Match each major African trade-supporting railway corridor listed on the left with its corresponding primary economic trade function and regional geographical link on the right.
- TAZARA RailwayLinks the landlocked Zambian Copperbelt to the Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to bypass Southern African maritime routes.
- Benguela RailwayConnects the inland mining belt of Katanga (DRC) and central Angola directly to the Atlantic Ocean port of Lobito.
- Dakar–Niger RailwayProvides vital transit trade access connecting the coastal Atlantic port in Senegal to the landlocked capital of Bamako in Mali.
- Mauritania Desert RailwayOperates as a heavy-haul bulk mineral line transporting iron ore from Saharan mines at Zouérat to the Atlantic port at Nouadhibou.
Answer
TAZARA Railway matches with the link between Zambia and Dar es Salaam; Benguela Railway matches with the corridor from Katanga/Angola to Lobito; Dakar–Niger Railway matches with the trade connection between Dakar and Bamako; Mauritania Desert Railway matches with the iron ore transport from Zouérat to Nouadhibou.
Each rail corridor is accurately linked to its geographical hinterland and trade objective: TAZARA provides an Indian Ocean route for Zambian copper to Dar es Salaam; Benguela links the Katanga mining region across Angola to Lobito port; Dakar–Niger provides ocean access to landlocked Bamako; and the Mauritania Desert line carries iron ore from Zouérat to the port of Nouadhibou.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
African Rail Transport Corridors and Trade Hinterlands