8 Amazing Physical Features of Africa

<!doctype html> <html lang="en" class="list-desktop ui-ie7 ui-ie"> <head prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns# fb: https://ogp.me/ns/fb#"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130"> <link rel="preload" as="script" href="https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js" /> <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.png" /> <meta name="description" content="This Encyclopedia Britannica geography list discusses amazing physical features in Africa." /> <meta name="keywords" content="Congo River, East African Rift System, Ituri Forest, Lake Victoria, the Namib, Nile River, the Sahara, Victoria Falls, physical features, geographical features, mountains, waterfalls, amazing, beautiful, visit" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.britannica.com/list/8-amazing-physical-features-of-africa" /> <title>8 Amazing Physical Features of Africa | Britannica</title> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel"> window.$UI = {}; window.Constants = {"LICENSE_URL": "/bps/license","DEFAULT_TEST_VERSION": "A","DEFAULT_STATE": "XX","QUIZ_URL": "/quiz","SPOTLIGHT_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/spotlight","CONTENT_TYPE_TEXT": "text/plain;charset=UTF-8","TOPIC_FACTS_DATA_URL": "/facts","QUIZ_BROWSE_IMAGE_QUIZZES": "images","TOPIC_MEDIA_PATH": "/images-videos","USER_PROFILE_URL": "/user","DEBUG_URL": "/debug","ONE_GOOD_FACT_URL": "/one-good-fact","ERROR_404_URL": "/error404","PROCON_CITED_IN_THE_NEWS_URL": "/procon/ProCon-in-the-News","PROCON_URL": "/procon","TOPIC_PAGE_CONTENT_AJAX_URL": "/topic-content/page","INFINITE_SCROLL_PREFIX_URL": "/scroll","TOPIC_TOP_QUESTION_BROWSE_URL": "/questions","CC_USD": "USD","domain": "britannica.com","SURVEY_URL": "/survey","CATEGORY_BROWSE_URL": "/browse","STORY_BROWSE_URL": "/stories","COUNTRY_US": "US","OPEN_MEDIA_OVERLAY_PARAMETER": "/media","NEWSLETTER_SUBSCRIPTION_URL": "/newsletter-subscription","MAINTENANCE_ERROR_URL": "https://maintenance.eb.com","IMARS_EDITOR_ID": "12365882","PROFILE_EB_EDITOR_URL": "/editor","WEB_INF_RESOURCES_PATH": "WEB-INF/resources","AI_ABOUT_PAGE_URL": "/about-britannica-ai","TOPIC_ADDITIONAL_INFO_PATH": "/additional-info","SUDOKU_GAME_URL": "/games/sudoku","CC_INR": "INR","ARTICLE_PRINT_URL": "/print/article","FIRST_EDITION_URL": "/subscriber/firstedition","WW1_PORTAL_URL": "/discover/World-War-I","MENDEL_COOKIE": "__mendel","DEMYSTIFIED_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/demystified","LIST_BROWSE_URL": "/list/browse","PROFILE_EXPERT_URL": "/contributor","ASSEMBLY_IMAGE_URL": "/image/assembly","DAY_IN_HISTORY_URL": "/on-this-day","DEFAULT_CURRENCY": "USD","CONTENT_TYPE_XML": "text/xml;charset=UTF-8","PORTAL_FINANCE_BROWSE_URL_PREFIX": "/money/browse","MONEY_IMARS_CATEGORY": "13000","AJAX_PREFIX_URL": "/ajax","TOPIC_BROWSE_URL": "/topic-browse","MARKETING_CONTENT": "/marketing-content","ENV_RUNTIME": "runtime","GALLERY_URL": "/gallery","topicUrlClassesList": "topic|animal|art|biography|event|place|plant|science|sports|technology|procon","CONTENT_TYPE_HTML": "text/html;charset=UTF-8","ENV_LOCAL": "override","MEDIA_OVERLAY_URL": "/media-overlay","CHATBOT_PAGE_URL": "/chatbot","NEWSLETTER_PAGE_URL": "/newsletters","ENV_DEV": "development","MEDIA_URL": "/media","TOPIC_TOP_QUESTION_URL": "/question","PORTAL_FINANCE_URL_PREFIX": "/money","PODCASTS_URL": "/podcasts","STAND_ALONE_VIDEO_URL": "/video","MORE_ON_THIS_DAY_URL": "/more-on-this-day","TOPIC_QUOTES_URL": "/quotes","SEARCH_PAGE_URL": "/search","PROCON_CLASS": "PROCON","KUSTOM_MENDEL_APPLICATION_ID": "1","TOPIC_CONTENT_AJAX_URL": "/topic-content/topic","ENV_BRANCH": "branch","ERROR_URL": "/error","MAIN_VERSION": "mainVersion","DEFAULT_S3_REGION": "US_EAST_1","TOPIC_COLLECTION_URL": "/summary","LOGINBOX_URL": "/auth/loginbox","ONE_GOOD_FACT_BROWSE_URL": "/one-good-fact/all-good-facts","QUIZ_BROWSE_URL": "/quiz/browse","BIO_BROWSE_URL": "/browse/biographies","LIST_URL": "/list","TIGHTROPE_QUIZ_URL": "/quiz/tightrope","ALPHA_BROWSE_URL": "/sitemap","CONTENT_TYPE_JSON": "application/json","DICTIONARY_URL": "/dictionary","COBRAND_IMAGE_URL": "/image/cobrand","PROCON_IN_THE_NEWS_URL": "/procon/pro-and-con-issues-in-the-news","PROCON_BROWSE_URL": "/procon","QUIZ_BROWSE_VOCAB_QUIZZES": "vocabulary-quizzes","SUBMISSION_URL": "/submission","EB_LOG_OUT": "/auth2/logout","ENV_PRODUCTION": "production","EXPLORE_PORTAL_URL": "/explore","TOPIC_AJAX_URL": "/ajax/topic","TOPIC_SUMMARY_BROWSE_URL": "/summaries","WTFACT_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/wtfact","VIDEO_CHANNEL_URL": "/videos","GALLERY_BROWSE_URL": "/gallery/browse","CACHE_URL": "/cache","PROCON_ABOUT_URL": "/procon/About-ProCon","COMPANION_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/companion","MEDIA_FOLDER": "/eb-media","SHOW_ALL_CONTRIBUTORS": "/additional-info#contributors","BRITANNICA_EDITORS_ID": "4419","ENV_CACHE_DISABLED": "mendelCache","CALCULATORS_BROWSE_URL": "/calculators","STORY_URL": "/story","DEFAULT_COUNTRY": "US","NAVBAR_URL": "/ajax/navbar","EB_LOGIN_URL": "/auth/eb-login","NEW_ARTICLES_URL": "/new-articles",}; window.CDN = "https://cdn.britannica.com"; window.CAM_LOGIN_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com"; window.CAM_SIGN_UP_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com/registration" window.Mendel = { "config" : { "domain": "britannica.com", "page": "List", "videoPlayerId": "UyMCoK2v", "sharedUrl": "https://www.britannica.com/list/8-amazing-physical-features-of-africa", "amuselabsUrl": "https://cdn3.amuselabs.com", "resourcesPrefixUrl": "https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/[url]?v=3.130.14", "date": 20241125, "userInfo": { "type": "ANONYMOUS" ,"currency": "AUUS" ,"country": "SG" ,"state": "XX" ,"timezone": "Asia/Singapore" ,"bcomId": "-7150480285293700839" ,"hasAds": true ,"testVersion": "B" ,"adsTestVersion": "B" ,"consumerId": "" ,"instId": "" ,"consumerUserName": "" ,"instUserName": "" ,"cognito": null }, "tvs":{ "r":[25,25,25,25], "a": [25,25,25,25]}, "isLoggedInAsUser": false, "isPhone": false, "isDesktop": true, "logoutUrl": "/auth2/logout", "selfServiceUrl": "https://myaccount.britannica.com", "cdnUrl": "https://cdn.britannica.com", "chatbotApi": "https://www.britannica.com/chat-api", "fetchOffset": 800, "mendelCookieName": "__mendel", "mendelCookie": {"surveyShown":false,"visitedTopicId":0,"currentDate":20241125}, "autocompleteToSearchPage": false,"listId": 6091 ,"pagesInfo": [{"url":"8-amazing-physical-features-of-africa","title":"8 Amazing Physical Features of Africa"},{"url":"12-novels-considered-the-greatest-book-ever-written","title":"12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”"},{"url":"10-famous-artworks-by-leonardo-da-vinci","title":"10 Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci"},{"url":"secret-service-code-names-of-11-us-presidents","title":"Secret Service Code Names of 11 U.S. Presidents"},{"url":"7-of-the-worlds-deadliest-shipwrecks","title":"7 of the World’s Deadliest Shipwrecks"},{"url":"americas-5-most-notorious-cold-cases-including-one-you-may-have-thought-was-already-solved","title":"America’s 5 Most Notorious Cold Cases (Including One You May Have Thought Was Already Solved)"},{"url":"8-philosophical-puzzles-and-paradoxes","title":"Brain Games: 8 Philosophical Puzzles and Paradoxes"},{"url":"14-tough-questions-answered","title":"14 Tough Questions Answered"},{"url":"10-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time","title":"10 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time"},{"url":"all-119-references-in-we-didnt-start-the-fire-explained","title":"All 119 References in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained"},{"url":"7-female-firsts-in-us-politics","title":"7 Female Firsts in U.S. Politics"}] }, "GA": {"leg":"B","adLeg":"B","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"List","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} }; </script> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="1887621861548296"/ <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@britannica" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/141580-131-6DA06CD7/Namib-desert-Namibia.