Knowledge Check: Bio/Geosphere of West Africa

The arrows indicate the four major biomes found in West Africa. Starting at the top arrow and going down, choose the answer that lists the correct biomes in the correct order. You may use your West Africa map to help you.

• Sahel, Savannah, Desert, Plains, Rain Forest

• Desert, Sahel, Savannah, Plains

• Desert, Sahel, Savannah, Tropical

• Highlands, Sahel, Tropical, Plains

In West Africa, which biome would likely have the most rainfall?

Yellow - #1

Olive Green = #2

Lime Green = #3

Dark Green = #4

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Which biome does this definition describe?

In Africa, this is a region of semi-arid climate that borders the southern edge of a desert.

• Sahel

• Savannah

• Tropical

• Highlands

The Sahel region of West Africa is experiencing climate issues that is making the raising of livestock more difficult. What is that issue?

• The Sahel is becoming more like the Tropical regions.

• The Sahel is slowly turning into desert.

• The Sahel is expanding into the Savannah regions.

• Nothing is happening in the Sahel.

Why are the countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Toto, and Benin blessed with a wet, tropical climate? While Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have less rain and more arid land?

• Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are located in high mountanous regions.

• Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso don't have the governmental infrastructure to take advantage of a wet climate.

• Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are completely in the desert.

• Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are landlocked, so they don't have moisture from the ocean to create a tropical climate.

Even though countries like Burkina Faso and Mali are landlocked, historically, they had access to the coasts for trading. Mali used the ____ and ____ Rivers and Burkina Faso used the ___ tributaries and river.

• Senegal, Volta, Niger

• Volta, Niger, Benue

• Senegal, Niger, Volta

• Benue, Volta, Niger

On the map above, what West Africa country has the largest population density?

• Nigeria

• Cameroon

• Ghana

• Liberia

Nearly all West African countries gained their independence in the 20th Century. One country, however, has been independent since 1847. Name that country.

• Liberia

• Ghana

• Ivory Coast

• Cape Verde

The Roman Empire and Arab Empire traded with kingdoms in West Africa hundreds of years before Europe. What were these two empires looking for. Check all that apply. BE CAREFUL!

• Arabs: Gold, Ivory, Slaves

• Arabs: Gold, Salt, Ivory

• Arabs: Spices, Gold

• Rome: Gold, Salt, Spices

• Rome: Ivory, Spices, Slaves

Challenge!

As we looked at each West Africa country on our Wikipedia lists, we found that several have wealthy deposits of gold, diamonds, uranium, and oil. Yet, many of the countries that lie atop these rich resources are among the poorest in the world. Why can't these countries take advantage of their underground wealth?

• They don't have the labor to uncover the resources.

• They don't want to use the resources.

• They don't have the business or government infrastructure to process the resources.

• They are too tribal to see the value of the resources.