Climate+and+geographic+features

__Climate and geographical factors__

- Great Zimbabwe sight located on a high plateau, mostly over 1000 m - Migrated to elevated plateau region to avoid the tsetse flies, that can kill both human and cattle by causing the “sleeping sickness”. The decease technically called trypanosamiasis transmitted through fly’s saliva. Great Zimbabwe high enough to avoid flies - Geography: plateau (above) and on eastern edge of Kalahari desert, to east it drops to coastal plane and Indian ocean, there is rolling planes with granite outcrops,, some deeply incised river valleys - in general, trees scattered in grassy savanna, - Cool and plenty of rain. - Rain good for soil - Variable soil, from rich to poor., - Good pasturage for cattle and sheep, - Good conditions for sorghum, millet, bean, and squash - clays for building - Relatively frequent “ bad years”, maybe one in five - “Sleeping sickness” cause fever, protracted lethargy, tremors, loss of weight, and death - Gold, iron copper, tin (needed for making bronze, highly valued), granite, clay called - “Daga”, suited for building, soapstone for carving, elephants for ivory. - lots of wild game, for food, also elephants ( for ivory)

Back to the Rise of Great Zimbabwe