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="This Encyclopedia Britannica geography list discusses amazing physical features in Africa."/> <meta property="og:type" content="ARTICLE"/> <meta property="og:title" content="8 Amazing Physical Features of Africa | Britannica"/> <meta property="og:description" content="This Encyclopedia Britannica geography list discusses amazing physical features in Africa."/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Encyclopedia Britannica" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.britannica.com/list/8-amazing-physical-features-of-africa"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/141580-131-6DA06CD7/Namib-desert-Namibia.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="init opengraph"> Mendel.openGraph = {"type":"ARTICLE","title":"8 Amazing Physical Features of Africa","description":"This Encyclopedia Britannica geography list discusses amazing physical features in Africa.","imageUrl":"https://cdn.britannica.com/80/141580-131-6DA06CD7/Namib-desert-Namibia.jpg","imageType":"image/jpeg","pageUrl":"https://www.britannica.com/list/8-amazing-physical-features-of-africa"}</script> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/" > <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/icon?family=Material+Icons"> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/vendor-bundle.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/mendel-css.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/list-page.css?v=3.130.14" rel="stylesheet" /> <script type="text/javascript"> if (self !== top) { top.location = self.location; } // if ('scrollRestoration' in history) { history.scrollRestoration = 'manual'; } </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/at.js?v=3.130.14" async ></script> <script> dataLayer = []; </script> <script type="text/javascript">(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-5W6NC8'); </script> </head> <body data-leg="B" class="list-page user-ANONYMOUS user-ads md-desktop leg-bb-ie">  <script>Mendel.config.adProvider='ay';</script> <script async src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js"></script> <script> window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/15510053/CMP_1x1', [1, 1], 'div-gpt-ad-1709766812090-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); </script> <script async defer src="https://launchpad-wrapper.privacymanager.io/0ccc6fe8-1870-4ad8-b47b-6d029ac116fc/launchpad-liveramp.js"></script> <script async src="https://JRyhoywLYXNLYMAhs.ay.delivery/manager/JRyhoywLYXNLYMAhs" type="text/javascript" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" ></script><div class="ie-warning d-flex align-items-center align-self-center justify-content-center site-alert bg-orange"> <div> You are using an <strong>outdated</strong> browser. Please <a class="text-white text-underscore" href="https://browsehappy.com/">upgrade your browser</a> to improve your experience and security. </div> </div> <script id="json-navbar-info" type="application/json"> {"topSectionLinks":[{"title":"Ask the Chatbot","url":"/chatbot","navbarId":"CHATBOT"},{"title":"Games & Quizzes","url":"/quiz/browse","navbarId":"QUIZZES"},{"title":"ProCon","url":"/procon","navbarId":"PROCON"},{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society","navbarId":"HISTORY"},{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech","navbarId":"SCIENCE"},{"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies","navbarId":"BIOS"},{"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature","navbarId":"ANIMALS"},{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel","selected":true,"navbarId":"GEOGRAPHY"},{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture","navbarId":"ART"},{"title":"Money","url":"/money","navbarId":"MONEY"},{"title":"Videos","url":"/videos","navbarId":"VIDEOS"}],"selectedSuperCategory":{"id":4,"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"Geography-Travel","description":"Explore geography and travel; geographic regions; historical places; people of the world; countries, states, provinces, cities, and towns; languages; deserts, islands, mountains, plateaus; lakes, oceans, seas, rivers; national parks, tourist attractions","keywords":"geographic regions; historical places; people of the world; countries, states, provinces, cities, and towns; languages; deserts, islands, mountains, plateaus; lakes, oceans, seas, rivers; national parks, tourist attractions ","classId":"GEOGRAPHY","sortOrder":5},"selectedNavbarLink":{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel","selected":true,"navbarId":"GEOGRAPHY"}} </script> <script id="json-hamburger-menu" type="application/json"> {"britannicaMenu1":[{"title":"Home","url":"/"},{"title":"ProCon","url":"/procon"},{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society"},{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech"},{"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies"},{"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature"},{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel"},{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture"},{"title":"Money","url":"/money"}],"britannicaMenu2":[{"title":"Games & Quizzes","url":"/quiz/browse"},{"title":"Videos","url":"/videos"},{"title":"On This Day","url":"/on-this-day"},{"title":"One Good Fact","url":"/one-good-fact"},{"title":"Dictionary","url":"/dictionary"},{"title":"New Articles","url":"/new-articles"}],"browseByCategory":[{"title":{"id":5,"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society"},"links":[{"title":"Lifestyles & Social Issues","url":"/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues"},{"title":"Philosophy & Religion","url":"/browse/Philosophy-Religion"},{"title":"Politics, Law & Government","url":"/browse/Politics-Law-Government"},{"title":"World History","url":"/browse/World-History"}]},{"title":{"id":6,"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech"},"links":[{"title":"Health & Medicine","url":"/browse/Health-Medicine"},{"title":"Science","url":"/browse/Science"},{"title":"Technology","url":"/browse/Technology"}]},{"title":{"id":3,"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies"},"links":[{"title":"Browse Biographies","url":"/browse/biographies"}]},{"title":{"id":1,"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature"},"links":[{"title":"Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates","url":"/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates"},{"title":"Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates","url":"/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates"},{"title":"Environment","url":"/browse/Environment"},{"title":"Fossils & Geologic Time","url":"/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time"},{"title":"Mammals","url":"/browse/Mammals"},{"title":"Plants","url":"/browse/Plants"}]},{"title":{"id":4,"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel"},"links":[{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/browse/Geography-Travel"}]},{"title":{"id":2,"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture"},"links":[{"title":"Entertainment & Pop Culture","url":"/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture"},{"title":"Literature","url":"/browse/Literature"},{"title":"Sports & Recreation","url":"/browse/Sports-Recreation"},{"title":"Visual