WAEC SSCE - Geography - 2019 (Essay)
Question 1 Report
Write a geographical account of road transportation under the following headings:
(a) three advantages;
(b) three disadvantages;
(c) four contributions to development.
Road Transportation
(a) Advantages of road transportation
- Door-to-door service and flexibility: Road vehicles can collect passengers and goods from their point of origin and deliver them directly to their destination. They can also use different routes where necessary.
- Suitable for short distances: It is convenient and relatively economical for moving people, farm produce and light goods over short distances, especially within and between towns.
- Wide coverage: Roads reach many rural, interior and isolated settlements where rail, air and water transport may not be available. They also complement other modes of transport by carrying goods to and from railway stations, airports and seaports.
(b) Disadvantages of road transportation
- Limited carrying capacity: Road vehicles generally carry smaller loads than trains and ships; consequently, they are less suitable for very heavy or bulky goods over long distances.
- Accidents and congestion: Road transport is prone to accidents which cause loss of lives and property. Traffic congestion, particularly in large towns, also delays the movement of people and goods.
- High maintenance cost and environmental problems: Roads may be damaged by heavy rainfall, flooding and erosion, making repairs expensive. Motor vehicles also produce noise and air pollution.
(c) Contributions of road transportation to development
- Promotion of trade: Roads link areas of production with markets and consumption centres. They enable raw materials to reach industries and manufactured goods to reach consumers, thereby promoting internal and external trade.
- Development of agriculture: Good roads enable farmers to obtain inputs such as fertiliser, seedlings and machinery, and allow farm produce, especially perishable produce, to be transported quickly to markets. This encourages commercial farming.
- Employment and income generation: Road construction and maintenance, vehicle operation, haulage services, repairs and roadside trading provide employment and income to many people. Government also earns revenue through vehicle licences, road taxes and tolls.
- Opening up and integrating settlements: Roads open up rural and interior areas, encourage the growth of new settlements and towns, facilitate administration, promote tourism and national integration, and improve access to schools, hospitals and other social services.
Answer Details
Road Transportation
(a) Advantages of road transportation
- Door-to-door service and flexibility: Road vehicles can collect passengers and goods from their point of origin and deliver them directly to their destination. They can also use different routes where necessary.
- Suitable for short distances: It is convenient and relatively economical for moving people, farm produce and light goods over short distances, especially within and between towns.
- Wide coverage: Roads reach many rural, interior and isolated settlements where rail, air and water transport may not be available. They also complement other modes of transport by carrying goods to and from railway stations, airports and seaports.
(b) Disadvantages of road transportation
- Limited carrying capacity: Road vehicles generally carry smaller loads than trains and ships; consequently, they are less suitable for very heavy or bulky goods over long distances.
- Accidents and congestion: Road transport is prone to accidents which cause loss of lives and property. Traffic congestion, particularly in large towns, also delays the movement of people and goods.
- High maintenance cost and environmental problems: Roads may be damaged by heavy rainfall, flooding and erosion, making repairs expensive. Motor vehicles also produce noise and air pollution.
(c) Contributions of road transportation to development
- Promotion of trade: Roads link areas of production with markets and consumption centres. They enable raw materials to reach industries and manufactured goods to reach consumers, thereby promoting internal and external trade.
- Development of agriculture: Good roads enable farmers to obtain inputs such as fertiliser, seedlings and machinery, and allow farm produce, especially perishable produce, to be transported quickly to markets. This encourages commercial farming.
- Employment and income generation: Road construction and maintenance, vehicle operation, haulage services, repairs and roadside trading provide employment and income to many people. Government also earns revenue through vehicle licences, road taxes and tolls.
- Opening up and integrating settlements: Roads open up rural and interior areas, encourage the growth of new settlements and towns, facilitate administration, promote tourism and national integration, and improve access to schools, hospitals and other social services.
Question 2 Report
The table below shows the population distribution and land area of five states of a country B in the year 2010. Use the data to answer the following question
(a) Calculate the: (i) total population; (ii) total land area; (iii) population density of country B.
(b) Explain four factors that influence the distribution of world human population.
(c) Outline three factors that cause increase in world human population
(a) Calculations. The data for the five states are shown below.
| State | Population (millions) | Land area (km\(^2\)) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3.2 | 140,000 |
| 2 | 5.4 | 98,000 |
| 3 | 7.4 | 35,000 |
| 4 | 6.5 | 120,000 |
| 5 | 4.2 | 86,000 |
(i) Total population.
\[3.2+5.4+7.4+6.5+4.2=26.7\ \text{million}=26{,}700{,}000\ \text{persons}.\](ii) Total land area.
\[140{,}000+98{,}000+35{,}000+120{,}000+86{,}000=479{,}000\ \text{km}^2.\](iii) Population density of country B.
\[\text{Density}=\frac{\text{Total population}}{\text{Total land area}}=\frac{26{,}700{,}000}{479{,}000}=55.74\approx\mathbf{56\ \text{persons per km}^2}.\](b) Four factors that influence the distribution of world human population
- Climate: regions with moderate temperature and reliable rainfall are densely settled, while very hot deserts and very cold or wet areas are sparsely peopled.
