Theory question 108
Geography of Africa(a) Draw a map of Africa. On the map, locate and name: (i) an important area for the production of crude oil in Nigeria, Algeria and Libya (ii) one important town in each area. (b) Describe any three ways in which crude oil is of economic importance to any one of the countries in 8(a)(i) above. (c) Outline three problems that face the production of crude oil in the country in 8(b) above.
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(a) Nigeria: Niger Delta (Port Harcourt, Warri); Algeria: Hassi Messaoud area of the Sahara (Hassi Messaoud, Arzew, Skikda); Libya: Sirte Basin (Brega, Tobruk, Benghazi, Ras Lanuf).
(b) Major source of foreign exchange and government revenue; employment; raw materials for petrochemical industries (plastics, fertilizer); fuel and energy for transport and industry; growth of towns and infrastructure; attracts foreign investment.
(c) (Nigeria) Oil spillage and pollution; militancy, vandalism and kidnapping; gas flaring; swampy terrain; fluctuating world prices; dependence on foreign technology and skilled staff; corruption; communal conflicts over land.
Choose one country and keep all your examples to it in (b) and (c).