Social studies -BOOK 10 Readmore publication

Exercise

Short answer questions:
1. Frigid Zone remains extreme cold throughout the year. Why?
2. Compare Tundra region with Antarctica region.
3. Who are Inuit? Where and how do they live?
4. What is Taiga? Write its economic importance.
5. The people living in northern polar region are the citizens of developed and economically

rich countries. However, they are living a primitive life. Present your logic.
6. Compare between the people living in northern polar region and people of your

locality from backward community. List the similarities and differences between
them.
7. There is a long gap between the lengths of day and night in Frigid Zone. Why?
8. Why has Antarctica region become a center of attraction for the scientists and
explorers? Present your logics.
9. What are the economic activities of the people Siberian climate? Mention.
10. What is Igloo? Who uses it?
11. Give short introduction to the following:
a. Tupik b. Lumbering
c. Eskimos d. Lapps
12. Look at the following pictures and state the reasons why they can survive even in
severe cold climate.

13. Discuss the polar climate in terms of its location, climate, vegetation and lifestyle.
14. Make a table and show the similarities and differences between the snowcapped

region of Nepal and Frigid Zone.
15. What types of vegetation would you observe if you got opportunity to travel from

equatorial region to polar region? Write the name of vegetations with reasons in
four points.
16. Mention any four characteristics of Tundra climate.

Project Work 201

Discuss with your friends and list the similarities and differences between:
1. The summer climate and winter climate
2. Taiga forest and the forest found in the higher hilly region of Nepal, and
3. Environment of mountain region of Nepal and polar region of the earth.

Our Earth

5LESSON Alpine Climate or High
Mountainous Climate

The climate found in high mountains is called Alpine Climate or High Mountainous
Climate. Different types of climate are found in different altitudes because 1°C temperature
differs in each 165 m height. Climate and natural vegetations are different in different
altitudes. Almost similar type of climate is experienced from the bottom to the top of the
hill as we experience from equator to the polar region. There is difference in the economic
activities, physical figure, cultural activities, costume, etc of people in different altitudes.
We can take an example of the high Himalayan region of Nepal. Here, we can see different
types of climate, natural vegetation, socio-economic activities of people, etc in different
altitudes.

Climatic Region: This climate Very cold Snowline
is found in high mountains all Cold
over the world above the tree Cool
line. The climate above this line Warm
is unfavourable for trees to grow. Hot
The Himalayas, the Tibetan
Plateau, the Rocky Mountains, Alpine Climate
the Appalachian Mountains, the
Atlas Mountains, the Andes,
etc are the regions of Alpine
climate.

Climatic Characteristic: The climate is cold and dry throughout the year.

Natural Vegetation and Yak Carrying Load in Alpine Climatic Region
Animals: It is not possible
to grow trees in this climate SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10
because of severe cold and
scanty rainfall. Most of the
lands are covered by snow.
Some natural vegetation like
wild potato, Bristle Cone,
Moss Campion, etc are found.
Similarly, animals like mountain
goat, snow leopard, Yak, etc are
found in this climate.

202

Economic Activities: This climate is not appropriate for the production of crops.
Buckwheat, millet, potato, barley, etc are some crops grown in few areas. Cattle rearing,
collection of medicinal herbs, tourism, etc are the major occupation of people.

Effect on Lifestyle: There is very
less density of population. The
lifestyle in this climatic region is very
difficult due to fewer infrastructures
of development and cultivable land.
People make thatched houses using
wood to live in it. They wear thick
furry clothes to protect their body from
extreme cold.

Human Settlement in Alpine Climatic Region

Activities

1. Write the name of climates which you like and dislike. Mention the reasons why you
like and dislike it.

2. Where is Alpine climate found? What are its climatic characteristics? Discuss.

Exercise

Short answer questions:
1. Mention the regions of Alpine climate?

2. Explain the economic activities and lifestyle of people in Alpine climate.

3. What is meant by alpine climate? Describe it in terms of climatic region, climatic
characteristic, natural vegetation and animals, and lifestyle of people.

Project Work

Show the climatic region of alpine climate or high mountainous climate in an outline map
of the world.

Our Earth 203

6LESSON Climate, Vegetation and Animals
in the World

We have already studied about

the different types of climates N
found in the world. The climate

directly affects the natural

vegetation. Natural vegetations North Europe Asia
differ according to difference in America

climate. The natural vegetations South Africa Oceania
are the product of climate. For Antarctica
example tropical evergreen forest America
is found in the hot and wet region Legend
and coniferous forest is found
in the cool climate. Likewise, tundra, ice
deciduous forest is found in the coniferous forest
regions where summer is hot and broadleaf forest
Mediterranean scrub
grassland
savana
semidesert
desert
dry tropical scrub
subtropical forest
monsoon forest
tropical rain forest

winter is cool. Mainly there are Natural Vegetation
three types of forests: evergreen,

deciduous and coniferous forest. The species, types, numbers and status of animals are

also determined by the climate. The following table shows the interrelationship among

climate, natural vegetation and animals:

Forest Climate Vegetation Animals
Evergreen Forest It is hot and wet
throughout the year. Vegetations are Large animals like
Deciduous Forest Rainfall takes place
more than 200cm evergreen, umbrella elephant, tiger,
annually.
shaped, big and with rhinoceros, bear,
Summer is hot-wet
and winter is cold- less branches and python, crocodile,
dry in this region.
Annual rainfall is hard wood. Tuber, peacock, crane and
about 100cm.
Sal, Rosewood, different types of

Teak, Mahogany, and snakes are found.

Ebony are the major

vegetations.

The vegetations bear Animals like
leaves in summer monkey, jackal,
and shed leaves in leopard and birds
winter. Oak, Maple, like sparrow,
Birch, etc are the crane, crow,
major vegetations. starlings are found.

204 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

Coniferous Forest The climate is cold Evergreen and cone Animals like
and annual average
rainfall is 50 cm. shaped vegetations snow leopard,

are found. Taiga Himalayan bear

forest is an example and different types

of this type of of birds are found.

vegetation. Here,

pine, fir and spruce

are major vegetations

found here.

Activities

1. The natural vegetation found in your locality indicates that the nature of climate
affects the vegetation. In this context, discuss in the class how the climate has
affected the vegetation in your community. Present the conclusion.

2. Write the name of any ten vegetations found in your locality and identify their
characteristics with the help of seniors.

Exercise

Short answer questions:
1. Write the differences between evergreen forest and deciduous forest.

2. “Coniferous forest has a great economic importance.” How? Explain with examples.

3. “All the three types of forest are found in Nepal.” Justify the statement with the
name of the vegetations found there.

4. Complete the following table.

Types of forest Climate Vegetation Animals found there
Evergreen forest
Deciduous forest
Coniferous forest

Community Work

There may be some programs or groups related to forest in your community. Inquire
about their objectives, aims and programs and present the acquired information in the
class.

Our Earth 205

7LESSON Effects of Climate and
Topographic Diversity on Lifestyle

Human life is greatly affected by the climate and topographical diversity. Climate and
topographical diversity cause difference in people’s economic activities, development
works, culture, religion, occupation, civilization, fooding, clothing, etc.

The following examples justify that the climate and topographical diversity affect the
lifestyle of people:

The people who live in cold climate and hilly area are comparatively energetic,
hardworking, courageous and daring than the people living in hot and plain region.
This is why Europeans are energetic.

The people living in the mountain region of Nepal are compelled to be courageous
and hardworking due to the natural challenges. Thus, they are famous all over the
world for adventurous works.

The people living in the polar region and equatorial region are backward in every
aspect of life due to the inappropriate climate and topography.

Red Indians of Amazon basin and Pygmies of coastal region of Guinea are still living
a primitive life. They are completely far from modern development. They are nomads
and live on hunting and gathering.

The people living in temperate zone in North America, Europe and Asia are
comparatively educated, civilized and progressive than the people of other region.
Majority of the scientists and explorers are from this region. It has big and famous
cities of the world. There are more economic activities and physical activities in this
region.

Inuit people living in Northern Russia and Canada are very behind in development.
They hunt animals with traditional domestic weapons, make clothes and tents from
seal’s skin, and collect the edible roots as means of living.

The people of Islam community wear loose and light clothes to save body from
extreme hot sun rays. As Islam religion was originated in hot desert in Saudi Arabia,
sand is mandatory in the construction of mosque. They are positive towards moon
more than sun because the heat from the sun irritates them but the moon provides
them coolness.

206 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

Activities

1. Why is the climate different from place to place? Discuss in the class.

2. The lifestyle of people living in polar region is different than others due to the effect
of climate. Present your logics.

Exercise

Short answer questions:
1. How are Red Indians and Pygmies different from Inuit? Show the differences on the

basis of their lifestyle and place of residence.

2. Why is the lifestyle of mountain, hilly and Terai region different from each other?
Clarify.

3. “The countries located in cold and temperate climate are advanced in term of
development.” Why and how?

4. You would have definitely made a visit to any one geographical place in Nepal.
Prepare a report on the basis of following points.

• Objective
• Major activities
• Findings

5. “Religion and culture are also affected by the climate and topographic diversity.”
Justify this statement by giving the examples of religion and culture practised in your
locality.

6. What sorts of climate, natural vegetation and lifestyle did your experience while you
were in a tour from Terai to mountain region of Nepal ? Show in a table with reasons.

Community Work

Meet some senior members of different religions and ask the following questions in order
to acquire knowledge about those religions. Then, compare the religious features on the
basis of their answers.
1. Where was the religion originated?
2. Name its founder and his/her birthpalce.
3. What are the things that should be done and should not be done?
4. Mention the religious festivals and time of their celebration.

Our Earth 207

8LESSON North America: Geographical and
Natural Environment

Introduction N

North America is the third largest continent in the
world and has an area of about 24 million sq. km. It
was originally inhabited by the Native Americans
and Inuit who migrated from Central Europe
via the Bering Strait. Though the continent was
discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 AD,
it was named much later after the Italian explorer
Amerigo Vespucci who explored North and South
America between 1497 and 1502 AD.

After the discovery of America, the Europeans
started to migrate and settled down in the east coast
of the continent and gradually migrated westward.
Later, people from Africa came and settled down.
Thus, North America is a diversified continent
with people of various races, colours and cultures.

Location

North America is located in the western hemisphere. It is separated from Europe by Atlantic
Ocean. The vast Pacific Ocean lies between Asia and North America. The continent lies
entirely north of the equator. It extends from 7°N to 84°N latitudes. The tropic of Cancer
crosses the continent in the south. The Arctic Circle crosses the continent in the north.
Most parts of the continent lie in the North Temperate Zone. The continent is separated
from Asia by the narrow Bering Strait in the north-west and is linked with South America
by the narrow Isthmus of Panama.

North America has three large countries Canada, the USA and Mexico.

Physical Features

North America is characterized by clear and well-defined divisions into three physiographic
regions. Each region is marked by a certain degree of uniformity in relief, climate,
vegetation, soils and other environmental conditions. They are:

a. The Western Mountain System
b. The Central Lowlands
c. The Eastern Highlands

208 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

a. The Western Mountain System Rocky Mountain

The Western Mountain System or the Grand Canyon
Western Cordilleras are young fold Death Valley
mountains like the Himalayas in our
country. These ranges extend from Mississippi River
Alaska in the north to the Panama
in the south, a distance of about 6,500 209
km. The width of the mountain region is a
maximum of 1,500 km in the middle and
decreases towards the north and the south.

