(b) Natural Vegetation and Animals: The climatic condition of this region
with dryness and scanty rainfall is not sufficient to grow trees like in the
dense forest. The little rain in the summer is suitable for the growth of long
and dense grasses. The tropical grassland is also known as Savannah in mid-
Africa, Llanos in the Orinoco Basin, and Campos in Brazilian highland. The
trees in this region are scattered which have long roots to survive during very
dry winter. They are thorny and developed in an umbrella shape. The rainfall
supports to grow enough grasses for the wildlife. This region is rich in tall and
nutritious grasses for the wildlife. The animals like hyena, tiger, lion, zebra,
giraffe, hippopotamus, deer, and elephants are found in the region. Some large
birds like ostriches and emus are found in this region. They cannot fly, but
they can walk very fast.
Savannah region is developing as one of the major tourist destination of the
world. It is rich in wildlife and primitive lifestyles of the people. Tourist from
different parts of the world visit this region to see such wildlife. Therefore, this
region is called the "Zoo of the World".
(c) Lifestyle and Economic activities of People: The hot and dry climatic
condition of the tropical grassland region is not suitable for human settlement.
The people in this region still have a primitive way of life. Masai and Hausa, the
indigenous tribes of Central Africa, live a nomadic life. They engage in animal
husbandry, hunting, collecting herbs, and roots to survive. They wander from
one place to another in search of food for their domesticated animals.
Some parts of this region are ideal for the production of tobacco, sugarcane,
beans, banana, potato, tea, coffee, and so on. This region is also rich in minerals.
This region is rich in wildlife. Millions of people from the different parts of
the world come here to see such beautiful animals. Consequently, the tourism
industry has developed recently. Some people have changed their traditional
occupations and adopted tourism to survive. They work as tour guides, waiter,
cook, porter. and so on in the tourism sector. Some of them are working in
travel agencies. Nowadays, tourism has helped to improve the standard of
living of the people in this region.
(3) Tropical Desert Climate:
(a) Location and Features: This type of climate
is found between 20° to 30° latitudes in both
the hemispheres, especially in the central and
western part of the continent. The tropical desert
climate is hot and dry throughout the year. The Tropical desert (oasis)
temperature range is very high in this region. The
average temperature in the summer is 40° C during the day and goes down up
to 10° at night. The largest desert in the world, the Sahara, lies in this climate
region. Thar desert of India and Pakistan, Arabian deserts of Middle-east,
Sonoran Desert of USA, Mexican deserts of Mexico, Atacam desert of South
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America, Namib and Kalahari of Africa, and the Great Australian Sandy
desert of Australia are the major deserts of the world. They also lie in this
region. Among them, Atacama is the driest and Thar is the hottest desert in
the world. They are covered with sand dunes, Yardang, and mushroom rocks.
(b) Natural Vegetation and Animals: Only some thorny types of plants could
survive in this region due to a hot and dry climate. They are called cactus
plants. They could survive in the deserts as they have tiny, waxy and leathery
leaves. The plant in the desert could grow in some parts where underground
water is available. Some palm trees can grow around the oasis and the coastal
areas of the deserts, where human life is possible. Camel is the main animal
found in the desert region. They can live without or very little water for a
long period. They have tough lips and tongue which enable them to chew the
thorny plants in the desert. Their thick eyebrows protect them in the sandy
storm and feet enable them to walk in the sandy ground in the desert. People
in the desert region use camels to transport goods from one place to another.
Therefore, the camel is called the 'ship of the desert'.
(c) Lifestyle and Economic Activities of People: The tropical desert region
is a thinly populated region of the world. About 5% of the total population of
the world live in this region. It is because of its extreme climate. People cannot
survive everywhere because of its unpleasant climate in this region. Many
people live near the mining and coastal areas. Some people live in the oasis.
Oasis is the area of the deserts with a permanent source of water. This region
is rich in petroleum and other minerals, too.
Some people of this region have good earnings due to its petroleum and
minerals. The Palm trees grown around the oasis is used to produce palm
oil. Dates, melons, and sorghums are the other crops produced in the desert.
Camels and the deserts sheep are the domestic animals of this region. Many
people of this region live a nomadic life. Aborigines of the Australian desert,
Bushman of the Kalahari Desert and Bedouins of the Arabian deserts are the
traditional dwellers of this region. Camels are used to carry goods from one
place to another in the desert. They also rear them for milk and meat.
(4) Tropical Monsoon Climate:
(a) Location and Features: The climate Tropical Mansoon
which is hot and wet in summer and cold Tropical monsoon region
and dry in the winter is a monsoon type
of climate. This type of climate is mainly Unit Six:
found between 5°to 30° latitudes in both Our Earth
hemispheres, especially in the Eastern
part of the continent. This climate is
mainly found in southeast Asia. Besides,
it is also found in Northern Australia
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- around the Gulf of Carpentaria, Madagascar and other eastern islands of
Africa, southeast coastal region of Brazil and Florida in the US. This type of
climate is the wettest climate in the world because this region receives the
highest amount of rainfall in the world. Cherapunji, the region that receives
the highest amount of rainfall in the world, also lies in this region. It receives
up to 1100 cm rainfall annually.
(b) Natural Vegetation and Animals: Generally, the plants of this region
are deciduous in nature. They shed leaves in the winter season and bear new
one in summer. However, the nature of vegetation varies as per the amount of
rainfall in different areas. The area with more than 200 cm average rainfall
has an evergreen forest. The area having average rainfall from 100 cm to 200
cm has deciduous forest, and the area that has less than 100 cm rainfall has
grasses, thorny bushes, and scrubby plants.
This climatic region is also amusing with bio-diversities. Animals such as
tiger, leopard, crocodile, deer, elephant, and one-horned rhino are found in
this region. This region is the habitat of different kinds of bird such as dove,
crow, sparrow, parrot, pigeons, and so on.
(c) People's Lifestyle and Economic Activities: The main occupation of
people in the monsoon region is agriculture. This region has more production
because of the fertile land. The hot and wet climate also supports in increasing
the productivity. This region is famous for the paddy production. High
temperature and rainfall support paddy production in this region. Agriculture
is the chief economic activity of the people. Paddy, tobacco, sugarcane, jute,
tea, coffee, maize, wheat, and cotton are the major agricultural products of
this region. Rice is the primary food of the people. southeast Asia produces
the largest amount of paddy in the world. Nepal, India and Bangladesh are the
chief producers of jute. Sri Lanka and India are known for tea and coconut.
Besides, trade, industry, tourism, fishing, mining, and animal husbandry are
the other activities of the people. This region has a high density of population.
One-third of the world population lives in this climatic region. Bangladesh,
India, and Pakistan are the countries having a dominant share of the world
population. Indus Valley Civilisation, an ancient human civilisation has
developed in this climatic region.
Activities
(1) Fill the given table by the appropriate countries and places given below:
Nepal, Brazil, Sudan, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Kenya,
Tanzania, Chile, Nigeria, Namibia, Mexico, Pakistan, Zaire and Thailand.
Regions Equatorial Region Tropical Monsoon Tropical Grassland Tropical Deserts
Countries 1. 1. 1. 1.
2. 2. 2. 2.
3. 3. 3. 3.
4. 4. 4. 4.
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(2) Complete the following table with the climates in the tropical zone and
their characteristics.
Climates Characteristics
Exercise
(1) Give very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What are the climatic regions in the tropical zone? Show them in the outline
map of the world.
(b) Which region of the world is known as the zoo of the world? Write any three
reasons for the same.
(c) How is the equatorial climate hot and wet throughout the year? Explain your
answer with reasons.
(d) Name the place which receives the highest amount of rainfall in the world.
Write the characteristics of this climate.
(e) Why is the nature of forest varied in the monsoon climatic region? Explain
your answer with reasons.
(f) Introduce the following in short.
Doldrum, Selvas, Campos and deciduous forest.
(g) Differentiate between the lifestyle of the people living in the equatorial and
monsoon region.
(2) Answer the following questions.
(a) Differentiate between equatorial and savannah climate on the basis of
location, climate, biodiveristy, and lifestyle.
(b) Compare the features of the four different climates in the tropical zone in
your own words.
(c) Write about the economic activities of the people in different climatic regions
of the tropical zone.
(d) Draw an outline map of the world and show the different climatic regions of
the tropical zone.
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Lesson
6.3 Temperate Zone
Engage Yourself
When do you feel neither too hot nor too cold? Do you know what type of climatic condition
is this? Such climatic condition is known as temperate climate. The zone that lies between
30° to 60° latitudes in the both hemispheres has moderate type of climate. This climate
is very suitable for the human settlement. Various economic activities can be carried out
easily in this region. The temperate zone has been divided into different climatic regions.
(1) Where does the teperate zone lie on the map of the world?
(2) Why do the Mediterranean and temperate monsoon climatic regions have rainfall in the
just opposite seasons.?
(3) What are the geographical condition, natural vegetation and lifestyle of people in the
temperate zone?
The climatic zone that lies between the Tropical zone and the Frizid zone is
temperate zone. This climatic zone lies between 30° N to 60° N in both northern
and southern hemisphere. This region has a moderate climate, which is mild and
pleasant. This climate region is favourable for human settlement as it is neither
too hot nor too cold. This region is highly developed in comparison to the other
regions. The temperate zone is divided into six different climatic regions, as given
below:
(a) Mediterranean Climate
(b) Temperate Desert Climate
(c) China Type of Climate
(d) Cool Temperate Oceanic Climate
(e) Temperate Grassland Climate
(f) St. Lawrence or Manchurian Climate
We discuss some of the climatic regions of this zone in this lesson.
Mediterranean climate:
(a) Location and Features: The Mediterranean climate is found between 30° S
to 40° S latitudes in the southern hemispheres and 30° N to 45° N latitudes
in the northern hemisphere. Mainly, this type of climate is found around the
Mediterranean Sea. So, it is called the mediterranean climate. This type of
climate is also found in other parts of the world. California of the USA, Central
Chile, Southwestern part of South Africa and Southern parts of Australia also
experience this type of climate.
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This region is cold and wet in winter and remains warm and dry in summer.
The average temperature exceeds up to 27° C during the summer season and
falls down up to 10° C in the winter. This region receives rainfall in the winter
season due to the effects of Westerlies. The annual rainfall varies from 50 to
80 cm in this region. As it rains in the winter season, this climate is also called
the Winter Rain Climate. Only shrubs and bushes types of plants could grow
in this region.
(b) Natural Vegetations and Animals: The natural vegetation which grows
in the Mediterranean region is called Mediterranean vegetation. The plants
in this region have unique nature. They grow in winter and stop growing in
summer. They have long widespread roots, thick spongy barks, small glossy
leaves, and thrones. The roots of the plants help to get water from underground,
thick barks save water, leaves reduce evaporation and thorns save them from
animals. Oak, maple, olive, almond, walnut, chestnut, rosemary, lavender,
etc. are the main plants of this region. Deer, rabbit, rodent, bear, antelope, etc.
are wildlife in the region.
