Click the speaker button to play the audio. 19 Nigeria—African Giant

(pages 550–551) 19 From Tropics to Savanna Along Nigeria’s coast on the Gulf of Guinea, the land is covered with mangrove swamps.  A mangrove is a tropical tree with roots that extend both above and beneath the water. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. Nigeria—African Giant

19 From Tropics to Savanna (cont.) As you travel inland, Nigeria’s land becomes a vast tropical rain forest.  The forest gradually thins into highlands, plateaus, and savannas in central Nigeria.  Savannas are tropical grasslands with only a few trees.  In the winter months, a dusty wind called the harmattan blows south from the Sahara. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. Nigeria—African Giant (pages 550–551)

Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer. What type of climate does most of Nigeria experience? Most of the country has a tropical savanna climate with high average temperatures and seasonal rains. 19 Nigeria—African Giant

(pages 551–552) 19 Economic Challenges Nigeria is one of the world’s major oil- producing countries.  The government has used money from oil to build highways, schools, skyscrapers, and factories.  Nigeria had economic problems in the 1980s when world oil prices dropped, farmers moved to the cities, and there were a few years of low rainfall.  Despite its oil resources, Nigeria’s people mainly work as farmers. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. Nigeria—African Giant

19 Some have subsistence farms, or small plots that grow just enough to feed their families.  Others work on larger farms that produce such cash crops as rubber, peanuts, palm oil, and cacao.  The cacao is a tropical tree whose seeds are used to make chocolate and cocoa.  Nigeria is a leading producer of cacao beans. Economic Challenges (cont.) Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. Nigeria—African Giant (pages 551–552)

Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer. What are some reasons Nigeria experienced economic troubles during the 1980s? As a result of falling world oil prices, Nigeria’s income dropped. At the same time, many people left their farms in search of better-paying jobs in the cities. In addition, a few years of low rainfall meant smaller harvests. As a result, food production fell. 19 Nigeria—African Giant

(pages 552–554) 19 Nigeria’s People Nigeria has about 250 ethnic groups.  The four largest are the Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba, and Ibo.  Many different African languages are spoken, but English is used in business and government. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. Nigeria—African Giant