WAEC Geography 1996 Theory question 109

Theory question 109

Nigeria: People and Economy

Write a geographical account of the Chad basin under the following headings: (a) Relief and drainage (b) Agriculture (c) Problems of development

Show the model answer
Model answer

(a) Low, flat plain about 300 m above sea level sloping gently towards Lake Chad; inland drainage; rivers Yobe (Komadugu-Yobe), Hadejia and Ngadda flow into the lake; seasonal rivers; fadama (flood plains) and marshes near the lake.
(b) Crops: millet, guinea corn, groundnuts, wheat, cotton, rice; irrigation schemes (South Chad Irrigation Project, Kano river/Hadejia valley); cattle, sheep and goats by Fulani and Shuwa Arabs; fishing on Lake Chad.
(c) Low, unreliable rainfall and drought; desert encroachment; shrinking of Lake Chad; poor sandy soils; remoteness and poor transport; pests (locusts, quelea birds); insecurity; shortage of capital.

Explanation

Use the three headings as subheadings.