Theory question 106
Nigeria: People and Economy(a) On an outline map of Nigeria, locate and name: (i) the Niger-Benue trough; (ii) Rivers Niger, Benue, Gongola and Donga; (iii) one confluence town in the region. (b) Write a geographical essay on the physical characteristics of the Niger-Benue trough. (c) Outline four ways in which the economic activities in the Niger-Benue trough are related to its physical characteristics.
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(a) Map showing the trough along the middle Niger and the Benue valley, the Gongola joining the Benue from the north, the Donga from the south-east, with Lokoja at the Niger-Benue confluence.
(b) Low-lying land mostly below 300 m; wide flood plains, swamps and sandbars; underlain by sedimentary rocks with flat-topped hills; tropical hinterland climate with about 1200-1500 mm of rain and a dry season; high temperatures and humidity; Guinea savanna vegetation; drained by the Niger, Benue, Kaduna, Gongola, Donga.
(c) Rivers and flood plains support irrigation and rice and sugarcane farming; rivers support fishing and water transport; dams give HEP (Kainji, Jebba); limestone and clay support cement and pottery; salt from sedimentary deposits; fertile alluvial soils support food crops (yam, soya beans).
Link each activity to a named physical feature.