The western mountain system consists
of several mountain ranges running from
north to south. The Rocky Mountain Range
lies in the eastern margin, the Alaska Range
in the north, the Cascade Range in the
middle and the Coastal Range in the south.
In between the mountain ranges there are
plateaus, deep valleys and river basins.
Grand Canyon (1,829 m deep), the deepest
gorge made by the river Colorado lies here.
Similarly, extremely hot and dry valley,
the Death Valley lies to the east of Sierra
Nevada range in California.

The Western Mountain System has many
peaks exceeding 4,000 meters above sea
level. The highest peak Mt. McKinley
(6,190 m) is in Alaska. This region is
prone to earthquake and volcanoes. There
are many active volcanoes in Mexico and
Alaska.

b. The Central Lowland

The Central Plain, also known as the Great
Plains, extends from Hudson Bay in the
north to the Gulf of Mexico in the south
east. This is undulating lowland formed by
denudation of land by glaciers and rivers.
The northern part around the Hudson Bay
is known as the Canadian Shield, which
covers a great part of Canada.

Our Earth

The Central Plain is drained by river Mississippi and its tributaries. It is the most fertile
plain in the world. The extensive temperate grassland known as the Prairies lies in the
central plain of North America.

c. The Eastern Highlands Rocky Mountain

The Eastern Highlands are old fold
mountains which have been denuded
over millions of years. The ranges do
not exceed 2,100 m in altitude. The
eastern highlands are lower than the
western mountains. It is formed by
three important highlands, the Plateau
of Greenland, the Canadian Shield
covering a great part of Canada to the
north of the St. Lawrence River and the
Appalachian highland.

The Appalachian highland lies to the
south of the St. Lawrence River in the
south east of the continent. To the east
of the highland lies the Atlantic coastal
plain.

Rivers and Lakes St. Lawrence River

The Mississippi is the most important
river of North America. The Missouri
River and Arkansas River are its
tributaries which join River Mississippi
and drains into the Gulf of Mexico.
Rivers like the Nelson, the Mackenzie
drain into the Arctic Ocean, the Yukon,
the Fraser, the Columbia and the
Colorado drain into the Pacific Ocean,
while, the river St. Lawrence drains
into the Atlantic Ocean. St. Lawrence
is the busiest river in terms of trade
and business. Most of the rivers drain
towards the east of the continents. They
have created extremely fertile plains.

There are five important lakes in North Great Lakes
America. They are Lake Superior,

Huron, Erie, Ontario, and Michigan known as the Great Lake lying at the border of Canada

and the USA. The famous Niagara Falls is located between Lake Erie and Ontario.

210 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

Climate N

The continent of North America
experiences a variety of climate due to
its vast latitudinal extent, varied relief
features, impact of ocean currents and
prevailing winds. North America lies in
a wide belt of temperate region. It also
includes the Tropical and Tundra climate
in the south and north respectively.

The northernmost part of the continent

is extremely cold throughout the

year. Western coast of Canada and

north western part of the USA has a

mild climate. The central part of the Climate Map of North America
continent has an extreme climate. It is

very hot in summer and very cold in winter. The eastern part of Canada and the areas

around St. Lawrence River receives rainfall throughout the year. California and Florida

receive rainfall only in winter. The south east part of the USA is under the influence of

cyclones and receives rainfall in summer. The southernmost part of the continent is hot

and wet throughout the year. South-west part of the USA has the desert climate.

Natural Vegetation

The natural vegetation largely depends

on climate, soil and relief features. Due

to great diversity in climate and relief,

North America has a wide variety of

vegetation. These vegetation belts

broadly follow the climatic zones.

It has tundra type of vegetation and

coniferous forests in the northernmost

part of Canada. This region is severely

cold with short summers and that is why

some quick flowering plants, bushes Coniferous Forest, Canada
and coniferous trees are found here. The

central part of the country has extensive temperate grassland called Prairies. This region

receives low amount of rainfall and thus there is no thick growth of vegetation. Tall trees

are absent and only grass grow here, which is the main vegetation. The areas around the

St. Lawrence River and south east of the USA have mixed temperate forest comprising of

coniferous and deciduous trees. Some important trees of these forests are oak, beech and

maple.

Our Earth 211

Activities

1. Identify the physical features of North America.
2. Present the features of climate, vegetation and geographical diversity of North

America.
3. Look at the atlas and identify the regions of North America which are often affected

by cyclone and storm.

Exercise

Short answer questions:
1. What is Prairies? What are its economic advantages?
2. Why is the forest extended in the northern region of North America considered as an

important natural resource? Give reasons.
3. Rocky mountain range is advanced in tourism. Mention four reasons.
4. Write short note on the topic “Climate of North America”.
5. What are the three physical regions of North America? Explain each of them in brief.

Long answer question:
Draw outline maps of North America and insert the following items using appropriate
symbols.
• Mt. McKinley, Grand Canyon, Great Lake, River Mississippi
• Prairies, Mt. Appalachian, Areas having rainfall only in winter, Hudson Bay
• Washington, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York
• Rocky Mountain Range, Death valley, Panama Canal, Taiga forest area
• Gulf of Mexico, Cuba, Newfoundland Island, Ottawa
• Niagara Falls, Florida, Washington DC, Mexico City
• Miami, Lake Superior, Salt lake city, Labrador sea

Community Work

With the help of atlas, perform the following activities:
Prepare a description including the famous places and geographical facts like
mountains, rivers, plains, lakes and plateau of North America.
Mention the main areas of settlement and industrial areas on the bases of their
popularity.
Find the facts about the distribution of natural resources like forest, minerals and
others.
212 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

9LESSON North America: Economic
Activities and Social Life

Introduction

North America has now become the dreamland of majority of the people in the world.
One of the main reasons for this is North America’s economic condition. The economic
condition of North America is strong because of the availability of skilled manpower and
maximum utilization of resources. Canada and USA occupy most of the lands in North
America. The study of economic activities and social life of Canada and USA represent
the economic activities and social life of whole North America.

Canada

Canada is the second largest country N
in the world. It occupies most of the

northern portion of North America (41%

of the continent). Before European

contact, Canada was inhabited by the

native people called Inuit, who lived

in the northern parts of Canada. Most

scholars believe that Inuits migrated

via the Bering Strait to North America.

They lead a nomadic life far away

from the cities and thus most people

have retained their traditional ways.

However, later people from France and

Britain started migrating to Canada. Political map of Canada
They brought along with them the

modern ways of life which has influenced the life of the native people. Besides people

from Britain and France, many people from Asia too have migrated and settled down in

Canada. At present, people from all over the world can be found there. Canada is very rich

in natural resources. Its per capita income was $46,213 in 2019 AD.

Forest is one of the most important resources of Canada. About 49% of the total land area
of Canada is covered with the coniferous forest. The timber is used in the manufacture
of pulp and paper. Lumbering has been Canada’s chief industry from the earliest days.
Logs are floated down the rivers to the saw mills. The forest resource has been of great
economic advantage to Canada.

Canada is rich in minerals and power. There are many mineral based industries. The
important minerals are iron ore, copper, nickel, lead, zinc, gold, silver platinum, and
asbestos. It has large deposits of coal, petrol and natural gas as well. Hydro power station

Our Earth 213

at Niagara Falls in Canada and US generates huge amount of power for industries in both
the countries. The abundance of power and mineral resources has provided the basis for
industrial development of Canada.

The prairies of Canada have become a good ground for animal husbandry and agriculture.
Cattle and pigs are reared for meat and milk. Some parts of prairies of Canada have now
been replaced by wheat cultivation. It is the second largest exporter of wheat in the world
next to the USA. Eastern and western parts of Canada are favourable for growing potatoes
and fruits such as apples. The rivers of Canada are very suitable for producing hydro-
electricity and for fishing industry.

YukonU.S.A. New Found Land
territory
SaskatchewanN.W. TerritoMryM M M
British Manitoba
Columbia Alberta Quebec NBeruwnswick

C Ontario Nova
Scotin
M

M
M

U.S.A. U.S.A.

Natural resources of Canada

49% of the total land is covered with forests. Large pulp industries are run from

raw materials available from the soft coniferous woods. Logs are floated down

the rivers to saw mills. Canada has been benefited from the forest to a great extent.
M Minerals in large scale are found here. Large scale industries based on minerals

C run here. Copper, Nickel, Zinc, Iron, Asbestos and Silver are mainly found here.
Abundant coal, petrol and gas are available.

Large amount of wheat is grown in prairies. Canada is the second largest exporter
of wheat.

Potatoes are widely grown in the east and fruits are grown in the west. Especially
apple is grown here.

Gold, Platinum are found here

Water is useful for hydroelectricity and fishing. Fishing business is well established
here.

Pigs and cattle are kept for milk and meat here.

Industries are well developed here. SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10
214

The USA

The United States of America is

known as the “melting pot” of

cultures. People from all over the

world have come and settled here.

This trend of migration started

200 to 300 years ago after the

Europeans discovered America.

Even today, the process of

migration to the USA is continued.

About 12% of the total population

is African American. Their

ancestors were either brought or Political map of the USA
came from Africa. Most of the

people of the USA have come from Europe. Many Asians have also permanently settled in

the USA.

The USA is endowed with both natural and human resources. The northern part of the
country has a large area covered with coniferous forests. Forest based industries that
produce wood pulp. Paper and newsprint are well developed here. Lumbering also
provides employment to a large number of people. The United States is a major producer
of petroleum and coal. The Gulf coast is the main producing area of petroleum. Copper
mines are located in Rocky Mountains.

The Central Lowlands of USA is very rich in agricultural productions. The prairie
grasslands in USA have been converted into wheat lands. Maize, also known as corn, is
grown over large areas in the USA. Cash crops such as cotton is grown in south eastern
USA, tobacco is grown in southern USA, sugarcane grows well in the Gulf coast region
of USA, California grows fruits like grapes, oranges, limes, etc. California grows the best
grapes in the world and produces 90% of the wine in North America. Thus, California is
also called the wine country.

Due to suitable land and large land holdings per person, farming practice in USA is
mechanized. As a matter of fact, its production is more than its consumption. Therefore, its
surplus agricultural productions are exported. Almost all the parts of the USA are suitable
for agriculture, cattle rearing and minerals.

Animal rearing, especially cattle rearing has been developed on a commercial scale in the
USA. Cattles are reared for beef and for dairy. Cattle and pigs are reared in the temperate
grasslands in the interior and western USA. The USA is the largest producer of beef in the
world.

North east coastal areas and gulf region have been developed as important fishing centres.
Western part of the USA with mountain ranges is rich in natural beauty. It is famous for
tourism. Besides industries, trade, business are equally advanced and developed along
with advancement of science and technology. The per capita income of the USA was
$65,111.6 in 2019 AD.

Our Earth 215

Important Areas Crops/Fruits

Near Gulf of Mexico in the South East Cotton, Sugarcane, Paddy

Coastal areas in the east Peanuts, Tobacco, Sugar beet

Central USA Wheat, Maize, Soyabean

South-East and South-West USA Oranges and Grapes

Economic activities of USA and Canada

USA Canada

Agriculture 1.41% Agriculture 1.49%

Industry 19.18% Industry 19.39%
Service 79.41% Service 79.12%

People involved in various jobs People involved in various jobs

Activities

1. Discuss about the economic activities of North America.
2. Why do most of the people of the world want to migrate to the USA and Canada?

