1. West and Central Africa
World Geography Today
4/15/2017
West and Central Africa
Preview
Section 1: Natural Environments
Section 2: History and Culture
Section 3: The Region Today
Chapter Wrap-Up
Chapter 22

2. Section 1: Natural Environments
Read to Discover
What are West and Central Africa’s main landforms and rivers?
Which climates and biomes are found here?
What are some of the region’s important resources?

3. Section 1: Natural Environments
West and Central Africa
Natural Resources
Climates and Vegetation
Landforms and Rivers
Tropical timber
Good soils
Oil, particularly in Nigeria
Minerals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Cacao in Côte d’Ivoire
Coconuts and peanuts
Plains and low hills
Some highland areas
Broad depressions
El Djouf
Congo River
Niger River
Zonal climate, mostly tropical
Warm throughout the year
Arid/semiarid to north
Tropical wet and dry to south

4. Section 1: Natural Environments
Landforms and Rivers
Plains and low hills; a few highlands
Broad depressions—El Djouf (desert), Lake Chad, Congo Basin
Key rivers—Niger and Congo
Coastal plain, with few natural harbors and large sandbars

5. Section 1: Natural Environments
Climates and Biomes
All within the tropics; zonal climate bands run east-west
Arid—Northern zone; Sahara; Sahel semiarid region; scattered trees, shrubs, grasses
Tropical wet and dry—South of Sahel; open grasslands; once home to many large animals (zebras, elephants, giraffes), now much of it is farmland
Tropical humid—Near equator; dense rainforest; many birds, insects, primates

6. Section 1: Natural Environments
Key Resources
Tropical timber, good soils
Oil—Nigeria is Africa’s leading producer
Minerals—Copper, diamonds, cobalt in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Cacao—World’s main source
Other crops—Coffee, coconuts, peanuts

7. Section 2: History and Culture
Read to Discover
What are the main eras in the history of West and Central Africa?
What are some features of this region’s cultures?

8. Section 2: History and Culture
Question
What are the important events and eras in the history of West and Central Africa?

9. Section 2: History and Culture
Early History
Great kingdoms, including Ghana and Mali, ruled the region.
Tombouctou served as a trade and education center.
European Contact
Explorers reached area by late 1400s.
Slave trade of 1500s to 1800s brought at least 10 million Africans to Americas.
Colonial Era
European countries wanted African resources.
Many Africans began to work for wages.
Postcolonial Era
All of West and Central Africa was independent by 1976.
Some countries enjoy modern technology but also face many challenges.

10. Section 2: History and Culture
Historical Eras
Precolonial—This era saw the rise of great empires, including Ghana and Mali, along with smaller groups of forest peoples. European contact by explorers began in the late 1400s and changed focus with the slave trade.
Colonial—European powers took control of the region, establishing plantations, mines, and coastal cities.
Postcolonial—Ghana was the first to win independence in 1957; others followed. Colonialism created dependence on commodity exports and political and economic problems.

11. Section 2: History and Culture
Cultural Features
Great diversity—Reflecting African, Muslim, European influences
Most languages in Niger-Congo family; Arabic and European languages also used
Mainly rural residents, but urban populations growing rapidly
Religions—Islam in the Sahel; Christians to the south; African spirit religions
Low literacy rates, high poverty
Staple crops—Cassava, corn, yams, millet, sorghum
Societies based on extended families

12. Section 3: The Region Today
Read to Discover
How economically developed are West and Central African countries?
What major challenges do the countries face today?

13. Section 3: The Region Today
Question
To what extent are West and Central African countries economically developed?

14. Section 3: The Region Today
Economic Development of West and Central Africa
Subsistence Activities
• Sahel grasslands used for herding
• Many crops planted in tropical rain forest
• Many crops planted in one field
Market Activities
• Primary goods exported
• Heavy dependence on a few main exports
• Small amount of manufacturing
• Plantation agriculture, ranching

15. Section 3: The Region Today
Level of Development
Developing countries—Poverty, low levels of education, shorter lifespans
Dual economies—For export market and local market
Plantation agriculture and ranches hurt subsistence farming and grazing
Dependence on export of a few key primary products

16. Section 3: The Region Today
Challenges
Economic development
Population growth—Crowding, hunger
Political problems—War and conflict
Environmental destruction—Deforestation, species extinction, desertification
Disease—Malaria, HIV

17. Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas
1. In which latitudes are the countries of West and Central Africa located? How does this affect the region’s climates?
2. What is the environment of the Sahel like?
3. How did Islam spread into West and Central Africa?
4. In which part of West and Central Africa is Arabic spoken?
5. How has rapid population growth affected cities in West and Central Africa?