Chapter 1.3 Africa’s Resources and Land

I. Agricultural Resources Most African’s are farmers who most often live in the areas with rain and fertile soil Most African’s are farmers who most often live in the areas with rain and fertile soil Good soil and just the right amount of rain is a must but was very hard to find Good soil and just the right amount of rain is a must but was very hard to find

A. Farming to Live Most farmers practiced subsistence farming or farming just enough crops for you and your family Most farmers practiced subsistence farming or farming just enough crops for you and your family Barley and wheat were the most popular crops due to their ability to handle bad weather Barley and wheat were the most popular crops due to their ability to handle bad weather Irrigation was a musts for those who farmed fruits and vegetables Irrigation was a musts for those who farmed fruits and vegetables Grains and Cassava (used to make Tapioca) were also easily grown crops Grains and Cassava (used to make Tapioca) were also easily grown crops

B. Crops for Sale Most of Africa is for cash crops used Most of Africa is for cash crops used to sell for a profit Crops like coffee, cacao beans, and tea are widespread cash crops Crops like coffee, cacao beans, and tea are widespread cash crops Since more are selling crops than eating them there are numerous food shortages in Africa this also is affected when floods and droughts hit the continent Since more are selling crops than eating them there are numerous food shortages in Africa this also is affected when floods and droughts hit the continent

C. Harvesting Trees Hardwood trees grow all over Africa and many earn a living by cutting down trees and selling the wood Hardwood trees grow all over Africa and many earn a living by cutting down trees and selling the wood Most of this wood is shipped out of Africa Most of this wood is shipped out of Africa In recent years they have started re-planting trees but years of harvesting without re-planting have caused rainforests to slowly deplete or go away In recent years they have started re-planting trees but years of harvesting without re-planting have caused rainforests to slowly deplete or go away

II Natural Resources Each African Country has its own economy and way of producing, distributing, consuming, and owning goods Each African Country has its own economy and way of producing, distributing, consuming, and owning goods Outside of farming, mining is very popular, most of Africa is filled with rich minerals and natural resources Outside of farming, mining is very popular, most of Africa is filled with rich minerals and natural resources They also have an abundance of gold, copper, silver, uranium, titanium, and diamonds in the mountains They also have an abundance of gold, copper, silver, uranium, titanium, and diamonds in the mountains

III. Improving Economic Health When most of a country or continents economy is based on one idea like farming it is called a specialized economy When most of a country or continents economy is based on one idea like farming it is called a specialized economy

A. Strengthening Economies Rainfall depends on how the countries of Africa will do ecnomically Rainfall depends on how the countries of Africa will do ecnomically Because of this they are trying to diversify or add variety to their economy Because of this they are trying to diversify or add variety to their economy A more diverse economy is a more flexible economy A more diverse economy is a more flexible economy

Where does the money go? Mining requires many workers and is very costly Mining requires many workers and is very costly Many companies mine in Africa and then take the profits out of Africa which actually hurts the continent more than it helps Many companies mine in Africa and then take the profits out of Africa which actually hurts the continent more than it helps Adding to this most raw materials are manufactured in factories that are not located in Africa so they lose out on the making of money as well Adding to this most raw materials are manufactured in factories that are not located in Africa so they lose out on the making of money as well

Because so much is taken out of Africa they continue to lose out on all that could help them Because so much is taken out of Africa they continue to lose out on all that could help them This is why they continue to diversify their economy in order to capitalize on its natural resources and raw materials This is why they continue to diversify their economy in order to capitalize on its natural resources and raw materials