Arts","url":"/browse/Visual-Arts"}]}],"browseByFeature":[{"title":"Companions","url":"/stories/companion"},{"title":"Demystified","url":"/stories/demystified"},{"title":"Image Galleries","url":"/gallery/browse"},{"title":"Lists","url":"/list/browse"},{"title":"Podcasts","url":"/podcasts"},{"title":"Spotlight","url":"/stories/spotlight"},{"title":"Summaries","url":"/summary"},{"title":"The Forum","url":"/stories/the-forum"},{"title":"Top Questions","url":"/question"},{"title":"#WTFact","url":"/stories/wtfact"}],"moreFromBritannica":[{"title":"Britannica Kids","url":"https://kids.britannica.com/","newTab":true}],"menuType":"DEFAULT"} </script> <header id="header" class="bg-navy-dark"> <div class="global-nav-top-bar"> <div class="grid gx-0 h-100 justify-content-between align-items-center container-lg mx-auto p-0 position-relative"> <div class="d-flex align-items-center"> <button class="d-flex align-items-center justify-self-start js-toggle js-toggle-hamburger btn btn-link link-white btn-sm rounded-0 p-10"> <div class="hamburger-tooltip"> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block font-24" id="nav-toggle" data-icon="menu"></em> </div> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block font-24 global-nav-search-icon" id="nav-search-icon" data-icon="search" ></em> </button> <a href="/" class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center ml-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png" alt="Encyclopedia Britannica" class="global-nav-logo global-nav-logo-left" /> </a> <div class="global-nav-top-search-bar global-nav-top-search-container global-nav-search-container" id="global-nav-top-search-bar"> <form method="get" action="/search" id="global-nav-search" class="md-search-form m-0 global-nav-search-bar-small"> <div class="search-box position-relative col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="global-nav-search-query">Search Britannica</label> <input name="query" id="global-nav-search-query" placeholder="Search Britannica..." class="form-control form-control-lg rounded-lg font-16 search-query pl-20 pr-70 shadow-sm" maxlength="200" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search Britannica" /> <button class="search-reset-btn btn btn-link px-10 position-absolute top-0 h-100 d-none" type="reset"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em> </button> <button class="search-submit btn btn-link text-blue px-10 position-absolute top-0 right-0 h-100" type="submit" disabled> <span class="sr-only">Click here to search</span> <em class="material-icons search-icon" data-icon="search"></em> </button> </div> </form> </div> </div> <a href="/" class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png" alt="Encyclopedia Britannica" class="global-nav-center global-nav-logo non-homepage-logo" /> </a> <form method="get" action="/search" id="global-nav-search" class="md-search-form m-0 global-nav-search-bar-small global-nav-center search global-nav-center-search-container"> <div class="search-box position-relative col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="global-nav-search-query">Search Britannica</label> <input name="query" id="global-nav-search-query" placeholder="Search Britannica..." class="form-control form-control-lg rounded-lg font-16 search-query pl-20 pr-70 shadow-sm" maxlength="200" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search Britannica" /> <button class="search-reset-btn btn btn-link px-10 position-absolute top-0 h-100 d-none" type="reset"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em> </button> <button class="search-submit btn btn-link text-blue px-10 position-absolute top-0 right-0 h-100" type="submit" disabled> <span class="sr-only">Click here to search</span> <em class="material-icons search-icon" data-icon="search"></em> </button> </div> </form> <div class="col-35 col-sm-auto text-right order-3 mr-lg-15 align-items-center d-flex justify-content-end"> <div class="d-none d-md-inline-block"> <SPAN class="marketing-HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_DESKTOP2 marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_DESKTOP2"><a href="https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS" class="subscribe-link btn btn-sm btn-outline-white-orange py-5 mr-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Subscribe </a></SPAN></div> <div class="d-inline-block d-md-none mr-5 mr-sm-10"> <SPAN class="marketing-HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_MOBILE marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_MOBILE"><a href="https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS" class="subscribe-link btn btn-xs btn-orange-dark p-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Subscribe </a></SPAN></div> <button class="js-toggle-user-dropdown js-toggle btn btn-sm btn-link link-white rounded-0 px-md-15 pl-5 pr-5"> <span class="d-none d-md-inline-block mr-5">Login</span> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block d-md-none font-16 font-sm-20" data-icon="account_circle"></em> <div class="d-none dropdown-menu-subscription-link">https://subscription.britannica.com/subscribe?partnerCode=BP_Black_Friday_AUUS</div> <em class="material-icons inactive-icon d-inline-block font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_down"></em> <em class="material-icons active-icon d-inline-block font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_up"></em> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none hamburger-menu-subscription-link"><DIV class="marketing-HAMBURGER_MENU_CTA marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HAMBURGER_MENU_CTA"><a href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=black-friday-2024" class="subscribe-link btn btn-sm btn-orange py-5" target="_blank"> Subscribe <span class="d-none d-md-inline"> Now</span> </a></DIV></div> <div id="global-nav-react"> <div class="d-none"> <ul> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/procon">ProCon</a></li> <li><a href="/History-Society">History & Society</a></li> <li><a href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a></li> <li><a href="/Biographies">Biographies</a></li> <li><a href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a></li> <li><a href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a></li> <li><a href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/money">Money</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/quiz/browse">Games & Quizzes</a></li> <li><a href="/videos">Videos</a></li> <li><a href="/on-this-day">On This Day</a></li> <li><a href="/one-good-fact">One Good Fact</a></li> <li><a href="/dictionary">Dictionary</a></li> <li><a href="/new-articles">New Articles</a></li> </ul> <a href="/History-Society">History & Society</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues">Lifestyles & Social Issues</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Philosophy-Religion">Philosophy & Religion</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Politics-Law-Government">Politics, Law & Government</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/World-History">World History</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Health-Medicine">Health & Medicine</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Science">Science</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Technology">Technology</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Biographies">Biographies</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/biographies">Browse Biographies</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates">Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates">Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Environment">Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time">Fossils & Geologic Time</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Mammals">Mammals</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Plants">Plants</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture">Entertainment & Pop Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Literature">Literature</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Sports-Recreation">Sports & Recreation</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Visual-Arts">Visual Arts</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/stories/companion">Companions</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/demystified">Demystified</a></li> <li><a href="/gallery/browse">Image Galleries</a></li> <li><a href="/list/browse">Lists</a></li> <li><a href="/podcasts">Podcasts</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/spotlight">Spotlight</a></li> <li><a href="/summary">Summaries</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/the-forum">The Forum</a></li> <li><a href="/question">Top Questions</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/wtfact">#WTFact</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="https://kids.britannica.com/">Britannica Kids</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </header> <div class="bg-navy-dark"> <div class="container-lg p-0 d-flex justify-content-center global-nav-categories-bar overflow-hidden"> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 global-nav-slider category-snap-slider"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex font-14 overflow-hidden text-nowrap mx-5"> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-CHATBOT " href="/chatbot">Ask the Chatbot</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-QUIZZES " href="/quiz/browse">Games & Quizzes</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-PROCON " href="/procon">ProCon</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-HISTORY " href="/History-Society">History & Society</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-SCIENCE " href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-BIOS " href="/Biographies">Biographies</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-ANIMALS " href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-GEOGRAPHY selected selected" href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-ART " href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-MONEY " href="/money">Money</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-VIDEOS " href="/videos">Videos</a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <main> <div class="md-page-wrapper"> <div id="content" class="md-content"> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"headline":"8 Amazing Physical Features of Africa","image":{"url":"https://cdn.britannica.com/80/141580-131-6DA06CD7/Namib-desert-Namibia.jpg","@type":"ImageObject"},"author":[{"name":"Amy McKenna","url":"https://www.britannica.com/editor/Amy-McKenna/6443","@type":"Person"}],"keywords":"8 Amazing Physical Features of Africa ","url":"https://www.britannica.com/list/8-amazing-physical-features-of-africa","description":"This Encyclopedia Britannica geography list discusses amazing physical features in Africa.","publisher":{"logo":{"url":"https://corporate.britannica.com/wp-content/themes/eb-corporate/_img/logo.png","@type":"ImageObject"},"name":"Encyclopedia Britannica","@type":"Organization"},"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"article"} </script> <div class="list-content"> <div class="md-article-container list-container qa-content" data-feature-id="6091"> <div class="feature-container container-lg p-0 pb-40 p-md-20"> <aside class="d-none d-lg-block feature-left-rail p-20 pb-60 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="feature-section"> <div class="label mb-15 font-serif">Discover</div> <div class="mobile-carousel-items"> <ul class="pl-0 lr-image-list font-14 m-0 mb-30 d-flex flex-md-column slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden discover"> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/story/how-african-countries-coordinated-the-response-tocovid-19-lessons-for-publichealth" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/56/222356-131-19F4FC94/geography-travel-health-medicine-science-technology.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Mendel third-party content placeholder. Categories: Geography & Travel, Health & Medicine, Technology, and Science" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/story/how-african-countries-coordinated-the-response-tocovid-19-lessons-for-publichealth">How African countries coordinated the response to COVID-19: lessons for public health</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/story/how-do-deserts-form" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/57/151657-131-A74A72C8/Camel-caravan-desert-sand-dunes-Sahara-North.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Camel caravan moving across the Sahara desert sand dunes, Morocco, North Africa" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/story/how-do-deserts-form">How Do Deserts Form?</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/quiz/exploring-africa-fact-or-fiction" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/60/160260-131-FC907236/Women-clothing-Kenya-East-Africa.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Kenyan women in traditional clothing, Kenya, East Africa." /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/quiz/exploring-africa-fact-or-fiction">Exploring Africa: Fact or Fiction?</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/quiz/a-river-runs-through-it-fact-or-fiction" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/170873-131-EFDCF157/view-Amazon-River-South-America.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Aerial view of River Amazon (Amazon River; rain forest; rainforest; South America)" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/quiz/a-river-runs-through-it-fact-or-fiction">A River Runs Through It: Fact or Fiction?</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/quiz/cry-me-a-river-fact-or-fiction" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/81/166181-131-65E6EAD5/barge-Mississippi-River-Louisiana-Baton-Rouge.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="A barge travels on the Mississippi River near Baton Rouge, Louisiana." /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/quiz/cry-me-a-river-fact-or-fiction">Cry Me a River: Fact or Fiction?</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/list/7-lakes-that-are-drying-up" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/86/143286-131-5DBA7FED/Lake-Mead-Hoover-Dam-Nevada-Arizona-rock.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Lake Mead (the impounded Colorado River) at the Hoover Dam. The light-coloured band of rock above the shoreline shows the decrease in water level in the first few years of the 21st century." /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/list/7-lakes-that-are-drying-up">6 Lakes That Are Drying Up</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/quiz/africas-physical-features" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/153438-131-03131498/Mount-Kenya.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Mount Kenya in Mount Kenya National Park is the highest mountain in Africa. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Giant Lobelia in foreground. (Mt. Kenya; Mt. Kenya National Park; mountains; rugged mountain; African geography, African landscape, stratovolcano)" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/quiz/africas-physical-features">Africa’s Physical Features</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/story/where-do-anti-semitic-conspiracy-theories-about-the-rothschild-family-come-from" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/67/200267-131-4F79E2AC/Mayer-Amschel-Rothschild.