Write a geographical account of Cross River plains under the following headings: (a) climate; (b) economic activities: (c) problems of development.

Geographical Account of the Cross River Plains

The Cross River Plains are located in south-eastern Nigeria, mainly in Cross River State, within the lower basin of the Cross River and its tributaries. The area is generally low-lying, deeply drained and covered in many places by tropical rainforest.

(a) Climate

1. The area has a sub-equatorial or tropical rainforest climate.
2. Temperatures are high throughout the year. Mean annual temperature is about 21°C to 30°C.
3. The annual temperature range is small because of the cloudy skies, high humidity and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
4. Rainfall is heavy and reliable, generally above 3,000 mm per annum in the wetter parts.
5. Rain falls during most months of the year, giving a long wet season and a very short dry season.
6. The rainfall pattern is mainly double maxima, with two periods of maximum rainfall separated by a short August break.
7. Most rain is convectional and is commonly accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.
8. Relative humidity is high, often above 80%.
9. The prevailing moist wind is the south-westerly wind from the Atlantic Ocean.

(b) Economic Activities

1. Crop farming: Farmers grow food crops such as cassava, yam, cocoyam, maize, plantain, banana and vegetables. Rice is cultivated in suitable swampy and floodplain areas.
2. Tree-crop cultivation: Oil palm, cocoa, rubber and kola are important cash crops.
3. Fishing: Fishing is carried out in the Cross River, its tributaries, creeks and swamps. Fish are also smoked and sold.
4. Forestry and lumbering: The rainforest provides valuable timber and other forest products.
5. Trading and commerce: Agricultural produce, fish, palm produce and manufactured goods are bought and sold in rural and urban markets.
6. Mining and quarrying: Sand, gravel, clay and other building materials are obtained in some localities.
7. Manufacturing and processing: There are small-scale industries for processing palm oil, cassava, timber and fish, as well as other urban industrial activities.
8. Tourism and hospitality: The natural scenery, wildlife reserves, cultural festivals and tourist centres provide employment.
9. Transport, education and government services: Urban centres provide jobs in transport operations, civil service, schools, research institutions and hospitality services.
10. Local crafts: Some inhabitants engage in weaving, pottery, carving and other crafts.

(c) Problems of Development

1. Poor transport network: Many rural settlements are poorly linked by all-season roads; heavy rains often make roads impassable.
2. Flooding and poor drainage: Low-lying areas are liable to seasonal flooding, which damages farms, houses and roads.
3. Soil erosion and leaching: Intense rainfall removes nutrients from soils and causes gully erosion in susceptible areas.
4. Dense forest vegetation: Clearing forest for farming, settlements and road construction is difficult and expensive.
5. Pests and diseases: Mosquitoes, tsetse flies and other pests, together with tropical diseases, reduce labour efficiency and increase health costs.
6. Inadequate infrastructure: Some areas lack adequate electricity, potable water, health facilities, schools and modern communication facilities.
7. Dispersed settlement and sparse population in some areas: This increases the cost of providing social amenities and public services.
8. Environmental degradation and pollution: Deforestation, oil-related pollution in affected areas, poor waste disposal and sand excavation degrade the environment.
9. Land and resettlement problems: Development projects may lead to loss of farmland, displacement of people, disputes over compensation and occupational dislocation.
10. Mismanagement and inadequate capital: Poor funding, weak planning and mismanagement delay development projects.