1. West Africa Chapter 21

2. Physical Geography Section 1

3. Landforms & Climate Variety of climates, but not a variety of landforms Plains & Highlands Plains cover much of W. Africa Coastal plain: home to cities Interior plains: where few crops & animals are raised Plains are vast w/ a few highland areas SW has plateaus & cliffs Tibesti Mt. in NE

4. The Niger River Most important in West Africa Starts 150 miles from Atlantic Ocean & flows east & southward for 2,600 miles Brings life-giving water to West Africa People farm along its banks or fish in its waters Important transportation route Divides into network of channels, swamps, & lakes in areas (inland delta)

5. Climate & Vegetation Region’s climates are zonal 4 Zones The Sahara: largest desert; northernmost parts of region; few to no people Steppe Climate: the Sahel (strip of land that divides the desert from wetter areas) an area of dry grasslands; rain fall varies; overgrazing by animals, cutting of trees for firewood, & winds blowing away fertile soil causing death to many people & animals The Savanna: good soil, thick grass, & scattered tall trees; dangerous tsetse fly lives here, caused sleeping sickness & death The Coast & Forest: many of largest cities are here, wet, humid climate; plentiful rain supports rain forests; trees have been cut to back way for expanding populations; environmental damage is a serious problem

6. Resources Variety of resources Agricultural products, oil, and minerals Agriculture Climate of region helps with growing crops Mineral riches: diamonds, gold, iron ore, & manganese, & bauxite Nigeria is a major exporter of oil 95% of exports

7. Section 2 History & Culture

8. West Africa’s History Much of early history based on archaeology & oral history (spoken information passed down from person to person through generations

9. Great Kingdoms Artifacts suggest earliest trading towns developed into great kingdoms Earliest kingdom of Ghana became rich and powerful by about A.D. 800 Empire of Mali replace Ghana Mansa Musa famous king Used wealth from trade to support artists and scholars Songhai kingdom replaced the Mali kingdom Timbuktu became a cultural center Universities, mosques, & schools W. African trade cities faded when Sahara trade decreased Europeans began sailing along the west coast of Africa

10. The Slave Trade 1440s Portuguese explorers began sailing along the west coast of Africa Europeans & Africans profited from trade with each other for awhile 1600s the demand for labor in Europe’s American colonies changed everything Enslaved Africans were sold to colonists It was very profitable for traders Slave trade devastated West African communities Families were broken up Many died on the voyage to America Most who survived were sent to the West Indies or Brazil Ended in 1800s; millions of African had been forced from their homes

11. Colonial Era & Independence 1800s many European countries competed for colonies in West Africa France claimed most the northwest, Britain, Germany, & Portugal seized the rest Only tiny Liberia remained independent Founded in 1820s by Americans as a home for free slaves; Sierra Leone (British colony) also became a home for freed slaves Some Europeans moved to West Africa to run the colonies They built roads, bridges, & railroads Teachers & missionaries set up Christian churches and schools After WWII Africans worked for independence Most gained it during the 1950s & 1960s Portugal gave up their colonies in 1974

12. Culture Culture reflects traditional African cultures, European culture, & Islam People & Languages 100s of different ethnic groups Some still live in traditional villages Others mix in region’s cities Colonial political borders separated ethnic groups More loyal to ethnic group than country French, English, or Portuguese are universal languages

13. Religion Many forms exist Traditional Africans Animism: belief that bodies of water, animals, trees, & other natural objects have spirits Most common Islam & Christianity

14. Clothing, Families, & Homes Clothing: Mix of traditional & modern Western-style; traditional robes, skirts, blouses Homes: Small and simple In Sahel they are circular straw or mud huts Families Extended families live close together

15. Challenges Borders of West Africa ignored human geography People had stronger ties to their ethnic group than to their new country Few people were trained to run new governments Dictators took control in many countries Still trouble region today Birthrates are high in West Africa More and more people most make a living from the small amount of fertile land Many are moving to already crowded cities, even though jobs are few Countries also must find ways to educate more of their people, but many families can not afford to send their children to school

16. Section 3 West Africa Today

17. Nigeria 2nd largest country in W. Africa Africa’s largest population On e of the strongest economies People & Gov’t Many ethnic groups Conflict has occurred (In 1960s Igbo tried to secede & bloody civil war followed) Capital was chosen in low population density area to help avoid conflicts Democratic gov’t today

18. Nigeria Economy Rich natural resources Oil accounts for 95% of export earnings Good roads railroads have been built Rich in resources but most people are poor Causes: High birthrate (can not produce enough food for population) History of bad gov’t (corrupt official have enriched themselves)

19. Senegal & Gambia Odd borders of countries created by French & British Gambia Larger & richer Similarities: Peanuts are major crops Tourism is important Speak Wolof Griots (story tellers) are important

20. Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Cape Verde Guinea & Guinea-Bissau are poor countries Guinea natural resource: Bauxite G-B: undeveloped mineral resources Cape Verde Volcanic islands in Atlantic Has most stable democratic gov’t Tourism forms main part of economy

21. Liberia & Sierra Leone Liberia Oldest republic Home to freed slaves in 1820s Freed slaves clashed w/ Africans already living there; led to civil war which ended in 2003 Sierra Leone Civil war from 1991-2002 Wrecked economy, killed thousands, & forced millions from their homes Today Trying to rebuild Natural resources could help build up economies Rubber, iron ore, & diamonds

22. Ghana & Cote d’lvoire Ghana: Named after African kingdom Cote d’lvoire: Former French colony, name mean “Ivory coast” Largest Christian church building in Africa Rich natural resources Gold, timber, cacao, & coffee Economy hurt by civil war

23. Togo & Benin Unstable gov’t Periods of military rule Fragile economies & violent politics Poor countries People depend on farming & herding Palm products, cacao, & coffee are main crops

24. Mauritania, Niger, & Chad Mauritania Once nomadic herders Expand desert has moved herders into cities Very poor people Farming & fishing are important Corrupt gov’t & ethnic tensions between blacks & Arabs add to troubles Niger 3% of land good for farming Farmers grow staple food crops (millet & sorghum) Crops destroyed by locusts & drought in 2000s Caused widespread famine; international groups supplied aid Chad Land for farming Lake Chad once had healthy fishing industry & supplied water Drought has caused evaporation Faced civil wars in 1990s Oil recently discovered in 2004

26. Mali & Burkina Faso Mali 40% covered by Sahara Among world’s poorest countries Some farmland along Niger River People fish or farm Cotton & gold are main exports Fairly stable democratic gov’t has begun economic reform Tourism is important Burkina Faso Poor country Thin soil & few minerals Few trees remain Jobs in cities are scarce Men often try to find work in other countries When unrest disrupts work opportunities the economy suffers