- Relief: flat lowlands and plains carry dense populations, whereas rugged highlands and steep mountains are thinly settled.
- Soil and agriculture: fertile soils that support good farming attract dense settlement; infertile land repels it.
- Job opportunities and industrialisation: areas with industry, commerce, mineral deposits and good transport attract people in search of work, giving high densities.
(c) Three factors that cause increase in world human population
- Increase in birth rate, encouraged by early marriage and preference for large families.
- Decrease in death rate through improved medical facilities, hygiene and sanitation.
- Adequate food supply and improved standard of living from better agriculture.
Answer Details
(a) Calculations. The data for the five states are shown below.
| State | Population (millions) | Land area (km\(^2\)) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3.2 | 140,000 |
| 2 | 5.4 | 98,000 |
| 3 | 7.4 | 35,000 |
| 4 | 6.5 | 120,000 |
| 5 | 4.2 | 86,000 |
(i) Total population.
\[3.2+5.4+7.4+6.5+4.2=26.7\ \text{million}=26{,}700{,}000\ \text{persons}.\](ii) Total land area.
\[140{,}000+98{,}000+35{,}000+120{,}000+86{,}000=479{,}000\ \text{km}^2.\](iii) Population density of country B.
\[\text{Density}=\frac{\text{Total population}}{\text{Total land area}}=\frac{26{,}700{,}000}{479{,}000}=55.74\approx\mathbf{56\ \text{persons per km}^2}.\](b) Four factors that influence the distribution of world human population
- Climate: regions with moderate temperature and reliable rainfall are densely settled, while very hot deserts and very cold or wet areas are sparsely peopled.
- Relief: flat lowlands and plains carry dense populations, whereas rugged highlands and steep mountains are thinly settled.
- Soil and agriculture: fertile soils that support good farming attract dense settlement; infertile land repels it.
- Job opportunities and industrialisation: areas with industry, commerce, mineral deposits and good transport attract people in search of work, giving high densities.
(c) Three factors that cause increase in world human population
- Increase in birth rate, encouraged by early marriage and preference for large families.
- Decrease in death rate through improved medical facilities, hygiene and sanitation.
- Adequate food supply and improved standard of living from better agriculture.
Question 3 Report
Write a geographical account of mining in Nigeria under the following headings:
(a) four mineral deposits;
(b) one town that is important for the mining of each of the minerals in 6(a);
(c) Three benefits of mining in Nigeria;
(d) Three negative effects of mining on the environment of mining areas.
Mining in Nigeria
(a) and (b) Mineral deposits and important mining towns
| Mineral deposit | Important mining town/area |
|---|---|
| Petroleum (crude oil) | Port Harcourt |
| Tin | Jos |
| Coal | Enugu |
| Limestone | Ewekoro |
Graphical location of the selected mining towns
(c) Benefits of mining in Nigeria
- Employment: Mining provides direct employment for miners, engineers and administrators, as well as indirect employment in transport, trading and processing.
- Revenue and foreign exchange: Export of minerals, especially petroleum, earns foreign exchange and provides revenue for government through taxes, royalties and export duties.
- Industrial and infrastructural development: Minerals provide raw materials for industries, for example limestone for cement manufacture. Mining also encourages the development of roads, railways, ports and mining settlements.
(d) Negative effects of mining on the environment of mining areas
- Land degradation: Open-cast mining, drilling and dredging destroy vegetation and farmland, leaving pits, spoil heaps and derelict land.
- Pollution: Mining may pollute air, land and water. Oil spills contaminate rivers and farmlands, while gas flaring pollutes the atmosphere.
- Erosion, flooding and health hazards: Excavated and abandoned pits encourage erosion and may collect stagnant water, creating breeding places for mosquitoes and other disease vectors.
Answer Details
Mining in Nigeria
(a) and (b) Mineral deposits and important mining towns
| Mineral deposit | Important mining town/area |
|---|---|
| Petroleum (crude oil) | Port Harcourt |
| Tin | Jos |
| Coal | Enugu |
| Limestone | Ewekoro |
Graphical location of the selected mining towns
(c) Benefits of mining in Nigeria
- Employment: Mining provides direct employment for miners, engineers and administrators, as well as indirect employment in transport, trading and processing.