(c) People's Lifestyle and Economic Activities: The climate of this region is
favourable for horticulture due to winter rain. Citrus fruits such as oranges,
lemons and grapes produced in this region abundantly. Therefore, it is also
called the ‘Garden of the World’. The graphs are
used to make wine. This region produces about
65% wine in the world. This also produces about
70% citrus fruits like lemon, orange, lime, cherry,
pear, plum and grapes.
Many people of this region are engaged in
agriculture, horticulture, trade and business,
service, industry, and tourism. The different
infrastructure of the development such as Fruits farming in
transportation, health, communication, and Mediterranean Region
science and technology are highly developed in
this region. This region is historically famous. The famous ancient human
civilisations such as Roman civilisation and Greek civilisation developed in
this region.
Temperate Grassland Climate:
(a) Location and Features: The temperate grassland climate is found between
45°N to 60°N latitudes in the northern and 30°S to 40°S latitudes in the
southern hemispheres. The central parts of the continents experience this type
of climate. The southern part of Russia, Eastern part of Europe, Plateau of
South Africa, Central part of North America, Southeast part of South America,
and Southern part of Australia have this type of climate.
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This region has a moderate temperature which exceeds up to 27°C in the
summer and decreases up to 0°C in the winter season. This region receives
less rainfall that varies from 40 cm to 75 cm annually. There is convectional
rain in the summer season, and the snowfall takes place in the winter season.
(b) Natural Vegetation and Animals: The Pampas Region of Argentina
temperate grassland is a vast grassland with soft
and nutritious grasses and some scattered trees.
This grassland is named Steppes in Eurasia,
Prairies in North America, Pampas in Argentina
of South America, Veld in South Africa and
Downs in Australia. The herbivorous animals
like antelopes, horses, rabbits, marsupials, etc.
are found here.
(c) People's Lifestyle and Economic Activities: The temperate grassland
region is ideal for agricultural production due to the rotten grasses on the
ground. This climatic region is also suitable for animal husbandry. The prairies
grassland of North America is famous for wheat production. This region
produces the largest amount of wheat in the world. So, this region is known
as the ‘Bread Basket of the World’ or ‘Granary of the World’. The Steppes of
Eurasia, Pampas of Argentina, Veld of South Africa and Downs of Australia
are famous for animal husbandry. The Pampas of Argentina exports animal
products like milk, meat, hides and others towards the European countries.
Cool Temperate Oceanic Climate:
(a) Location and Features: This type of climate is found between 45° N to 60°
N latitudes in the Northern Hemispheres and 40° S to 50° S latitudes in the
southern hemispheres. This type of climate is also known as St. Lawrence type
of climate. It is correspondingly known as the Manchurian types of climate in
the Northeast of China. The main areas of this climate are Western Europe, St.
Lawrence region of the USA and Canada, Manchuria in China, and northern
part of Japan and Korea, New Zealand, Chile, and Tasmania.
There is warm in the summer and cold in the winter. The temperature
varies from 15° C to 20° C in the summer and 5° C to 0° C in the winter. The
temperature range of this region is very low due to the effects of westerlies and
ocean current. This region receives enough rainfall throughout the year, which
varies from 50 cm to 100 cm. It is the most suitable and healthiest climate due
to its equitable characteristics.
(b) Natural Vegetation and Animals: This climatic region has mixed vegetation
which varies as per the amount of rainfall and temperature. The areas with
more rainfall have a deciduous forest. Maple, oak, elm, birch, chestnut, etc.
are the main trees in this region. The Manchurian plateaus and other places
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of high altitudes, which receive less rainfall and have low temperature have
a coniferous forest. Pine, spruce, fir, etc. are the main trees in this region.
The furry animals such as fox, squirrel, tiger, bear, and wildcat are the wild
species of this climatic region.
(c) People's Lifestyle and Economic Activities: Cool temperate oceanic
climate is the healthiest climate as it is neither hot nor cold. The people in
this region are healthy, active and diligent. They have a modern lifestyle.
Agriculture, industry, trade, and fishing are
main occupations of the people in this region.
People living in New Found Land of Canada
and Manchuria of China catch fish from the
ocean. Mining and the animal husbandry are
the other economic activities of the people.
This region is highly developed in science and
technology. Various modern occupations help
to uplift the living standard of the people in Fisheries in Manchuria
this region. This also lead high density of the
population.
Temperate Monsoon Climate
(a) Location and Features: The temperate monsoon climate is also known as
China type of climate. It is mainly found in between 30° N to 45° N and 30° S to
40° S latitudes. North and Central parts of China, Southern Japan, Southern
Korea, South-eastern USA, and New South Wales of Australia experience this
type of climate.
It is hot and wet in the summer and cold and dry in the winter. The temperature
varies from 15° to 20° C in the summer and 0° C to 5° C in the winter. This
region receives 75 cm to 125 cm annual rainfall. The temperature and the
rainfall of this region are quite low than the tropical monsoon. The nature of
vegetation of this region are also deciduous: they shed their leaves during the
winter season.
(b) Natural Vegetation and Animals: The natural vegetation in this region
varies on the basis of the variation of rainfall. The places with more rainfall
have an evergreen forest. The places with moderate rainfall have a deciduous
forest. Grasses, bamboo and bushes are found in places with scanty rainfall.
Oak, pines, beech, mulberry, magnolias, and camphor are the main trees
found here. The wild species similar to the tropical monsoon region are found
here. Beavers, bears, foxes, deers, rats, snakes, wolves, squirrels, etc. are the
common wild species of this region.
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(c) Lifestyle and Economic Activities of People: The temperate monsoon
region is also favourable for human settlement. It is one of the densely
populated regions in the world. Agriculture
is the main occupation of the people in this
region. Paddy, wheat, maize cotton, barley,
oil-seeds, tobacco, tea, and soya bean are the
main crops grown here. America is famous
for cotton production. China and Japan
are popular for Silkworm farming and the
production of silk. Besides, fishing, animal
husbandry, trade, industry, tourism, etc.
are the other occupation of the people in this Silk Production in China
region. Recently, this region is developed in
science and technology, transportation, communication, health, education
and energy.
Activities
(1) Prepare a model of the earth on a chart paper, and mark the climatic regions
of the temperate zone. Take help from your school atlas for this task.
(2) Complete the following table with the features of lifestyle in the temperate
zone.
S.N. Climate regions Features of the lifestyle
1. Mediterranean Climate
2. Temperate Grassland
3. Cool Temperate Oceanic Climate
4. Temperate Monsoon
Exercise
(1) Complete the following sentence with appropriate words.
(a) Mediterranean climate is found latitudes between ....................... and
....................... in the Northern hemisphere.
(b) Prairies grassland is ideal for ....................... production.
(c) Pampas grassland is ideal for ....................... rearing.
(d) Downs is ideal for the sheep ....................... .
(e) The steppes lies in Asia and ....................... .
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(2) Answer the following question in brief.
(a) Which region is known as the ‘Garden of the world’? Write any three reasons
to support your answer.
(b) Compare the lifestyle of the people in the Mediterranean region and your
locality.
(c) Which region is called the 'Granary of the World'? Write any three reasons
to prove your answer.
(d) “The cool temperate oceanic climate is ideal for the people to live in.”
Justify this statement
(e) Write the similarities and differences between tropical monsoon climate and
temperate monsoon climate.
(3) Write long answers to the following questions.
(a) "Temperate region is the best place to live by the environmental
perspectives." Justify the statement with the features of any four temperate
climatic regions.
(b) Complete the given table with the location and contribution of temperate
grasslands for economic growth.
SN Temperate grasslands Locations Contribution
1. Steppes
2. Prairies
3. Pampas
4. Veld
5. Downs
(c) Draw a map of the world and insert the following regions on the map:
Steppes, Veldt, Downs, Pampas, Manchuria, New Found Land, Mediterranean
Sea and Prairies.
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Lesson
6.4 Frigid Zone
Engage Yourself
Do you know that there are many places in the world that experience cold climate
throughout the year? Why does it happen? You might have been familiar with very cold
climate during the winter. Some parts of our country and the world experience cold climate
throughout the year. The climatic condition of a place affects food habits, costumes,
houses, economic activities, and lifestyles of the people. There is comparatively difficult
lifestyle.
(1) Which region of our country has such type of climate?
(2) What are the characteristics of such climate?
(3) How are the vegetation and lifestyle of people in cold climatic region?
(4) Which region of Nepal has such climatic conditions?
Frigid zone lies between 60° and 90° latitudes in both hemispheres. This region
lies around the North and South Pole. It is extremely cold throughout the year as
it receives slanting rays of the sun. The temperature remains below freezing point
almost all year round. This zone is divided into three climatic regions. They are
(1) Siberian Climate (2) Tundra Climate (3) Antarctic Climate
Igloo, Seal and Penguin
Siberian Climate
This type of climate is found between 60° to 70° latitudes in the northern hemisphere
around the Arctic Circle. Siberian region of Eurasia, the southern part of Alaska,
and Canada have this type of climate in the world. As this climate is mostly found
in the Siberian region, it is called the Siberian climate. The southern hemisphere
does not have this type of climate as there is water mass in between these latitudes.
Summers are very short and slightly warm, and winters are extremely cold and
long in this region. The summer lasts for 3 to 4 months. The rest of the time in the
year is winter. The average summer temperature is about 8°C. The temperature
falls under the freezing points up to -35°C during the winter season. This region
receives an average annual rainfall of 40 cm through cyclonic process. There is
snowfall in the winter.
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This region is covered with large coniferous forests. This is popularly known as the
Taiga forest. This forest has cone-shaped trees with flexible branches and needle-
shaped leaves. The trees such as pine, firs, maple, cedar, spruce, and so on are
found in this region. Very few species of wildlife such as musk deer, beaver, lynx,
minx, moose, elk, caribou, grizzly bear, and so on are found in this region. They
have thick furs and feathers to protect them from the extremely cold climate.
The main occupation of the people in this region is lumbering. They utilise the
Tiaga forest for the lumbering, pulp and paper industries. These industries produce
high qualities papers of the world. This forest is also utilised for making plywood,
packing box, toys, furniture, and houses. This region is not fertile for agriculture,
and people are involved in other occupations. Traditional people are engaged in
fishing, hunting, collecting herbs and other activities. Nowadays, mining has
become another occupation of the people. Industries, science, and technologies are
developing in this region.
Tundra Climate
Tundra climate is found between 70° to 90° latitudes Tundra region
in the northern hemisphere around the North Pole.
Tundra means the frozen land which is covered
with snow. This type of climate is found in northern
Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland,
northern Scandinavia, and northern Russia.
This region is frozen all year round. The temperature decreases up to -45° C during
the winter season. However, the snow melts in some part during a very short
summer. Some grasses, fungus, mosses, lichens and some flowering plants grow
here during the summer. The northern parts of this region remain dark for six
months. The polar bear, polar fox, polar dogs, and reindeer are the major animals
found in this region. Some birds are also found in this region. But, they migrate
from this region to protect themselves from the severely cold climate during the
winter. Seal is another important water animal of this region. It is very useful for
the people of this region.
