Physical Geography
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Landforms
Sahara to the
north.
Sahel to the north
below the Sahara.
Coastal Plains
along the Atlantic
Coast.
Rainforest to the
south.
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Bodies of Water
Niger River in
Nigeria.
Atlantic Ocean
Volta River in
Ghana
Landform Pictures
Ghana Rainforest
Niger River in Nigeria
Sahel in Mali
Nigerian Rainforest
Climates
 In
the north is the Sahara Desert.
 South of the Sahara is the Sahel
which is semi-desert.
 In the south, West Africa has a
tropical savanna with a wet and dry
season.
 Along the coast is a tropical
rainforest.
Climate Map
Economy
 Most
people depend on commercial
farming or subsistence farming.
 Farmers grow sugarcane, coffee, tea,
cacao, and citrus fruits along the
coast.
 In the Sahel people raise livestock.
 Nigeria produces oil, Ghana produces
forest products and gold, and Mali
raises livestock.
West Africa’s Culture
There are hundreds of different ethnic
groups and languages.
 Many people work in subsistence or cash
crop farming, raising livestock, fishing
along the coast, or working in cities.
 Most people live with their extended
family in villages.
 Some men are moving to cities to find
better jobs and money.
 West Africans use stories to pass along
traditions and history to younger
generations.
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Nigeria
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Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups and over 200
languages.
English is the official language.
The three largest ethnic groups are Hausa–Fulani
(NW), Yoruba (SW), and Igbo (SE).
Hausa-Fulani are muslim, Yoruba follow Islam
and Christianity, and Igbo are Christian.
Oil is the main resource.
One challenge is to unify all of Nigeria’s ethnic
groups.
Abuja, the capital, is located in the middle of the
country between the 3 largest ethnic groups.
Ghana and Mali
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Ghana
Used to be
controlled by the
British.
Has huge
rainforests.
Produces gold and
forest products.
Volta River produces
hydro-electric
power.
Today is a
democracy.
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Mali
Mostly covered by the
Sahara and Sahel.
Most people raise
livestock.
Desertification is a major
challenge from overgrazing
and severe drought.
The people of Mali are
trying to preserve the
environment by education
on how to better use the
land, and irrigation
projects.
Review Questions
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8)
Name West Africa’s climates from north to
south.
What part of West Africa do people grow cash
crops?
Name the largest river in West Africa.
How do most people use the land in Mali?
What is Nigeria’s main resource?
How would you describe the cultural diversity of
West Africa?
What are the 3 largest ethnic groups in Nigeria?
How is Mali trying to stop desertification?