- Revenue and foreign exchange: Export of minerals, especially petroleum, earns foreign exchange and provides revenue for government through taxes, royalties and export duties.
- Industrial and infrastructural development: Minerals provide raw materials for industries, for example limestone for cement manufacture. Mining also encourages the development of roads, railways, ports and mining settlements.
(d) Negative effects of mining on the environment of mining areas
- Land degradation: Open-cast mining, drilling and dredging destroy vegetation and farmland, leaving pits, spoil heaps and derelict land.
- Pollution: Mining may pollute air, land and water. Oil spills contaminate rivers and farmlands, while gas flaring pollutes the atmosphere.
- Erosion, flooding and health hazards: Excavated and abandoned pits encourage erosion and may collect stagnant water, creating breeding places for mosquitoes and other disease vectors.
Question 4 Report
(a) Draw a sketch map of Nigeria. On the map, show and name: (i) one cocoa growing belt; (ii) one groundnut growing belt; (iii) one town in 4(a)(i).
(b) Describe three physical conditions necessary for the cultivation of groundnut.
(c) Explain four ways in which groundnut cultivation has contributed to the economy of Nigeria
(a) Sketch map of Nigeria
The shaded south-western belt represents the cocoa-growing belt, and Ife is a town within it. The shaded northern belt represents a groundnut-growing belt.
(b) Physical conditions necessary for the cultivation of groundnut
- Moderate rainfall: Groundnut requires about 500 to 1,000 mm of rainfall annually, mainly during its growing period. A dry spell is required for ripening, harvesting and drying the pods.
- High temperature and sunshine: It grows best under high temperatures of about 25°C to 30°C with abundant sunshine.
- Suitable soil and relief: Loose, light, sandy or sandy-loam soil that is well drained is required so that the pegs can penetrate the soil and the pods can develop easily. Fairly level or gently undulating land is favourable.
(c) Ways in which groundnut cultivation has contributed to the economy of Nigeria
- Employment creation: It provides employment for farmers and for people engaged in processing, bagging, transport, marketing and export.
- Source of income: Sale of groundnut and groundnut products gives income to farmers, traders and processors, thereby improving their standard of living.
- Foreign exchange earnings: Export of groundnut, groundnut oil and groundnut cake earns foreign exchange for Nigeria and helps to diversify the economy.
- Raw materials and food: Groundnut supplies oil mills and soap industries with raw materials, while groundnut cake is used in animal-feed manufacture. The nuts and oil also provide important protein-rich food for the population.
Answer Details
(a) Sketch map of Nigeria
The shaded south-western belt represents the cocoa-growing belt, and Ife is a town within it. The shaded northern belt represents a groundnut-growing belt.
(b) Physical conditions necessary for the cultivation of groundnut
- Moderate rainfall: Groundnut requires about 500 to 1,000 mm of rainfall annually, mainly during its growing period. A dry spell is required for ripening, harvesting and drying the pods.
- High temperature and sunshine: It grows best under high temperatures of about 25°C to 30°C with abundant sunshine.
- Suitable soil and relief: Loose, light, sandy or sandy-loam soil that is well drained is required so that the pegs can penetrate the soil and the pods can develop easily. Fairly level or gently undulating land is favourable.
(c) Ways in which groundnut cultivation has contributed to the economy of Nigeria
- Employment creation: It provides employment for farmers and for people engaged in processing, bagging, transport, marketing and export.
- Source of income: Sale of groundnut and groundnut products gives income to farmers, traders and processors, thereby improving their standard of living.
- Foreign exchange earnings: Export of groundnut, groundnut oil and groundnut cake earns foreign exchange for Nigeria and helps to diversify the economy.
- Raw materials and food: Groundnut supplies oil mills and soap industries with raw materials, while groundnut cake is used in animal-feed manufacture. The nuts and oil also provide important protein-rich food for the population.
Question 5 Report
(a) Outline five factors which an industrialist will consider when locating a fruit canning industry.
(b) Explain five benefits derived from the concentration of manufacturing industries in urban centers.
(a) Five factors an industrialist will consider when locating a fruit canning industry
- Nearness to raw materials: Fruits are bulky and perishable, so the factory must be sited close to the fruit-growing area to reduce spoilage and transport cost.
- Availability of water: Large quantities of clean water are needed for washing, processing and cooling the fruits, so a reliable water supply is essential.
- Supply of labour: Both skilled and unskilled workers are needed for sorting, processing and operating machines, so the site should have access to adequate labour.
- Availability of market: The industry should be located near, or well connected to, a large market so that the canned products can be sold quickly.
- Transport and power: Good roads, railways or ports for moving raw materials and finished goods, and a steady supply of electric power to run the machines, are important considerations (capital and government policy are also relevant).
