West & Central AfricaWest & Central AfricaChapter #22Chapter #22

I. Natural EnvironmentsI. Natural Environments

A) Landforms: A) Landforms: El Djouf?El Djouf?Major Rivers? (2)Major Rivers? (2)Coastline? Coastline?

B. ClimatesB. Climates

Climates?Climates?Zonal?Zonal?Northern climates?Northern climates?Sahel? Sahel?

C. The SahelC. The Sahel

Occupation of residents?Occupation of residents?Human-environment interaction?Human-environment interaction?Desertification? Desertification?

D. Tropical EnvironmentsD. Tropical Environments

Climates south of Sahel?Climates south of Sahel?Climate around Equator?Climate around Equator?

Vegetation? Vegetation? Canopy? Canopy?

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E. Natural ResourcesE. Natural Resources

Resources?Resources?Most valuable? Where?Most valuable? Where?

Cacao? Cacao? Where is it native to?Where is it native to?World’s leading producer? World’s leading producer?

Locals do NOT Locals do NOT

benefit from oilbenefit from oilOil $ = corruptOil $ = corrupt

politicians politicians

Akaralu is 10 to 15 degrees hotter than neighboring villages. (Nigeria)

The village is crushed by complete poverty, despite the millions of dollars of oil that gushes out of their lands every year.

Video on Niger Delta oilMovement for the Emancipation of Movement for the Emancipation of

the Niger Delta (MEND) the Niger Delta (MEND)

II. History & CultureII. History & Culture

Early civilizations of West Africa Early civilizations of West Africa Ghana (300 – 1200)Ghana (300 – 1200)Mali (1200 – 1500)Mali (1200 – 1500)Songhai (1350 – 1600)Songhai (1350 – 1600)Ashanti (1650 – 1900)Ashanti (1650 – 1900)Fulani (1000 – 1800) Fulani (1000 – 1800)

Controlled trade across Sahara betw. Tropical Af.& Med. Coast

A. Contact with EuropeA. Contact with Europe

Euro. explorers (1400s) (Portuguese)Euro. explorers (1400s) (Portuguese)Water route to Asia?Water route to Asia?Gold? Gold? Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

Euros. bought slaves from coastal Af. Euros. bought slaves from coastal Af. leaders in exchange for gunsleaders in exchange for guns

# of slaves to Amer?# of slaves to Amer?

B. Scramble for AfricaB. Scramble for Africa

1884-1885:1884-1885: Berlin Conference: Berlin Conference:Euro. leaders “cut up” Africa w/no Euro. leaders “cut up” Africa w/no

regard for its landforms, climate regions, regard for its landforms, climate regions, or culturesor culturesEthnic groups were divided Ethnic groups were divided

1900:1900: All of Africa under Euro. rule All of Africa under Euro. rule Exploited Africa’s resources:Exploited Africa’s resources:

Agricultural products (cash crops) Agricultural products (cash crops) Minerals (gold, copper, iron ore) Minerals (gold, copper, iron ore)

C. The Postcolonial EraC. The Postcolonial Era

Length of colonial era?Length of colonial era?

D. CultureD. Culture

Africa’s triple heritage? Africa’s triple heritage? Niger-Congo language familyNiger-Congo language familyReligion(s)? Religion(s)? Education? Education?

Staple crops vs. Cash crops?Staple crops vs. Cash crops?Millet & Sorghum? Millet & Sorghum?

III. The Region TodayIII. The Region Today

Dual economy? Dual economy? Primary vs. Secondary Products? Primary vs. Secondary Products? Largest cities? Largest cities?

A. Issues & ChallengesA. Issues & Challenges

Economic development?Economic development?What is hindering it? What is hindering it?

Population growth?Population growth?Destruction of Destruction of

environment? environment? Disease? Disease?

……that’s all folks!!that’s all folks!!