Africa south of the Sahara is a region of enormous natural resource wealth, and yet many of its people live in poverty. A study of the region today will explain the immense challenges Africa south of the Sahara faces in gaining economic independence and stability while finding the best use of its natural resources, which are key to the region’s development.

Section 1: The Economy

The physical environment affects people and their activities. Africa south of the Sahara is making the slow transition from an economy based on subsistence farming to one that is part of the global economy.

Section 2: People and Their Environment

Human actions modify the physical environment. Throughout the region, human activities—such as war and deforestation—have had a tremendous impact on the environment and have contributed to famine and the starvation of millions of people.

The Economy

Africa south of the Sahara is making the slow transition from an economy based on subsistence farming to one that is part of the global economy.

Africa south of the Sahara is making the transition from an economy based on farming to one that is part of the global economy.

Economic Activities

• Farming is the main economic activity in Africa south of the Sahara.

• Farming methods:

– Subsistence agriculture

– Shifting cultivation

– Pastoralism

– Sedentary farming

– Commercial farming

Economic Activities (cont.)

Agricultural Workforce

Economic Activities (cont.)

• Export crops:

– Cacao

– Tea

– Coffee

– Palm oil

– Peanuts

– Sisal

Economic Activities (cont.)

• Challenges:

– Overgrazing

– Overworked soils

– Lack of technology

Economic Activities (cont.)

• Logging and commercial fishing represent a small portion of the region’s economic activity.

• Mining is important in the region, but many countries do not benefit directly.

– Gold—Africa is the world’s largest producer.

– Gems and industrial diamonds

– Oil

Economic Activities (cont.)

• Industrialization progress is slow.

• Challenges:

– Lack of skilled workers

– Power shortages

– Political conflicts

– Lack of facilities and equipment

Africa South of the Sahara: Economic Activity

Developments in transportation and communications will have positive effects on the region’s economy, but the physical environment has made such development difficult.

Transportation and Communications

• Roads and railroads are a top priority despite geographic challenges.

• Two important road systems: Trans-African Highway and Trans-Sahara Highway

Transportation and Communications(cont.)

• Communications:

– Radio

– Limited television, newspapers, magazines, telephone, Internet, cell phone

– New satellite and wireless technology are helping communications.

Countries in Africa south of the Sahara are trying to develop their economies through trading relationships.

Trade and Interdependence

• Africa south of the Sahara is the poorest region in the world and owes billions of dollars in debt to foreign countries.

Trade and Interdependence (cont.)

• Trade relations:

– Japan

– U.S.

– China

– Mostly Western European countries

– Regional—Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

People and Their Environment

Throughout the region, human activities—such as war and deforestation—have had a tremendous impact on the environment and have contributed to famine and the starvation of millions of people.

In Africa south of the Sahara, factors such as poverty, population growth, war, and drought have caused a severe strain on the environment.

Managing Resources

• Poverty and hunger are the biggest enemies in this region.

Carrying Capacity in Africa South of the Sahara

Managing Resources (cont.)

• A wide area of the Sahel has turned into desert, adding to the problem of famine.

Hunger in Africa South of the Sahara

• War continues to be a major cause of hunger and malnutrition in Africa south of the Sahara.

Human activities have destroyed rain forests, threatened wildlife, and raised questions about land use in Africa south of the Sahara.

Human Impact

• About half of the original tropical forests are gone.

• Deforestation and hunting threatens the region’s wildlife.

Human Impact (cont.)

• Due to hunting and poaching, the elephant population has dwindled to 600,000 from the millions.

As Africa south of the Sahara faces the future, human activities continue to have both positive and negative impacts on the environment.

Challenges for the Future

• Positive steps toward the future:

– Democratic reforms

– Efforts to encourage private enterprise

Challenges for the Future (cont.)

– Game reserves

– Ecotourism

– Protection of tropical forests

Slowly Industrializing

Protecting Endangered Species• Most African countries have

set up large parks and game reserves to protect endangered species.

• These parks and reserves also serve as a source of income for the countries as tourists come from around the world to see Africa’s wildlife.

• Private enterprise has also helped save endangered species. For example, crocodile farmers earn money selling crocodile leather. However, they also release crocodiles into the wild, increasing the population.

subsistence farming

producing just enough food for a family or a village to survive

shifting cultivation

clearing forests to plant fields for a few years and then abandoning them

sedentary farming

farming carried on at permanent settlements

commercial farming

agriculture or aquaculture organized as a business

cash crop

farm products grown to be sold or traded rather than used by the farm family

conservation farming

a land-management technique that helps protect farmland

infrastructure

the basic urban necessities like streets and utilities

e-commerce

selling and buying on the Internet

carrying capacity

the population that an area will support without undergoing deterioration

habitat

area with conditions suitable for certain plants or animals to live

poaching

illegal hunting of protected animals

ecotourism

the practice and business of recreational travel based on concern for the environment