(b) Five benefits from the concentration of manufacturing industries in urban centres
- Provision of employment: The clustering of many industries creates numerous jobs, reducing unemployment in the town.
- Shared infrastructure: Industries share roads, electricity, water and communication facilities, which lowers the cost of production for each firm.
- Availability of skilled labour: A concentration of industries attracts and pools a large body of skilled and specialised workers that all the firms can draw upon.
- Ready market and linkages: Industries located together serve as markets for one another; the by-product or output of one becomes the raw material of another, encouraging linked industries.
- Availability of services: Banks, insurance, repair workshops, warehousing and research facilities develop to serve the industries, improving efficiency and growth of the urban economy.
Answer Details
(a) Five factors an industrialist will consider when locating a fruit canning industry
- Nearness to raw materials: Fruits are bulky and perishable, so the factory must be sited close to the fruit-growing area to reduce spoilage and transport cost.
- Availability of water: Large quantities of clean water are needed for washing, processing and cooling the fruits, so a reliable water supply is essential.
- Supply of labour: Both skilled and unskilled workers are needed for sorting, processing and operating machines, so the site should have access to adequate labour.
- Availability of market: The industry should be located near, or well connected to, a large market so that the canned products can be sold quickly.
- Transport and power: Good roads, railways or ports for moving raw materials and finished goods, and a steady supply of electric power to run the machines, are important considerations (capital and government policy are also relevant).
(b) Five benefits from the concentration of manufacturing industries in urban centres
- Provision of employment: The clustering of many industries creates numerous jobs, reducing unemployment in the town.
- Shared infrastructure: Industries share roads, electricity, water and communication facilities, which lowers the cost of production for each firm.
- Availability of skilled labour: A concentration of industries attracts and pools a large body of skilled and specialised workers that all the firms can draw upon.
- Ready market and linkages: Industries located together serve as markets for one another; the by-product or output of one becomes the raw material of another, encouraging linked industries.
- Availability of services: Banks, insurance, repair workshops, warehousing and research facilities develop to serve the industries, improving efficiency and growth of the urban economy.
Question 6 Report
(a) Draw an outline map of Nigeria.
On the map, locate and name:
(i) one national park in the north that is important for tourism;
(ii) one national park in the south that is important for tourism;
(iii) Calabar town.
(b) Outline four factors that retard tourism development in Nigeria.
(c) Suggest three ways by which tourism can be promoted in Nigeria.
(a) Outline map of Nigeria
Key: Kainji Lake National Park is located in the north-western/central part of Nigeria, around Niger and Kwara States. Cross River National Park is located in Cross River State in the south-east. Calabar is located in the south-east, near the Cross River estuary and the Atlantic coast.
(b) Factors that retard tourism development in Nigeria
- Insecurity: kidnapping, insurgency, armed robbery and communal conflicts discourage local and foreign tourists.
- Poor infrastructure: bad access roads, irregular electricity and water supply, poor communication facilities and inadequate standard hotels make tourist centres unattractive.
- Inadequate publicity and funding: many tourist attractions are poorly advertised and lack funds for development, maintenance and modern facilities.
- Poor management and shortage of skilled personnel: inadequate trained tourist guides, poor maintenance of sites and inefficient tourism agencies reduce the quality of services offered.
(c) Ways of promoting tourism in Nigeria
- Government should provide adequate security and patrol tourist centres and access routes.
- Good roads, hotels, water supply, electricity, communication facilities and other social amenities should be provided at tourist sites.
- Tourist attractions should be widely advertised through the media, schools, exhibitions and international tourism agencies.
Answer Details
(a) Outline map of Nigeria
Key: Kainji Lake National Park is located in the north-western/central part of Nigeria, around Niger and Kwara States. Cross River National Park is located in Cross River State in the south-east. Calabar is located in the south-east, near the Cross River estuary and the Atlantic coast.
(b) Factors that retard tourism development in Nigeria
- Insecurity: kidnapping, insurgency, armed robbery and communal conflicts discourage local and foreign tourists.
- Poor infrastructure: bad access roads, irregular electricity and water supply, poor communication facilities and inadequate standard hotels make tourist centres unattractive.
- Inadequate publicity and funding: many tourist attractions are poorly advertised and lack funds for development, maintenance and modern facilities.
- Poor management and shortage of skilled personnel: inadequate trained tourist guides, poor maintenance of sites and inefficient tourism agencies reduce the quality of services offered.
(c) Ways of promoting tourism in Nigeria
- Government should provide adequate security and patrol tourist centres and access routes.
- Good roads, hotels, water supply, electricity, communication facilities and other social amenities should be provided at tourist sites.
- Tourist attractions should be widely advertised through the media, schools, exhibitions and international tourism agencies.
