Physical Geography

2. Physical Geography • The Big Idea • West Africa, which is mostly a region of plains, has climates ranging from arid to tropical and has important resources. • Main Ideas • West Africa’s key physical features include plains and the Niger River. • West Africa has distinct climate and vegetation zones that go from arid in the north to tropical in the south. • West Africa has good agricultural and mineral resources that may one day help the economies in the region.

3. Main Idea 1:West Africa’s key physical features include plains and the Niger River. Plains and Highlands • Plains cover most of the region. • Most cities are on coastal plains. • A few areas of highlands are scattered around the region. The only high mountains are the Tibesti Mountains. The Niger River • The Niger River is the largest river in West Africa. • The Niger provides fish, water for farming, and an easy transportation route for people in the region. • In Mali, the Niger breaks into a network of channels, marshes, and lakes called the inland delta.

4. Sahara West Africa’s climates are zonal, or organized by zone. The northern part of the region lies in the Sahara, the world’s largest desert. Almost no vegetation grows there. Dry, so few people live in many areas Sahel The semiarid Sahel is south of the Sahara. The area has a steppe climate, and rainfall varies from year to year. It has enough vegetation to support livestock. Desertification, the spread of desertlike conditions, is making the Sahel more like the Sahara every year. Main Idea 2:West Africa has distinct climate and vegetation zones that go from arid in the north to tropical in the south.

7. Savanna Lies south of the Sahel The savanna is an area of tall grasses and scattered trees and shrubs. When rain falls regularly, farmers can grow many crops. Humid Tropical Lies along the coasts of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Guinea Plentiful rain supports tropical forests. Many trees have been cut down to make room for people. Climate Zones of West Africa

8. The climate in part of the region is good for agriculture. Ghana is the world’s largest producer of cacao, which is used to make chocolate. Coffee, coconuts, and peanuts are also grown in the region. Oil is the most valuable resource in the region. Found off the coast of Nigeria Other mineral resources include diamonds, gold, iron ore, and bauxite, the main source of aluminum. Main Idea 3: West Africa has good agricultural and mineral resources that may one day help the economies in the region.

9. History and Culture • The Big Idea • Powerful early kingdoms, European slave trade and colonization, and traditions from a mix of ethnic groups have all influenced West African culture. • Main Ideas • In West Africa’s history, trade made great kingdoms rich, but this greatness declined as Europeans began to control trade routes. • The culture of West Africa includes many different ethnic groups, languages, religions, and housing styles.

10. The Slave Trade In the 1500s the demand for labor in Europe’s American colonies led to the creation of the slave trade. The slave trade was profitable for traders. The slave trade devastated West Africa. Families were broken up when members were enslaved. Many Africans died on the voyage to America. Colonial Era and Independence France, Britain, Germany, and Portugal claimed colonies in West Africa in the 1800s. Some Europeans moved to West Africa to run colonies. They built schools, roads, and railroads. Europeans created many economic problems in the colonies. After World War II, Africans worked for and gained independence. Later West Africa

11. Main Idea 2:The culture of West Africa includes many different ethnic groups, languages, religions, and housing styles. People • Hundreds of ethnic groups • Some groups live in traditional villages. Others live in cities and mix with other groups. • Country boundaries do not match ethnic group boundaries. Many people are more loyal to their group than to their country. Languages • Hundreds of languages • Colonial languages like French, English, and Portuguese help groups communicate. • Many people speak West African languages.

12. West African Culture • Religion • Traditional religions are forms of animism, the belief that natural objects have spirits. • The two most common religions in the region are Christianity and Islam. • Clothing • Mix of modern and traditional clothes • Western-style clothes are common in cities. • Traditional clothes includes robes, pants, blouses, skirts, and wrapped headdresses. • Families and Shelter • Rural houses are small and simple. • Extended families, or large groups of relatives, often live together in one house. • In urban areas, many people live in apartments.

13. West Africa Today • The Big Idea • Many countries in West Africa struggle with poor economies and political instability. • Main Ideas • Nigeria has many different ethnic groups, an oil-based economy, and one of the world’s largest cities. • Most coastal countries of West Africa have struggling economies and weak or unstable governments. • Lack of resources in the Sahel countries is a main challenge to economic development.