Geography and History of the World © 2010 Indiana Edition

Chapter 20: Physical Geography of Africa South of the Sahara

Student Web Activities


"The Great Rift Valley"

Introduction
In this chapter you learned about the immensity of the land south of the Sahara and one of its most amazing features. The natural wonder of the Great Rift Valley stretches form Syria to Mozambique. The deep valley was formed out of a system of factures in the Earth’s surface, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes the Great Rift Valley. In East Africa the Great Rift Valley is formed by volcanic mountains and deep lakes.

Objective
Students will tour the large region of the Great Rift Valley, investigate how it was created and its importance today.

Directions
Research credible websites and complete the questions and activity that follows:

Where to begin
www.platetectonics.com/oceanfloors/somali.asp
www.lycos.com/info/great-rift-valley.html
www.go2africa.com/kenya/rift-valley/

Take notes as well as record the websites you visit and answer the following questions:

1
How did the Great Rift Valley get its name?
2
What two bodies of water connect to the Great Rift Valley at its northern point?
3
If the Great Rift Valley continues to expand, what do some scientists believe will happen to Africa? What might be formed?
4
What important anthropological discovery was made in the Great Rift Valley?
5
Choose one of the numerous places to visit along the Great Rift Valley, what makes this location unique?

Activity
Compare and Contrast
After completing your research on the Great Rift Valley, investigate the Grand Canyon of the United States. What are similarities and differences of the two great natural wonders? Design a chart that looks at both of them, analyzing such things as origin, location, length, depth, waterways, and places to visit. Be sure to include your sources.

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