Textbook Solutions: Kenya and Africa | IGCSE Oxford Geography Foundations for Year 6 - Class 6 PDF Download

What are Africa's main physical features

Q1. Use the scale4ine to measure the following. Page 94 will help you.

a. The length of Africa from@to B

b. The width of Africa from@to

c. The length of the rivers Congo and Zambezi

d. The total length of the Great Rift Valley

Ans: a. The length of Africa from north to south is approximately 5,000 miles (8,000 km). 

b. The width of Africa from east to west is about 4,600 miles (7,400 km). 

c. The Congo River is around 2,900 miles (4,700 km) long, and the Zambezi River is approximately 1,600 miles (2,574 km) long. 

d. The Great Rift Valley stretches for about 4,300 miles (7,000 km). 

Q2. Give the latitude and longitude of each of the following. 

a. Lake Victoria

b. The mouth of the Nile

c. The Cape of Good Hope

d. The Atlas mountains

e. Victoria Falls
Ans: a. Lake Victoria: roughly 0° S, 33° E. 

b. The mouth of the Nile: around 30° N, 31° E. 

c. The Cape of Good Hope: near 34° S, 18° E. 

d. The Atlas mountains: approximately 31° N, 8° W. 

e. Victoria Falls: close to 18° S, 26° E. 

Q3. Describe Africa's physical features using the headings below. Write a few short statements for each one.

Africa: physical features

• Earthquakes and volcanic activity

• Vegetation features

• River features

• Wildlife
Ans: 

• Earthquakes and volcanic activity: The East African Rift is a zone of seismic activity where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur, shaping the region’s dramatic landscapes.

• Vegetation features: Africa’s vegetation ranges from the arid Sahara Desert to the lush Ituri Rainforest, with savannas supporting grasslands and sparse trees.

• River features: Rivers like the Nile and Congo are lifelines, providing water for agriculture, transportation, and communities.

• Wildlife: Africa’s wildlife is diverse, with protected areas conserving species from the Big Five to countless other animals.

Q4. Write short descriptions of photographs A, B and C
Ans: 

• Sahara Desert, Algeria: The Sahara is characterized by vast dunes, rocky plateaus, and life-giving oases.

• Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe: This natural wonder features a massive waterfall plunging into a gorge, surrounded by a misty cloud.

• Okavango Delta, Botswana: An inland delta where the river fans out into a network of lagoons and islands, creating a wetland oasis in the desert.

What are Africa's main human features?

Q1. Give the latitude and longitude of each of the following cities. 

a. Cairo

b. Nairobi

c. Cape Town d Dakar
Ans: a. Cairo: The latitude and longitude are approximately 30° N and 31° E. 

b. Nairobi: It’s located at roughly 1° S and 37° E. 

c. Cape Town: This city’s coordinates are near 34° S and 18° E. 

d. Dakar: You’ll find Dakar at about 14° N and 17° W.

Q2. Name the countries that have a border with:

a. Kenya b. South Africa c. Libya
Ans: a. Kenya shares its borders with Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. 

b. South Africa is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Lesotho. 

c. Libya has borders with Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria, and Tunisia.

Q3. Describe Africa's human features using the headings below Write a few short statements for each one.

Africa: human features

• Population

• Problems

• Industry and resources

• Signs of improvement
Ans: 

• Population: Africa has a rapidly growing population with a rich diversity of cultures and languages. 

• Problems: The continent faces challenges like poverty, health issues, and political conflicts. 

• Industry and Resources: Africa is rich in resources like minerals and oil, but industrial development is uneven. 

• Signs of Improvement: There are positive trends in education, infrastructure development, and economic growth. 

Q4. Write short descriptions of photographs A, B and C.
Ans: 

• Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt: A historic square known for its political demonstrations and vibrant atmosphere.
• Old Soweto Market, Lusaka, Zambia: A lively market full of colorful stalls selling everything from food to crafts.
• Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa: A scenic harbor area with a mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment options against the backdrop of Table Mountain.

What are Kenya's main features?

