2.1 Major Geographical Regions and Their Cultural Characteristics
2 min read•july 24, 2024
Africa's diverse geography shapes its cultures, from to rainforest dwellers. The continent's five major regions—North, West, Central, East, and —each have unique landscapes that influence lifestyles, art, and traditions.
These environments foster varied ways of life: pastoralists, coastal fishermen, and river valley farmers. This diversity is reflected in religious practices, social structures, artistic expressions, and economic systems across the continent.
Geographical Regions of Africa
Major regions of Africa
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stretches along Mediterranean coast includes vast and fertile
encompasses region semi-arid transition zone tropical forests and major waterway
dominated by tropical rainforest and region with numerous freshwater bodies
features dramatic high-altitude plateau and Indian Ocean shoreline
Southern Africa includes arid temperate Cape region and Zambezi River system vital water source
Geography's impact on African cultures
North Africa from Middle East proximity desert nomads in Sahara along Nile
West Africa in Sahel shaped by Atlantic trade along Niger
Central Africa forest-dwelling cultures in Congo Basin around Great Lakes
East Africa in savanna Ethiopian highland agriculture Swahili maritime culture on coast
Southern Africa in Kalahari cattle-herding cultures in grasslands in fertile areas
Cultural Characteristics and Environmental Relationships
Environment and African lifestyles
Desert environments nomadic lifestyles (Tuareg)
Savanna regions pastoralism seasonal migration mixed farming (Maasai)
Tropical forests shifting cultivation forest product use (Mbuti)
Coastal areas fishing-based economies seafaring traditions (Swahili)
River valleys river transportation flood-adapted building (Nile Valley)
Cultural diversity across African regions
Religious practices North Africa predominantly Islamic Sub-Saharan mix of indigenous Islam
Social structures West Africa East Africa in pastoralist societies
Artistic traditions Central Africa elaborate West Africa (Benin Bronzes)
Economic systems Sahel Swahili Coast Indian Ocean maritime trade
Language families North Africa Afroasiatic Sub-Saharan Niger-Congo Nilo-Saharan Khoisan
Architectural styles West Africa and palaces () East Africa in Swahili city-states (Kilwa Kisiwani)