Theory question 110
Nigeria: People and EconomyCompare and contrast the Eastern Scarplands and Western Highlands under the following headings: (a) Relief (b) Peoples and population (c) Settlement patterns (d) Agriculture
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(a) Eastern Scarplands: cuesta (escarpment) landscape of sandstone, about 300-450 m, Udi-Nsukka plateau with steep east-facing scarps, Mamu river valley; Western Highlands: ancient granite/basement rocks, 300-600 m, dissected with inselbergs (e.g. Idanre hills).
(b) Scarplands: mainly Igbo and Igala; very dense population (over 400 per km² in places). Western Highlands: mainly Yoruba; moderate to dense population.
(c) Scarplands: dispersed compound settlements, many villages, few large towns (Enugu, Nsukka). Western Highlands: large nucleated towns (Ibadan, Ogbomosho, Oyo) with farm hamlets around them.
(d) Both grow yams, cassava, maize. Scarplands: oil palm, small farms, severe soil erosion and land shortage. Western Highlands: cocoa, kola, coffee, citrus, larger farms, some cattle in the north.
Say how they are similar and how they differ under each heading.