1. West Africa

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

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

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

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

14. 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

15. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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