People living in this region are known by the different names in the different parts
of this region. They are called Inuit and Eskimos in Canada, Alaska and Greenland
and Lapps in the Scandinavia of Europe. They have a primitive way of life. They
build their houses by using hard ice blocks during the winter season. They are
known as Igloo. But, the snow melts during very short summer. Thus, they live in
a temporary house made of hides of animals. Such temporary houses are known
as Tupiks. Besides, hunting and fishing are other traditional occupations of the
people living in this region. They keep some domesticated dogs and use them for
hunting and travelling. Nowadays, they are replaced by the modern snow-boat.
They wear some traditional clothes made of skins and furs of the polar animals.
However, people of this region wear modern clothes in recent days. This region is
rich in minerals. So, some permanent settlements are developed around the mines.
Tourism is highly developed in recent days.
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Antarctic Climate
The Antarctic region is located from 66° S to 90° S in the southern hemisphere. This
region is frozen like the Tundra region. This region is always cold. The temperature
remains below the freezing points. It decreases up to -45° C. This region remains
dark for the 6 months, whenever there is the day in the northern hemisphere. The
climate of this region does not support to growth of large plants. The coastal areas
of this region have some animals and birds. Penguins are found in the coastal areas
of this region. They are the birds that cannot fly. They can survive in this severely
cold climate due to the feathers and the thick layers of fat in their body.
There is no permanent settlement in this region because of its extremely cold
climate. Some scientists and researchers visit this region for investigations and
research. Some people visit this region for the shooting of their movies for the film
industries. People of this region need special type of customs and foods to survive
in this severely cold climate.
Mountain Climate
Besides the climatic regions classified based on the latitudes, there is another type
of climate, called Mountain Climate or Alpine Climate. The temperature decreases
at the ratio of 10°C in every 165 meters height. Therefore, the climatic condition
varies as per the latitudes. There is a hot climate at the bottom of the mountain,
and it is getting colder while height increases. The places that lie in the higher
altitude have similar climatic condition, just like the climate in the polar region.
The Himalayas, Rocky, Andes, Alps, Caucasus, and the Ural mountains have
mountain or alpine climate. The higher altitude of these mountains has the climate
similar to the polar region. The climate is cold and dry throughout the year. Very
poor vegetation such as lichen, mosses, and some flowering plants are found in
this region. Mountain goat, snow leopard, polar bear, and yak are some common
animals in this region.
The climatic condition in the higher altitude of mountain region is not favourable
for human life. The lifestyle here is very difficult. The population density is very
less due to lack of cultivable land and infrastructure development. People survive
here by rearing cattle and collecting medicinal herbs. However, they also cultivate
land wherever possible. Crops like millet, buckwheat, and barley are grown in this
region. People wear thick woollen clothes to protect themselves from the extreme
cold climate.
Activities
(1) Complete the given table by using the information of your textbook:
SN. Regions Animals Vegetation Lifestyles of the people
1. Tundra
2. Siberian
3. Antarctic
(2) Draw the pictures of different facts of the polar region such as penguin, seal,
Igloo, and tupiks in a chart paper, and write a paragraph each about them.
Choose the best one from among the friends, and display it in the classroom.
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Exercise
(1) Give very short answers to the following questions.
(a) Write the latitudinal extensions of the polar climate.
(b) What is Taiga?
(c) Write any two economic activities of the people living in the Siberian region.
(d) Who are Inuits and Eskimos?
(e) Differentiate between an igloo and tupiks in a point.
(f) Name the young fold mountains(any two) which have alpine climate.
(2) Answer the following questions briefly.
(a) Write about the economic activities of the people in the Siberian region.
(b) Explain the socio-economic lives of the people living in the polar region.
(c) Prepare a list of the utility of the animals and plants found in the polar region.
(d) Look at the given two pictures and write about them collecting information
from different sources.
Riding snow-boat in Canada Riding snow-boat pulling by dog in Canada
(e) Write a short description of the Antarctic region.
(f) Explain the way of life in the high mountain region
(3) Write long answers to the following questions.
(a) What are the climatic regions in the Frigid zone? Write about climatic
condition, natural vegetation and way of life about any one of them.
(b) Write about the alpine or mountain climate with suitable diagram.
Project Work
Collect the information about the socio-economic life of the people of the
Himalayan Region of Nepal and the people in the Frigid zone. Then, write
an informative note comparing them, and paste appropriate pictures in the
appropriate place.
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Lesson Effects of Climate on
Vegetation and Wildlife
6.5
Engage Yourself
Have you ever seen any wild animals and plants around you? Are they similar to the
animals and plants in any other regions of the world? Climate directly influences the
natural vegetation and animals of a place. The vegetation varies from very poor plants like
lichen and mosses to the dense evergreen forest. The places having hot and wet climate
have dense forest. Different wild animals are found in different climatic regions due to the
existence of different environment.
(1) Why do the features of vegetation and wildlife differ from place to place?
(2) What are the features of the animals and plants found in your locality? Are they similar
to any other climatic regions of the world?
(3) What is the interrelationship among the climate, natural vegetation and wildlife?
Climate is the average weather conditions
of an area over a long period of time. The
climate is different in different regions.
The climate directly influences the
natural vegetation of a place. The natural
vegetation is diverse in the various regions
as per climatic condition. The climatic
conditions of a particular place determine
the vegetation of that place. The plants
like cactus are found in the deserts. They
have long roots to survive in such a torrid
climatic region. Likewise, deciduous types Effects of climate on vegetation
of forest are found in the monsoon region.
Similarly, coniferous types of vegetation are found in cold regions.
Nepal experiences various types of climate due to the variation of altitude. It has a
tropical climate in the Terai region, a temperate climate in the Hilly region and a
cold climate in the Mountain region. So, there is a variation of vegetation and crops
in the different regions. In the context of Nepal, there is subtropical evergreen
forest in the Terai region. Hilly region has deciduous forest. Coniferous forest is in
the upper part of Hilly region and lower part of Mountain region.
The climate influences the animals and birds of a particular place. Animals found
in the cold region have a thick layer of fat inside the skin. Their feathers and furs
support them to survive in such a cold climatic region. Similarly, the animals found
in the hot regions do not have furs and a thick layer of fats like that of animals in
the cold region.
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Interrelationship among Climate, Natural Vegetation, and Wildlife
Natural vegetation and wildlife have different features as per the climatic condition
where they exist. This relationship can be clearer through the following table.
Forests Climatic Feature of Natural Vegetation Animals
Tropical Regions Climate
Evergreen Equatorial This is a dense forest with tall Elephant,
Forest region Hot trees having hard wood, less rhinoceros,
and wet branches and board leaves. Sal, tiger, bear,
Deciduous Temperate/ throughout Sisal, Teak, Ebony, Rosewood, chimpanzee,
Forest Tropical the year Rubber and so on are the main anaconda,
region trees grown here. This forest snakes, and
Coniferous Hot-wet helps to stabilise the world's so on.
Forest Polar/ summers climate, provides a home to
Mountainous and cold- many plants and animals and
/Cold region dry winters maintains the water cycle.
This forest is also a source for
Short and medicines and foods.
slightly This forest has the trees which Leopard,
warm shed their leaves during winter deer,
summer and bear new leaves in summer. monkey,
and Oak, maple, beach etc. are jackals, and
long and the main trees. The deciduous so on.
severely forest has great significance
cold winter. in balancing the ecosystem. It
also has a great economic value
as its trees can be used in the
furniture industry.
Cone-shaped plants with Snow
needle-shaped leaves and leopard,
flexible branches are found in reindeer,
this forest. Pine, fir, spurs etc. are panda, polar
the main trees found here. This bear, polar
forest provides raw materials for dogs and so
producing paper and furniture. on.
Lumbering has become one of
the main occupations of the
people in the regions where the
coniferous forest is found.
There is a desert climate in some parts of the earth. It has very hot and dry climate.
The plants which have thorn and long roots are found here. They do not have
leaves. Cactus plant is a type of vegetation found in the desert region. Fennec foxes,
dung beetles, Bactrian camels, Mexican coyotes, sidewinder snakes and thorny
devil lizards are common animals in the desert. The tropical and temperate regions
that receive scanty rainfall have grassland. They are called tropical grassland
and temperate grassland respectively. African elephants, zebras, horses, and
giraffes are found in tropical grasslands. Deer, prairie dogs, mice, rabbits, snakes,
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foxes, owls, badgers, blackbirds, grasshoppers, sparrows, quails, and hawks are
the animals in temperate grassland. The tundra region has lichens, mosses and
flowing plants due to a very cold climate. Polar bear, polar fox, polar dogs, and
reindeer are the animals found here. They have thick furs in their body to protect
them from the cold climate.
Activities
(1) Draw an outline map of the world on a chart paper and indicate the regions
of different kinds of forest with different colours.
(2) Prepare a list of the vegetation and the wildlife found in the following regions:
SN Regions Vegetation Wildlife
1. Tropical
2. Temperate
3. Polar
Exercise
(1) Answer the following questions briefly.
(a) Write about the effects of climate on natural vegetation and wildlife in your
area, with example.
(b) Prepare an informative note about the climate, natural vegetationand
wildlife in the equatorial region.
(c) Compare the natural vegetations of Nepal with that of the world.
(d) Differentiate between tropical rainforest and deciduous forest in four points.
(e) How does the coniferous forest help in the economy of the respective
region? Explain.
(2) Give long answers to the following questions.
(a) Explain the interrelationship among climate, natural vegetation and wildlife
with examples.
(b) Draw an attractive map showing major climatic regions of the world and list
out the countries in each climatic region.
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Lesson Effects of Climate and
Topography in Lifestyle
6.6
Engage Yourself
Why do we wear different types of clothes in different seasons? Why does the lifestyle of
the people differ from one geographical region to another? The geographical condition of a
place affect lifestyle of people. It has effects on our culture, tradition, religion, food habits
and our physical structures. The people living in mountainous region have different way
of life to the people in the plains. Sherpas in our country are capable in mountaineering.
People in Savana region are skillful in hunting. People in mid Africa have primitive way
of living People in western Europe are advanced in science and technology. The climatic
condition in this region is favourable for mental growth.
(1) How does climate affect the lifestyle of the people?
(2) Why do the people living in different geographical regions have different lifestyle?
The natural condition of a place, such as a climate and land topography directly,
influence the way of life of the people. There is different socio-economic condition
as per the land structure and climate of a place. The physical structure, way of life,
eating habit, occupations, etc. are influenced by the climate and topography of the
particular place.
"People living in the mountains have strong feet, whereas the people living
in the coastal areas have strong arms."
- E.C. Sample (American Geographer)
Effects of Topography in the Lifestyle
Topography is the study and description of the Effects of topography in lifestyles
physical features of an area. Mountain, plains,
river basin, coastal region, etc. are examples of
topography. The Himalayas of Asia, the Rocky
of North America, the Andes in South America,
the Atlas in Africa are the mountainous regions
of the world. Similarly, Indo Gangetic Plain,
river valleys of the rivers like Hwang Ho,
Mississippi, Nile, and Amazon and coastal
regions are plains in the world. The topography
of an area influences the people who live there.
