West Africa - Whorrall - 7.4.1 Geography
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Geography of West Africa The plains of sub-Saharan Africa, or Africa south of the Sahara, are crossed by mighty rivers. Among the main rivers are the Congo, the Zambezi, and the Niger. Along the Niger River in West Africa great civilizations arose. The role this river played in the development of civilizations is one example of the way the physical geography of West Africa affected history there. West Africa’s Great River As a source of water, food, and transportation, the Niger river allowed many people to live in the area. Along the Niger’s middle section is a low-lying area of lakes and marshes. This watery region is called the inland delta. Though it looks much like the area where a river flows into the sea, it is hundreds of miles from the coast. Many animals and birds find food and shelter in the area. Among them are crocodiles, geese, and hippopotamus. Fish are also plentiful. Regions of West Africa Four different regions make up the area surrounding the Niger River. These regions, which run from east to west, are like broad bands or stripes across West Africa. The entire area is warm, but rainfall varies from north to south. The amount of rainfall each region gets has an impact on what vegetation, or plant life, exists there. The northern band across West Africa is the southern part of the Sahara. This huge expanse of sand and gravel is the world’s largest desert. Temperatures can climb above 120°F. Rain is very rare. The next band is the semiarid Sahel (sah-HEL), a strip of land that divides the desert from wetter areas. Although the Sahel is fairly dry, it has enough vegetation to support hardy grazing animals. Farther south is a band of savannah, or open grassland with scattered trees. Tall grasses and shrubs also grow there, and grazing animals are common. The fourth band gets heavy rain. Near the equator are rain forests, or moist, densely wooded areas. West Africa’s Resources West Africa’s land is one of the region’s resources. With its many climates, the land could produce many different crops. Among the traditional West African crops are dates raised in desert oases and kola nuts, used for medicines, from the forests’ trees. Along the Niger, farmers could use the water to grow many food crops. Other resources were minerals. People who lived mainly on plant foods, like many early Africans, must add salt to their diets. The Sahara was a source of this precious mineral. When ancient lakes there dried up, they left salt behind. Workers mined the salt by digging deep into the earth. Gold was another mineral resource of West Africa. Although gold is soft and therefore useless for tools or weapons, it makes beautiful jewelry and coins. Gold came from the southern rain forests. Miners kept the exact locations of the gold mines a secret. To this day, no one knows exactly where the mines were located, but gold became a valuable trade good.
- 2.
An area near the equator that has many trees and heavy rainfall may be called a
- A.
A. tropical area
- B.
B. rain forest
- C.
C. savannah
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D. woodland
Correct Answer
B. B. rain forestExplanation
An area near the equator that has many trees and heavy rainfall is commonly referred to as a rainforest. Rainforests are characterized by their lush vegetation and high biodiversity, making them one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. The combination of abundant rainfall and warm temperatures near the equator creates the ideal conditions for the growth of dense forests, hence the name "rainforest."Rate this question:
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- 3.
3. The entire region south of a large north African desert is called
- A.
A. Drakensberg
- B.
B. extended Africa
- C.
C. sub-Saharan Africa
- D.
D. sub-savannah
Correct Answer
C. C. sub-Saharan AfricaExplanation
The correct answer is c. sub-Saharan Africa. This term refers to the region that is located south of the Sahara Desert in Africa. It includes countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and many others. The term "sub-Saharan" is used to distinguish this region from North Africa, which is located north of the Sahara Desert. The term is commonly used to describe the countries and cultures that are found in this region, as well as the unique challenges and characteristics that they possess.Rate this question:
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- 4.
4. A grassland with few trees where grazing animals may live is a
- A.
A. savannah
- B.
B. Sahara Desert
- C.
C. rift
- D.
D. earthquake zones
Correct Answer
A. A. savannahExplanation
A grassland with few trees where grazing animals may live is known as a savannah. This type of ecosystem is characterized by a mix of grasses and scattered trees, providing an ideal habitat for herbivores like zebras, giraffes, and antelopes. The savannah biome is typically found in tropical or subtropical regions with a distinct wet and dry season. It supports a diverse range of wildlife and is known for its vast open spaces and iconic landscapes.Rate this question:
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- 5.
5. The major West African river that flows south of the Sahara desert that was used for trading goods is the
- A.
A. Nile River
- B.
B. Congo River
- C.
C. Senegal River
- D.
D. Niger River
Correct Answer
D. D. Niger RiverExplanation
The Niger River is the major West African river that flows south of the Sahara desert and was used for trading goods. It is the third-longest river in Africa and has played a significant role in the economic and cultural development of the region. The Niger River provided a transportation route for goods and facilitated trade between different West African kingdoms and empires. It also served as a vital water source for agriculture and supported the growth of civilizations along its banks.Rate this question:
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- 6.
6. The two major resources that were traded from the Sahara Desert to the rainforest were
- A.
A. iron and gold
- B.
B. gold and kola nuts
- C.
C. gold and salt
- D.
D. food crops and salt
Correct Answer
C. C. gold and saltExplanation
The correct answer is c. gold and salt. This is because historically, the Sahara Desert was rich in gold deposits, which were traded with the rainforest regions. Additionally, the rainforest regions lacked salt, which was essential for preserving food, so it was also traded from the Sahara Desert.Rate this question:
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Jul 22, 2024Quiz Edited by
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Feb 14, 2012Quiz Created by
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