West Africa

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

5
(No Transcript)
6
Mauritania

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

7
(No Transcript)
8
Mali

• the northern half is in the Sahara, the southern
  half is in the Savanna plain

9
(No Transcript)
10
Niger

• landlocked country along the Niger River valley
• only 3 of the countrys land can be cultivated

11
(No Transcript)
12
Burkina Faso

• formerly known as Upper Volta
• landlocked between Mali and Niger
• cattle raising is the traditional occupation in
  this country

13
(No Transcript)
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

16
(No Transcript)
17
Guinea

• gained independence from France in 1958
• began transition to democracy in 1990s
• has 1/3 of the worlds 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