It is said that the people living in the mountain
terrain are more laborious and courageous than
the people living in the plains. People living in
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the coastal area have high incomes than the people away from the coast. Likewise,
area with fertile land, river valleys and coastal areas have more population than
the mountains and hills. Similarly, the productivity of the land also influences the
population of any particular land. The land structure in any region also compels
the people to have a different lifestyle to another region.
Effects of Climate on the Lifestyle
Climate is an important factor that affects Effects of Climate on life of people
the lifestyle of people. People living in
the polar region have very primitive type
of life. Eskimos and Inuit are the major
tribes who live in the cold region. They
live in igloo during the winter and Tupiks
in the summer. They live by hunting and
collecting seafood. Likewise, people living in
the equatorial region of Amazon and Zaire
Basins also have a very traditional life. The
Red Indians of Amazon basins and Pygmies
of coastal Guineas live in a traditional hut
or under the tree inside the forest. They
collect some wild food, hunt and fish for
their survival.
The people living in the temperate region are educated, hardworking, and laborious.
They have modern way of living and have high earnings. Most of the European
countries have a great progress in science and technology. The people in other
continents who live in temperate regions have good progress. They are civilised,
hardworking, educated and energetic. Therefore, the people living in the pleasant
climatic are more developed than the people living in very cold and hot regions.
The climate also influences the costume and food of the people. People of cold region
wear warm, heavy and woollen clothes. They used to have hot soup or alcoholic
drinks. However, people of hot region were light cotton cloths and have more cold
drinks. People of Africa have curly hair to safeguard them from the hotness of the
sun, while the people of cold region are Mongoloid. Their eyes are small to protect
them from cold.
Climate also influences the religious and cultural activities of the people. The
people of the Terai region offer different leaves, plants, flowers, and fruits like
mangoes and bananas to perform religious activities. However, the people of Hilly
and Mountain region offer other types of leaves, flowers, plants and fruits like
oranges and apples to perform religious and cultural activities. Similarly, the
houses in the Terai region have more windows and doors, whereas the houses of
the mountain religion have less windows.
People have great attachments with nature. People respect the sun, moon,
mountains, stone, river, ocean, land, trees, fire, and so on by worshipping them.
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They have high value in the life of people. Such things support them to survive
with the world. They are also helpful to the people for the production of food and by
providing a source of energy.
ACTIVITIES
(1) Complete the following chart with suitable pieces of information.
Regions Houses Dresses Food
Terai Region
Hilly Region
Himalayan Region
(2) Have you ever felt the different climatic conditions in the places you have
visited in the same season? Share your experience and discuss it in the class.
Exercise
(1) Give short answers to the following questions.
(a) "The topographical structure of land influence the lifestyle of people."
Justify the statement.
(b) Describe the effects of climate on the lifestyle of the people in short.
(c) "The body structures of the people are influenced by the climate and
topography. " Clarify the statement in brief.
(d) How do the people in the cold and mountainous region become strong and
energetic? Explain the statement in your own words.
(2) Write long answers to the following questions.
(a) Write a comparative description of the people of the Himalayan, the Hilly
and the Terai region about the houses, dresses, and foods in short.
(b) Write the similarities and difference between the way of life of the people
in tropical and temperate regions.
Community Work
Observe the lifestyle of the people in your locality and find out how do the
climate and topography affect food habit, clothes, houses, costumes, rituals,
etc. of the people. Then, prepare a short report based on your study .
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Lesson North America:
Natural Environment
6.7
Engage Yourself
What is geographical environment of a place constituted of? What are the land features,
climate and natural vegetation in your area? North America has different land features,
climates and natural vegetation. These all reflect the geographical environment of North
America.
(1) What are the physical divisions of North America? Are they similar to Nepal?
(2) How are the climate and natural vegetation of the continent?
Introduction (Position, Size, and Boundaries)
North America lies entirely in the northwestern
hemisphere. It is located between 7° N to 84° N latitudes
and 52° W to 172° W longitudes. This continent is
the third largest continent in the world. It occupies
24,237,000 sq km. Its greatest distance from the north
to the south (length) is about 8900 km and the east to
the west is about 6400 km.
It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the North America
Caribbean Sea in the south. The Pacific Ocean lies in
the west and Atlantic Ocean lies in the east. Canada
and the USA occupy major parts of this continent.
There are Caribbean countries in the southern parts of
the continent.
Physical Features
There are various land features such as mountain, plateaus, plains, hills, and coastal
plain in North America. Physically, it has been divided into three topographical
regions. They are the Western Mountain System, Central Plains, and the Eastern
Highlands.
The Western Mountain System
The western part of the continent has a series of mountain ranges along the
Pacific coast. This is known as the western mountain system. Rocky Mountain
Range, Alaska Range, Cascade Range, Coastal Range, Western Sierra Madre
and the Sierra Nevada are the main mountain ranges of this mountain system.
This complex chain of mountain ranges is also known as Western Cordilleras. It
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stretches from Alaska in the north to the Panama Canal to the south in about
6400 km. Its average width in the middle is about 1500 km. It gets narrow towards
north and south. The Rocky mountain is a long mountain range in the western
mountain system. It is 4800 km long. It is the second-longest mountain range in
the world after the Andes.
Rocky Mountains Grand Canyon Death Valley
Rocky Mountain is a young fold mountain, which was formed during the Alpine
period when our Himalayas were formed. There are many plateaus, valleys, and
river basins between the mountain ranges in the western mountain system. Colorado
plateaus, Mexican plateau, river valleys of rivers Yukon, Colorado, Mississippi are
some examples. Mt McKinley (6194m), the highest peak of the continent, Grand
Canyon (deepest gorge), and Death Valley, the lowest point of the continent also lie
in this mountain system.
The Central Plains
The central plain lies between the eastern highland
and western cordilleras. It extends from Hudson
Bay in the north to the Gulf of Mexico in the
south covering the areas of Prairies grassland and
Mississippi-Missouri basin. This plain is divided into
two parts. One is around Hudson Bay, Canadian
Shield in the north, and another is in the south Wheat farming in Prairies
formed by the Mississippi river and its tributaries.
The central plain is an undulating low land formed due to the denudation of rivers
and glaciers. The temperate grassland, called Prairies lies in this part. The Prairies
has fertile land where various crops are grown. It is also known as the ‘Granary of
the World’ and 'Breadbasket of North America'.
Eastern Highlands Appalachian Mountains
The eastern highlands of North America are old
fold mountains. They are denudated by rivers and
glaciers over millions of years. This highland has
three parts like the Appalachians Mountain in the
south, Labrador highland and Laurentian Plateau
in the middle, and plateau of Greenland in the
north. The Appalachian mountain and Labrador
highland are divided by the St. Lawrence River in
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the North-East of the continent. The Appalachian mountain lies to the south of this
river while Labrador highland and Laurentian Plateau lies to the north. Greenland
is another highland, which lies to the northeast of the continent.
Rivers and Lakes
There are many famous rivers in North America. They flow in different directions
and fall into different oceans, bays and gulfs. Colombia, Sacramento, and Fraser
are the rivers that flow in the west and fall into the Pacific Ocean. Yukon falls into
the Gulf of Alaska. Colorado River ends in the Gulf of California.
These rivers are shorter and faster. They also flow with more current. The rivers
like St. Lawrence, Hudson, Potomac, Delaware, etc. fall into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Mississippi River and its tributaries fall into the Gulf of Mexico. Some rivers
flow northward and fall into the Arctic Ocean and Hudson Bay. River Mackenzie
falls into Artic ocean and Nelson falls into Hudson Bay.
Similarly, there are world-famous lakes in North America. The Great Lakes,
including Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Eire and Lake Ontario
lie in central plain. The world-famous Niagara Falls lies between Lake Eire and
Ontario. These lakes are used to develop internal navigation inside the continent.
Climate and Natural Vegetation
There are several types of climate in North America as it is mainly influenced
by latitude, altitude, oceanic currents, and direction of winds and mountains.
Generally, most part of it has a temperate type of climate. A few parts of this
continnet has a very cold climate.
The northernmost part of the continent has a
tundra climate. It is very cold throughout the
year there. Lichen and mosses grow in the region
where snow melts earlier. The northern part of
Canada to the south of the tundra region has a cold
temperate climate. The days are short and warm in
the summer, and cold and long in the winter. The
coniferous forest, Tiaga is found in this region. The Taiga in North America
northwestern coastal region of the continent has a
cool temperate oceanic climate with moderate rainfall throughout the year. There
are mixed forests- coniferous and deciduous in this region.
The plain part to the west of the Mississippi River has continental climate. It is
extreme type of climate with less rainfall. There is a vast grassland, called Prairies.
St. Lawrence region has a very cold winter and warm summer. This region receives
very little rain through the cyclone. The southeastern region has a monsoon type of
climate. It has hot and wet in the summers, and cold and dry in the winters. This
region has deciduous forest. The Californian Region has a mediterranean climate.
It is hot and dry in the summer, and cold and wet in the winter.
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The tropical desert climate in the inner part of California and the temperate desert
climate in the central part of Rocky mountain are dry climate. Cactus plants and
other poor flowering plants are found here. The region around the Gulf of Mexico,
Florida and West Indies has a tropical climate which hot and wet throughout the
region. Tropical evergreen forest is found here. at the central part of Rocky mountain
are dry climate. Cactus plants and other poor flowering plants are found here. The
region around Gulf of Mexico, Florida and West Indies has tropical climate which
hot and wet throughout the region. Tropical evergreen forest is found here.
Activities
(1) Identify the following facts on the map of North America and circle with a
pencil in your school atlas:
Rivers - Mississippi, Missouri, St. Lawrence, Yukon, Colorado
Mountains - Rocky, Mackenzie, Appalachians
Highlands - Labrador highland, Laurentian Plateau, Canadian Shield
and Greenland
Lakes - L. Superior, L. Michigan, L. Huron, L. Eire and L. Ontario
Bay/Gulf - Hudson Bay, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of California, Bay of
Baffin and Gulf of Alaska
Sea/Ocean - Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Bering Sea, Caribbean Sea,
Arctic Ocean
(2) Divide your friends into four groups and discuss the physical division, one in
each group. Then, ask the group leaders to present the matters discussed in
their group.
Exercise
1. Give short answers to the following questions.
(a) Introduce North America in brief based on position, size and boundaries.
(b) "Central plain of North America is a boon for the people." Justify the
statement with appropriate logic.
(c) Describe the river networks of North America and also elaborate their
importance.
(d) What are Prairies? Explain them in brief.
(2) Answer the following questions (long answer questions).
(a) Describe the physical features of North America in short.
(b) Prepare a list of the countries that lie in North America with the help of your
school atlas.
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Practical Work
Look at the map of North America in the figure and draw by following the
same steps and fill the given information in the map.
