Physical GeographyPhysical Geography

LandformsLandforms• Sahara to the Sahara to the

north.north.• Sahel to the north Sahel to the north

below the Sahara.below the Sahara.• Coastal Plains Coastal Plains

along the Atlantic along the Atlantic Coast.Coast.

• Rainforest to the Rainforest to the south.south.

Bodies of WaterBodies of Water• Niger River in Niger River in

Nigeria.Nigeria.• Atlantic OceanAtlantic Ocean• Volta River in Volta River in

GhanaGhana

Landform PicturesLandform Pictures

Niger River in Nigeria

Sahel in Mali Nigerian Rainforest

Ghana Rainforest

ClimatesClimates

In the north is the Sahara Desert.In the north is the Sahara Desert. South of the Sahara is the Sahel South of the Sahara is the Sahel

which is semi-desert.which is semi-desert. In the south, West Africa has a In the south, West Africa has a

tropical savanna with a wet and dry tropical savanna with a wet and dry season.season.

Along the coast is a tropical Along the coast is a tropical rainforest.rainforest.

Climate MapClimate Map

EconomyEconomy

Most people depend on commercial Most people depend on commercial farming or subsistence farming.farming or subsistence farming.

Farmers grow sugarcane, coffee, tea, Farmers grow sugarcane, coffee, tea, cacao, and citrus fruits along the cacao, and citrus fruits along the coast.coast.

In the Sahel people raise livestock.In the Sahel people raise livestock. Nigeria produces oil, Ghana produces Nigeria produces oil, Ghana produces

forest products and gold, and Mali forest products and gold, and Mali raises livestock.raises livestock.

West Africa’s CultureWest Africa’s Culture There are hundreds of different ethnic There are hundreds of different ethnic

groups and languages.groups and languages. Many people work in subsistence or cash Many people work in subsistence or cash

crop farming, raising livestock, fishing crop farming, raising livestock, fishing along the coast, or working in cities.along the coast, or working in cities.

Most people live with their extended Most people live with their extended family in villages.family in villages.

Some men are moving to cities to find Some men are moving to cities to find better jobs and money.better jobs and money.

West Africans use stories to pass along West Africans use stories to pass along traditions and history to younger traditions and history to younger generations.generations.

NigeriaNigeria Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups and over 200 Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups and over 200

languages.languages. English is the official language.English is the official language. The three largest ethnic groups are Hausa–Fulani The three largest ethnic groups are Hausa–Fulani

(NW), Yoruba (SW), and Igbo (SE).(NW), Yoruba (SW), and Igbo (SE). Hausa-Fulani are muslim, Yoruba follow Islam and Hausa-Fulani are muslim, Yoruba follow Islam and

Christianity, and Igbo are Christian.Christianity, and Igbo are Christian. Oil is the main resource.Oil is the main resource. One challenge is to unify all of Nigeria’s ethnic One challenge is to unify all of Nigeria’s ethnic

groups.groups. Abuja, the capital, is located in the middle of the Abuja, the capital, is located in the middle of the

country between the 3 largest ethnic groups.country between the 3 largest ethnic groups.

Ghana and MaliGhana and Mali

GhanaGhana• Used to be controlled Used to be controlled

by the British.by the British.• Has huge rainforests.Has huge rainforests.• Produces gold and Produces gold and

forest products.forest products.• Volta River produces Volta River produces

hydro-electric power.hydro-electric power.• Today is a democracy.Today is a democracy.

MaliMali• Mostly covered by the Mostly covered by the

Sahara and Sahel.Sahara and Sahel.• Most people raise Most people raise

livestock.livestock.• Desertification is a major Desertification is a major

challenge from challenge from overgrazing and severe overgrazing and severe drought.drought.

• The people of Mali are The people of Mali are trying to preserve the trying to preserve the environment by education environment by education on how to better use the on how to better use the land, and irrigation land, and irrigation projects.projects.

Review QuestionsReview Questions

1)1) Name West Africa’s climates from north to Name West Africa’s climates from north to south.south.

2)2) What part of West Africa do people grow cash What part of West Africa do people grow cash crops?crops?

3)3) Name the largest river in West Africa.Name the largest river in West Africa.4)4) How do most people use the land in Mali?How do most people use the land in Mali?5)5) What is Nigeria’s main resource?What is Nigeria’s main resource?6)6) How would you describe the cultural diversity of How would you describe the cultural diversity of

West Africa?West Africa?7)7) What are the 3 largest ethnic groups in Nigeria?What are the 3 largest ethnic groups in Nigeria?8)8) How is Mali trying to stop desertification?How is Mali trying to stop desertification?