(a) Draw an outline map of West Africa, and on it, locate and name (outside your country): (i) two areas with a population density of over 500 persons per s...

(a) Outline map of West Africa

The map below shows the required population-density areas outside Nigeria. Dense areas are shown by close diagonal hatching and sparsely populated areas by stippling.

Key to locations shown

1. Over 500 persons per km²: Freetown Peninsula, Sierra Leone; Accra-Tema coastal belt, Ghana.
2. Less than 50 persons per km²: northern Mali (Sahara region); northern Niger (Sahara region).
3. Important town in a densely populated area: Accra, in the Accra-Tema coastal belt of Ghana.

(b) Factors favouring the high population density of the Accra-Tema coastal belt

1. Port and commercial activities: Tema Harbour and the coastal location encourage imports, exports, trade and related services.
2. Industries and employment: industries, offices and businesses provide employment and attract migrants from other parts of Ghana and West Africa.
3. Administrative and social facilities: Accra is the national capital and has many schools, hospitals, roads, electricity and other social amenities which attract settlement.

(c) Problems caused by high population concentration in the Accra-Tema coastal belt

1. Housing shortage and slum growth: demand for houses exceeds supply, leading to overcrowding and poorly planned settlements.
2. Unemployment and poverty: the number of job seekers may be greater than the available jobs, causing unemployment and underemployment.
3. Overstretching of amenities: water supply, schools, hospitals, drainage, electricity and waste-disposal services become inadequate.
4. Traffic congestion and pollution: heavy movement of people and vehicles causes delays, air and noise pollution, and difficulties in disposing of refuse.