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Difficulty: HardPopulation Distribution, Density, and Migration in Africa

The Copperbelt region spanning northern Zambia and the Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of Congo exhibits a remarkably high population density compared to the surrounding sparsely populated miombo woodland ecosystem of Central Africa. Which of the following factors primarily accounts for this concentrated population pattern?

  1. Extensive mineral resource exploitation and associated urban-industrial infrastructureAnswer
  2. B
    High agricultural carrying capacity supported by fertile alluvial soils of major river basins
  3. C
    Severe coastal soil degradation acting as a push factor driving rural populations into interior forests
  4. D
    A low demographic dependency ratio driven by high infant mortality rates across rural communities

Answer

Extensive mineral resource exploitation and associated urban-industrial infrastructure
The Copperbelt of Zambia and the Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of Congo represent a primary example of resource-anchored population concentration in Africa. Discovery and large-scale exploitation of rich copper and cobalt deposits led to urban-industrial growth, transport development, and massive labor migration into what was previously a sparsely settled environment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the geographical zone and demographic anomaly described in the stem.
The target area is the Zambia-DRC Copperbelt within Central Africa, which exhibits an isolated high population density node in an otherwise low-density woodland zone.
Locating spatial demographic anomalies helps identify localized economic or physical drivers.
2
Analyze the primary economic driver of the Copperbelt.
The region contains vast deposits of copper and cobalt, which triggered industrial mining development, urbanization, and employment-driven in-migration.
Mineral resources act as major human economic pull factors altering natural regional population distribution.
3
Evaluate the choices to select the primary cause while eliminating false drivers.
Mineral exploitation and industrialization directly explain the high density, whereas farming, coastal push factors, or demographic ratios are incorrect explanations.
Distinguishing between mineral economic pull factors and agricultural or physical drivers ensures correct identification.

Key Concept

Impact of Mineral Resource Exploitation on Population Distribution and Urban Clusters in Africa
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Topics

Population Distribution, Density, and Migration in Africa

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