Discuss and write the reasons.
3. Write about the social life of North America.
4. With the help of Atlas, find the big and dense settlements of North America and

write their names.

Exercise

Short answer questions:
1. Write a short note on the topic “Social life of North America”.
2. Make a list of the economic activities of North America.
3. Why is the Per Capita Income of USA and Canada high? Write your logics.
4. Why is the economic status of North America improved? Write the reasons.
5. Why are the eastern parts of Canada and the USA more developed than the western

parts?
6. The agriculture is commercial in the USA and Canada. What should we learn from

them to make our agriculture commercialized? Write in points.

Project Work

Make a political and a physical map of North America and paste on the wall of your
classroom.

216 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

NORTH AMERICA: Physical Map

80 SIERR A N EVA DA 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 Nord 80 0
Arctic Circle
160 Cherskiy East Greenland Sea Jan Mayen
Siberian (NORWAY)
RUSSIA
Sea N Arctic Ocean
Ittoqqortoormiit
Pevek (Scoresbysund)

Alert

ICELAND

Anadyr' Ellesmere Greenland Reykjavík
Island
Chukchi Qaanaaq (DENMARK) 20
(Thule) 40
180 Sea QUEEN ELIZABETH Denmark
Provideniya ISLANDS Baffin Bay Strait
Barrow
60 Pond
Bering Inlet
Tasiilaq
Strait Nome BRO RANGE Prudhoe Beaufort Resolute Baffin Ilulissat
O KS Bay Sea Island (Jakobshavn)
Bering
Sea RA NG E Inuvik Banks Sisimiut
UNITED STATES Island (Holsteinsborg)

Bethel Mt. McKinley Fairbanks Victoria Nuuk
(highest point in Island (Godthåb)
North America, 6194 m) Davis
ALASK A Cambridge Bay Strait Qaqortoq
Yukon Gjoa (Julianehåb)
Haven
Anchorage Dawson

160 A LEU T IA N T R EN C H Valdez River Mackenzie River Arctic Circle Iqaluit
Gulf of Great Bear
Alaska Whitehorse A ADA Labrador Sea
Lake
Juneau Fort Great Slave Rankin Hudson Bay Kuujjuaq Island of
Nelson Happy Valley- Newfoundland
CLake NInlet Goose Bay
an St. John's
SRlaivveer Arviat

RO CKY bia River River Churchill
Peace AtLhaakbeasca

Prince Fort River Chisasibi Gulf of St. Pierre
George McMurray St. Lawrence and Miquelon
Nelson
EdmoSnatskoatnchew (FRANCE)
River Lake Moosonee Chicoutimi
Saskatoon Winnipeg (Saguenay) Sydney
Moncton Charlottetown
North Québec
Fredericton
Vancouver St. JohHnalifax
Victoria Calgary Regina

40 Seattle Thunder Sudbury OttaMwoantréal
Winnipeg Bay
MO UNT A INS
C ASC A DES Colum Lake Superior 60
Sna Fargo
Pacific Portland Missouri Lake Lake Boston
Huron Ontario Providence
Toronto
Lake Hamilton Buffalo Hartford
Minneapolis Michigan Lake Erie
Boise London M O U N TAINS New York
Milwaukee Detroit Philadelphia
ke
River

Great Salt
Lake

Salt Lake City
O c e a n US TN AI TT EE DS ANt loarntthi c140 Cleveland Baltimore
Pittsburgh
Mississipp Chicago Washington, D.C.
Omaha Columbus Virginia Beach
Sacramento River Indianapolis Cincinnati
San Francisco River APPA LA C HIA N Bermuda
Death Valley i Saint (U.K.)
San Jose Denver Kansas City Louis Ohio Louisville
Fresno (lowest point in River Arkansas River
North America, -86 m)
Los Angeles Colorado River Nashville Charlotte

Las Memphis Atlanta
Vegas
Albuquerque
Oklahoma
San Diego Phoenix City Birmingham

TijuaMneaxicali Tucson Dallas Jacksonville Ocean

El Paso New Orlando THE BAHAMAS
Tampa Nassau
Ciudad Gra Austin Orleans Miami
Juárez Rio Houston

Hermosillo nde San Antonio

Gulf of CaliforniaGuadeloupe Chihuahua

Tropic SIERR A M AD RE O C C ID ENTA LTorreón Monterrey Gulf of Mexico Havana
of Cancer CUBA
MEXICO20 Matamoros
Culiacán HAITI

La Paz

San Luis Cancun Kingston
Potosí Tampico
LéonAguasQcuaelireéntaterso
Mexico Mérida JAMAICA

Scale: 1:36,000,000 Guadalajara City Bahía de
Lambert Conformal Conic Projection, Campeche
standard parallels 25°N and 77°N Morelia Veracruz
SIERR A Toluca Puebla BELIZE
0 300 600 Kilometers ISLAS M I D E AM Belmopan Caribbean
0 300 600 Miles REVILLAGIGEDO Sea
D L M ADRE DEL SUR Oaxaca HONDURAS
120 (MEXICO) E RIC Tegucigalpa
AAcaTpRulEcNo
Guatemala
City
C H GUATEMALA NICARAGUA

100 San Salvador Managua 80
EL SALVADOR

Our Earth 217

NORTH AMERICA: Political Map

80 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 Nord 80 0
Arctic Circle
160 Cherskiy East N Arctic Ocean Greenland Sea Jan Mayen
Siberian (NORWAY)
RUSSIA Ittoqqortoormiit
Sea (Scoresbysund)

Pevek

Alert

ICELAND

Anadyr' Ellesmere Greenland Reykjavík
Island
Chukchi Qaanaaq (DENMARK) 20
(Thule) 40
Sea
180 Provideniya Denmark
60 Barrow QUEEN ELIZABETH Strait
Bering PruBdahy oe ISLANDS Tasiilaq
Strait Nome Ilulissat
Beaufort Resolute Ba n Bay (Jakobshavn)
Bering Sea
Sea Banks Pond Sisimiut
Inuvik Island Inlet (Holsteinsborg)

Bethel UNITED STATES Victoria Ba n Nuuk
Island Island (Godthåb)
Fairbanks Cambridge Bay Davis
Strait Qaqortoq
Anchorage Yukon Gjoa (Julianehåb)
Valdez Haven
Dawson
M
Iqaluit
ackenzie River Arctic Circle
River GreLaatkeBear
160 Gulf of A Labrador Sea
Alaska CGreLaatkSelave
Whitehorse Rankin

Juneau N A D AInlet Kuujjuaq Island of
Arviat Happy Valley- Newfoundland
SRlaivveer Hudson Bay Goose Bay St. John's
Fort River
Nelson Peace AtLhaakbeasca Churchill

Prince Fort River Chisasibi Gulf of St. Pierre
George McMurray St. Lawrence and Miquelon
Nelson
Edmonton Saskatchew (FRANCE)
River WiLnankiepeg Moosonee Chicoutimi
an Saskatoon (Saguenay) Sydney
Moncton Charlottetown
PNaocritfhi c40 Vancouver bia River Calgary Québec
Victoria Fredericton
Regina Thunder St. JohHnalifax
Seattle Winnipeg Bay
Colum Sudbury OttaMwoantréal
60
Portland Lake Superior HLuarkoen
Fargo Toronto OLnatkaerio Boston
Missouri Providence

MLicahkiegan Hamilton Bu alo Hartford
Lake Erie New York
Ocean Boise Minneapolis Milwaukee DetLroonitdon
ke Chicago Cleveland
140 Sna UNITED Pittsburgh Philadelphia
River Baltimore
GrLeaakt eSalt Salt Lake City Columbus
Sacramento Omaha River Mississipp Indianapolis Cincinnati Washington, D.C.
Virginia Beach
San Francisco River
i Saint Bermuda
San Jose Denver Kansas City Louis Ohio Louisville (U.K.)
Fresno River Arkansas River
Las Vegas River Charlotte North
Colorado STATES Nashville
Los Angeles
Memphis Atlanta Atlantic

San Diego Phoenix Albuquerque OklCahitoyma Birmingham

TijuaMnaexicali Tucson Dallas Jacksonville Ocean

El Paso ONrleeawns Orlando THE BAHAMAS
Houston Tampa Nassau
CJuiuádreazd Miami
Gra Austin
Rio
Hermosillo nde San Antonio
Gulf of California
Guadeloupe Chihuahua

Tropic Torreón Monterrey Gulf of Mexico Havana CUBA
of Cancer Culiacán
MEXICO20 La Paz Matamoros HAITI

Aguascalientes SPanotLousiís Tampico Cancun Kingston
MoreliTaLoéluocnQaueMréCetxaitPriyocuoebla Mérida JAMAICA
Scale: 1:36,000,000 Guadalajara CBaamhípaedcehe
Lambert Conformal Conic Projection, Veracruz BELIZE Caribbean
standard parallels 25°N and 77°N Belmopan
ISLAS Oaxaca HONDURAS
0 300 600 kilometers REVILLAGIGEDO Tegucigalpa Sea
0 300 600 miles
(MEXICO)
120
Acapulco GuaCteitmy ala

GUATEMALA NICARAGUA
San Salvador
100 EL SALVADOR Managua 80

218 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

NORTH AMERICA

N



Our Earth 219

10LESSON South America: Geographical and
Natural Environment

Introduction N

South America is the fourth largest continent in the
world. The continent occupies 12% of the world’s land
area and has 6% of world’s population. The continent lies
in the western hemisphere. South America is known for
having the extremes of natural features and phenomena.
For instance, it has the wettest region like the equatorial
region, the driest deserts like the Atacama, the highest
water fall known as Angel’s fall, the densest forest like
the tropical rainforest, etc. For this reason, South America
is often referred to as the “land of extremes”.

Location

South America lies between 12°N to 55°S latitudes. The
Equator passes through the northern part of the continent.
The tropic of Capricorn passes a little south of the middle
of South America.

It is bounded by the Caribbean Sea in the northwest and north, the Atlantic Ocean in
the northeast, east and southeast, and the Pacific Ocean in the west. It is joined to North
America by the Isthmus of Panama in the northwest.

Physical Features

There are three main geographical division of South America on the basis of physical
features:

a. The Andes
b. The Central Lowlands
c. The Eastern Highlands

a. The Andes The Andes

The Andes Mountains are the SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10
second highest fold mountains, after
Himalayas and were formed 10 to
15 million years ago. The Andes
constitutes the western mountains
of South America. The Andes is the
longest chain of unbroken mountains

220

in the world and forms a continuous chain

from Venezuela in the north to Tierra del

Fuego in the south. It stretches for about

7,000 kilometres running almost parallel

to the west coast. It is higher in the north

than in the south and slopes gently towards

the west. On the western side of the

Central Andes mountain range, there lies

the driest place in the world, the Atacama Aconcagua 6,959 m (22,831.36 ft)
Desert. Many mountain peaks lying in this

mountain range are 6,000 m above the sea level. Mount Aconcagua (6,959 m), the highest

mountain peak of South America lies in Argentina.