Q1. Give the meaning of the following terms. The Glossary at the back of the book may help you. 

a. developing country 

b. developed country

c. standard of living

d. ethnic
Ans: 

a. Developing country: This term refers to a country with a less developed industrial base and a lower Human Development Index compared to other countries.

b. Developed country: A developed country has a highly developed economy and advanced technological infrastructure relative to other less industrialized nations.

c. Standard of living: This is the level of wealth, comfort, material goods, and necessities available to a certain socioeconomic class or a certain geographic area.

d. Ethnic: Pertaining to a group of people who identify with each other based on common ancestral, social, cultural, or national experiences.

Q2. Look at map A opposite.

a. Name the five countries that border Kenya.

b. Name the four main towns in order of height above sea level. Give the highest first.

c. How long is Kenya's coastline?

d. How far is it by rail from Kisumu to Mombasa?

e. What is the furthest distance from north to south?
Ans: 

a. The countries that border Kenya are Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.

b. The four main towns in Kenya, ordered by height above sea level from highest to lowest, are Eldoret, Nakuru, Nairobi, and Kisumu.

c. Kenya’s coastline is roughly 480 kilometers long.

d. The rail distance from Kisumu to Mombasa is about 1,000 kilometers.

e. The furthest distance from north to south in Kenya is approximately 1,020 kilometers.

Q4. Imagine you are on holiday in Kenya. Use the information on this page to help you write a postcard home which describes the country.
Ans: 

Q1. a. What is the Great Rift Valley?

b. With the help of the diagrams below, explain how the rift valley was formed.
Ans: 

a. The Great Rift Valley is a large geographic depression that stretches from the Middle East to southeastern Africa. It’s characterized by steep walls and flat valley floors.

b. The rift valley was formed due to the movement of tectonic plates. As the Earth’s crust is pulled apart, some sections sink between parallel fault lines, creating the characteristic steep-sided valleys.

Q2. Imagine that you have just taken photo A of Mount Kenya. Write a caption for the photo to both describe and explain the mountain's main features.

Include the following:

• rocky

• volcano

• steep

cold

• cone-shaped

• Equator

• 5,199m high

• snow-covered
Ans: “Mount Kenya: A towering testament to nature’s artistry, this ancient volcano rises steeply to form a rocky, cone-shaped summit. Despite straddling the Equator, its peak reaches 5,199m high and is crowned with eternal snow.” 

Q3. Look at the climate graph for Nairobi above.

a. Which three months are the wettest?

b. How much rainfall is there in July?

c. What temperature would you expect in July?

d. Why do you think Nairobi is cooler than Mombasa?

Ans: a. march, april, may

b. 25 mm

c. 1 degree

d. it's height is much more than mombasa

Q4. a. Describe the attractions for tourists to Kenya's

coastline. Use the following headings:

• General weather • Coastal landforms

• July temperature Vegetation cover

• July rainfall

• Sea conditions.

b. When is a bad time to take a holiday in the area? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: 

a. General weather: The weather is typically tropical, warm, and humid, perfect for beach holidays.

Coastal landforms: Stunning beaches, coral reefs, and mangroves make up the diverse coastal landscape.

July temperature: Warm, with average temperatures around 27°C, ideal for enjoying the outdoors.

Vegetation cover: Lush tropical vegetation provides a beautiful green contrast to the sandy beaches.

July rainfall: Light to moderate rainfall, ensuring plenty of sunny days.

Sea conditions: The sea is generally calm, suitable for swimming and water sports.

b. A less ideal time for a holiday here would be during the rainy season from March to May, as heavy rains can disrupt travel and outdoor activities.

Present-day movements of population

Q1. Read the following statements about Kenya's population, Write out the four statements that are correct.

• Kenya's population is spread evenly.
• Kenya's population is not spread evenly.
• The Maasai came from the Nile Valley and live in the south-west.
• The Maasai came from the south-west and live in the Nile Valley.
• The Kikuyu live in the north.
• The Kikuyu came from the south and west and live on higher land.
• Arabs and Indians live on the coast near Mombasa.

