Question

Difficulty: HardPopulation Distribution and Density Factors

Match each geographic factor or historical process in Africa with its corresponding effect on regional population density.

  • Widespread prevalence of the tsetse fly (glossina vector) in humid savanna zonesHistorically restricted pastoralism and dense agricultural settlement, resulting in sparse population density
  • Intensive tin and columbite mining operations on the Jos PlateauCreated an island of high population density and rapid urban growth within a surrounding moderate-density region
  • Perennial silt deposition and intensive irrigation in the Lower Nile ValleySustained exceptionally high, continuous rural population density often exceeding 1,000 persons/km21,000\text{ persons/km}^2
  • Historical slave-raiding activities and 19th-century conflicts in the Middle BeltResulted in a persistent, sparsely populated corridor characterized by low settlement density

Answer

The geographic factors and historical processes correspond to their population outcomes as follows: Tsetse fly prevalence restricted pastoral and human settlement leading to low density; mineral exploitation on the Jos Plateau created an island of high population concentration; the Lower Nile Valley supports exceptionally high density through fertile soils and irrigation; and historical slave raiding in the Middle Belt created a persistent sparsely populated corridor.
Each factor is correctly matched to its demographic impact: disease vectors limit human and animal habitation; mineral resources attract dense settlement; fertile irrigated river valleys sustain maximum agricultural density; and historical warfare causes lasting depopulation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze environmental disease vectors as density controls
Tsetse flies act as a biological barrier to livestock rearing and dense settlement in humid savannas.
Health hazards lower habitability and discourage long-term population concentration.
2
Evaluate economic attraction against physical constraints
Commercial mining of tin and columbite pulled labor to the Jos Plateau.
Economic incentives can overcome topographical challenges, creating high-density mineral enclaves.
3
Examine agricultural carrying capacity of river valleys
Alluvial deposits and perennial irrigation in the Nile Valley maximize crop yield per unit area.
High soil fertility and water security support dense rural and urban populations.
4
Assess historical impacts on spatial population distribution
Slave raids displaced communities in the West African Middle Belt.
Historical conflict can cause long-term depopulation independent of physical environmental capacity.

Key Concept

Physical, economic, and historical factors influencing population distribution and density
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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