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1855), founder of the house of Rothschild; lithograph by Friedrich Lieder, c. 1830." /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/story/where-do-anti-semitic-conspiracy-theories-about-the-rothschild-family-come-from">Where Do Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theories About the Rothschild Family Come From?</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/story/why-is-it-called-black-friday" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/218073-131-D8DF29B6/Macys-Herald-Square-New-York-Black-Friday-Thanksgiving-2018.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="New York NY/ USA- November 23, 2018 Hordes of shoppers throng the Macy's Herald Square flagship store in New York looking for bargains on the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday." /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/story/why-is-it-called-black-friday">Why Is It Called Black Friday?</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/list/10-famous-artworks-by-leonardo-da-vinci" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/06/200006-131-ABB681CF/Leonardo-da-Vinci-Italian-Renaissance-Florence-Engraving-1500.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Italian Renaissance painter from Florence. Engraving by Cosomo Colombini (d. 1812) after a Leonardo self portrait. Ca. 1500." /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/list/10-famous-artworks-by-leonardo-da-vinci">10 Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/list/secret-service-code-names-of-11-us-presidents" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/45/189145-131-45FF672E/Secret-Service-Agent-Earpiece.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Secret Service Agent Listens To Earpiece" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/list/secret-service-code-names-of-11-us-presidents">Secret Service Code Names of 11 U.S. Presidents</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/list/12-novels-considered-the-greatest-book-ever-written" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/55/142355-131-EFF621AF/books-Stack-literature-pile-reading-entertainment-society-2010.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Close up of books. Stack of books, pile of books, literature, reading. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/list/12-novels-considered-the-greatest-book-ever-written">12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/story/why-is-thanksgiving-in-the-us-celebrated-on-a-thursday" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/06/212906-131-C791368A/Thanksgiving-celebration-food-table-spread.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Thanksgiving Celebration Traditional Dinner Setting Food Concept" /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/story/why-is-thanksgiving-in-the-us-celebrated-on-a-thursday">Why Is Thanksgiving in the U.S. Celebrated on a Thursday?</a> </div> <div class="item-separator d-md-none"></div> </li> <li class="mb-10 mr-10 mr-md-0 d-inline-flex"> <a href="/list/8-philosophical-puzzles-and-paradoxes" class="d-block mr-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/05/176305-131-2D85B5C6/Casino-Gambling-Slots-Neon-Slot-machine-Luck.jpg?w=68&h=68&s=crop" alt="Casino. Gambling. Slots. Slot machine. Luck. Rich. Neon. Hit the Jackpot neon sign lights up casino window." /> </a> <div class="link-container"> <a class="" href="/list/8-philosophical-puzzles-and-paradoxes">Brain Games: 8 Philosophical Puzzles and Paradoxes</a> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </aside> <div class="reading-channel list-type-IMAGE"> <div class="grey-box w-100 grey-box-middle"> <div class="grey-box-content mx-auto w-100"> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "position" : 1, "item" : { "@id" : "https://www.britannica.com/list/browse", "name": "Image List" } } , { "@type" : "ListItem", "position" : 2, "item" : { "@id" : "https://www.britannica.com/list/browse/Geography-Travel", "name": "Geography & Travel" } } ] } </script> <nav class="breadcrumb mt-20 mb-30"> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> <a href="/" class="link-gray-600">Home</a> </span> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> <a class="link-gray-600" href="/list/browse">Image List</a> </span> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> <a class="link-gray-600" href="/list/browse/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> </span> </nav> <div class="mb-5"> <a class="GEOGRAPHY font-weight-semi-bold super-category-badge rounded font-14" href="/Geography-Travel"> Geography & Travel </a> </div> <div> <div class="d-block d-md-none md-feature-tools float-right mb-15" style="right:20px" data-feature-id="6091"> <button class="js-tooltip-actions ml-10 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="more_vert"></em> Actions </button> <div class="md-actions-popover popover popover-sm py-5 px-0 dropdown-menu"> <div> <button class="js-modal qa-cite-modal-button btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool " data-modal="[data-feature-id=6091] .sm-cite-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="verified"></em> Cite </button> <div class="sm-cite-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom mb-15"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10">verified</em>Cite </div> <div class="font-serif"> While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. </div> <div class="label mt-20 mb-10">Select Citation Style</div> <select class="js-citation-format-select form-select"> <option selected value="mla">MLA</option> <option value="apa">APA</option> <option value="chicago">Chicago Manual of Style</option> </select> <div class="citation font-serif border rounded p-15 mt-20" data-authors="Amy McKenna" data-title="8 Amazing Physical Features of Africa " data-published-date="27 Jan. 2017" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/list/8-amazing-physical-features-of-africa" > <div class="citation-text"></div> </div> <button class="js-copy-citation-button mt-20 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="file_copy"></em> <span class="js-citation-status-text">Copy Citation</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-share-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool " data-modal="[data-feature-id=6091] .md-share-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="share"></em> Share </button> <div class="md-share-modal size-lg d-none qa-share-modal"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10" data-icon="share"></em> Share </div> <div class="label my-20">Share to social media</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex align-items-start inverted" data-value="share" title="8 Amazing Physical Features of Africa " data-url="https://www.britannica.com/list/8-amazing-physical-features-of-africa" > <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> </div> <div class="label pt-20 mt-20 mb-5 border-top">URL</div> <a class="font-serif text-truncate d-inline-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/list/8-amazing-physical-features-of-africa">https://www.britannica.com/list/8-amazing-physical-features-of-africa</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h1 class="content-title mb-5">8 Amazing Physical Features of Africa </h1> <div class="d-none d-md-flex my-15"> <div class="mr-5"> <a href="javascript:window.print()" class=" btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="print"></em> Print </a> </div> <div class="mr-5"> <button class="js-modal qa-cite-modal-button gtm-topic-tool btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" data-modal="[data-feature-id=6091] .md-cite-modal"> <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="verified"></em> Cite </button> <div class="md-cite-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom