Due to its very rocky terrain, the massif invites extreme climbing tours. A little northeast, you can find Kenya’s capital, N…

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Geography · African Waters

Lakes

Among the world’s second-largest lakes are Lake Victoria, which is the second-largest freshwater lake in the world. Lake Tanganyika is the second-largest lake globally in terms of volume and depth…

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Geography · Mountains in Africa

Virunga Volcanoes

Active volcanoes in the Virunga region Two of the volcanoes are located in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo" title="Democratic Republic of the Congo">DR Congo</a>, with one having last erupted over thirty years ago. Streaming lava pours from the volcano’s crater when it erupts. The people living at the foot of the volcano…

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Victoria Falls
Geography · African Waters

Waterfalls

Components of falling water Where a spring emerges or water carves its way through mountain valleys, a waterfall is formed. The increased gradient—where vertical drop exceeds horizontal distance—and the abrupt interruption by the underlying…

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Africa’s Waters
Geography

Africa’s Waters

Africa boasts a vast array of water bodies, including lakes, rivers, and ponds. These water sources serve as vital drinking spots for animals native to deserts and savannas.

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Forested mountain massif beneath low-hanging clouds
Geography · African Mountain Ranges

Africa’s Highest Mountains

Elevations in Africa Some of these are still active or not fully extinct. This puts people living at the foot of a volcano in great danger. In the event of an eruption, they must seek refuge in neighboring countries…

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One country a month

One country, one national park, one animal — Africa in a single mail, told close and brief.

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