In between the mountain ranges lie several plateaus. Lake Titicaca, the largest and the
world’s highest fresh water navigable lake lies here. There are many volcanoes in this
mountain range with occasional earthquakes.

b. The Central Lowlands

The Central Lowlands extend from the
Andes in the west to the Eastern Highlands
in the east. This area is drained mostly by
three large rivers-the Orinoco, the Amazon
and the La Plata river system comprising
of Paraguay-Parana, and Uruguay Rivers.

The Orinoco river basin in the north Amazon Basin
between the Guiana Highlands and
Amazon basin is a fertile land with the
alluvial soil brought down by the rivers
flowing from the Andes. This region is
covered by tropical grassland called the
Llanos.

The Amazon and its source in the Andes
which is located in the rainy equatorial
region is the largest river in the world.
The Amazon basin is also the largest river
basin in the world. This basin is covered
with rich evergreen equatorial forests,
also called the Selvas. These forests are of
great economic value.

South of the Parana River lies the vast Guiana Highlands
temperate grassland called the Pampas.

This region is well known for agriculture and animal rearing. To the south of Pampas lies

the desert of Patagonia.

Our Earth 221

c. The Eastern Highlands

Located in the eastern part of the continent,
the eastern highlands consists of two
highlands, namely, the Guiana Highland
in the north and Brazilian highland in the
north-east.

The Guiana Highlands are situated north of Angel Falls
the Amazon basin, and are lower than the
Brazilian Highlands. These regions receive
lot of rainfall and are heavily forested.

The Brazilian Highlands extend from the Amazon region to south-eastern Brazil. Mt. Pico
da Bandeira (2,890 m) is the highest peak of this region.

These highlands are older than the Andes, and composed of ancient rocks, which have
been worn down due to prolonged erosion. The highest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls
(979 m) lies in Guiana highland in Venezuela.

Rivers

The three major rivers of South America
are:

1. The Orinoco River: It lies in the north
between the Andes and the Guiana
highlands.

2. The Amazon River (6,437 km): It is

the largest river in the world in terms

of volume of water. The wide mouth Amazon River
of the Amazon provides an excellent

waterway from the ocean to the interior of the continent.

3. The La Plata River System: It is formed by three important rivers, namely, Paraguay,
Parana and Uruguay Rivers. The Paraguay River crosses the Bolivian hills and merges
into Parana River which together empties into the La Plata. The Uruguay flows east of
Parana and joins the La Plata River System.

Climate

South America extends over a wide range of latitudes and therefore exhibits a wide range
of climates. Apart from the wide latitudinal extent, South America is narrow in the south,
whereas, wider in the north, above the equator. Therefore, most parts of South America lie
in the tropical zone.

It has a wide variety of climates. The areas around Amazon basin have hot and wet climate
throughout the year. The coastal area has a mild climate due to the influence of sea, ocean
currents and wind directions. However, most part of the continent has a warm climate
throughout the year. The higher altitude of Andes Mountain is cold all the year around.

222 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

Natural Vegetation Llanos
Cattle Rearing in Pampas
Due to the varied climate experienced by
different parts of South America, natural
vegetation is also diverse. The Amazon
Basin area of Bolivia, Brazil and Peru
experiencing hot, wet equatorial climate has
thick equatorial rainforest. The vegetation
comprises of evergreen hardwood trees and
thick undergrowth.

The Orinoco basin in the north and the
Brazilian plateau in the south have a
similar kind of climate. This is also called
tropical wet, dry or Savanna type. This area
is characterized by the tropical grassland
called Llanos in Orinoco basin in Colombia
and Venezuela and Campos in Brazil.

The north eastern parts of Argentina and
Uruguay experience temperate climate.
The vegetation in this region comprises of
temperate grassland called Pampas. The
grasslands are used for growing wheat and
rearing cattle.

Activities N

1. Show the physical features of South America in the map of South 
America given alongside.

2. With the help of atlas, note down the name and height of any
ten of the mountain peaks located in Andes Mountain.

3. Look at the physical map of South America and write the name
of any six rivers.

Our Earth 223

Exercise

Short answer questions:
1. Give short introduction of the three physical regions of South America.
2. Why South America is called “The Land of Extreme”?
3. Give reasons:

a. The Amazon valley is very hot and wet throughout the year.
b. Amazon River basin has dense forest.
c. Southern part of Chile has cool and pleasant climate.
d. The Pampas of Argentina is more favourable than Campos for cattle rearing and

wheat farming.
4. Which is the longest mountain range in the world? How long is it? Which one is the

highest peak in the mountain range? Also mention its hight.
5. What types of climates are found in South America? Explain.
6. The Amazon basin is covered with rich evergreen equatorial forest called the Selvas.

It has a great economic importance. Write a letter to your friend living in Brazil
explaining how Brazil should take advantage of it.
7. What sorts of geographical structure and climate would you experience while you
have been to Caribbean sea, northern part of South America to Capehorn, the
southern part of it ? Write in four points of your findings.
8. ‘The mountains and deserts of South America are the means of development rather
than barrier.’ Justify your answer with geographical reasons.

Long answer question:
Draw outline maps of South America and insert the following facts:
• Andes mountain range, Mt. Aconcagua, Lake Titicaca, River Amazon
• Angel Falls, Atacama desert, Llanos, Peru
• Campos, Pampas, Guiana highland, Chile
• Rio-de Janeiro, Amazon basin, Brazilian highland, Selvas region
• Buenos Aires, Lima, Bogota, Maracaibo Lake
• Patagonia desert, Orinoco River, Cotopaxi, Cape Horn
• Galapagos Island, Quito, Venezuela, Bolivia
• Georgetown, Gulf of San Jorge, River Parana, Campos

Project Work

Draw a physical and political map of South America to paste on the wall of your
classroom.

224 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

11LESSON South America: Economic
Activities and Social Life

Introduction

Before the invasion by the Europeans, South America was flourishing with organised Inca
civilization from 1400 to 1500 AD. Later in the 15th century, the Spanish and Portuguese
colonization led to the end of this civilization. South America became the colony of
Spanish and Portuguese. Many Spanish and Portuguese started to migrate to South
America. Natural resources and valuables things were exploited and taken back to their
countries. Again during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, South America (especially Brazil)
became the home of millions of people brought from Africa.

The different countries of the continent are inhabited by the descendent of Spanish,
Portuguese and African people. At present, people from Italy, Germany, Japan, India,
China, etc are also found living in different parts of this continent.

South America is rich in its economic resources but they are not fully utilized. This is
mainly due to the lack of technical knowledge in people.

The major resources and economic activities of South
America are:

1. Forest: The Selvas of the Amazon region is among the Cinchona
densest and largest rain forests of the world. It is rich in
large varieties of plant and animal life. Commercially, this
forest provides several varieties of hardwood and other
trees. Vanilla and rubber trees are found here. Mahogany,
ebony, etc. are hardwood for furniture which is also found
here. Wax used in furniture, shoe polish and candles
are obtained from the Carnauba palm trees grown here.
Quinine is extracted from cinchona tree found here.

2. Minerals: Oil and natural gas are found in Venezuela, Rubber Latex
Ecuador, Columbia, Argentina and Brazil. Brazil also
leads in the production of iron, bauxite and tin. Chile is
the largest producer of copper and nitrates. Silver, copper,
lead and zinc are mined in Peru. The slopes of Andes
Mountains have rich reserves of gold and copper. There
is an extensive gold mine in Atacama Desert. Brazil is
also known for its water resource and hence, produces the
largest amount of hydroelectricity in South America.

Our Earth 225

3. Agriculture: About one-eighth of South America’s Plucking Coffee
land is used for agriculture or grazing. Agriculture is
chiefly done in the pampas in Argentina and Uruguay,
parts of Brazilian Highlands, Chile and east coast. South
America has some of the largest farms in the world.
Argentina is one of the largest producers of wheat in
the world. Wheat is grown in the pampas region. Corn
(maize) is a native of tropical America and is mostly
grown crop throughout the continent. Cocoa and
sugarcane are grown abundantly in Brazil. Brazil is also
the largest producer of coffee.

4. Animal Rearing: South America has extensive
grasslands, and hence, animal rearing is an important
activity. Cattles are reared for beef, which is exported.
Sheep are reared for wool and meat. The indigenous
tribes living in Andes Mountains region rear sheep of
Llama species. Llamas are reared for carrying loads,
meat and wool.

5. Industries: Industries are found in small scale in South Llamas
America. Brazil is the industrial giant of this continent,
followed by Argentina, Venezuela and Chile.

6. Fishing: South American rivers, especially the Wheat Farming
Amazon, have abundant fish. Fishing, therefore, is
an important industry. Chile has developed a large
commercial marine fishing industry. Ecuador is the
leader in shrimp exports. Argentina also has some good
fishing grounds.

7. Trade: The chief exports of South America includes raw materials such as cocoa,
banana, meat, sugar, wheat, timber, copper, wood, gold, bauxite, petroleum, etc. The chief
imports include medicine, machinery, chemicals, textiles, etc. South American countries
have mostly concentrated their trade with European countries.

There are many countries in South America but the most Gold and Silver Aluminium
important are Brazil and Argentina. The distribution Manganese
of population is quite uneven in Brazil. The causes of
uneven distribution of population are as follows: HEP Lead Oil
(Potentrd) Gold
1. Amazon basin: Amazon basin is very hot and humid.
Floods occur occasionally. The dense tropical rainforest Forest Iron
is not easy to clear. Even if the forests are cleared, the Fertile Soil Manganese
decrease in soil fertility due to the heavy convectional Minerals Gold
rainfalls affects the population distribution. That is why Energy Diamonds

Copper
Coal

226 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

government has not invested much in the development of this region. However Trans
Amazon highway is under construction in Brazil. The process of cutting down the trees
and mining is going on a very fast rate which may affect the environment and lifestyle of
the people who live in Amazon basin.

2. Central Brazil: Central Brazil is an extensive plateau area and has uncertain rainfall
which leads to severe droughts. Hence, it has less density of population. Some minerals
are available. There is no good transportation facility.

3. Coastal Region of South Brazil: The southern coastal regions are narrow and lie in
the temperate zone. It is greatly influenced by the sea and wind direction. It gets rainfall
throughout the year. The coastal plains are favourable and fertile for cultivation. There
are many ports and harbours to promote trade and business. Tourism industry is well
developed. Government has made a lot of investment for the development of this region.
This has led to high density of population in this region.

4. South East Brazil: South East Brazil is also under the influence of the sea. Higher plain
areas have the most pleasant climate. Rainfall is regular and is most favourable for coffee
production. Minerals are also available. There is a good facility of transportation. This is
the most developed region.

5. North East Brazil: North-East Brazil is very hot throughout the year with uncertain
rainfall. Sometimes this area is affected by terrible storms. There is scarcity of food and
has a high birth rate.

Agriculture, animal rearing, industry and fishing are the important economic activities
of South America depending upon the natural resources available. Agriculture in South
America is well developed in Brazilian highland, central Chile and northern part of
Argentina. Brazil is the leading producer of coffee in the world. Brazil’s cotton is famous
all over the world and is exported to countries of Asia. Argentina exports large quantities
of wheat and wheat flour.

