(a) List any three types of mountains. (b) In what four ways are mountains important to man? (c) Outline two problems caused by mountains.

Answer Details

(a) Three types of mountains

• Fold mountains (e.g. the Alps, Himalayas, Atlas).
• Block (fault) mountains or horsts (e.g. the Ruwenzori).
• Volcanic mountains (e.g. Mount Cameroon, Kilimanjaro).

(Others include residual mountains formed by denudation, e.g. inselbergs.)

(b) Four ways mountains are important to man

• Source of rivers: High mountains induce heavy rainfall and act as water catchment areas, feeding rivers used for water supply, irrigation and hydro-electric power.
• Climatic barrier and rainfall: They force moist air to rise and cool, giving relief (orographic) rainfall on the windward side that supports farming.
• Mineral and forest resources: Mountains contain valuable minerals and timber, and their slopes support forestry and grazing.
• Tourism, defence and settlement: Their scenery attracts tourists, they served historically as natural defensive barriers, and cool highland climates favour settlement and plantation crops such as tea and coffee.

(c) Two problems caused by mountains

• They hinder transport and communication, making the construction of roads and railways difficult and expensive.
• They create a rain-shadow effect, leaving leeward areas dry, and their steep slopes encourage soil erosion and landslides while limiting the amount of land available for farming and settlement.