mb-15"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10">verified</em>Cite </div> <div class="font-serif"> While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. </div> <div class="label mt-20 mb-10">Select Citation Style</div> <select class="js-citation-format-select form-select"> <option selected value="mla">MLA</option> <option value="apa">APA</option> <option value="chicago">Chicago Manual of Style</option> </select> <div class="citation font-serif border rounded p-15 mt-20" data-authors="Amy McKenna" data-title="8 Amazing Physical Features of Africa " data-published-date="27 Jan. 2017" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/list/8-amazing-physical-features-of-africa" > <div class="citation-text"></div> </div> <button class="js-copy-citation-button mt-20 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="file_copy"></em> <span class="js-citation-status-text">Copy Citation</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-share-modal-button js-modal gtm-topic-tool btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" data-modal=".md-share-modal"> <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="share"></em> Share </button> <div class="md-share-modal size-lg d-none qa-share-modal"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10" data-icon="share"></em> Share </div> <div class="label my-20">Share to social media</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex align-items-start inverted" data-value="share" title="8 Amazing Physical Features of Africa " data-url="https://www.britannica.com/list/8-amazing-physical-features-of-africa" > <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> </div> <div class="label pt-20 mt-20 mb-5 border-top">URL</div> <a class="font-serif text-truncate d-inline-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/list/8-amazing-physical-features-of-africa">https://www.britannica.com/list/8-amazing-physical-features-of-africa</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing font-14"> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/editor/Amy-McKenna/6443" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Amy McKenna</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Amy McKenna is a senior editor, primarily focused on geography and history matters pertaining to sub-Saharan Africa. She joined Encyclopaedia Britannica in 2004. She was previously employed by Standard...</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Amy McKenna</span></div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div></div> </div> <article class="topic-content content"><div class="topic-paragraph font-serif md-list-intro pt-15 pb-20"><p class="topic-paragraph">The vast expanse of the African continent spans several different climatic regions and contains everything from dry deserts to rainforests to snow-covered mountaintops. Check out some of the most-impressive physical features found in Africa.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><ul class="list-unstyled md-mendel-list"><li><h2>Victoria Falls</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="1"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/37/170737-050-8920A718/Victoria-Falls.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*94943"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/37/170737-050-8920A718/Victoria-Falls.jpg?w=1000" alt="Victoria Falls, Zambia, Africa (waterfalls; waterfall; African river)" data-width="1600" data-height="957" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/37/170737-050-8920A718/Victoria-Falls.jpg" data-href="*94943">Victoria Falls.</a></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">© Inna Felker/Fotolia</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">This spectacular Southern African waterfall, considered to be among the greatest in the world, is located along the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Zambezi-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Zambezi River</a> and straddles the border between <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Zambia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Zambia</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Zimbabwe" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Zimbabwe</a>. The awe-inspiring nature of the waterfall is in part due to its enormous width—more than 5,500 feet (1,700 meters). The waters plunge as far as some 355 feet (108 meters) down and drop not into an open basin but into a dramatic-looking chasm. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Victoria-Falls-waterfall-Zambia-Zimbabwe" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Victoria Falls</a> is known for its veil of mist visible from miles away; the name given to the falls by an indigenous group is Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders”). Victoria Falls and the adjoining areas were collectively designated a World Heritage site in 1989.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-1"></span></li><li><h2>The Namib</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="1"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/141580-050-E96B1D0C/Namib-desert-Namibia.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*144827"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/141580-050-E96B1D0C/Namib-desert-Namibia.jpg?w=1000" alt="Namib desert, Namibia." data-width="1600" data-height="819" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/141580-050-E96B1D0C/Namib-desert-Namibia.jpg" data-href="*144827">Namib desert</a><span>Namib desert, Namibia.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">© Pichugin Dmitry/Shutterstock.com</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">This coastal desert covers parts of three Southern African countries, from north to south: <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Angola" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Angola</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Namibia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Namibia</a> (home to the greatest portion of the desert), and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Africa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">South Africa</a>. Its name, which has its origin in the Nama language, loosely translates to “an area where there is nothing.” Yet “nothing” is not an entirely true description of some parts of the desert. The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Namib" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Namib</a>’s vast expanse across different regions means that the scenery is diverse and not what one might consider to be typical of a desert. The desert’s immediate coastal area derives moisture from the near-constant level of fog, allowing succulent shrubs to thrive there. Farther inland there are random mountains. Elsewhere there are vast amounts of sand, dunes, gravel plains, and rock formations, which, depending on the region, are dotted with bushes, grasses, or trees. The Namib’s varying regions are also home to a variety of wildlife, including beetles, snakes, birds, antelope, and elephants.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-2"></span></li><li><h2>East African Rift System</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="1"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/08-050-9FDDE98D/Escarpments-north-Great-Rift-Valley-Samburu-Game.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*1194"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/08-050-9FDDE98D/Escarpments-north-Great-Rift-Valley-Samburu-Game.jpg?w=1000" alt="Escarpments of the Great Rift Valley rising above the plain north of Samburu Game Preserve, central Kenya. Beisa oryx graze in the foreground." data-width="1600" data-height="1060" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/08-050-9FDDE98D/Escarpments-north-Great-Rift-Valley-Samburu-Game.jpg" data-href="*1194">Kenya: Great Rift Valley</a><span>Escarpments of the Great Rift Valley rising above the plain north of Samburu Game Preserve, central Kenya. Beisa oryx graze in the foreground.