(a) Draw an outline map of West Africa. On it locate and name: (i) one area of dense population; (ii) one area of sparse population; (iii) an important town...

(a) Outline map of West Africa

The map shows:

• Area of dense population: south-western Nigeria (Yorubaland/Lagos area).
• Important town in the dense area: Lagos.
• Area of sparse population: northern Niger, within the Sahara Desert region.
• Important town in the sparse area: Agadez.
• River Niger: from the Guinea Highlands, through Mali and Niger, then south through Nigeria to the Gulf of Guinea.

(b) Factors responsible for the high population density in south-western Nigeria

1. Favourable climate: The area has reliable rainfall, warm temperatures and a relatively humid environment, which favour settlement and agricultural production.
2. Fertile soils and agriculture: Fertile soils support food crops and cash crops such as cocoa, kola nut, oil palm and vegetables. Intensive farming can therefore sustain a large population.
3. Industrialisation and employment: Lagos and other towns contain factories, offices, markets, banks and transport businesses. These provide employment and attract migrants from other areas.
4. Port and commercial functions: Lagos is a major coastal port and commercial centre. Import, export, shipping and trading activities encourage the concentration of people.
5. Social amenities and transport: Good road and rail links, schools, hospitals, electricity, water supply and other services make the area attractive for settlement.
6. Historical and administrative importance: The area has long been occupied and urbanised, while Lagos developed as an important colonial and administrative centre. This has encouraged continuous population growth.

(c) Problems of sparse population density

1. Shortage of labour: There are too few workers to cultivate land fully, exploit mineral resources and undertake major development projects.
2. High cost of providing services: Scattered settlements make roads, schools, hospitals, water supply and electricity expensive to provide; the small population also creates a limited market for goods and services.