Compare the North Central Highlands with the Cross... | WAEC SSCE - Geography - 2000 (Essay)

Question 1 Report

Compare the North Central Highlands with the Cross River Plain under the following headings:

(a) Relief and drainage

(b) People and settlement

Answer

Comparison of the North Central Highlands with the Cross River Plain

(a) Relief and Drainage

Heading	North Central Highlands	Cross River Plain
Relief	A highland region with an average height of about 750 m, although parts of the Jos Plateau are much higher. It has plateaux, isolated hills, ridges, volcanic cones and steep slopes.	A lowland region, mainly about 120–180 m above sea level. It is generally flat to gently undulating, with isolated hills and ridges in some places.
Drainage pattern	It has mainly a radial drainage pattern because several rivers flow outward from the high plateau areas.	It has mainly a dendritic drainage pattern, with the Cross River and its tributaries flowing southwards towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Drainage condition	It is generally well drained because of its high elevation and sloping land.	Some parts are poorly drained, with swampy clay depressions, flood plains and seasonal flooding along rivers.

(b) People and Settlement

Heading	North Central Highlands	Cross River Plain
People	It is inhabited by many ethnic groups, including the Berom (Birom), Ngas/Angas, Tarok, Mwaghavul, Afizere and other Plateau peoples. There are also in-migrants in towns such as Jos.	It is also inhabited by many ethnic groups, including the Efik, Ibibio, Ejagham (Ekoi), Bekwarra, Yala, Ukelle and related groups.
Population distribution	There are both densely populated areas, especially around Jos and fertile plains, and sparsely populated hill and plateau areas.	There are densely populated farming areas as well as sparsely populated swampy, forested and poorly accessible areas.
Settlement pattern	Settlements are commonly found on plains, valley sides and at the foot of hills. Both nucleated villages and dispersed farmsteads occur; Jos and Bukuru are important urban centres.	Settlements are commonly located on interfluves and relatively dry land above swampy valleys. Both nucleated and dispersed settlements occur, while Calabar is the major urban centre.

(c) Economic Activities

Heading	North Central Highlands	Cross River Plain
Crop farming	Crop farming is important. Food crops include maize, yam, millet, sorghum, beans and soya beans. The cool climate also favours Irish potatoes and temperate vegetables.	Crop farming is also important. Food crops include yam, cassava, rice, maize, cocoyam and vegetables.
Cash crops	Groundnut, cotton and wheat are grown in suitable parts, while market gardening supplies vegetables to nearby towns.	Oil palm, rubber and cocoa are important cash crops.
Mining and other activities	Tin and columbite mining are important, particularly around the Jos Plateau. Livestock rearing, tourism and local crafts such as leatherwork, brasswork and dyeing are also carried out.	Timber extraction, fishing, canoe transport, trading and local crafts such as raffia work, cane work and wood carving are important. Calabar also promotes trade and port-related activities.

Answer Details

Comparison of the North Central Highlands with the Cross River Plain

(a) Relief and Drainage

Heading	North Central Highlands	Cross River Plain
Relief	A highland region with an average height of about 750 m, although parts of the Jos Plateau are much higher. It has plateaux, isolated hills, ridges, volcanic cones and steep slopes.	A lowland region, mainly about 120–180 m above sea level. It is generally flat to gently undulating, with isolated hills and ridges in some places.
Drainage pattern	It has mainly a radial drainage pattern because several rivers flow outward from the high plateau areas.	It has mainly a dendritic drainage pattern, with the Cross River and its tributaries flowing southwards towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Drainage condition	It is generally well drained because of its high elevation and sloping land.	Some parts are poorly drained, with swampy clay depressions, flood plains and seasonal flooding along rivers.

(b) People and Settlement

Heading	North Central Highlands	Cross River Plain
People	It is inhabited by many ethnic groups, including the Berom (Birom), Ngas/Angas, Tarok, Mwaghavul, Afizere and other Plateau peoples. There are also in-migrants in towns such as Jos.	It is also inhabited by many ethnic groups, including the Efik, Ibibio, Ejagham (Ekoi), Bekwarra, Yala, Ukelle and related groups.
Population distribution	There are both densely populated areas, especially around Jos and fertile plains, and sparsely populated hill and plateau areas.	There are densely populated farming areas as well as sparsely populated swampy, forested and poorly accessible areas.
Settlement pattern	Settlements are commonly found on plains, valley sides and at the foot of hills. Both nucleated villages and dispersed farmsteads occur; Jos and Bukuru are important urban centres.	Settlements are commonly located on interfluves and relatively dry land above swampy valleys. Both nucleated and dispersed settlements occur, while Calabar is the major urban centre.

(c) Economic Activities

Heading	North Central Highlands	Cross River Plain
Crop farming	Crop farming is important. Food crops include maize, yam, millet, sorghum, beans and soya beans. The cool climate also favours Irish potatoes and temperate vegetables.	Crop farming is also important. Food crops include yam, cassava, rice, maize, cocoyam and vegetables.
Cash crops	Groundnut, cotton and wheat are grown in suitable parts, while market gardening supplies vegetables to nearby towns.	Oil palm, rubber and cocoa are important cash crops.
Mining and other activities	Tin and columbite mining are important, particularly around the Jos Plateau. Livestock rearing, tourism and local crafts such as leatherwork, brasswork and dyeing are also carried out.	Timber extraction, fishing, canoe transport, trading and local crafts such as raffia work, cane work and wood carving are important. Calabar also promotes trade and port-related activities.

Compare the North Central Highlands with the Cross River Plain under the following headings: (a) Relief and drainage (b) People and settlement (c) Economic ...