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Bellringer • List some push factors West and Central Africa Physical The Sahel • Extends across Africa and separates the Sahara and the tropical grasslands • Ancient Empires – Mali and the Songhai Empire • Timbuktu (Tombouctou) was a massively successful trading city • Most people support themselves by farming or herding – Overgrazing and shifting agriculture West Africa: Home of our Hurricanes Physical Geography • Landlocked countries – Cut off from the sea • Inland delta – Area of lakes, creeks and swamps away from the ocean • Good for growing food • Sahel are trying to: withstand the environment, develop natural resource and develop their cultures Coastal Countries • Advantages over the Sahel – Wetter climate • Better farming/nature growth – Natural harbors along the sea • Excellent for trade and economics – Gold, ivory, palm oil and slaves • Massive debt – Imports exceed exports Political Liberia • Founded by freed American slaves in 1822 • Coup brought the country to chaos in 1980 – Massive civil war – Millions left homeless, 200K killed – Gangs and rebels ran the streets Birthrate • Average birthrate is higher than any in the world – Africa is growing faster than anywhere else on Earth • Social customs, religions and economic conditions mean there will be more children Nigeria • At one point, South Africa and Nigeria could have pulled Africa’s economy into a giant market • Regions – Dramatically divided • More than 180 languages (English is official) • Yoruba in the southwest, Ibo in the southeast and Hausa traders and Fulani herders control the fertile areas in the north Nigeria • Oil is the most important resource – If price rises, Nigeria does well. If price drops… • Multiple military coups have crippled the gov’t and their economy Central Africa • Congo (Zaire) River – The highway of Central Africa’s basin – Cataracts prevent some sections of trade to pass • Massive renewable and nonrenewable resources – Renewable: Hydroelectric, fishing and farming • Damming injures this cycle – Non-renewable: Minerals, copper, diamonds Cataracts and Escarpments Resource/Climate Review • How do push factors apply to Africa?