Ans: 

Correct Statements About Kenya’s Population:

1. Kenya’s population is not spread evenly.
2. The Maasai came from the Nile Valley and live in the south-west.
3. The Kikuyu came from the south and west and live on higher land.
4. Arabs and Indians live on the coast near Mombasa.

Q2. Make a copy of diagram D and complete it to show why the south of Kenya is more crowded than the north. For each box choose the correct word from the two given in brackets. 'Relief' has been done for you.
Ans: 

• Relief: High
• Rainfall: High
• Water supply: Good
• Temperature: Warm
• Soils: Good

Q3. Imagine that you live in a small Kikuyu village and are about to migrate to Nairobi.

a. Give at least three reasons for leaving your village.

b. Give at least three advantages of living in Nairobi.

Diagram C will help you to answer this question.
Ans: 

a. Reasons for Leaving the Village:

• The land available for farming is insufficient.
• Overpopulation in the village leads to a lack of job opportunities.
• Skills learned at school cannot be utilized in the village.

b. Advantages of Living in Nairobi:

• Nairobi has modern amenities like hospitals, shops, and educational institutions.
• It’s close enough to the village to maintain family ties while seeking better employment.
• The transition to city life is manageable due to the Kikuyu’s history of living in towns.

What is it like living in Nairobi?

Q1. Give three differences between photos A and B.
Ans: 

1. Architecture: Photo A likely depicts modern architecture with the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, tall buildings, and structured urban planning. In contrast, photo B probably shows informal settlements, with makeshift homes indicative of shanty towns.

2. Environment: The environment in photo A is described as having wide, tree-lined streets, suggesting a well-maintained, possibly affluent area. Photo B, on the other hand, might display a more crowded and less maintained environment typical of shanty settlements on the city’s edge.

3. Living Conditions: Photo A represents areas where wealthy Kenyans and overseas visitors stay, which would imply better living conditions, possibly with access to more resources and amenities. Photo B illustrates the living conditions of many local migrants, which are likely to be more challenging, with shared housing and limited resources.

Q2. Map F shows the location of shanty settlements in Nairobi.

a. How far is Kibera from the city centre?

b. Which direction is Kibera from the city centre?

c. Write out the following sentence using the correct word from the  pair in brackets.

Shanty settlements are areas of (good/poor) quality housing found at the (edge/middle) of the city on (good/poor) quality building land.
Ans: a. 6km

b. South West

c. shanty settlements are areas of poor quality housing found at the edge of the city on poor quality building land.

Q3. Using photo C, list four problems of life in a shanty settlement.
Ans: 

1. Overcrowding: Houses are built very close to each other, making it difficult to move around.
2. Lack of Basic Amenities: Many homes do not have access to water, electricity, or proper sewage systems.
3. Health Hazards: The presence of open sewage and the practice of drinking contaminated water lead to diseases.
4. Unsafe Living Conditions: During the wet season, the mix of rain and sewage can make the paths unusable, confining residents, especially children, indoors for extended periods.

Q4. List four ways that people living in a shanty settlement can earn money.
Ans:

1. Running Small Stalls: Selling food and other goods from makeshift stalls.
2. Turning Homes into Shops: Utilizing skills to convert living spaces into commercial shops.
3. Recycling Workshops: Collecting waste materials and recycling them for use or sale.
4. Selling Water: For those with access to a water tap, selling water to neighbors can be a source of income.

Q5. a. List four good points about living in Nairobi.

b. Why is Nairobi described as having 'two sides'?
Ans: 

a. Four Good Points:

1. Access to modern facilities like hospitals, schools, and shopping centers.
2. Economic opportunities due to a higher concentration of jobs and businesses.
3. Cultural diversity and vibrant city life with various entertainment options.
4. Improved infrastructure compared to rural areas, including transportation and communication networks.

b. ‘Two Sides’ of Nairobi: Nairobi is described as having ‘two sides’ because it showcases a stark contrast between the affluent areas, which have modern buildings, amenities, and are frequented by tourists and wealthy locals, and the impoverished areas where most migrants live in shanty settlements with challenging living conditions. This duality reflects the economic disparities within the city.

