WAEC SSCE - Geography - 2021 (Essay)
Question 1 Rapport
The table X below contains information on the population of four districts of country Z in the year 2016.
Use the information to answer the question which follows.
| District | Population (million) | Land Area (km\(^{2}\)) |
| A | 5.5 | 60,000 |
| B | 8.0 | 105,000 |
| C | 6.7 | 125,000 |
| D | 4.8 | 88,000 |
(a) calculate the;
i. total population of country Z
ii. total land area of country Z
iii. population density of country Z
(b) State four factors that are responsible for high population densities of countries.
(c) Explain three advantages associated with countries of high population density
| District | Population (million) | Land area (km²) |
|---|---|---|
| A | 5.5 | 60,000 |
| B | 8.0 | 105,000 |
| C | 6.7 | 125,000 |
| D | 4.8 | 88,000 |
(a)(i) Total population of country Z
\(5.5 + 8.0 + 6.7 + 4.8 = 25.0\) million, i.e. 25,000,000 people.
(a)(ii) Total land area of country Z
\(60{,}000 + 105{,}000 + 125{,}000 + 88{,}000 = 378{,}000\ \text{km}^2\).
(a)(iii) Population density of country Z
\[\text{Density} = \frac{\text{total population}}{\text{total land area}} = \frac{25{,}000{,}000}{378{,}000} \approx 66.1\ \text{persons per km}^2.\] The population density is about 66 persons per km².
(b) Four factors responsible for high population densities
- Favourable climate: moderate temperatures and reliable rainfall attract dense settlement.
- Fertile soils and gentle relief: lowland plains and river valleys with rich soils support intensive farming and large populations.
- Availability of water: steady fresh-water supply from rivers, lakes or coasts draws people together.
- Economic and industrial development: abundant jobs in industry, mining, commerce and services, with good transport and social amenities, pull large numbers of people into an area (urbanisation).
(c) Three advantages associated with countries of high population density
- Large labour force: plenty of workers are available for farms, factories and services, boosting production.
- Large home market: the big population creates strong demand for goods and services, encouraging industry, trade and investment.
- Cheaper provision of services and defence: where people are concentrated, roads, water, electricity, schools and hospitals can be supplied to many people at lower cost per head, and a large population strengthens national defence.
Détails de la réponse
| District | Population (million) | Land area (km²) |
|---|---|---|
| A | 5.5 | 60,000 |
| B | 8.0 | 105,000 |
| C | 6.7 | 125,000 |
| D | 4.8 | 88,000 |
(a)(i) Total population of country Z
\(5.5 + 8.0 + 6.7 + 4.8 = 25.0\) million, i.e. 25,000,000 people.
(a)(ii) Total land area of country Z
\(60{,}000 + 105{,}000 + 125{,}000 + 88{,}000 = 378{,}000\ \text{km}^2\).
(a)(iii) Population density of country Z
\[\text{Density} = \frac{\text{total population}}{\text{total land area}} = \frac{25{,}000{,}000}{378{,}000} \approx 66.1\ \text{persons per km}^2.\] The population density is about 66 persons per km².
(b) Four factors responsible for high population densities
- Favourable climate: moderate temperatures and reliable rainfall attract dense settlement.
- Fertile soils and gentle relief: lowland plains and river valleys with rich soils support intensive farming and large populations.
- Availability of water: steady fresh-water supply from rivers, lakes or coasts draws people together.
- Economic and industrial development: abundant jobs in industry, mining, commerce and services, with good transport and social amenities, pull large numbers of people into an area (urbanisation).
(c) Three advantages associated with countries of high population density
- Large labour force: plenty of workers are available for farms, factories and services, boosting production.
- Large home market: the big population creates strong demand for goods and services, encouraging industry, trade and investment.
- Cheaper provision of services and defence: where people are concentrated, roads, water, electricity, schools and hospitals can be supplied to many people at lower cost per head, and a large population strengthens national defence.