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Lesson Economic Activities and
Social Life of North America
6.8
Engage Yourself
Have you ever met any American or Canadian? Have you studied the socio-economic
activities of people in North America from different sources? We may find several
similarities and differences between the economic activities and social life of our country
and countries in North America.
(1) How is the socio-economic lifestyle of people living in North America?
(2) What are the similarities and differences in socio economic condition of people Nepal
and countries in North America?
(3) Can you draw an outline map of North America and locate the different geographical
facts on it correctly?
Background
Both human and natural means and resources are abundant in North America.
Water, forest, wildlife, soil, and minerals are available in vast quantities in the
continent. Skilled human resources mobilise the means and resources available
there to a great extent. Similarly, the inhabitants of this continent are healthy and
hardworking. They are engaged in a wide range of advanced economic activities.
The United States of America and Canada are the most industrialised, developed
and economically prosperous countries on this continent. These counties occupy
most of the continent's land. The countries of North America, particularly the US
and Canada, have become the dreamland of the majority of people in the world.
A study of these countries can depict the overall situation in the entire North
American region.
Social Life of North America
The original inhabitants of North America were Native Americans. In Mexico and
parts of Central America, more than 80 per cent of the people have at least some
American Indian ancestors. Most of the people in the United States and Canada are
of European origin. After Christopher Columbus discovered America, White people
moved there from Europe. They established their power and the native indigenous
people became the minority. An important minority of the people in the US have
ancestors from Africa who were brought over as slaves. The nomadic people of the
Inuit tribe are indigenous people of Canada.
English is the main language in the United States and most regions of Canada.
French is spoken in parts of eastern Canada, particularly Quebec. The people of
Mexico, Central America and some regions of America speak Spanish. Most of the
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people on this continent are Christians. People of diverse religions live in the US and
Canada. Both of these countries have Jewish and Muslim minorities. Canadians
and Americans have a high standard of life. Almost anyone can read and write. The
hospitals provide excellent health services. People have a high literacy rate, high
life expectancy and high per capita income. However, there is also some poverty.
A wide gap exists between well-off and poor people. Poverty is common in Mexico
and Central America.
Economic Activities of North America
The people of North America are involved in various economic activities such
as services, industries, trade, business, mining, processing, fishing, lumbering,
tourism, and agriculture. They carry out each of these activities using scientific
and systematic procedures and advanced machinery. The economy of countries in
North America has long depended more on manufacturing than on farming.
(1) Agriculture: Less than five per cent of the total population in North America
are engaged in agriculture. However, the agricultural production in the
continent has met the food demand of North America and Europe as well. The
continent produces much of the world’s food. Wheat, corn, soybeans, fruits and
vegetables, and dairy products are produced in various regions of the United
States and Canada. People grow sugarcane, corn, bananas, and other tropical
fruits and vegetables in Mexico. The main food crop here is wheat. People have
carried out commercial farming by adopting very modern technology in this
continent.
(2) Industries: North America has utilised its natural resources. Adequate
skilled human resource is available here, and the required additional workforce
is being hired from abroad to carry out various economic activities. There
are large iron and steel mines here. There are factories for big planes, ships,
machines and cars.
(3) Minerals and mining: North America is rich in minerals such as nickel,
zinc, iron, gold, uranium, and platinum. There are also petrol and gas mines.
The United States has large deposits of coal. Oil is found in the southcentral
United States and Alaska, western Canada, and eastern Mexico.
(4) Animal Husbandry: Large numbers of livestock and piglets are reared
in various parts of North America. Cows are raised separately for milk and
meat. Machines are used for milking them. The milk is collected through pipes
and delivered to the processing plants. The meat is processed, prepared, and
packed in raw form and sent to the world market. There are wide areas of
flat grassy land with few trees or without trees in Canada and the northern
US. Such lands are called prairies. They support animal husbandry to a great
extent.
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(5) Service: Arts, literature, sports, science, and technology have flourished well
in North America. There are world-class study and research centres. NASA is
home to the largest science and space study centre. The number of employees
working in government and non-government offices is very high. People do not
like to stay idle here. They value time very much. It has become their culture
to be busy with some work.
(6) Lumbering: Lumbering is the business or trade of cutting, transporting,
preparing, or selling timbers. This business has flourished in Northern Canada.
People produce paper, furniture, pulp, and other materials from wood. The
coniferous forests in the northern parts of the continent support lumbering.
(7) Fisheries: The coastal regions of this continent are ideal for fishing. The seas
in Newfoundland, a province of eastern Canada, are rich in fish. They contain
a large amount of plankton, very small forms of plant and animal life that live
in water, which fish eat. The work of collecting fish from here is also done in a
modern way.
Socio-Economic Lifestyle of the USA and Canada
America and Canada are the most developed and prosperous nations in the world.
They have built and operated infrastructures that have succeeded in attracting the
attention of the world. They have a high literacy rate, high per capita income and
decent lifestyle.
United States of America
The United States is often called a melting
pot because it is made up of people of many
different cultures. It comprises people from
various parts of the world, primarily from
Africa, Europe and Asia. Natural resources
and means of production are plentiful in
America. It is the great economic power.
The service sector accounts for the largest
part of the economy. They include finance,
health care, education, and tourism. Major Iron and steel industry, the USA
manufactured products include iron and
steel, chemicals, electronics, motor vehicles, aircraft, and food. Corn (maize),
soybeans, wheat, cotton, tobacco, sugarcane and many other crops are cultivated
on the farms of America and sold to countries all over the world. It is a major
producer of copper, silver, zinc, gold, coal, petroleum, natural gas, and other
minerals. Forestry and fishing are important industries, too.
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The United States has a large number of iron and steel industries, oil refineries,
dairy industries, processing industries, fishing ports and large scale mineral-based
and manufacturing industries. In fact, the US is the leading producer of beef in
the world. Aircraft, ship and railway parts are also manufactured here. Various
service businesses and multi-national businesses have been operating with large
investments. Commercial fruit production of grapes, oranges and limes, and fishing
are done using modern technologies. Sports, arts, education, literature, science
and technology sectors are progressive and professional. Another major economic
activity is tourism. The Americans spend a lot of holidays with music festivals,
family gatherings and various trips. The per capita income of the US is very high.
Canada
Nearly half of the people in Canada have British ancestors, and almost one fourth
have French lineage. A small number of people have migrated to Canada from
European, Asian and American countries. The economy of Canada is based on
manufacturing and businesses. It has been reaping huge economic benefits from
forests. There are large mineral-based industries in operation. There are mineral
industries such as copper, iron, nickel, gold,
platinum and silver. Coal, petrol, and gas
are also plentiful. Canada is one of the
world's leading food producers. It is known
for its grains, especially wheat and oilseeds.
In fact, it is the second-largest exporter of
wheat in the world. The country produces
potatoes in the east and fruits in the west.
The Canadian prairies have been a fertile
ground for livestock and farmland. The
rivers of Canada are ideal for generating
hydroelectricity and supporting the fishing Animal husbandry in Canada
industry. The per capita income of Canada
is also very high.
The eastern parts of both America and Canada are more developed than the western
parts. The eastern region has a warm and pleasant climate. Therefore, there are
many settlements in this region. Likewise, this region has abundant natural
resources, which has supported the growth of industries, trade and business. This
region is close to European countries. Such countries are available as markets for
trade. This region is full of gulfs, bays and inlets, which are suitable for harbours
and transport of goods. Development infrastructure is also adequately available
in the eastern part. On the other hand, there are rocky mountain ranges in the
western parts, which makes it difficult for transportation and agriculture. They
are also not ideal for human settlement due to adverse climate and soil conditions.
Likewise, natural calamities such as earthquakes and volcanoes greatly affect the
western part.
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Activities
(1) Why do people from all over the world currently want to travel to Canada and
the United States of America? Discuss among your friends and make a list of
some possible reasons.
(2) How is the socio-economic lifestyle of American and Canadian people
different from the lifestyle of Nepalese people? Discuss among your friends
and note down major differences.
(3) Locate big and densely populated settlement regions of North America on
an atlas or world map in a group.
Exercise
(1) Write short answers to the following questions.
(a) How is the social life of the people of North America? Explain in a short
paragraph.
(b) What are the major economic activities of North American people? Explain.
(c) Why is the per capita income of America and Canada high? Mention
appropriate reasons.
(d) Why is the economy of North American countries prospering? Mention the
reasons.
(e) Why are the eastern regions of the United States and Canada more
developed than the western regions? Give reasons.
(f) Around 5% of the total population in North America is engaged in
agriculture. However, the agricultural production in the continent has met
the food demand of North America and Europe as well. On the other hand,
over 70% of the total population of our country is engaged in agriculture.
However, we still have to import food grains from neighbouring countries
every year. What are the reasons behind it? What should our country do to
become independent in the agriculture sector?
Community Work
Make a full-page map of North America with the help of your classmates and
paste it on the display board of your classroom.
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Lesson South America:
Physical Features
6.9
Engage Yourself
Have you ever heard about South America? Are the physical features in South America
similar to Nepal? There are mountains, plateaus, plains, river valleys, deserts, etc., as its
physical features. Nepal and South America have similar geographical features to Nepal.
(1) What are the land features of South America?
(2) What are the similarities and differences between the topography of Nepal and South
America?
(3) What do you know about the climate and natural vegetations of South America?
Introduction (Position, Size, and Boundaries)
South America is a continent that lies between 12° N to 55° S latitudes and 35°
W to 81° W longitudes. This is the fourth largest continent in the world. It has
total area about 1,78,32,000 sq.km. Its greatest distance from the north to the
south is about 7645 km, and the east to the west is
about 5150 km. This continent is surrounded by water
from all sides except the narrow Isthmus of Panama
in the north -west. The Atlantic Ocean lies to the east
and the Pacific Ocean lies to the west of it. There is
Caribbean Sea in the north of this continent. The
Scotia and Bellingshausen seas lie to the south of it.
The Panama Canal separates it from North America.
It is also known as the 'Continent of the Superlatives' South America
because of the presence of world-famous natural
features. It has Amazon, the largest river of the
world. Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world;
Atacama, the driest desert; Chile, the longest country;
Selvas, the largest forest, and Andes, the longest
mountain range in the world lie in this continent.
Physical Features
South America has various physical features. They are divided into three main
physical divisions. They are:
(i) The Western Mountains
(ii) Central Lowlands and
(iii) The Eastern Highlands.
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Western Mountains
The Western Mountain region a physical division of
South America. It is mainly covered by the Andes
Mountain range. It is the longest mountain range
of the world. It extends from Venezuela in the
north in Tierra del Fuego in the south along with
the western coast of the continent. This mountain Andes Mountain
chain is about 4,500 miles (7,242 kilometres) long.
Mt Aconcagua, the highest peak of this continent (22,841 feet (6,962 meters) also
lies in this region. Besides, the Bolivian plateau and Lake Titicaca, the highest
navigable lake in the world (3,810 m or 12,500 feet), also lie in this region.
