When looking at planet Earth from space, the African rainforest can be seen as vast regions of deep green. Rainforests are a lush vegetation type found in the tropical zone. Rainforests require plenty of warmth and precipitiation in order to thrive.

The African rainforest regions are surrounded by areas that are colored in a lighter shade of green. They consist of savanna. Savanna is a type of tropical grassland vegetation. Many large mammal species, such as lions and elephants, live on the savanna. 

Deserts can be distinguished as vast regions of light brown. The northern parts of the African continent are covered by the vast Sahara desert. The conditions in the desert are so dry that almost no plants can thrive there. 

The water near the African shoreline has a greenish shade. This color tells us that a lot of algae grow in the shallow shore waters. This is important for people living on the shores of the African continent, as fish eat algae. As a result, these shore regions are important fishing areas for many African nations.