Animal rearing is important in the tropical and temperate grasslands of South America.
Argentina is one of the largest producer and exporter of meat and beef in the world. Here,
the cattles are looked after by a group of cowboys called Gauchos. South America does
not have much developed and large scale industries. Brazil is the leading industrial country
where industries are run on foreign investment. Most of the industries are agro-based and
mineral based. Next to Brazil is Argentina. It has industries based on meat packing, flour
milling, leather tanning and food processing. There are some oil refineries in Venezuela
and Peru. Chile and Peru are famous for fishing industries. Peru alone is one of the most
important fishing nations in the world.

Petroleum is one of the most important minerals found in South America. Venezuela is
the main producer of petroleum. Gold is mined in Guiana highland and plateau of Brazil.
Chile is the leading producer of copper while Peru is the third largest producer of silver.
Brazil has large deposits of iron ore and copper. Brazil and Argentina are famous countries
for football.

Our Earth 227

Activities

1. “Spanish and Portuguese defeated South American indigenous tribes and destroyed
Inca civilization, and established their civilization.” Discuss in the class and clarify this
fact with examples.

2. Why do the people living in the areas of Andes Mountains use Llamas? Discuss and
present in the class.

Exercise

Short answer questions:
1. About 75% of the total population of Brazil lives in the city areas. Write a paragraph

comparing this fact with Nepal’s context.
2. “The economic activities of South American countries and Nepal are almost similar.”

Present examples related to this fact.
3. Write similarities and differences between Yaks found in the mountain region of

Nepal and Llamas found in the Andes Mountain range of South America.
4. The people living in the central parts of South American countries are migrating to

the coastal areas and big cities. This trend has led high population density in the
coastal region and lack of manpower in the central region. What impacts may it
cause in the future? Prepare a list.
5. Describe the major economic activities of South America.
6. Give reasons:
a. Argentina exports meat and wheat.
b. Brazil is famous for coffee production.

Long answer question:
Draw a map of South America and insert the following facts there.
• Equator, Amazon River, Pampas, and Patagonia desert

Project Work

Prepare a table showing the similarities and differences found between Andes Mountain
range and Himalayan Mountain range. Present your work in the class.

228 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

SOUTH AMERICA: Physical Map

N

Our Earth 229

SOUTH AMERICA: Political Map

HONDURAS 80 Caribbean Sea Curacao Martinique (FRANCE) 60 40
Tegucigalpa Isla de (NETH.) ST. LUCIA BARBADOS
Providencia Aruba North
(COLOMBIA) (NETH.) ST. VINCENT AND Atlantic
THE GRENADINES
Ocean
NICARAGUA GRENADA N
VENEZUELAManagua
Isla de Barranquilla Maracaibo Caracas Port of Spain
San Andrés Cartagena TRINIDAD AND
(COLOMBIA) BarquisimetVoalencia Barcelona TOBAGO

San José Panama R'io OrinocoCiudad
City Guayana
San
COSTA RICA PANAMA Cúcuta Cristóbal Georgetown

Medellín Rio Magdalena Bucaramanga GUYANA Paramaribo
Pereira Bogotá Cayenne

Isla de Malpelo Ibagué COLOMBIA SURINAME French
(COLOMBIA) ' Guiana
(FRANCE)
Cali Boa
Vista

Equator Quito Rio N Macapá

0 ECUADOR egroAmazon Amazon Belém 0
R'io Mamore Santarém
Guayaquil Manaus São Luis
UR'cioayali
Cuenca R'io Maranón Iquitos Xingu Fortaleza
Piura Natal
Rio Madeira Teresina João
Pessoa
Chiclayo Pucallpa Rio Pôrto Rio Recife
Trujillo Huánuco Branco Velho RioRioArTaogcuaanitains
Maceió
PERU R'io Beni BRAZIL Aracajú
Salvador
Huancayo
20
S o u t h Lima Cusco Francisco
Pacific
Ica Lago Trinidad Rio Paraguai
Titicaca
La PazBOLIVIA Cuiabá Brasília São
Arequipa Goiânia

Ocean Cochabamba Santa Rio Contagem
Sucre Cruz
20 Arica
Iquique Potosí Uberlândia Belo
Horizonte
Campo
Grande
Rio Para Vitória
ná Londrina
PARAGUAY Campinas

Tropic of Capricorn Antofagasta Salta Asunción São Paulo Santos Rio de Janeiro

San Miguel Ciudad Curitiba
de Tucumán del Este Joinvile

Isla San Félix Isla San Ambrosio Resistencia
(CHILE)
Florianópolis
(CHILE) Rio Paraná

CHILE Santa Porto
Fe Alegre

Córdoba ' Salto

Valparaíso Mendoza Rosario URUGUAY South
Santiago Atlantic
ARCHIPIÉLAGO Buenos Aires Montevideo
JUAN FERNÁNDEZ Concepción La Plata Ocean
Temuco
(CHILE)

ARGENTINA

Bahía Blanca Mar del Plata

Puerto Montt San Carlos de
Bariloche

40 40

Comodoro
Rivadavia

Scale 1:35,000,000 Punta Arenas Río Stanley South Georgia and 20
Azimuthal Equal-Area Projection 80 Gallegos Falkland Islands South Sandwich Islands
(Islas Malvinas)
0 500 Kilometers MStargaietlloafn (administered by U.K.,
0 500 Miles Ushuaia (administered by U.K., claimed by ARGENTINA)
claimed by ARGENTINA)
Boundary representation is Cape 40
100 not necessarily authoritative. Horn 60

230 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

SOUTH AMERICA

N



Our Earth 231

12LESSON Africa: Geographical and
Natural Environment

Introduction N

Africa is the second largest continent in size, next to Asia and
occupies more than one-fifth of the Earth’s total area. In the past,
Africa was called the “Dark Continent” because this continent
was unexplored and unknown till the 19th century. Explorers faced
many difficulties while exploring Africa. The impenetrable Sahara
desert in the north, undulating plateaus and fast flowing rivers
with waterfall made it difficult for explorers to discover Africa.

It is also called the “Hottest Continent” because the equator passes almost through the
middle of the continent that makes most parts in this region experience a hot, wet and
humid climate.

Location

Africa is the only continent which is almost divided into two equal parts by the equator. It
extends from 37°N to 35°S latitudes. Three of the major lines of the Earth: Equator (0°),
Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) and Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S) lie in Africa continent. It is
bounded by the Indian Ocean in the east and Atlantic Ocean in the west. The Mediterranean
Sea in the north and the Strait of Gibraltar in the north-west separate Africa from Europe.
The Isthmus of Suez connects Africa with Asia in the north-east. Now the man made canal,
the Suez Canal separates the two continents Asia and Africa. The southernmost tip of
Africa is called the Cape of Good Hope.

Physical Features

The major part of Africa is a plateau composed of ancient rocks. An area of high ground
with fairly level surface is called plateau. Towards the narrow coasts, the plateau descends
in the form of steps. In general, the plateau of Africa is lower in the north and higher in
the south. The Africa continent is called a “Plateau Continent” because much of the land
is raised well above sea level, dropping off sharply near the coastline. There are many
plateaus in Africa continent. Thus, it is also called “Plateau of plateaus”.

Africa can be divided into the following physical divisions:

1. The Atlas Mountain: The Atlas Mountain Atlas Mountain Range
lies in North-Western Africa. There are
young fold mountains. It comprises of three
parallel ranges. The highest peak in the Atlas
Mountains is Mt. Toubkal, which remains
snow covered most of the year.

232 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

2. The Central Plateau: The Central Plateau extends
from the Atlantic Coast in the west to the Nile Valley
in the east. The Sahara Desert forms a part of this
plateau. The Tibesti Mountain and the Tassili Plateau
are located in this region.

3. The High Plateau: The High Plateau of the south Drakensberg Mountains
is divided into the Ethiopian Plateau, the Central Lake
Plateau and the South African Plateau. This plateau
of the south ends with the Drakensberg Mountains
which form the high eastern edge of the plateau. The
Namib and Kalahari Deserts are part of this plateau.
Mt. Kilimanjaro (5,895 m), a snow-capped mountain
near the equator, lies in this place.

4. The Great Rift Valley: The Great Rift Valley of Mt. Kilimanjaro 5,885 m (19,308 ft)
Africa is a special feature of the southern plateau.
It is a long narrow valley formed as a result of
vertical cracks developed because of the movement
within the earth. It extends for a distance of about
5,000 km. Many freshwater lakes like Malawi, Rudolf
and Tanganyika are found here.

5. The Nile and Zaire Basins: The Nile and Zaire River Nile
Basins have been built by these two big rivers ofAfrica.
The Nile Basin is a flat dry region that borders the
River Nile and its tributaries in north-eastern Africa.
It is a very fertile land. The Zaire Basin (Congo) in the
west-central Africa includes most of the land drained
by the River Zaire (Congo) and its tributaries. Tropical
rainforests cover much of the river basin.

Rivers and Lakes

The River Nile is the world’s longest river (6,670 km.)

that flows northwards from east-central Africa to the Lake Victoria
Mediterranean Sea. Though it flows through a desert

for a greater part of its length, it has water throughout the year because its source is Lake

Victoria in the rainy equatorial region.

Most of Africa’s other major rivers including the Congo (Zaire) and Niger enters into the
Atlantic Ocean. The rivers Limpopo and Zambezi flow into the Indian Ocean. The Chari
flows into Lake Chad, forming an inland drainage area. The river Okavango flows through
the Namib Desert. It is fed by rains in the mountains of Angola. Orange and Senegal are
also important rivers in Africa.

Most of Africa’s large lakes lie in the east in the rift valley. Lake Victoria is the largest
lake in Africa. It is the world’s second-largest freshwater lake covering an area of

Our Earth 233

69,490 sq. km. Lake Tanganyika is another important lake, which is also one of the
longest freshwater lakes in the world. Other large lakes occupying the Great Rift are
Nyasa, Albert and Turkana.

Climate

a. Equatorial Climate: The continent of Africa experiences several types of climates.
The Zaire Basin, the coastal region of Gulf of Guinea and coastal region of Kenya has
Equatorial type of climate. It is characterised by a high temperature throughout the year
and heavy rainfall annually. Convectional rainfall occurs daily and mostly in the afternoon.
This type of rainfall is the result of intense heating of land surface. During the day, there
is lot of evaporation. By afternoon, when it starts cooling, the vapour condenses and falls
as rain.

b. Savanna Climate: This type of climate is found on either side of the equator. It is also
called the Sudan type as it is mostly experienced in Sudan. Summers are hot and rainfall
occurs mainly in hot season. Winters are short and dry.

c. Tropical Desert Climate: The Sahara Desert in the north and the Kalahari Desert in
south-central Africa experience the Hot Desert type of climate. Summers are hot and
winters are cool. There is hardly any rainfall. The days are hot and nights are cold.

d. Mediterranean Climate: The coastal areas of north-west Africa and a small area in the
south-west of South Africa experiences Mediterranean type of climate. Summers are hot
with plenty of sunshine but no rainfall. Winters are mild and wet. Westerly brings rainfall
to these regions in winter season.

e. Temperate Grassland: The high plateau of South Africa has Temperate Grassland
type of climate. Summers are hot with rainfall and winters are cold with little or no
rainfall. Due to the distance from the sea, there is great variation between summer and
winter temperature.

Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

The natural vegetation and wildlife of Africa is highly influenced by climate. The large
continent which extends in both side of the equator has several climatic regions. Each
climatic region has its own special kinds of vegetation and animal life.

a. Tropical Rainforest and Wildlife: The Equatorial climatic region of Gulf of Guinea and

Congo Basin has vegetation consisting mainly of hardwood, broad-leaved and evergreen

trees. Since this forest is a result of abundant rainfall

and sunshine, it is also called Tropical Rainforest.

Mahogany, ebony, rubber, coconut, palm and cocoa are

some important trees found here. There is absence of

large animals like elephants and wild cats as the jungle is

very dense and it restricts their free movement. However

this region abounds in animals such as chimpanzees,

gorillas, monkeys, crocodiles, alligators, snakes and Cocoa Pods

brightly coloured birds like parakeets and insects.

234 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

b. Savanna Grassland and Wildlife: The Tropical Alligators
Grassland region of Sudan has a vast plain area with
tall coarse grasses also known as Savanna. Many Parakeet
different types of grass grow here with scattered
trees, such as, acacia and baobab. The presence of Camels
abundant grass attracts herbivorous animals such as
deer, giraffe, elephant and zebra which in turn attracts Savanna Grassland
carnivorous such as lion, leopard and cheetah. Thus,
this region supports a variety of animals and this 235
region is often referred to as the “Zoo of the World”.

c. Desert Vegetations and Wildlife: The Hot Deserts
of Sahara and Kalahari have high temperature but no
rainfall. So, it has very nominal vegetation. In fact,
most of the trees and plants that grow in this region
are highly modified to survive in the harsh desert
climate. Some of the vegetations found in this region
are cactus, rough grasses, thorny bushes and scrubs.
Date palms are found only near oasis. The most
important and largest animal of this region is camel.
Camels are used in the desert for milk, food and
transportation. It is also called as the “Ship of the
Desert”. Other animal found in the desert includes
desert foxes, rats, scorpions, snakes and insects.

d. Mediterranean Vegetation and Wildlife: The
Mediterranean region is characterized by hot, dry
summers and mild, wet winters. So, this region
support trees and plants that can withstand long
summer droughts such as cork, olive, fig, etc. Citrus
fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapes, etc also grow
well here. As forests are not extensive and most of
the natural vegetation has been cut down, not much
wildlife is found in the Mediterranean region.

e. Temperate Grassland Vegetation and Wildlife:
The natural vegetation of the Temperate Grassland
of the plateau of South Africa comprises mostly of
short and coarse grasses called Veld. The little rain
that falls mostly in summer cannot support tall trees.
However, the hill slopes which receive slightly more
rainfall than the interior have trees such as poplar,
willow, etc. Antelope and donkeys are the common
animals found in these grasslands.

Our Earth

Activities

1. Explain the physical features of Africa continent.
2. Which is the highest peak of Africa continent? Where is it located? Discuss.

Exercise

Short answer questions:
1. Mention the major climates found in Africa continent.
2. Why Savanna is called “Zoo of the World”? Write the reasons.
3. Why Africa is called the plateau of plateaus?
4. “As a result of the geographical structure and location, Africa continent experiences

extreme climate in most of its parts.” Justify this statement with reasons.
5. The extensive grassland in the Savanna region is an important natural resource of

Africa Continent. What advantages can Africa continent take from this? Make a list.

Long answer question:
Draw outline maps of Africa and insert the following facts:
• Mt. Kilimanjaro, Atlas Mountain Range, Drakensburg Mountain, Lake Victoria
• River Zambezi, River Congo (Zaire), River Senegal, River Orange
• Equator, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Area of Equatorial Rainforest
• Suez Canal, Strait of Gibraltar, Zanzibar Island, Canary Islands
• Veld, East London, Cairo, Lake Chad
• River Nile, River Niger, Sahara Desert, Kalahari Desert
• Namib Desert, Great Rift Valley, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea

Project Work

With the help of atlas, find the important physical features of Africa continent such as
mountain ranges, highest peak, deserts, lakes, rivers, climatic regions, etc and insert
them in the map of Africa.

236 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

13LESSON Africa: Economic Activities and
Social Life

Introduction

Africa continent is the home to many different ethnic and racial groups, with wide-ranging
characteritics. It is estimated that more than 800 African races exist in this large continent.
They established their kingdoms some 500 years ago. Many of these populations have
diverse origins with different cultural, linguistic and social traits.

The vast continent with varying climates has shaped the diverse lifestyle among its various
populations. The Pygmies of hot, wet equatorial Congo are short statured native people
who live a nomadic life. They are hunters and food gatherers. The Bushman of Kalahari
Desert, unlike other natives of Africa, lives in small groups, moving from place to place
in search of food. The Masai tribe of Savanna of Kenya and Tanzania has tall and sturdy
people with dark complexion. They lead a much more settled life domesticating and rearing
animals. The continent’s native inhabitants still live amidst desert and jungles while the
immigrants from Europe, Asia and other parts of the world live in modern cities across the
continent.

The Arabs arrived from Asia in the 7th century, Coffee Plant
introduced the Arabic language and Muslim religion
to North Africa and invaded many territories in the
continent. Later, in 1650 AD, the Europeans came
as traders in Africa and slowly became the owners
of the land. They ruled for about 80 years during
which, most of the resources, both natural and
human, were exploited and taken away. Then after
much struggle and conflicts, the countries of Africa
became independent. Though it is the second largest
continent, it is not very developed compared to its
size.

Poverty, illiteracy, disease, famine, civil war, etc are Animals in Savanna Region
the characteristics of this continent. The most critical
problem faced by Africa at present is the epidemics
of Ebola and AIDS. Thousands of young men and
women are dying annually of this deadly disease
leaving countless children orphans and to be cared
and brought up by their family members. This is
creating a scarcity of human resource to develop the
continent.

Our Earth 237

The vast land of Africa is rich in natural resources. Africa claims a huge potential of
hydropower from its rivers like Zaire (Congo), Niger, Zambezi, etc. Nigeria is known for
its larger reserves of mineral oil. Zaire is known for its huge reserves of cobalt, industrial
diamonds, uranium, copper, tin, zinc, gold and manganese. But all these reserves have not
been utilized fully and properly due to colonial exploitation, lack of skilled manpower,
political unrest, etc. However, people are engaged in animal rearing, industry and tourism.
Racial diversity, cultural differences and varieties of geographical structures are the
important aspects of Africa. Pyramid of Egypt, Civilization of Nile River, National Parks
of Savanna region and cultural and racial diversity are the attraction for the studies.

Agriculture

Despite the harsh climate and lack of proper
irrigation and land, agriculture is the main
occupation of the people in Africa. They practise
subsistence farming, a type of farming in
which people grow just enough crops for their
household. Such type of farming does not produce
any surplus for export. The main crops grown
here are maize, paddy, wheat, millet, cotton, tea,
coffee and cocoa. Maize is widely cultivated in
the Savanna while the wheat, paddy and cotton
are cultivated in the Nile Valley in Egypt.

Animal Husbandry

The climate and vegetation of most parts of
Africa favours animal husbandry. Animal rearing
has been practised in Africa for centuries. Even
at present, almost all the countries of Africa
practise animal rearing. Cattle and sheep are
reared in large scale at the tropical and temperate
grasslands.

Commercial Farming

Commercial Agriculture refers to a process of

large-scale production of crops for sale. Farming

is done in large and extensive farmlands. Such

farms are called Estates. Commercial farming

in Africa is done in the places having reliable

rainfall, raw material and labour like Kenya,

Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa. They Sugarcane Farming
are run by the rich people, government or

multinational companies. Banana, coffee, cocoa, and cysul (like jute) are cultivated in the

Estates. They are largely exported to earn maximum foreign currency. Such estates have

good provision of food, water and shelter for their workers.

238 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

Tourism

Africa, the second largest continent, with its
diverse geography has a very good prospect for
tourism. It is very rich in natural beauty and
wildlife. The Savanna grassland of Africa is
known as the “Zoo of the World” for its large
varieties of wildlife. Many national parks have
been established in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Kenya alone has 40 national parks. These national
parks attract millions of tourists every year. Thus, tourism is one of the important means of
earning foreign currency for a continent like Africa.

But there are some problems related to tourism in Africa. Vast areas in Africa have
been converted to wildlife reserves, national parks and sanctuaries. In such places free
movement and entry of people is restricted. Due to this, a large group of local people who
depends on animal rearing and agriculture have lost their grazing and agricultural lands.
Poaching of wild animals for its tusks, horns and skin has become a very serious problem
in Africa. Many animals have become extinct or are on the verge of becoming extinct due
to such illegal activities. Unorganised wildlife safaris are creating noise and air pollution
in most of the reserves and parks. This is resulting in the extinction and displacement of
many wildlife and birds from their natural habitat. Lack of proper and organised facilities
for tourists such as animal viewing sites, food, water, transport and communication is also
another major problem related to tourism in Africa.

Some solutions of these problems are:

The governments should maintain a balance while allotting land for wildlife reserves/
parks and to the local people for their livelihood. Such a balance will assure harmony
between the local people and wildlife existence.

Public should be aware of the adverse impact of poaching on tourism. The government
should deploy skilled and trained people to control and stop such illegal activities.
The public should also help the government by reporting any such illegal activities.

Peaceful and natural environment should be provided to the wild animals and birds.
Safaris should be properly organized so as not to pollute and disturb their natural
habitat.

There should be easy access to tourist needs and proper rules and regulations to
maintain cleanliness and overcrowding in the park and reserve areas.

Other Economic Activities

Handicraft is an important industry of Africa. The hard wood of the equatorial forest is
very good for handicraft products. Most of small industries are based on agriculture. Africa
is rich in minerals like gold, diamond, copper, and iron ore. There are some mineral based
industries like iron and steel, copper, aluminium, and oil refineries. Gold is mined in South
Africa. Africa is the largest producer of gold in the world.

Our Earth 239

Activities

1. “Racial, cultural and geographical diversities are the main aspects to observe and
understand Africa continent.” Justify this statement with examples.

2. Look at the picture of Cairo, capital city of Egypt.
It is one of the most developed cities of Africa in
spite of receiving very little rainfall. What are its
causes? Give reasons.

3. Write the name of any ten big African cities and
the countries where they are located.

Exercise

Short answer questions:
1. Write the social and economic activities of Africa Continent in four points.

2. “There is a great possibility of tourism development in Africa.” Clarify the statement
with examples.

3. In the past, Africa continent was called “Dark Continent”. Why was it called so? Write
the reasons.

4. Africa continent is suffering from various problems like starvation, conflict, drought,
war, diseases, illiteracy and poverty. In this context, suggest any four important
activities to be carried out in order to make Africa a developed, peaceful, beautiful
and capable continent.

Project Work N

Look at the given map of Africa with natural resources.
Make a table and show the countries producing diamond,
petroleum, gold and copper.

M C
M
Gas & Oil
Diamond
Gold

M Manganese
C Copper
U Uranium
I Iron

240 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

AF RICA: Physical Map

40 20 0 20 Minsk 40 60
IRE. LondUo.BnKr.uAssmeNlsEstTeHr.damGERMBeArNliYn BELARUS
PORTUGAL Warsaw RUSSIA KAZAKHSTAN
Lisbon POLAND Kyiv ASeraal
Nor t h
Atlantic BEL. LUX. PragueCZ. REP. UKRAINE Volga Tashkent
Paris UZBEKISTAN
N Ocean Vienna SLOV.
TURKMENISTAN
40 FRANCE SWITZ. AUS. Budapest MOL. SAezaoovf Ashgabat

SLO. HUNG. ROM.

