The two most important factors which account for the pattern of population distribution in West Africa are?

Answer Details

The two most important factors which account for the pattern of population distribution in West Africa are "favourable physical conditions and human inertia". Favourable physical conditions refer to areas with fertile soils, adequate water supply, and a suitable climate for agriculture, which attracts people to settle in those areas. In West Africa, the coastal regions, river valleys, and areas with a high rainfall, such as the Guinea Coast and the Niger Delta, have more favorable physical conditions and therefore have higher population densities. Human inertia refers to the tendency for people to remain in a location, even if conditions are not favorable, due to factors such as cultural ties, family connections, and lack of resources to move elsewhere. This can lead to the clustering of populations in certain areas, even if those areas do not have the most favorable physical conditions. Overall, the combination of favorable physical conditions and human inertia explains the pattern of population distribution in West Africa, with higher population densities in areas with more favorable physical conditions and a clustering of populations due to human inertia.