I. MAPS REFLECT CHANGES OVER TIME: Boundaries - Africa (1914, 1990s).

II. CLIMATES AND VEGETATION.

III. HUMAN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT: Environmental changes - desertification.

IV. REGIONS MAY BE DEFINED BY PHYSICAL OR CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS.
A. Physical region: Sahara Desert
B. Cultural region
1. Religion: Islam
2. Political: African Union

V. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES CAN LINK OR DIVIDE REGIONS: Ethnic heritage - Rwanda and Burundi (Hutus and Tutsis).

VI. ELEMENTS OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, SUCH AS MAJOR BODIES OF WATER AND
MOUNTAINS, INFLUENCE THE ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF REGIONS: Zambezi River - water power.

VII. COUNTRIES.
A. GDP: South Africa, Gabon, & Botswana
B. Land size: Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Chad, Mozambique, & Madagascar
C. Population: Nigeria, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, & Kenya