Central Lowlands
The central part of the continent contains plains,
called central lowlands. The lowlands contain
mainly the plains of three river systems viz. Orinoco,
Amazon and De La Plata. The Orinoco river basin
is in the north, Amazon Basin in the middle and De
La Plata river system which contains river valleys
of Paraguay, Parana and Uruguay rivers in the Gran Cha Co Lowlands
south. The Gran Cha Co lowland also lies in the
central parts of the continent. This region of South America is very fertile,which
produces large quantities of maize, wheat, and other crops.
Eastern Highlands
There are highlands and plateaus in the eastern
parts of the continent. Among them the Guiana
highland lies to the north-east of the continent. The
Brazilian highland is located to the eastern parts
of the continent. The Plateau of Moto Grosso is
situated at the central parts of the continent. The
Patagonia highland is located in the southeast of Campos Grassland
the continent. Such land structures are extended
from northeast to southeast of the continent. The highest water falls of the world,
the Angel Falls (979 m), lies in the Guiana highland.
Climate and Natural Vegetation
The climate of the continent is influenced by various factors such as altitude,
latitude, distance from the sea coast, oceanic current, the direction of winds etc.
The equatorial climate with hot- wet throughout the year is found in the Amazon
basin. There is a vast rainforest called Selvas in this region. The tropical grassland
type of climate is found in Venezuela and Brazil. It has hot and long summer and
cold winter. There is a little rain in summer. The Orinoco region to the north of
Amazon has tropical grassland called Llanos. The same in the Brazilian highland
to the south of Amazon is called Campos.
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The south-eastern Brazil, Paraguay and eastern Argentina experience monsoon
type of climate. It is hot and wet in summer and cold and dry in the winter. The
deciduous forest, which contains the trees that shed leaves in the winter and bear
new leaves in the summer, is the main vegetation in this region. There is warm
summer and cold winter with little rain in the summer in Uruguay and Argentina.
The temperate grassland, called Pampas is the main natural vegetation in this
region. Tropical desert climate is found in northern Chile and the coastal region of
Peru. Desert vegetation grows well here as the cactus plant can survive even in the
dry season. Mid-Chile has mediterranean climate with hot dry summer and cold
wet winter. Similarly, southern Chili has a cool temperate oceanic climate.
Activities
(1) Make a pair with one of your friends in the class, and identify the following
facts on the map of South America together.
Rivers - Amazon, Negro, Parana, Orinoco, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colorado
Mountains - Andes Mountains and Mt Aconcagua
Highlands - Guiana highland, Plateau of Moto Grosso, Brazilian highland
Lakes - L. Maracaibo and L. Titicaca
Islands - Galapagos Island, Falkland Island, and South Georgia Island
Sea/Ocean - Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Southern Ocean
(2) Complete the following table with the information about climate and natural
vegetations found in South America.
Regions Climate Characteristics of Climate Natural vegetation
Exercise
(1) Write short answers to the following questions.
(a) ”South America is called, the land of Superlatives". Justify the statement.
(b) Write a short description of the physical features of South America.
(c) Explain about the climatic features of the Amazon basin in short.
(d) What are the different types of vegetation found in South America? Make a
list of them.
(2) Write long answer to the following questions.
(a) Draw an outline map of South America and shed different climatic regions
with different colours.
(b) Draw an outline map of South America, and insert the following facts in it.
Orinoco river, Guiana highland, Mt Aconcagua, Lake Maracaibo, Pampas Grassland,
Manus, Angel Falls, Galapagos island, Caribbean Sea, Atacama Desert
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Practical Work
Draw the map of South America as shown inside the graph and practice to
draw it many times.
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Lesson Economic Activities and
6.10 Social Life of South America
Engage Yourself
Have you ever watched any football match of the national teams of Brazil and Argentina?
What do you think about the people in these South American countries? South America
is a continent with people who have a diverse socio-economic lifestyle. This is because
of diverse geographical condition in the continent.
(1) How is the socio-economic lifestyle of people living in South America continent?
(2) What are the similarities and differences between the economic and social conditions
of Nepal, and countries in South America such as Brazil and Argentina?
(3) Can you draw an outline map of South America and locate the different geographical
facts on it correctly?
For thousands of years, South America was isolated from the rest of the world.
Outsiders did not know about ancient peoples such as the Inca who lived on that
continent and their Inca civilisation. Around 1200 AD, a group of Indians called
the Inca formed the city of Cuzco in what is now Peru. From there, they set out to
conquer other Indian peoples along South America’s west coast. Eventually, the
Inca ruled over as many as 12 million people. They were the people who grew
potatoes for the first time. Likewise, they invented terrace farming, a method of
farming by making steps or terraces onto the slopes of hills and mountains.
Christopher Columbus landed in South America in 1498 AD. Then, Spanish and
Portuguese emigrated from Europe to South America. They defeated the Red Indians,
the indigenous people of the Amazon Valley, destroyed the Inca civilisation and
established their own civilisation in the 1530s. They converted many of the native
Indians to Christianity. They forced the native Americans to work as slaves in the
silver mines. They were also forced to labour in the big plantations of sugarcane
and other crops that were exported to Europe. Most native Americans died of poor
conditions, overwork, and European diseases. Huge numbers of Africans were also
imported as slaves, especially to the Caribbean and Brazil. Today only a few remote
tribes still live in the forest as their ancestors did. However, the destruction of the
rain forest for farming and mining threatens to eliminate even these last traces of
native American society.
Many interesting and important dinosaur fossils have been found in South America. The
oldest dinosaur fossil ever found was of Eoraptor, a three-foot-long dinosaur that lived
in Argentina more than 220 million years ago.
The population of South America is made up of three groups: those descended
from European settlers, Native Americans, and people of mixed ancestry. Most
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South Americans speak Spanish or Portuguese nowadays. European culture has
influenced all the social and economic activities of South America because it had
remained as the colony of European countries for a long time in history. Many
people are poor, and large sections of the population are uneducated and cannot
read or write. Many South American governments are insecure or unstable. Most
nations have borrowed large sums of money from wealthier nations. The cost of
repaying these debts makes it hard for some countries to develop. However, Brazil
and Argentina are emerging as major economic powers.
Nearly three-quarters of the continent’s population lives in cities. In some countries
such as Chile and Uruguay, more than a third of the population lives in the capital.
Many people have been forced to migrate from rural areas to escape widespread
poverty or have been drawn to the cities by the chance of work. They now live in
crowded slums that have grown up on the city outskirts.
In South America, Colombia is the only American nation named after Christopher
Columbus.
Major Resources and Economic Activities of South America
Latin America is a treasure house of natural resources. These include mineral
resources, energy resources, agricultural resource, and forest resources.
Mineral Resources: Minerals such as gold, silver, iron, copper, tin, lead, and nickel
are available in huge quantities in South America. In addition, mines throughout
the region produce precious gems, titanium (a type of metal), and tungsten (a rare
metal). In fact, South America is among the world’s leaders in the mining of raw
materials. Many of these minerals are mined and then exported to other parts of
the world, where they are made into valuable goods. For example, Jamaica was
originally a plantation economy that depended on the sale of bananas and sugar for
its livelihood. Then it turned to the mining and processing of bauxite (aluminium
ore) to make the country less dependent on agriculture and tourism. Today, this
resource is mainly an export that is shipped elsewhere for industrial use.
Energy Resources: Oil, coal, natural gas, uranium, and hydroelectric power are
all plentiful in Latin America. Venezuela and Mexico have major oil reserves. Brazil
is rich in hydroelectric power because of its many rivers (including the mighty
Amazon) and waterfalls. It is also rich in oil and gas. In Mexico and Venezuela, oil
has been a very important resource. Venezuela sits on top of major oil deposits. This
resource was developed into a significant oil industry. Mexico has huge oilfields
centred along the Gulf coast. Because of its reserves, Mexico is able to export oil to
other countries. However, changes in the global price of oil have greatly impacted
on the economies of these countries.
Agriculture Resource: Due to the uncertainty of rainfall in the central region of
the continent, there is not much agricultural work. Therefore, the production here
is very low. However, people do farming primarily in the pampas in Argentina,
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Uruguay, parts of Brazilian Highlands and Chile. Brazil is the world's largest
producer of cocoa, coffee and sugarcane. Argentina produces plenty of wheat. The
countries of this continent also produce various crops such as banana, soybean,
cotton, and so on.
Forest Resource: Forests are estimated to cover approximately 48% of the
total area of Central and South America. There is a dense equatorial forest in
the Amazon basin called the Selvas. The Selvas has tall broad-leaved evergreen
trees. It provides timber, fibre, firewood, and forest products for industrial and
non-industrial uses.
Animal Husbandry: People rear a large number of sheep and cattle in the
grasslands, including the Pampas in this continent. They rear the sheep for
wool and meat. They export lamb to European countries for meat. In the Andes
Mountains, the indigenous people raise the animal named llama. It has a long neck
and long hair. It belongs to the camel family. People rear it for its meat, milk, or
fur and to carry heavy loads.
Fishing: Freshwater fish are available in huge quantities in South American
rivers, especially in the Amazon region and the Guianas. Ecuador has emerged
as a leading country in shrimp export since 1980 AD. Chile has a flourishing
commercial aquatic fishing industry. It has many salmon, trout, and shrimp farms
targeted for export.
Trade: South American countries trade mostly with European countries. Argentina
is a leading exporter of beef. The major exports of this continent are wheat, banana,
cotton, timber, petroleum, oil, coal, natural gas and so on. On the other hand, it
imports machinery, medicine, textiles, and so on.
Tourism: Millions of tourists visit South America to observe its rainforests and to
enjoy its rich animal life. The animals of South America, such as llamas, alpacas,
jaguars, sloths and armadillos, are unusual to many tourists. The remarkable
stone remains of the Inca settlement also attract visitors from all over the world.
Andes mountain region and Angel Falls are other tourist attraction centres of this
continent.
The name Machu Picchu means “old peak” in Quechua, the language of the Inca.
The economies of most South American countries Machu Picchu
remained underdeveloped for a long time. Most people
worked in agriculture, and there were not many
industries. The countries also depended on foreign
investment. But in the late 1900s, many South American
countries started to try to improve their economies by
increasing manufacturing. Most of the industries in
South America are agro-based and mineral-based.
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Brazil is the most industrialised nation in South America. Automobiles and trucks
are manufactured in many factories in Brazil and Argentina. Garments produced
in many countries. Football teams of Brazil and Argentina are often ranked among
the popular and strong national teams in the world.
Activities
(1) ‘The Spaniards and the Portuguese defeated the Indigenous tribes of South
America, destroyed their Inca civilisation and established their own civilisation.’
Discuss among your friends and clarify this statement with abundant factual
information.
(2) What are typical features of a llama? Discuss among your friends and present
the conclusions in the class.
(3) How did you feel when you came to know that indigenous people of South
America were maltreated and forced to work as slaves in their own homeland
by the Spanish and Portuguese people? Share your feelings with your friends in
the class.
Exercise
(1) Write short answers to the following questions.
(a) What are the major economic activities in South America? Write in a short
paragraph.
(b) In Brazil, about 75 per cent of the total population lives in cities. Write a
short paragraph comparing this fact with the situation of Nepal.