Question 2 Rapport
(a) Draw a sketch map of Nigeria. On the map, locate and name:
(i) the Kainji dam:
(ii) Lake Chad
(iii) Ibadan.
(b) Highlight three factors that impede the development of solar energy in Nigeria
(c) Explain four problems created by the construction of the Kainji dam in Nigeria.
(a) Sketch map of Nigeria
(b) Factors impeding the development of solar energy in Nigeria
- High capital cost: Solar panels, batteries, inverters and other components are expensive to import, install and replace.
- Inadequate technical manpower: There are too few trained personnel to manufacture, install, repair and maintain solar-energy equipment.
- Inadequate government support and policy: Insufficient funding, weak policy implementation and low public awareness discourage large-scale investment in solar energy.
(c) Problems created by the construction of Kainji Dam in Nigeria
- Displacement of people: The creation of Lake Kainji flooded settlements, forcing many people to leave their homes and be resettled.
- Loss of agricultural and grazing land: Cultivatable land and pasture were submerged by the reservoir, reducing land available for farming and livestock rearing.
- Spread of water-borne diseases: The reservoir provides favourable conditions for diseases such as bilharzia, while mosquitoes breeding around the water may increase malaria incidence.
- Disruption of traditional occupations and transport: Fishing, river transport and other activities along the former river channel, especially downstream, were disrupted; fish movement was also affected by the dam.
Détails de la réponse
(a) Sketch map of Nigeria
(b) Factors impeding the development of solar energy in Nigeria
- High capital cost: Solar panels, batteries, inverters and other components are expensive to import, install and replace.
- Inadequate technical manpower: There are too few trained personnel to manufacture, install, repair and maintain solar-energy equipment.
- Inadequate government support and policy: Insufficient funding, weak policy implementation and low public awareness discourage large-scale investment in solar energy.
(c) Problems created by the construction of Kainji Dam in Nigeria
- Displacement of people: The creation of Lake Kainji flooded settlements, forcing many people to leave their homes and be resettled.
- Loss of agricultural and grazing land: Cultivatable land and pasture were submerged by the reservoir, reducing land available for farming and livestock rearing.
- Spread of water-borne diseases: The reservoir provides favourable conditions for diseases such as bilharzia, while mosquitoes breeding around the water may increase malaria incidence.
- Disruption of traditional occupations and transport: Fishing, river transport and other activities along the former river channel, especially downstream, were disrupted; fish movement was also affected by the dam.
Question 3 Rapport
(a) What is tourism?
(b) Outline five factors that favor the development of tourism.
(c) Highlight four problems created by the tourism industry in developing countries
(a) Meaning of tourism
Tourism is the business of travelling to and staying in places away from one's usual home for pleasure, leisure, relaxation, sightseeing or business, and the services provided to cater for such travellers.
(b) Five factors that favour the development of tourism
- Attractive natural features such as beaches, waterfalls, mountains, game reserves and pleasant climate.
- Historical and cultural attractions such as monuments, festivals, ancient sites and traditional arts.
- Good transport and communication - airports, good roads and railways that make the attractions easy to reach.
- Adequate accommodation and infrastructure such as hotels, water, electricity and health facilities.
- Peace, security and political stability that make visitors feel safe.
- Effective advertising and a welcoming, hospitable population.
(c) Four problems created by the tourism industry in developing countries
- Environmental damage - pollution, destruction of vegetation and disturbance of wildlife by large numbers of visitors.
- Undesirable social effects - spread of foreign values, prostitution, drug abuse and crime.
- Over-dependence and seasonal, insecure employment that fluctuates with the tourist season.
- Pressure on local resources and facilities - competition for water, land and services, and rising prices for local people.
- Much of the profit is repatriated by foreign-owned hotels and tour firms, so the host country gains little.
Détails de la réponse
(a) Meaning of tourism
Tourism is the business of travelling to and staying in places away from one's usual home for pleasure, leisure, relaxation, sightseeing or business, and the services provided to cater for such travellers.
