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West and Central Africa

West and Central Africa. The Coastal Countries. 11 countries that line the coast of West Africa Begins in west with Senegal and continues to Nigeria Wetter climate than the Sahel countries Allows for farming and growth of trees Access to the Sea

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West and Central Africa

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  1. West and Central Africa

  2. The Coastal Countries • 11 countries that line the coast of West Africa • Begins in west with Senegal and continues to Nigeria • Wetter climate than the Sahel countries • Allows for farming and growth of trees • Access to the Sea • Natural harbors offer great economic potential • Global Trade Patterns – few exports • Economies suffer because imports exceed exports • West and Central Africa

  3. Coastal Countries – Struggles for Power • European powers ruled most of Africa until 1960s • Upon independence, economies have struggled • Liberia – founded 1822 by freed American slaves • Bloody military coup in 1980 lasted for 25 years • Sierra Leone – Coups and Dictators until 1996 • Rebel forces financed their operations by smuggling blood diamonds • Conflict Diamonds

  4. Nigeria – Varying Regions • Varied regions cause lack of unity • Southern regions – adequate rainfall (120 in. per year) • Northern regions – very little rainfall (20 in. per year) • Patterns of Settlement • Most powerful cultural groups take control of most valuable land • Population Movement – Muslim vs. Christian • About 1/3 of Nigeria’s states adopted Islamic law • Muslims moving north, Christians moving south

  5. Nigeria – Military Leadership • Nigeria’s government problems began in 1980s • Very dependent on oil sales, prices dropped in 1981 • Economy broke down, military staged a coup • In 1986, turned to United Nations for help • Agreed to follow structural adjustment program • Democratic elections finally occurred after 1993 • Unfortunately a new military ruler asserted control and forced down opposition • New constitution adopted in 1999 • OlusegunObasanjo elected president • Nigeria

  6. Central Africa - Movement • 7 countries east of Nigeria • Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic • The Big River – Congo River also called Zaire River • Highway that provides food, water, and transportation • Mostly located in Democratic Republic of Congo • Kinshasa and Brazzaville • Two cities that border the Congo River • Both have rail lines that connect them with the coast • Many countries use CFA franc

  7. Central Africa – Natural Resources • Renewable Resources • Groups of basins and plateaus allow for hydropower • Rivers provide fish to eat • Rain forests absorb CO2 • Nonrenewable Resources • Larger nations have huge deposits of minerals • Democratic Republic of Congo has more cobalt than any country in the world

  8. Democratic Republic of the Congo • Country Divided • Marked by periods of civil wars and coups • Mobutu SeseSeko established himself as dictator and changed the country’s name to Zaire • Under Mobutu, nation fell into debt • Continuing Conflict • In April 1990, Mobutu allowed other political powers to form and oppose him • In 1997, Laurent Kabila overthrew Mobutu’s government • He was assassinated in 2001, son Joseph became president • Democratic Republic of the Congo

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