(c) How can you say that South America is a treasure house of natural resources?
Explain in a short paragraph.
(d) Write the similarities and differences between the yak found in Nepali
mountainous region and llama found in the Andes mountain range in South
America.
(e) ‘The economic activities of South American countries and Nepal are almost
the same.’ Justify this statement with supporting factual sentences.
(f) As people move from the central part of the South American continent
to the coastal areas and big cities, the population in the coastal areas is
becoming very dense, and the central region is facing a shortage of human
resource. What consequences may this trend bring in the future? Make a list
of any four impacts.
Project Work
Identify the similarities and differences between the Andes Mountains and the
Himalayas with your classmates in different groups. Note them in your exercise
book. Compare the facts discovered by your group and other groups in the
class.
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Lesson Africa:
6.11 Natural Environment
Engage Yourself
Have you ever heard of Africa? Why was this continent called the dark continent?
Geographically, Africa is a mountainous continent like our country. There are many
mountains, plateaus, plains, river valleys, deserts, etc. as its physical features. The
climates and natural vegetations differ from place to place in this continent.
(1) What are the physical features of Africa ?
(2) What are the similarities and differences between the topography of Nepal and
Africa?
(3) Why is the climatic condition of either sides of equator similar in Africa?
Introduction (Position, Size and Boundaries)
Africa is the second-largest continent in area next to Asia. It is located between 51°
E and 17° W longitudes and 37° N and 34° S latitudes. The equator passes through
the middle of the continent and divides it into almost two equal parts. Tropic of
Capricorn and Tropic of Cancer also pass through the continent.
The total area of Africa is about 3,02,47,000 Africa
sq. km. Its greatest distance from the north
to the south is about 8075 km, and from west
to the east is about 7564 km. The continent is
surrounded by Atlantic Ocean from the west,
Indian Ocean from the east. The Mediterranean
Sea and Strait of Gibraltar separate this
continent from Europe in the north and there
is Southern Ocean in the south. Red Sea and
Suez Canal are there in the north-east, which
separate this continent from Asia. Africa was
unexplored and unknown till the 19th century
due to its geographical complicity. Therefore,
it was called a dark continent in the past.
Physical Features
Africa has various land features such as hills, mountains, plateaus, plains, river
basins, coastal plain, and desert. These land features are not located in a particular
region forming physical divisions like that of in North America and South America.
Therefore, we study different physical features without dividing them into physical
categories. The main geographical features of the continent are described below:
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Plateaus: A large flat area of land that is higher than other areas of land that
surround it is called a plateau. Africa is called the plateau continent as the most of
the land is raised above the sea dropping off sharply near the coastal area. There
are many plateaus on the continent. Therefore, the continent is called the plateau
of plateaus. The plateaus of the continent are of low height as they were eroded.
Only the plateaus in the east and south are high.
The Mountains: There are few areas in this continent
occupied by mountainous land features. The Atlas Mountain
Range (north-west), the Drakensburg Mountain (south-
east) and Cape Range(south) are the main mountain ranges
of the continent. There are many volcanic mountains on the Mt. Kilimanjaro
continent. Mt Kilimanjaro (5895m), the highest peak of the
continent, Mt Kenya (5199 m) and Mt Elgon (4321m) are the volcanic mountains.
Mt Kilimanjaro is also known as the Mountain of Fire and Ice as it was formed by
volcanic eruptions and covered with ice at the top in these days. Mt Elgon is an
extinct volcanic mountain.
The Rift Valleys: The rift valley is a land feature formed by the sinking of the land
between two parallel faults. It is a special land feature found only in Africa. It is a
narrow valley formed as a result of vertical cracks formed by the tectonic movement
before the development of human civilisation. It extends from Mozambique of
southeast Africa to Jordan and Syria of Asia in the northeast. It is about 4285 km
long and 3000 m deep. There are series of volcanic mountains and lakes in this
region. Mt Kilimanjaro also lies in this region. Lake Rudolf, Malawi and Tana lies
in this region. Lake Tanganyika, Albert, and Edward lie in the western stripe of
the Rift Valley.
River Basins: There are many rivers in Africa. They
form fertile valleys, popularly known as river basins. The
Congo and Zaire basin in the equatorial region are the
larger valleys. They are covered with tropical rain forest.
Similarly, the Nile river basin is another famous valley Victoria Falls
of this continent where ancient human civilisation, the
Egyptian Civilisation was developed on the bank of the Nile River. Lake Chad and
Lake Victoria are the other countable lakes of this continent. Lake Victoria is the
second largest freshwater lake in the world after Superior. This is the source of
the Nile River. Niger, Senegal, Congo, Zaire, Orange, and Zambezi are other most
important rivers of this continent. They also form fertile valleys in their course.
The world-famous Victoria Falls is formed the way to the
Zambesi River.
Deserts: Desert is a significant physical feature of this
continent. Most of the parts of the continent are covered
with deserts. The Sahara Desert lies in the northern part
of the continent. It occupies one-fifth part of the continent. Sahara Desert
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There is a huge semi-desert in its south, which is known as the Sahel. The Sahel
lies between the Sahara Desert and the Savannah region. Besides, Namib Desert
lies to the south-west of the continent. The Kalahari desert is situated in the middle
of the southern parts of the continent. The deserts are rich in minerals resources
though this region has very little fertile land.
Climate and Natural Vegetation
Africa is divided by two equal parts by equator. It lies in both hemispheres
extending in either side of the equator. There are mountain, plateaus and plains.
The continent is also surrounded by ocean. There is a variation of climate in this
continent. Therefore, altitude, latitude, distance from the sea coast, presence of
mountain, and direction of the winds are the responsible factors that affect the
climate of Africa.
There are various types of climate under the influence of these factors. There is
equatorial climate with hot and wet throughout the year in the Congo basin and
coast region of Gulf of Guinea and Kenya. There is heavy rain in every afternoon
through convectional process. This region has tropical rainforest with the trees like
mahogany, ebony, rubber, coconut, etc. The either sides of the equatorial region
have savanna grassland type of climate. It is hot in summer and cold in the winter
with little rain in summer. Savana grassland with nutritious grasses for wild
animals is main vegetation here. Therefore, many species of animals are found
here. It is also called "Zoo of the World".
Deserts like Sahara, Kalahari and Namib have a desert climate. It is hot in
summer and cold in the winter with dry in all seasons. South Africa and few
parts of northern Africa experience temperate types of climate. Veldt grassland,
the temperate grassland is found in this region. The coastal region of northwest
Africa and southwest part of South Africa experience Mediterranean climate.
Mediterranean vegetation such as cork, olive, and fig are grown here. This region
is also famous for citrus fruits like oranges, lemon, and grapes.
Activities
(1) Make pairs among your friends in your class and organise a competition of
identifying the important places of Africa from your school Atlas.
(Such as: Major rivers, Mountains, Lakes, waterfall, islands, Grasslands, Deserts and cities.)
(2) Discuss in the class and make a list of some important facts in Africa.
Example: Mt Kilimanjaro (highest peak), ………………..
Exercise
(1) Give short answers to the following questions.
(a) Introduce Africa with reference of location, size and boundaries.
(b) Why was Africa called the dark continent? Explain your answer.
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(c) Describe some major topographical structures of Africa in short.
(d) Write a short description about the major deserts of the Africa
(e) Write short notes on the natural vegetation of Africa.
(2) Attempt all the following questions.
(a) Draw an outline map of Africa and indicate different climatic regions with
different colours.
(b) Draw another outline map of Africa, and insert the following facts by using
appropriate signs and symbols. Strait of Gibraltar, Table Mountain, Guinea Coast,
Lake Victoria, Kalahari Desert, Kinshasa, River Senegal, Rift Valley and Nairobi.
Practical Work
Look at the given map inside the graph and practice copying it several times
to draw a perfect map of Africa.
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Lesson Economic Activities and
6.12 Social Life of Africa
Engage Yourself
Do you know the names of some African countries? Are there any landlocked countries
like Nepal in Africa? Although Africa in rich is natural resources, it is still backward in
development. Africa is the second largest continent in size. It is the home to people of
various racial and ethnical groups.
(1) How is the socio-economic lifestyle of people living in Africa?
(2) What are the differences between the economic and social conditions of Nepal and
African countries?
(3) Can you draw an outline map of Africa and insert the geographical facts in it?
Africa is a land of ethnic diversity. This continent is home to people of more than
3000 ethnic groups. Most of the population consists of Negro people. In the north,
there are also large numbers of Arabs. Mainly in the south, some descendants
of Europeans established colonies in Africa hundreds of years ago. Islam and
Christianity are major religions here. Some people follow traditional religions as
well.
Africa has great economic potential in
terms of natural resources. However, it is
an economically backward continent. It has
valuable and useful minerals like gold, silver,
iron, copper, uranium. In fact, South Africa is
the largest producer and exporter of diamonds
in the world. Almost all European countries
have become prosperous by mobilising their
natural resources, but Africa is still lagging
behind. Most of the African countries haven’t
been able to utilise their natural resources Goldmines in South Africa
due to various reasons such as lack of skilled
human resource, low literacy rate, lack of transportation facilities, political unrest,
civil war, foreign intervention, colonial exploitation, and so on.
Famine, conflict, drought, war, infectious disease, illiteracy, malnutrition, and
poverty are major problems of this continent. Extreme temperatures and large
deserts have also affected the continent's social and economic activities. AIDS and
the Ebola virus have affected many countries of Africa continent. The way of life
of the people living in the jungles of Central Africa is still primitive. More than
a dozen countries of Africa are involved in the war. Africa is the least urbanised
continent. Therefore, it was called the 'Dark Continent' in the past.
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Most of the people here are involved in agriculture. However, it is of subsistence
type, and people follow the traditional method of farming. The chief food crops
differ by region. They include yams in the tropical forests of the west; corn, millet,
and rice in the savannah; and corn in the south. The tropical grasslands are also
suitable for cattle farming. Most African countries do not produce enough food
to feed all their people. Agriculture has not been developed commercially here.
Many areas are not suitable for agriculture. Farming is mostly done along the river
banks. Some countries are engaged in commercial agriculture. Large industrial and
commercial areas with special facilities have been established by leasing land from
the government with foreign investment. These areas produce large quantities of
fibrous crops such as food grains, cocoa, coffee, bananas, cotton and jute. People
also breed camels in the desert area for milk, meat, and transporting a heavy load.
Other domesticated animals are reared in the traditional style.
There are large national parks in various countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and
Tanzania in Africa. Millions of tourists visit these parks every year. It is full of
natural beauty and home to hundreds of wild animals and birds. The tourism
business is flourishing here. These parks contribute to earning foreign currencies
and increasing local employment as well as
promoting the country in the international
area. Besides parks, there are many protected
areas such as wildlife reserves and sanctuaries
in the region. For the development of tourism
in this region, it is necessary to develop skilled
human resource, infrastructure and a secured
environment. Tourists and researchers in
Africa are increasingly attracted to study the
pyramids of Egypt, the longest river of the world
and its civilisation, the parks of the Savanna Tourists in Savannah
region, and the ethnic and cultural diversity.
