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Difficulty: MediumPopulation Distribution, Density, and Settlement Patterns in Nigeria

Based on physical environment, historical influences, and economic activities, different geographical sub-regions of Nigeria exhibit varying population concentrations. Order the following sub-regions from LOWEST population density to HIGHEST population density.

  1. 1The Borgu sector of the Niger Valley
  2. 2The rural agricultural zone of the Jos Plateau
  3. 3The Cocoa Belt of South-Western Nigeria
  4. 4The Anambra-Imo heartland of South-Eastern Nigeria

Answer

The correct sequence from lowest to highest population density is: Borgu sector of the Niger Valley, followed by the Jos Plateau rural agricultural zone, then the Cocoa Belt of South-Western Nigeria, and finally the Anambra-Imo heartland of South-Eastern Nigeria.
The correct sequence orders the sub-regions by increasing population density: Borgu sector of the Niger Valley (<50 persons/km²), Jos Plateau (100–200 persons/km²), South-Western Cocoa Belt (300–500 persons/km²), and Anambra-Imo heartland (>800 persons/km²). This reflects the combined influence of environmental quality, historical defense/slave-trade impacts, and economic production belts in Nigeria.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the sparsely populated Middle Belt trough location.
The Borgu sector of the Niger Valley represents the lowest population density (<50 persons/km²) among the given sub-regions owing to physical constraints and historical depopulation.
Establishing the baseline item for the lowest density position.
2
Identify the moderate-density upland refuge zone.
The Jos Plateau rural agricultural zone occupies the next position with a moderate density (100–200 persons/km²), favored by cool climate and mining history compared to the surrounding river valleys.
Placing the moderate-density highland area above the low-density river basin.
3
Compare the high-density southern agricultural belts.
The Cocoa Belt of South-Western Nigeria has high density (300–500 persons/km²), but the Anambra-Imo heartland of South-Eastern Nigeria exhibits an extremely high rural density (>800 persons/km²).
Ranking the two densely populated southern regions in ascending order.

Key Concept

Regional variation of population distribution and density across Nigeria
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Topics

Population Distribution, Density, and Settlement Patterns in Nigeria

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