(b) Five factors that favour the development of tourism
- Attractive natural features such as beaches, waterfalls, mountains, game reserves and pleasant climate.
- Historical and cultural attractions such as monuments, festivals, ancient sites and traditional arts.
- Good transport and communication - airports, good roads and railways that make the attractions easy to reach.
- Adequate accommodation and infrastructure such as hotels, water, electricity and health facilities.
- Peace, security and political stability that make visitors feel safe.
- Effective advertising and a welcoming, hospitable population.
(c) Four problems created by the tourism industry in developing countries
- Environmental damage - pollution, destruction of vegetation and disturbance of wildlife by large numbers of visitors.
- Undesirable social effects - spread of foreign values, prostitution, drug abuse and crime.
- Over-dependence and seasonal, insecure employment that fluctuates with the tourist season.
- Pressure on local resources and facilities - competition for water, land and services, and rising prices for local people.
- Much of the profit is repatriated by foreign-owned hotels and tour firms, so the host country gains little.
Question 4 Rapport
(a) Draw a sketch map of Nigeria. On the map, show, and name:
(i) Latitudes 4ºN and 14ºN
(ii) Longitudes 3 E and 15°E
(iii) Enugu.
(b) Describe Nigeria under the following headings
(i) size
(ii) location:
(iii) position.
(a) Sketch map of Nigeria
(b) Description of Nigeria
(i) Size
- Nigeria has a total land area of approximately 923,768 km2.
- It extends for about 1,100 km from north to south and about 1,300 km from east to west.
- It occupies about one-seventh of the land area of West Africa and is one of the largest countries in the sub-region.
(ii) Location
- Nigeria is situated in West Africa, on the African continent.
- It lies wholly north of the Equator, between latitudes 4°N and 14°N.
- It lies between longitudes 3°E and 15°E.
- Its latitudinal extent is about 10°, while its longitudinal extent is about 12°.
(iii) Position
- Nigeria is bounded to the north by the Republic of Niger.
- It is bounded to the north-east by Chad.
- It is bounded to the east by Cameroon.
- It is bounded to the west by the Republic of Benin.
- It is bounded to the south by the Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Guinea).
- It is almost centrally placed on the inward curve of the West African coast.
Détails de la réponse
(a) Sketch map of Nigeria
(b) Description of Nigeria
(i) Size
- Nigeria has a total land area of approximately 923,768 km2.
- It extends for about 1,100 km from north to south and about 1,300 km from east to west.
- It occupies about one-seventh of the land area of West Africa and is one of the largest countries in the sub-region.
(ii) Location
- Nigeria is situated in West Africa, on the African continent.
- It lies wholly north of the Equator, between latitudes 4°N and 14°N.
- It lies between longitudes 3°E and 15°E.
- Its latitudinal extent is about 10°, while its longitudinal extent is about 12°.
(iii) Position
- Nigeria is bounded to the north by the Republic of Niger.
- It is bounded to the north-east by Chad.
- It is bounded to the east by Cameroon.
- It is bounded to the west by the Republic of Benin.
- It is bounded to the south by the Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Guinea).
- It is almost centrally placed on the inward curve of the West African coast.
Question 5 Rapport
(a) (i) List four industrial towns in Nigeria,
(i) Indicate one type of industrial activity in each of the towns listed in (a)i).
(b) Outline three contributions of industries to the economic development of Nigeria
(c) ldentify three problems which are limiting industrial development in Nigeria.
(a)(i) Four industrial towns in Nigeria and (ii) a type of industrial activity in each
| Industrial town | Industrial activity |
|---|---|
| Lagos | Manufacturing of textiles, food and beverages, and vehicle assembly |
| Kano | Textiles, tanning of leather and groundnut oil milling |
| Port Harcourt | Petroleum refining and petro-chemicals |
| Kaduna | Textiles and petroleum refining |
(Others: Aba - footwear and plastics; Nnewi - vehicle spare parts; Enugu - coal and cement.)
