Step 3: Move Beyond the Basics

To demonstrate a more advanced understanding of the role of geographic and climatic diversity in African history, fill in the chart below with descriptions of the society, government, and economy of each of Africa’s five main climatic zones. In which regions did settled agriculture lead to population growth and urbanization? Which regions had the strongest economic and cultural connections to societies outside of Africa? Which regions were most isolated from the outside world?

Click here to download the exercise for Step 3 in MS Word.

Society Government Economy
Fertile northern and southern coastal regions
Steppe lands
Deserts
Savanna
Tropical rain forests