which country used to be called upper volta

Infant mortality rates in Niger have been the highest in the world. Niger has the highest fertility rate (7.6) in the world, and half the population is under the age of fifteen, causing a population explosion that taxes the sparse natural resources and brings even more poverty to a country at the bottom end of the index of economic development. The Niger River flows through the southwestern region and provides fresh water, but the northern region is mainly the Sahara Desert, and large portions are covered with sand dunes. The Sahara Desert is moving southward, and the agrarian culture at the base of Niger’s society is often plagued by drought and famine. Oil exploration has begun and international oil corporations have garnered contracts for drilling. The world demand for uranium has not been strong in recent years. Other economic activities include uranium mining, which is the country’s main export. The country is less than 20 percent urban. Niger is a land of subsistence farmers, and most of the population lives in the southern regions. The former French colony of Niger is landlocked, with the Sahara Desert making up its largest portion. Traditional beliefs and animist religions are also practiced in the African Transition Zone. The two religions often clash in the areas where they meet.

Islam is the dominant religion on the north side of the African Transition Zone Christianity is more dominant to the south. This diversity in religion and climate is usually exhibited with a north/south division. The African Transition Zone cuts across the region of West Africa, indicating a division between Islam and Christianity and between the Sahara Desert and the tropics. Western Sahara has been in conflict with Morocco over independence and is most often associated with the region of North Africa because of the influence of Islam and because of its connection to Morocco. Cape Verde was once a Portuguese colony but received its independence in 1975. Off the coast of Mauritania are the Cape Verde Islands, which are united as an independent country associated with Africa.

The portions of Chad located north of the African Transition Zone share similar characteristics with North Africa. In this textbook, Chad is listed with Central Africa. Some geographers include the country of Chad or portions of it within the region of West Africa. The Niger River is Africa’s third-longest river and extends more than 2,600 miles from the Guinea Highlands through Mali, Niger, and Nigeria before reaching the Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of Guinea. At 4,100 miles long, the Nile River is the longest, while the Congo River is Africa’s second longest at 2,922 miles in length. The Cameroon Highlands are located on the eastern border between Nigeria and Cameroon. The main physical features include the Sahara Desert and the Niger River. This region is bisected by the African Transition Zone, which borders the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. The region of West Africa includes the southern portion of the bulge of the continent, which extends westward to the Atlantic Ocean.

Outline the main economic activities of each country and how they are related to natural resources.

Explain how family size and economic activities are related to population growth.

Understand each country’s development pattern and their current political situation.

Summarize the main geographic aspects of each country in West Africa.

Which country used to be called upper volta