Monday, May 6, 2013

Chapter 24 all sections

SECTION 1-

1. Which landform region covers the largest area of southern Africa?
   The Drakensberg.

2. How does the cold ocean current off the Atlantic coast influence southern Africa's climates?
   The evaporation rate there is low.

3. What are the two deserts in this region, and how are their environments different? 
   The Namib desert and the Kalahira desert. Namib is drier than the Kalahira desert.

4. Do you think southern Africa's rivers are vital links between the region's interior and global trade? Why or why not?
   Yes, because if these rivers were blocked, then they wouldn't be able to trade any goods.

5. Create a graphic organizer like the one below. Use it to describe the landforms, climates, and resources of southern Africa. Use the unit atlas and the information in Section 1.
   Landforms- Plains, Plateaus, escarpment, mountains.
   
   Climates- Tropical wet and dry, semiarid 

   Resources- Coal, Gold, Platinum, Copper.

SECTION 2-

1. Which three European countries had colonies in southern Africa?
   Portuguese, Dutch, Britain. 

2. How were the cities of southern Africa established?
   The Portuguese established Luanda in Angola and Maputo.

3. Why are European languages still used in several countries of southern Africa?
   Governments rely on European languages. 

4. Why do you think nonwhite South Africans were so unwillingly to accept the system of apartheid? Why do you think many whites wanted the system to continue? How did public policies change in the 1990's?
   They were so unwillingly to because of the political organization and policies. They wanted the system to continue so there won't be any black presidents. It released the leader of the ANC from prison, the government began to get rid of the apartheid system, and a black president was elected.

5. Create an idea web in which you describe, compare, and contrast the languages, religions, land-use practices, and customs of southern Africa.
   Languages- Bantu, English, African,

   Religions- Christianity, Hinduism,

   Land-use practices- Mining towns, Administrative centers, Densely populated.

   Customs- Marriage customs, 

SECTION 3-

1. What makes South Africa the most economically developed country in the region?
   It is much larger than all of the other economies in the region combined.

2. What are some of the main cash crops grown on commercial farms in southern Africa?
   Tobacco, Coffee, Vanilla, corn, fruits, and wheat.

3. Why might governments in the region want to pursue policies that encourage the development of a wide range of resources?
   So they could get more money this way.

4. How might the countries of southern Africa protect and develop their tourist industries?
   By avoiding as much challenges as possible.

5. Copy the following graphic organizer. Use it to identify the causes of some challenges facing countries in southern Africa.
   Rapid urban growth- People migrate from rural areas looking for work.

   Poor nutrition- People cannot afford to eat a balanced diet.

   Pollution- Smog from cars' exhaust fumes and smoke from coal and wood.

   Environmental damage- Droughts, floods, rain forests being cut down, soil erosion.

Channel 1 News Comments #2


  • It's crazy how bombs were set in Israel and it detonated.
  • The idea that Bombs and missiles happen in Syria is pretty tragic.
  • I don't think it's that important that 7 American soldiers died in Afghanistan because they are soldiers. They risk their lives for America.
  • I don't think Israel should be in their business.
  • I think it's pretty dumb how we Americans thought we could control the Afghanistans.
  • I think it's good how the American soldiers left the Afghanistan.
  • I think it's pretty horrible how the government is trying to make us pay more online so that we can go shopping instead.
  • That isn't fair that we have to pay more online. They should just leave it alone or they will lose customers that way.
  • That is horrible how our vegetables and animals are becoming extinct because we won't be able to live if they disappear.
  • I think it's cool how one of the schools save the seeds in a jar and use it to plant more vegetables.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco De Mayo is a celebration celebrated on May 5th. Most people make mistakes and think that Cinco De Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day, but it is not. The importance of Cinco De Mayo is that it is a celebration for the freedom of  the American Civil War. In the United States today, it is a celebration of Mexican's pride and heritage. Another war that led to Cinco De Mayo is the Mexican-American War. Most of the wars had to do with battles with the French.


The American Cinco De Mayo originated in the Mexican-American communities. Some places where they celebrate Cinco De Mayo are in places like Los Angeles, Chigaco, and Houston. Mexicans may be proud of Cinco De Mayo, but it is not an actual holiday. In Cinco De Mayo, they do Mexican cuisine, culture and music.