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">© Brian A. Vikander/West Light</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/East-African-Rift-System" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">East African Rift System</a>, with a length of about 4,000 miles (6,400 km) and with an average width of 30–40 miles (48–64 km), is one of the most far-reaching rifts in the world. It runs from the Middle Eastern country of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Jordan" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Jordan</a> in the north and heads south through <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/eastern-Africa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">eastern Africa</a> before ending in the southeastern African county of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Mozambique" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mozambique</a>. The East African Rift System has two branches: the Eastern Rift Valley, which runs the entire length of the rift, and the Western Rift Valley, which runs northward from the northern tip of Lake Malawi and forms an arc that includes several other eastern African lakes: Rukwa, Tanganyika, Kivu, Edward, and Albert. The rift system is responsible for much of eastern Africa’s most-breathtaking scenery, including the snowcapped peaks of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kilimanjaro" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mount Kilimanjaro</a>, the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Ruwenzori-Range" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Ruwenzori mountain range</a>, and numerous valleys (and the aforementioned lakes).</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-3"></span></li><li><h2>Congo River</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="1"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/81/7181-050-7ED6E076/dam-Inga-Falls-Congo-River-Matadi-Democratic.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*851"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/81/7181-050-7ED6E076/dam-Inga-Falls-Congo-River-Matadi-Democratic.jpg?w=1000" alt="The hydroelectric dam on the Congo River at Inga Falls, near Matadi, Democratic Republic of the Congo." data-width="1600" data-height="1070" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/81/7181-050-7ED6E076/dam-Inga-Falls-Congo-River-Matadi-Democratic.jpg" data-href="*851">Congo River: hydroelectric dam at Inga Falls</a><span>The hydroelectric dam on the Congo River at Inga Falls, near Matadi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">Georg Gerster/Comstock Inc.</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">Coursing through the heart of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Africa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Africa</a>, the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Congo-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Congo</a> is the continent’s second longest river, after the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Nile-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Nile</a>. It is contained primarily in, or marks the border of, the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Democratic Republic of the Congo</a>. The river is approximately 2,900 miles (4,700 km) long and, with its many tributaries, forms the largest network of navigable waterways in Africa; this is in spite of the difficulty in navigating the lower course of the river, which has 32 cataracts (<a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/waterfall-geology" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">waterfalls</a>). The Congo River is home to hundreds of species of fish, many of which are endemic to the river. There are few aquatic mammals in the river, but various types of reptiles, such as crocodiles, semiaquatic tortoises, and water snakes, reside there.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-4"></span></li><li><h2>The Sahara</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="1"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/10/152310-050-5A09D74A/Sand-dunes-Sahara-Morocco-Merzouga.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*160278"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/10/152310-050-5A09D74A/Sand-dunes-Sahara-Morocco-Merzouga.jpg?w=1000" alt="Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga, Sahara desert, Morocco." data-width="1600" data-height="1064" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/10/152310-050-5A09D74A/Sand-dunes-Sahara-Morocco-Merzouga.jpg" data-href="*160278">sand dunes</a><span>Sand dunes in the Sahara, near Merzouga, Morocco.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">iStockphoto/Thinkstock</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Sahara-desert-Africa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sahara</a>, which takes its name from the Arabic word for “desert,” is the largest <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/desert" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">hot desert</a> in the world. With a total approximate area of 3.32 million square miles (8.6 million square km), it encompasses almost all of northern Africa, spanning from the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Atlantic-Ocean" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Atlantic Ocean</a> on the western side of the continent to the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Red-Sea" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Red Sea</a> on the eastern side. About one-fourth of the Sahara’s surface consists of sand sheets and dunes; other principal features include sand seas, gravel-covered plains, rocky plateaus, abrupt mountains, shallow basins, and large oases. In general, vegetation in the Sahara is limited to areas around oases, wadis (riverbeds that are usually dry outside the rainy season), and the highlands. The desert has a perhaps-surprising amount of wildlife, including hundreds of types of birds (including resident as well as migratory birds), gerbils, jackals, mongooses, frogs, lizards, cobras, and snails that can remain dormant for several years until they are revived by rainfall.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-5"></span></li><li><h2>Lake Victoria</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="1"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/68/192768-050-F1B13CD6/man-shore-Tanzania-Lake-Victoria.