CRO. Belgrade Bucharest
BOS.& Danube
ITALY HER. SER. Sofia Black Sea GEO. Caspian

AND. Corsica MONT. KOS. BULG. ARM. AZER. Sea
MACE.
AZORES Madrid Rome Ankara
(PORTUGAL) SPAIN Sardinia ALB. TURKEY

GREECE

Algiers Sicily Athens Tehran
Constantine
MADEIRA ISLANDS Strait of Gibraltar Oran Tunis MALTA Tigris AFG.

(PORTUGAL) Rabat Fès CYPRUS LEB. SYRIA EupIhBRraatAesgQhdad IRAN
Casablanca Beirut Damascus
TUNISIA Mediterranean Sea
MOROCCO Jerusalem
Alexandria ISRAEL
CANARY ISLANDS Marrakech Tripoli Benghazi Amman
(SPAIN)
Cairo JORDAN KUWAIT
Al J-izah
ALGERIA Persian
EGYPT
Laayoune Tropic of Cancer LIBYA Gulf Abu
Western Aswa-n BAHR.
Sahara Admin. QATAR Dhabi
Riyadh Muscat
U.A.E OMAN

SAUDI

20 Nouadhibou SAHARA boundary ARABIA 20

MAURITANIA Port Red
Sudan Sea
CAPE VERDE
Praia Nouakchott Timbuktu NIGER Omdurman hite Nile Nile ERITREA YEMEN Arabian
Dakar SENEGAL Khartoum Asmara Sanaa Sea
MALI Agadez
SUDAN Lac'Assal Gulf of Socotra
Banjul Bamako Niger BURKINA Niamey Zinder CHAD (lowest point in Djibouti Aden (YEMEN)
THE GAMBIA FASO W Africa, -155 m) DJIBOUTI
Bissau N'Djamena Nile
GUINEA-BISSAU GUINEA Ouagadougou Kano SOUTH Blue
Moundou SUDAN
Conakry BENIN NIGERIA CENTRAL AFRICAN Addis L E Y Hargeysa
REPUBLIC Juba
Freetown CÔTE GHANA Niger Abuja Ababa VAL
SIERRA LEONE D'IVOIRE Volta TOGO Bangui
Ogbomoso Benue ETHIOPIA Prov.
Monrovia Ibadan CAMEROON admin.
Yamoussoukro AccrLaomé PNoorvtLooa-gos Douala RIFT line SOMALIA

LIBERIA Abidjan

Malabo Yaoundé CONGO UGANDA GREAT Mogadishu
EQUATORIAL GUINEA Congo

Gulf of Guinea REP. OF Kampala KENYA
SAO TOME THE Kisangani
Equator AND PRINCIPE 0
Ascension
São Tomé Victoria
SEYCHELLES
Annobón
(EQUA. GUI.) TRENCH
IOncdeiaann0 Libreville BASIN Nairobi

GABON CONGO RWANDA Kigali Kilimanjaro
Bukavu Lake (highest point in
DEM. REP. Africa, 5895 m)
BujumburaVictoria
Brazzaville OF THE CONGO BURUNDI Mombasa
Pointe-Noire
Kinshasa
ANGOLA TanLgaakneyika Dodoma Zanzibar
(Cabinda) Mbuji-Mayi
TANZANIA Dar es AMIRANTE
M I D - AT L A N T I C Luanda Salaam

Lake COMOROS Glorioso Islands
Nyasa
Lubumbashi Moroni (FRANCE)

ANGOLA Kitwe MALAWI Cidade Mayotte
Lilongwe
(admin. by France,
Namibe Lubango ZAMBIA de Nacala claimed by Comoros)

Saint Helena Windhoek Lusaka Blantyre Juan de Nova Mahajanga Tromelin Island
Walvis Bay Island (FRANCE)
South
Atlantic NAMIBIA Zambezi (FRANCE)

Ocean NAMIB Harare MOZAMBIQUE Toamasina
ZIMBABWE
Mozambique Antananarivo Port
Beira Channel Louis
20 20
Tropic of Capricorn BOTSWANA St. Denis
RIDGE Bassas MAURITIUS
KALAHARI da India MADAGASCAR Reunion
(FRANCE) Europa
DESERT Island (FRANCE)

Gaborone Pretoria (FRANCE)

RIDGE WA LV I S DESERT Johannesburg Mbabane Maputo

Saint Helena, Ascension, SOUTH SWAZILAND
and Tristan da Cunha
Ora Maseru
(U.K.) eng

AFRICA Durban Indian Ocean
LESOTHO

Cape Town Port Elizabeth

Scale 1:51,400,000

TRISTAN Azimuthal Equal-Area Projection

DA CUNHA 0 800 Kilometers

Gough Island RISE 0 800 Miles
40 C A P E
Boundary representation is 40
not necessarily authoritative.

20 0 20 40 60

Our Earth 241

AF RICA: Political Map

40 20 IRE. U.K. 0 20 Minsk 40 60
London
N North Amsterdam Berlin Warsaw BELARUS RUSSIA KAZAKHSTAN
Atlantic NETH. GERMANY POLAND Kyiv Volga ASreaal
40 Ocean
AZORES Brussels
PORTUGAL BEL. LUX. Prague CZ. REP.
(PORTUGAL) Lisbon Paris UKRAINE

FRANCE SWITZ. Vienna SLOV. MOL. SAezaovof Tashkent
AUS. Budapest UZBEKISTAN
AND. HUNG.
SLO. CRO. Belgrade ROM. TURKMENISTAN
Bucharest Ashgabat
BOS.& SER. Danube Black Sea
ITALY HER. So a GEO. Caspian
Sea
Corsica KOS. BULG. ARM. AZER.
Rome MONT. MACE.
Madrid Sardinia
SPAIN ALB. Ankara
TURKEY
GREECE

Strait of Gibraltar Algiers Tunis Sicily Athens Tigris Tehran AFG.
Constantine IRAN
MADEIRA ISLANDS Rabat Oran SYRIA EupIhBRraaAtegsQhdad
Casablanca Damascus
(PORTUGAL) Fès MALTA CYPRUS LEB.
Beirut
MOROCCO TUNISIA Mediterranean Sea
Jerusalem
CANARY ISLANDS Marrakech Tripoli Benghazi Alexandria ISRAEL Amman

(SPAIN) Cairo JORDAN

Laayoune ALGERIA LIBYA Al Ji-zah KUWAIT Persian Abu Muscat
Western Riyadh Gulf Dhabi OMAN
Sahara Tropic of Cancer Al Jawf EGYPT U.A.E
BAHR.
Aswa-n QATAR
Admin.
20 Nouadhibou boundary SAUDI
ARABIA
20

MAURITANIA Port Red
Sudan Sea
CAPE VERDE
Praia Nouakchott Timbuktu NIGER CHAD Omdurman White Nile Nile ERITREA YEMEN Arabian
Dakar SENEGAL N'Djamena Khartoum Asmara Sanaa Sea
MALI Agadez
Moundou SUDAN Addis Gulf of Socotra
Banjul Bamako Niger BURKINA Niamey Zinder CENTRAL AFRICAN Ababa Djibouti Aden (YEMEN)
THE GAMBIA GUINEA FASO Kano REPUBLIC SOUTH ETHIOPIA DJIBOUTI
SUDAN Nile
Bissau Ouagadougou Bangui Blue
Juba
GUINEA-BISSAU BENIN
GHANA
Conakry Niger NIGERIA Hargeysa
Abuja
Freetown CÔTE TOGO Benue
SIERRA LEONE D'IVOIRE Ogbomoso CAMEROON Prov.
Douala admin.
Monrovia Yamoussoukro AccraLomé Ibadan line SOMALIA
PNoortvooL-agos
LIBERIA Abidjan

Malabo Yaoundé Congo UGANDA Mogadishu
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
REP. OF Kisangani Kampala KENYA
Gulf of Guinea THE Nairobi
SAO TOME
AND PRINCIPE CONGO 0

São Tomé Victoria
Annobón SEYCHELLES
(EQUA. GUI.)
OI ncdeiaann0
Equator Libreville OF TDHEEMC. ROENPG. OBRuWkaAvNuDA Kigali Mombasa
Ascension GABON Bujumbura ViLcatkoeria Zanzibar
BURUNDI Dar es
Brazzaville Kinshasa TanLgakaenyika Dodoma
Pointe-Noire
Mbuji-Mayi TANZANIA
ANGOLA
(Cabinda)

Luanda Salaam

South Lubumbashi NLyaaksea COMMoOrRoOnSi Glorioso Islands
Atlantic (FRANCE)

Ocean ANGOLA Kitwe MALAWI Cidade Mayotte
ZAMBIA Lilongwe de Nacala c(aladimmeind. bbyy CFroamncoer,os)
Lubango
Namibe Tromelin Island
St. Helena Lusaka Blantyre Juan de Nova (FRANCE)
Island Mahajanga
Zambezi Harare
ZIMBABWE (FRANCE)

MOZAMBIQUE Toamasina

20 Beira Mozambique Antananarivo Port
Tropic of Capricorn Channel St. Denis Louis
Windhoek
Saint Helena, Ascension, Walvis Bay 20
and Tristan da Cunha
(U.K.) NAMIBIA BOTSWANA Bassas MADAGASCAR MAURITIUS
da India Reunion
Gaborone (FRANCE) Europa (FRANCE)
Island
(FRANCE)
Pretoria
Maputo
Johannesburg
Mbabane
SOUTH SWAZILAND

Orang Maseru Indian Ocean
e Durban

AFRICA LESOTHO

Cape Town Port Elizabeth

TRISTAN Scale 1:51,400,000
DA CUNHA Azimuthal Equal-Area Projection

0 800 Kilometers

Gough Island 0 800 Miles 40
40 Boundary representation is
not necessarily authoritative.

20 0 20 40 60

242 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

AF RICA

N



Our Earth 243

14LESSON North America, South America,
Africa and Nepal

N

NN
N

Nepal

North America South America Africa

North America and Nepal

North America is a continent located in the western hemisphere while Nepal is a small
Asian country entirely in the eastern hemisphere. Due to great longitudinal difference, the
day and night in these two places is exactly opposite i.e. when it is day in North America,
it is night in Nepal. Besides the longitudinal difference, culture, tradition, religion and the
condition of development are also very different. However, in terms of physical features,
North America is similar to Nepal. Rocky Mountains of North America and Himalayas of
Nepal are young fold mountains and originated at the same time.

North America, especially the USA and Canada, has a very good diplomatic relationship
with Nepal. Nepal has established diplomatic relations with the USA and Canada in
1948 AD and 1965 AD respectively. Besides, the USA and Canada are countries with
immense opportunities. A large numbers of Nepali youths go there for better education or
for further studies. Some of the students are also granted scholarships in their universities.
Nepal can benefit a lot by availing good opportunities to the highly qualified Nepali
manpower in the country. Nepal can also benefit economically and technically for its
development with the help in the form of grants and aids provided by these countries.

