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Difficulty: MediumPopulation Distribution, Density, and Migration in Africa

In semi-arid regions of West Africa, recurrent severe droughts and advancing desertification frequently compel agrarian and pastoral households to abandon their farmlands and migrate southwards to the sub-humid savanna belt. Which of the following migration drivers best describes this population movement?

  1. An environmental push factor arising from unfavorable natural ecological conditions at the origin.Answer
  2. B
    An economic pull factor resulting from superior industrial wage prospects at the rural destination.
  3. C
    A physical settlement pattern response forming nucleated agrarian clusters along linear river channels.
  4. D
    A demographic dependency shift driven by a declining ratio of non-working dependents to active laborers.

Answer

An environmental push factor arising from unfavorable natural ecological conditions at the origin.
Unfavorable ecological conditions such as severe drought and desertification at the place of origin compel people to move away, which precisely fits the definition of an environmental push factor.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the conditions at the place of origin described in the stem
The origin (semi-arid West Africa) is experiencing drought, soil degradation, and desertification.
Evaluating whether conditions at the origin are favorable or adverse helps determine the migration mechanism.
2
Differentiate between push and pull migration drivers
Adverse or deteriorating conditions that compel people to leave an area are classified as push factors.
Push factors drive populations away from their home region, whereas pull factors attract them toward a new area.
3
Identify the primary domain of the migration driver
Since the underlying driver involves rainfall deficits, drought, and land degradation, it is categorized as an environmental push factor.
Classifying environmental triggers aligns the scenario with geographical migration concepts.

Key Concept

Migration Push and Pull Factors in Africa
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Population Distribution, Density, and Migration in Africa

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