West Africa

Physical Geography three main environmental zones: Dryland: southern edge of Sahara, rainfall varies greatly Savanna: closest to the equator, few people Forest: coastal area, most densely populated region

Human Geography great cultural and religious diversity Northern drylands and West: influenced by Islamic religion Coastal: influenced more by Christianity due to more contact with missionaries primarily an agricultural region

The Sahel Countries Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad most people live in the dry,savanna region to the south herding and farming are occupations French is major language Islam is the dominant religion

Mauritania extends eastward from the Atlantic coast into the Sahara Migration from rural and drought-stricken areas has increased the population

Mali the northern half is in the Sahara, the southern half is in the Savanna plain

Niger landlocked country along the Niger River valley only 3% of the country’s land can be cultivated

Burkina Faso formerly known as Upper Volta landlocked between Mali and Niger cattle raising is the traditional occupation in this country

Chad extends from the central Sahara to the tall-tree savanna region in the South People in the North are Muslims; those in the south are Christians

Senegal and Gambia Senegal surrounds Gambia within the savanna region Gambia is primarily agricultural and peanuts are the major crop Senegal is more developed with greater manufacturing

Guinea gained independence from France in 1958 began transition to democracy in 1990s has 1/3 of the world’s supply of Bauxite About 85% of people practice the religion of Islam

Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde both were Portuguese colonies poverty is severe in Guinea-Bissau Cape Verde is a group of islands located 400 miles off the coast of Senegal

Liberia and Sierra Leone both were founded as settlements for freed slaves both are very poor countries today manufacturing in both is centered around processed food, textiles, and building supplies