What is the Maasai way of life?

Q1.

a. Give two facts about a developing country. 

b. What is meant by an 'ethnic group'?

c. In which continent is Kenya?
Ans: 

a. Two facts about a developing country:

• Developing countries typically have a lower level of industrialization and a lower average standard of living.
• They often face challenges such as higher rates of poverty and less access to healthcare and education.

b. An ‘ethnic group’ refers to a group of people who share a common cultural background, heritage, language, or history.

c. Kenya is located on the continent of Africa.

Q2.

a. Give two reasons why cattle are important to the Maasai.

b. Write a paragraph to describe Maasai farming. Include these words:

 cattle and goats

rain

 grass

flat land

 nomadic
Ans: 

a. Two reasons why cattle are important to the Maasai:

• Cattle serve as a primary source of food, providing milk and meat.
• They are also a symbol of wealth and social status within the Maasai community.

b. Maasai farming description: “In the vast flat lands of Kenya, the Maasai practice nomadic farming, moving their cattle and goats in search of fresh grass. Their movements are dictated by the rain, ensuring that their herds can graze on the lush vegetation that sprouts with the seasonal showers.”

Q3. Sketch F shows a Maasai hut and several questions. Draw the hut and add labels by answering the questions.
Ans: 

• The roof is made from a mixture of mud, sticks, grass, and cow dung.
• The hut is typically around 3 meters wide, 5 meters long, and 1.5 meters high.
• The walls are made from a framework of branches covered with mud and dung.
• The door is usually low and narrow, requiring people to bend down to enter.

Q4. How do photo A and your drawing of a Maasai hut suggest that the weather is: 

a. usually warm 

b. not very wet?
Ans: Indications of weather from the Maasai hut: a. The hut’s materials and design suggest it’s built for a warm climate, as they allow for air circulation while providing shade. b. The use of waterproof materials for the roof indicates that the area doesn’t experience heavy rainfall, as more robust waterproofing would be necessary in a wetter climate.

The Kenya enquiry 

Q1.

a. Make a copy of table B below.

b. Using information from diagram C, complete your table to show the rank order of the seven countries for each measure of development. The most developed will score 1 and the least developed will score 7.

c. Add the scores together for each country, and complete the Total column.
Ans: a.

b. 

c. 

Q2. Write out the countries from your completed table as a 'League table of development'. The country with the lowest score will be most developed and should be at the top of the league.

Ans:

 League Table of Development:

1. United Kingdom - 5
2. Tanzania - 14
3. Uganda - 14
4. Kenya - 23
5. Sudan - 22
6. Somali Rep. - 30
7. Ethiopia - 32

Q3. Complete the report using your answer to activity 1 and information in diagrams C and D.
Ans: 

1. Compared with the UK: Kenya is significantly less developed than the UK. The UK leads in all development measures, including wealth, trade, life expectancy, healthcare access, and literacy rate.

2. Compared with Neighboring African Countries: Kenya is in the middle range of development compared to its neighbors. It has better life expectancy than most but lags in wealth and literacy rate.

3. Social and Cultural Measures: Kenya is making strides in cultural development, with initiatives like the UNESCO 2030 Culture Indicators Project to track culture’s role in sustainable development. Socially, challenges remain with poverty, inequality, and youth unemployment.

4. Areas of Greatest Need: Kenya needs improvement in economic wealth and healthcare access. Initiatives could include investing in healthcare infrastructure, enhancing trade, and promoting sectors like agriculture and tourism.

Diagram D reflects the Kenyan spirit of resilience and community, emphasizing the importance of family values and the country’s rich cultural heritage. Despite economic challenges, there’s a strong sense of optimism and pride in national achievements, such as athletic prowess and wildlife conservation efforts. To support progress, focusing on sustainable development, improving healthcare, and education, and ensuring access to clean water and food are crucial