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*217489"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/68/192768-050-F1B13CD6/man-shore-Tanzania-Lake-Victoria.jpg?w=1000" alt="A man walks on the shore of Lake Victoria in Tanzania." data-width="1600" data-height="1060" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/68/192768-050-F1B13CD6/man-shore-Tanzania-Lake-Victoria.jpg" data-href="*217489">Lake Victoria</a></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">© Catherine Falconer/Dreamstime.com</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">The largest lake in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Africa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Africa</a> and chief reservoir of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Nile-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Nile River</a>, this freshwater body has an area of 26,828 square miles (69,484 square km), which makes it one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Victoria" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lake Victoria</a> has more than 2,000 miles (3,220 km) of coastline. The lake is primarily contained in the eastern African countries of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Tanzania" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Tanzania</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Uganda" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Uganda</a>, with a portion in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kenya" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Kenya</a>. Victoria contains many island groups; the largest island in the lake is Ukerewe. It is also home to more than 200 species of fish. It has only one outlet: the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Victoria-Nile" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Victoria Nile</a>, which forms the upper section of the mighty Nile River.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-6"></span></li><li><h2>Ituri Forest</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="1"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/16/6616-050-31E8747E/tree-roots-Lombi-Ituri-Forest-Congo-rainforest.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*8911"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/16/6616-050-31E8747E/tree-roots-Lombi-Ituri-Forest-Congo-rainforest.jpg?w=1000" alt="Lombi tree (Dalbergia glandulosa) supported by buttress roots, in the Ituri Forest, Congo (Kinshasa)." data-width="1071" data-height="1600" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/16/6616-050-31E8747E/tree-roots-Lombi-Ituri-Forest-Congo-rainforest.jpg" data-href="*8911">lombi tree</a><span>Lombi tree (<em>Dalbergia glandulosa</em>) supported by buttress roots, in the Ituri Forest, Democratic Republic of the Congo.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">© Alan Watson/Forest Light</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">This dense tropical rainforest is located in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/central-Africa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Central Africa</a>, in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Democratic-Republic-of-the-Congo" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Democratic Republic of the Congo</a>. The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Ituri-Forest" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Ituri Forest</a> covers some 24,300 square miles (62,900 square km). It takes its name from the Ituri River, which flows through the forest. The tropical rainforest, with some trees towering some 170 feet (52 meters) into the sky and blocking much sunlight, has a dark humid interior filled with constant background noise from the buzzing of insects and the screeches and squawks of the forest’s diverse variety of animal life. Some visitors are struck by the magnificence of the rainforest; others find it ominous and oppressive—the famed author <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joseph-Conrad" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Joseph Conrad</a> called the forest the “heart of darkness.” The forest supports the greatest diversity of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/primate-mammal" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">primates</a> of any similar such area in the world. In addition to monkeys and chimpanzees, other animals found in the Ituri Forest include hyenas, antelopes, elephants, and hundreds of species of birds.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-7"></span></li><li><h2>Nile River</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="1"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/47/153447-050-EA01DEDF/Sand-dunes-Nile-River-Egypt.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*162999"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/47/153447-050-EA01DEDF/Sand-dunes-Nile-River-Egypt.jpg?w=1000" alt="Sand dunes along the River Nile, Egypt, Africa." data-width="1600" data-height="1200" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/47/153447-050-EA01DEDF/Sand-dunes-Nile-River-Egypt.jpg" data-href="*162999">Nile River</a><span>Sand dunes along the Nile River, Egypt.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">© nicolas lecoz/Fotolia</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">Known as the father of African rivers, the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Nile-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Nile</a> is about 4,132 miles (6,650 km) long. This vital waterway is the longest river in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Africa" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Africa</a> and, depending on what you believe, the longest river in the world. (Some maintain that the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Amazon-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Amazon River</a> in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/South-America" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">South America</a> should be considered the longest river in the world: see <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Amazon-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">here</a>.)  It is home to many different species of fish and reptiles, the Nile perch and the Nile crocodile perhaps being the most well known. The Nile’s flow, which heads northward into the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Mediterranean-Sea" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mediterranean Sea</a>, puzzled the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. Another mystery surrounding the river was its source, which was pondered for millennia and at times the subject of much debate, particularly after exploration expeditions began in the 17th century. The Nile has several sources rather than just one. Its farthest and most-southern headstream may be regarded to be the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kagera-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Kagera River</a>,  which rises in the highlands of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Burundi" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Burundi</a> just south of the Equator and near the northern shore of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Tanganyika" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lake Tanganyika</a>. The Kagera then flows into <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Victoria" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lake Victoria</a>, the chief source of the Nile.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-8"></span></li></ul><span class="AM-END-OF-ARTICLE am-inline"></span></article> </div> </div> </div> <aside class="cm-rightrail d-none d-md-block ad-rail"></aside> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grid gx-0"> <div class="col"> <div class="md-loading hidden display-4 font-weight-normal"></div> <div class="text-center my-20 mb-100"> <button class="md-infinite-load-next btn btn-blue" data-value="next-page">Load More</button> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-da-320 hidden-xs"> </div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"List","templateName":null,"pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":11,"pageId":6091,"pageLength":null,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/list-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"B","adLeg":"B","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"List","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":null,"gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

8 Amazing Physical Features of Africa | Britannica