ABSTRACT
Climate influences every component of the environment — hydrological and biochemical cycles, plant cover, animal life and human activity. Since most of Africa lies within 30° of the equator, temperatures are generally above the global mean and adequate for plant growth throughout the year except at high altitudes and in the extreme north and south of the continent. On the other hand, evaporation losses are everywhere great, exceeding 1000 mm from the rainforest and 3000 mm from lakes in arid regions. So, availability of water at the surface and for replenishing aquifers depends on adequate rainfall; precipitation is the most important of the climatic elements.