South America and Nepal

South America is a continent and Nepal is a country. South America is in western
hemisphere while Nepal is located in eastern hemisphere. Same as North America, the
time of day and night in South America and Nepal is exactly opposite. Andes Mountain in
South America and Himalayas of Nepal both are young fold mountains and originated at
the same time.

The culture, tradition and religion are different. The state of development between these
two places is not much different. The relationship of Nepal with South American countries
is also increasing nowadays. Most of the countries of South America are less developed

244 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

like Nepal. During the Falkland War between Britain and Argentina, the name of Nepal
was much in highlight because the British Gorkha soldiers were deployed in the war. The
British Gorkha soldiers earned name and fame for their bravery in the war. Nepal has
established its embassy in Brazil. Many people from Nepal visit South America annually
for trade and travel.

Africa and Nepal

The continent of Africa is very close to Asia in comparison to North and South America.
But despite its closeness to Asia, Africa is different from Nepal in many respects. Nepal is
not so familiar with the continent of Africa. But, it has good relationship with Egypt, one
of the most developed countries of Africa. At present, some people from Nepal have also
settled down in Africa doing trade and business. Like Africa, Nepal too is rich in natural
beauty. Nepal can learn a lot from the national parks established in Kenya and Tanzania
regarding the management of national parks and development of tourism. Nepali peace
keeping force has been deployed to many countries of Africa to settle down their internal
conflicts and maintain peace in the continent.

Geographical similarities among Nepal, North America, South America and Africa

Facts Nepal North South Africa Features
America America

Mountain Himalayan Rocky Andes Drakensberg Young fold
ranges mountain mountain mountain
range range range and Atlas mountains

mountain ranges

Mt. Everest Mt. Mt. Mt. Kilimanjaro Highest
Aconcagua (5,895 m),
(8,848 m), McKinley (6,960 m), highest in
highest Africa and
Mountain highest in the (6,194 m), in South highest volcanic
Peaks America mountain peak
world highest in the world

in North

America

Himalayan Prairies Campos and Veld and Used for
Grasslands Kharkas cattle
Llanos Savanna rearing

Koshi, St. Lawrence, Amazon, Nile, Congo, Permanent
Gandaki and and with
Rivers Karnali Mississippi, Parana, Zambezi and high volume
of water
Missouri and Paraguay and Niger

Colorado Orinoco

Climate Climatic Climatic Climatic Climatic Climatic
diversity due diversity due diversity due diversity due diversity
to altitudinal to latitudinal to latitudinal to latitudinal
variation extension extension extension

In term of social and economic activities, North America is ahead of all while Africa
is very behind in development. The economic and social condition of Nepal and South
American countries is almost similar. They are developing gradually.

Our Earth 245

Activities

1. Observe the geographical structures of North America, South America and Africa
in atlas. Compare the mountain ranges and big cities located there and located in
Nepal.

2. When did Nepal establish diplomatic relations with the USA and Canada? Find and
write.

3. Make a table and show the highest peaks of North America, South America, Africa
and Nepal.

Exercise

Short answer questions:
1. About 75% of the total population of Africa and 3% of Canada are engaged in

agriculture. Nepal is also an agricultural country. Compare Nepal with these countries
and prepare a note giving reasons for it.
2. Name the animals used as means of transportation in Andes region (S. America), the
deserts (Africa) and mountain region of Nepal.
3. What should Nepal learn from the South American, North American and African
countries to promote tourism and agriculture?
4. Prairies of North America, Campos and Llanos of South America, Veld and Savanna of
Africa and Himalayan Kharka are appropriate for cattle rearing. Make a list showing
the geographical characteristic of each of them.
5. Make a table and show the geographical similarities among Nepal, North America,
South America and Africa.

Project Work

Draw the outline maps of North America, South America and Africa. Then mark the main
cities in the map.

246 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

15LESSON Natural Disasters:
Earthquake and Tsunami

Introduction (hypocentre)

A sudden and terrible event resulting from natural
processes of the earth is called natural disaster.
Natural disasters cause serious loss, destruction,
hardship, unhappiness, or death. Avalanche,
earthquake, flood, landslide, drought, explosion,
cyclone, hailstone, forest fire, hurricane, lightning,
tornado, tsunami, volcanic eruption, etc are the
major natural disasters in which a huge amount of
lives and properties is lost every year in the world.
In this lesson, a short description about Earthquake
and Tsunami has been presented below:

Earthquake

Any sudden movement of earth’s crust due to a natural cause which produces a shaking
or trembling is known as earthquake. During the time of earthquake, if the earth’s crust
shakes vertically, it is called Vertical Quake and if it shakes horizontally, it is called
Horizontal Quake.

The powerful vibrations, tremors or shock waves produced by an earthquake are known
as seismic or earthquake waves. The waves travel outward in all direction like ripples in
water. The place below the earth’s surface where an earthquake originates is known as
focus or hypocentre. Most earthquakes have their focus at depths of less than 60 km. The
point on the earth’s surface directly above the focus is known as the epicentre. The impact
of the earthquake is felt most at the epicentre.

Measuring earthquakes Support Support

The intensity of an earthquake is Rotationg drum Spring Heavy
measured on the Richter scale, so named Pen weight
after the American seismologist Charles Heavy
weight Pen

Rotationg
drum

F. Richter in 1935 AD. Richter scale

ranges from 0 to 9. However, the world’s

largest earthquake with an instrumentally Vertical Earth motion Horizontal Earth motion

documented magnitude occurred on May Seismograph
22nd, 1960 in southern Chile. It was

assigned a magnitude of 9.5 by the United States Geological Survey. Earthquakes of 7 and

above intensity on Richter scale are highly destructive. A highly sensitive instrument used

Our Earth 247

for measuring the intensity of an earthquake is called the seismograph. A seismograph can
measure both the vertical and horizontal movements and vibrations.

Causes of earthquakes

The solid crust of the earth is divided into several plates known as Continental Plates.
These plates are floating on molten mass called the mantle. Some of these plates have
large oceans and continents on them. Sometimes these huge plates move towards each
other and sometime away from each other due to tectonic force developed deep inside
the surface of the earth. Such movement causes the plates to bend, fracture and overlap
resulting in earthquake. Earthquakes also occur as a result of volcanic eruption.

Distribution of earthquakes Continental Rigid
plate tectonic
Earthquakes are common along fault lines and plate
plate boundaries which are the weaker zones of Oceanic
the earth’s surface. Earthquakes and volcanoes plate
occur in the same region. The earthquake zones
of the world are the region surrounding Pacific Plate boundary: Shield area
Ocean also known as “Pacific Ring of Fire”, most tectonic activity in middle of
the Rocky Mountain Range, the Andes Mountain takes place here plate: little tectonic
Range, South East Asia, Hindu Kush and activity occurs here
Suleiman Ranges, Himalayan range of Asia, Iran,
Iraq, Turkey and the Alps of Europe. Continental Plates

Earthquakes occurred in Nepal

Nepal was hit by the earthquakes on 2nd Magh 1990 BS, on 5th Bhadra 2045 BS and on
12th and 29th Baishakh, 2072 BS severely. They all caused huge loss of life and property.

The massive earthquake

occurred on 12th Baishakh

2072 BS was very devastating.

The epicenter of this earthquake

was in Barpak village of

Gorkha. It was measured 7.8

Richter scale in magnitude.

This was a highly destructive

earthquake which Nepal faced

within about 80 years period.

It caused unprecedented loss

of life and property. It mainly

affected the Western and Dharahara: Destroyed by Earthquake and Newly Constructed
Central region of Nepal. The

houses, cultural, religious and historical monuments of these regions were completely

destroyed. Thousands of people became homeless and were compelled to spend the

days and nights under open sky. Immediately after the earthquake, our neighbouring

countries provided rescue and relief operation in affected areas like Kathmandu Valley,

248 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10

Gorkha, Sindhupalchowk, Dolkha, Rasuwa, Kavre, Nuwakot and other districts. Different
donor countries and agencies helped financially and technically for the reconstruction
of destroyed settlement areas, monuments and heritages. The Government of Nepal also
formed National Reconstruction Authority to accelerate the reconstruction of the destroyed
villages and heritages of Nepal. The government also decided to provide financial support
to the people for reconstruction of the destroyed structures.

Tsunami

Alarge destructive wave caused by an underwater

earthquake or another movement of the Earth’s

surface is known as tsunami. In Japanese

language, tsunami means “harbour wave”. When

a severe earthquake takes place below the ocean

bed, its tremors give rise to a huge wall like sea

waves rushing to the coastal low lying areas. They

cause destruction of human lives and property in a

very large scale. The waves caused by submarine Destruction by Tsunami
earthquake are called “tsunamis”. These sea

waves are often as high as 27 meters and as long as 160 km travelling at a jet speed of

800 km per hour. The tsunami occurred on the coastal area of Sumatra Island of Indonesia

had affected whole Indian Ocean. It had caused the huge loss of property and death of

about 40 million people. Similarly, the earthquake and tsunami occurred on 11th March,

2011 AD in the coastal region of Japan caused the death of 15,894 people. During that

disaster, 6,152 people were injured and 2,562 were lost.

Effects of Earthquake and Tsunami

Causes loss of lives and properties,
Damages the physical structures,
Spreads the epidemics leading further problems,
Causes the creation of faults on the Earth’s crust through which eruption may occur,
The sources of water may appear or disappear.

Awareness and safety measures

Natural disasters are inevitable. It is always advisable to be aware of its causes and
consequences. Therefore the government as well and the people living in the earthquake
and tsunami prone areas should adopt a high level of alertness and appropriate safety
measures. The educational institutes should conduct exercises on how to take safety
measures on a regular basis. The following awareness and safety measures should be
adopted to minimize the loss in the disastrous time.

Physical structures should be constructed with disaster resistant technology.

In order to minimize the effects from the disaster pre-cautions and preparations should
be adopted before the occurrence of disasters.

There should be easy access of information to be safe from possible disaster.

Essential material should be kept in ready position for the disastrous time.

Our Earth 249

Activities

1. Earthquakes cannot be predicted before its occurrence. It is a dreadful natural
disaster. It may cause huge loss of lives and properties. We have not been able to
protect ourselves from such disasters. Consult with the seniors in your society about
their experiences about the earthquake and present it in the class.

2. Write two paragraphs about the massive earthquake occurred in 2072 BS.

Exercise

Short answer questions:
1. What is an earthquake? Can it be prevented? Explain.

2. Differentiate between Epicentre and Hypocentre.

3. How does Seismograph measure the magnitude of earthquake? Clarify it with
figures.

4. Write the differences between earthquake and tsunami.

5. Though the earthquake cannot be prevented, its loss can be minimized. How?

6. Give an introduction of tsunami and mention any three safety measures to be
secured from tsunami.

7. What should be done before, during and after the earthquake for safety and
alertness? Discuss and write two measures for each.

8. Write a paragraph about the massive earthquake of 2072 BS.

9. Note the role of state regarding natural disaster reduction, precaution and awareness
in four points.

10. Fill the following table with causes and effects of earthquake and tsunami.

Causes of Effects of Causes of Tsunami Effects of Tsunami
Earthquake Earthquake

Community Work

When and how did you feel the earthquake for the first time? When and how did the
senior member of your family feel it? Discuss with him/her and write the experiences on
a chart paper and present in front of your friends.

250 SOCIAL STUDIES - GRADE 10