Many African nations had borrowed debts from wealthy nations in the 1960s after
they became independent. Those nations are not in a position to repay the debt at
present. Instead, they need more financial support. Therefore, those countries are
requesting the rich nations to dismiss their debts and provide additional financial
assistance.
South Africa is the richest country on the continent. Its climate is suitable.
Industrial development has taken place here. Skilled human resource is available
here. It has mobilised its natural resources to a great extent. They have been
successful in exporting various products. For these reasons, it looks different from
other countries in Africa. Egypt is another prosperous country. Large cities have
developed even in the desert due to the Nile River and the Mediterranean Sea.
Such cities have developed here due to the cool climate and development of industry
and trade. Ancient Egyptian civilisation was developed here. The African countries
such as Egypt, Algeria, and Libya are more developed and more prosperous than
other nations of the continent. They have a good trade relationship with European
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nations through the Mediterranean Sea. They have been able to mobilise their
natural resources such as gas and petroleum products successfully. Most of the
people in these nations are educated and skilled in compared to other African
nations.
Activities
(1) ‘Africa is rich in ethnic, cultural and geographical diversities.’ Discuss among
your friends in a group and justify this statement.
(2) Here is a picture of Cairo, the capital city of an African country named Egypt,
on the Nile river banks. Although this place receives little rainfall, why is this
place developed so much? What may be the causes? Discuss among your
friends and find reasons.
(3) Use various reliable resource materials to find out the ten largest cities on the
African continent and the names of countries in which they are located.
Exercise
(1) Offer short answers to the following questions.
(a) What are the major economic activities in Africa? Write in a short paragraph.
(b) ‘Africa is a continent with a great potential for tourism.’ Justify this statement
with abundant logics.
(c) For a long time, Africa was known as the ‘Dark Continent’. Mention any four
reasons why it was called so.
(d) Africa has been suffering from hunger, conflict, drought, war, disease,
illiteracy and poverty. Make a list of four essential measures to make this
continent prosperous, beautiful, peaceful and developed.
Project Work
Consult an atlas and make a list of the countries that produce diamonds,
petrol and gold on the African continent.
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Lesson North America, South America,
6.13 Africa, and Nepal
Engage Yourself
Do you think different countries of the world have similar geographical environment?
Is the lifestyle of the people in different countries the same? We understand it when we
compare our country and the continents, North America, South America and Africa on
natural environment and socio-economic activities of people.
(1) What are the similarities on geographical environment between these continents and
Nepal?
(2) What are the differences in physical features, climates and natural vegetation between
these continents and Nepal?
(3) Are our lifestyle, culture and tradition similar to them?
Nepal is a country with physical and cultural diversities. There are varied
topographical structures in Nepal. There are snow-capped mountains in the
northern part of the country. Hilly region lies in the middle, and the Terai region
is in the south. Likewise, there are variations in the topographical structures of
North America, South America, Africa. They have similarities and differences
while comparing with Nepal in some physical and socio-cultural aspects.
Nepal and North America
Nepal has good relationship with North American North America
countries. USA and Canada are big countries of
North America The diplomatic relation between
the USA and Nepal was established on 25th April,
1947 AD. Nepal established diplomatic relation
with Canada on 18th January, 1965 AD.
USA and Canada assist Nepal in transportation,
communication, public health, education, family planning, malaria eradication,
agriculture, forestry, energy, and so on. America and Canada are providing
Scholarship to Nepali students in various universities of their country. The US
government brought the policies to promote trade in Nepal. Nepal was in trade
surplus with the USA till 2015, but faced trade deficit from 2016 of 95 Crores.
The duty-free program, specially designed for Nepal, brought into effectiveness
from 15th December, 2016. This programme was brought by former US President
Barack Obama to support economic recovery after the effects of the devastating
earthquakes of 2015 in Nepal. American people are supporting our country through
tourism by visiting our country. High-level visit of the political leader supports to
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enhance the relations. Many Nepalese leader such as Kings, Presidents, Prime
Ministers, Ministers visited the North American Countries to improve relations.
Sometimes, the American leaders are also visiting our country. American former
President Jimmy Carter paid a visit to Nepal on 13th to 16th June, 2007 AD to
monitor the election of constituent assembly. Nowadays, many youths are going to
America by getting the green card through Diversity Visa (DV). The United States
of America and Canada helped Nepal to solve the Bhutani refugee problem by
giving them shelter.
Some of the physical and socio-cultural similarities and differences are listed in a
chart.
Similarities Differences
• The Rocky Mountains of North • Nepal is one of the least developed
America and the Himalayan countres, but North America is a
Mountains of Nepal are the fold developed continent.
mountains made of tectonic
movements. • The Rocky has been extended from
North to south, but the Himalayas
• North America and Nepal have a extends from the west to the east.
cold climate in the northern parts, a
moderate climate in the middle and • Majority of people of Nepal are
a hot climate in the southern parts. engaged in agriculture, whereas
most of North American people
• Both the mountains are the sources are engaged in non- agricultural
of rivers and glaciers. occupation.
• There are cultural and lingual • Nepal is a landlocked country, but
diversities in both Nepal and North there are no landlocked countries in
America. North America.
• The Himalayas and the Rocky • Majority of people of North America
Mountains are famous for tourism. live in the urban areas whereas,
majority people of Nepal live in rural
areas.
Nepal and South America
South America is very far away from Nepal, and it
has a similar land structure to Nepal. Nepal has
established diplomatic relations with Argentina on
1st January, 1960 AD and Brazil on 7th February,
1976 AD. Nepal opened its residential Embassy in South America
Brasilia of Brazil on 21st January, 2010. Likewise,
Brazil also opened its residential mission in Kathmandu in October 2011.
The government of Nepal and Brazil signed in three points agreement on 3rd August
2011 with External Relations of Brazil with the visit of honourable Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister of Nepal Upendra Yadav in Brasilia. Following are
the points of agreement:
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i. Technical co-operation agreement between Brazil and Nepal.
ii. Agreement on Visa exemptions for holders of Diplomatic and Official/Service
Passports.
iii. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of a bilateral
consultation mechanism.
Some of the physical and socio-cultural similarities and differences between Nepal
and South America are listed in a chart.
Similarities Differences
• The Andes Mountains of South • The Andes extends from the north to
America and the Himalayan south but the Himalayas extends from
Mountains of Nepal are the fold the west to east.
mountains made of tectonic
movements. • There are huge grasslands in South
America but there are small Kharka/Patan
• Both South America and Nepal have in Nepal.
similar climate and lifestyles in the
mountainous region. • Nepal is a landlocked country, but South
America is surrounded by the Atlantic
• The Andes and the Himalayan and the Pacific Ocean.
Mountains are the sources of rivers
and glaciers. • South America is famous for cocoa and
coffee production, whereas Nepal is
• There are cultural and lingual famous for tea production.
diversities in both Nepal and South
America. • The settlements of South American
countries are centralised in a particular
• The Himalayas and Andes Mountains place, but the population of Nepal is
are famous for tourism. sparse.
• Nepal and Brazil of South America are • Nepal lies in the Northern Hemisphere
rich in hydropower. whereas, South America lies in both the
northern and Southern hemisphere.
Nepal and Africa
Nepal and countries of Africa have good relations. The
Diplomatic relations between Egypt and Nepal was
established on 16th July, 1957. Nepal established its
residential embassy in Cairo in 1966 AD. Similarly, the
Egyptian Embassy was opened in Kathmandu in 1970
AD. Likewise, a Nepali Embassy has been established Africa and Nepal
in Pretoria of South Africa. Nepal and Egypt are the
founder members of the Non-Aligned Movement. Nepal praises the pioneering
role of Egypt for the promotion of the principles of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Nepal recognised the Camp David Accord signed by Egypt and Israel in 1978 AD.
It ultimately led to sign the Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel in 1979 AD.
Egypt and Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishing a
bilateral political consultation mechanism between the Foreign Ministries on 16th
July, 2007 AD.
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Many Nepali soldiers have worked in Liberia, Sudan, Congo, and so on in peace
keeping mission of the UN. They are still contributing to the establishment of
peace in African countries. Visit of Nepali leaders such as Kings, Presidents, Prime
Ministers, Ministers, and so on enhanced the relations with the African countries.
Some of the physical and socio-cultural similarities and differences are listed in a
table below.
Similarities Differences
• The Atlas and Drakensberg • The Africa continent receives less rainfall
Mountains of Africa and the than Nepal.
Himalayan Mountains of Nepal
are the fold mountains formed of • There are large tropical deserts in Africa
tectonic movements. but there is no hot desert in Nepal.
• The Himalayan Mountains is • Nepal has high productivity of the land
the sources of rivers in Nepal. but majority of parts of Africa are less
Likewise Orange river of Africa fertile.
originates from the Drakensberg
mountain. • The majority of people of Africa are
Negros, but most of the Nepalese are
• There are cultural and lingual either Aaryan or Mongolians.
diversities in both Nepal and
Africa. • Yaks and mountain goats are used to
carry loads in Nepal, whereas camels
• Nepal and Madagascar island of are used in Africa.
Africa have a similar climate.
• There is Savannah grassland in Africa,
• Nepal and most of the countries but Nepal does not have tropical
of Africa are backward in the grassland.
development of infrastructures.
• Africa is rich in minerals, but Nepal is
rich in water, forest and land resources.
Activities
(1) Look at the world map and compare the facts of North America, South
America, and Africa with Nepal with reference to the given points and prepare
a chart paper to present it in the display board of your classroom.
SN Facts North America South America Africa Nepal
1. Mountains
2. Lakes
3. Rivers
4. Fertility of land
5. Climate
6. Economic activities
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Exercise
(1) Give short answers to the following questions.
(a) Compare the land structures, rivers, climate and vegetations of North
America with that of Nepal.
(b) Describe the relation of Nepal with South American Countries in short.
(c) Write any two physiological difference and two similarities between Nepal
and Brazil.
(d) Compare the socio-economic life of the people of Nepal with African
countries.
(e) Some engineers and doctors of Nepal work in Africa and some of the Africa
footballers are coming to play football in Nepal, how do you think this type
of exchanges? Write your opinions.
(f) Name any four countries of the Africa continent where Nepalese soldiers are
sent through UN for the establishment of peace.
(g) Make a list of the highest peaks of three continents and Nepal with their
height.
(2) Write long answers to the following questions.
(a) Draw an outline map of the word and indicate North America, South America,
Africa and Nepal with different colours.
(b) Complete the following table with the similarities and differences between the
given continents and Nepal on the natural environment and socioeconomic
aspect.
Different Aspects Similarities Differences
Steppes 1. 1.
2. 2.
Socioeconomic aspect 3. 3.
4. 4.
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
Community Work
Meet a Nepali soldier who has returned from the peace-keeping force or a
person returned after working in a specialised agency of the UN, and ask
about the lifestyle of the people of the country she or her has worked in. Then,
prepare a short report on it.
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