Natural Resources Africa

Agricultural Resources Subsistence Farming (raising crops to feed your family) Sell or trade a few crops for other items that they need Morocco –farmers raise barley and wheat –Irrigate fields to grow fruits and vegetables

Agricultural Resources –Farms at Saharan Oases in Egypt Produce dates and small crops of barley and wheat –In dry tropical savannas (Burkina Faso and Niger) Subsistence farmers grow grain. –In regions with more rainfall farmers grow Vegetables, fruits and roots such as yams and cassava. (Tapioca is made from cassava). –In West Africa Corn and rice are important crops

Agricultural Resources Cash crops (crops for sale) –Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Cameroon Coffee and cacao –Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique Tea In some regions cash crops have led to food shortages –Families grow food to sell, not for their families.

Agricultural Resources Harvesting Trees –Hardwood trees grow in all four regions of Africa

Mineral Resources Economy—a system for producing, distributing, consuming, and owning goods, services, and wealth. –Mining is an important part of Africa’s economy North Africa –Libya and Algeria have large amounts of petroleum which is used to make oil and gasoline.

Mineral Resources West Africa –Nigeria is a major oil producer. Ghana was once called the Gold Coat because it was a leading exporter of African gold. Other mineral sources include: –Copper, silver, uranium, titanium, and diamonds

Balancing Crops, Minerals, and Industry Diversify—to add variety. Specialized Farming– makes the economy sensitive to rainfall and to the price of crops. These countries are working to produce a variety of crops, raw materials, and manufactured goods. A country with a diverse economy will not be hurt as much if a major cash crop fails or if world prices for one of its major mineral exports suddenly drop.