(a) On an outline map of Nigeria locate and name: (i) the Eastern Highlands, Eastern Scarp lands and Chad Basin (ii) one important river in each region (iii...

Answer Details

(a) Locations on the outline map of Nigeria

• Eastern Highlands (Obudu-Oban-Mambilla uplands) in the south-east/east on the Cameroon border - river: Cross River; town: Ogoja / Obudu.
• Eastern Scarplands (Enugu-Nsukka-Udi escarpment) in the south-east - river: Anambra (or Imo); town: Enugu.
• Chad Basin in the north-east - river: Yobe (Komadugu); town: Maiduguri.

(b) The Eastern Highlands

(i) Population and settlement

The Eastern Highlands are generally sparsely populated because of the rugged, mountainous relief and difficult access. Settlements are small and scattered, sited in the valleys and on gentler slopes and lower footslopes; density is low compared with the surrounding lowlands, though the cooler climate has encouraged some settlement and a tourist/ranch centre at Obudu.

(ii) Natural resources

The region has dense forests providing timber, fertile volcanic and upland soils, abundant rainfall and rivers offering water and hydro-power potential, cool upland grassland suitable for grazing, and scenic mountain landscapes that are a resource for tourism.

(iii) Economic activities

The main activities are farming (food crops, plantation tree crops and market gardening in the cool uplands), cattle rearing and ranching (e.g. Obudu Cattle Ranch), lumbering in the forests, and a growing tourism industry attracted by the cool climate and scenery; trade and small-scale processing also take place.