(b) Three contributions of industries to economic development
- They create employment and raise the incomes and living standards of the people.
- They add value to local raw materials and reduce dependence on imported goods, saving foreign exchange.
- They diversify the economy and generate revenue for government through taxes.
- They stimulate the growth of towns and the development of infrastructure such as roads and power.
(c) Three problems limiting industrial development in Nigeria
- Inadequate and unreliable power supply, forcing firms to depend on costly generators.
- Shortage of capital and high interest rates, making it hard to finance industry.
- Shortage of skilled manpower and modern technology.
- Poor infrastructure, competition from cheaper imported goods, and an unstable business and policy environment.
Détails de la réponse
(a)(i) Four industrial towns in Nigeria and (ii) a type of industrial activity in each
| Industrial town | Industrial activity |
|---|---|
| Lagos | Manufacturing of textiles, food and beverages, and vehicle assembly |
| Kano | Textiles, tanning of leather and groundnut oil milling |
| Port Harcourt | Petroleum refining and petro-chemicals |
| Kaduna | Textiles and petroleum refining |
(Others: Aba - footwear and plastics; Nnewi - vehicle spare parts; Enugu - coal and cement.)
(b) Three contributions of industries to economic development
- They create employment and raise the incomes and living standards of the people.
- They add value to local raw materials and reduce dependence on imported goods, saving foreign exchange.
- They diversify the economy and generate revenue for government through taxes.
- They stimulate the growth of towns and the development of infrastructure such as roads and power.
(c) Three problems limiting industrial development in Nigeria
- Inadequate and unreliable power supply, forcing firms to depend on costly generators.
- Shortage of capital and high interest rates, making it hard to finance industry.
- Shortage of skilled manpower and modern technology.
- Poor infrastructure, competition from cheaper imported goods, and an unstable business and policy environment.
Question 6 Rapport
(a)i. Define settlement
ii. Name two types of urban settlement classified according to population size
(b) In what five ways are urban settlements dependent on rural settlements?
(c) Outline three functions of urban settlements.
(a)(i) Definition of settlement
A settlement is any place where people live, ranging from a single dwelling to a large city, together with the buildings and facilities they use.
(a)(ii) Two types of urban settlement classified by population size
- A town (smaller urban settlement).
- A city or metropolis / conurbation (larger urban settlement).
(b) Five ways urban settlements depend on rural settlements
- Food supply - towns depend on the villages for food crops, meat, fish and other farm produce.
- Raw materials - rural areas supply agricultural and mineral raw materials to urban factories.
- Labour - the rural areas provide the workers who migrate to the towns to fill jobs.
- Water and other natural resources - much of the water, timber and fuel used in towns comes from rural areas.
- Market for urban goods and services - the rural people buy the manufactured goods and use the services (education, health, administration) provided in the towns.
- Rural areas also provide land into which towns expand and sites for recreation.
(c) Three functions of urban settlements
- Administrative function (seats of government).
- Commercial function (trade, banking and markets).
- Industrial function (manufacturing).
- Others: educational, medical, transport and cultural functions.
Détails de la réponse
(a)(i) Definition of settlement
A settlement is any place where people live, ranging from a single dwelling to a large city, together with the buildings and facilities they use.
(a)(ii) Two types of urban settlement classified by population size
- A town (smaller urban settlement).
- A city or metropolis / conurbation (larger urban settlement).
(b) Five ways urban settlements depend on rural settlements
- Food supply - towns depend on the villages for food crops, meat, fish and other farm produce.
- Raw materials - rural areas supply agricultural and mineral raw materials to urban factories.
- Labour - the rural areas provide the workers who migrate to the towns to fill jobs.
- Water and other natural resources - much of the water, timber and fuel used in towns comes from rural areas.
- Market for urban goods and services - the rural people buy the manufactured goods and use the services (education, health, administration) provided in the towns.
- Rural areas also provide land into which towns expand and sites for recreation.
(c) Three functions of urban settlements
- Administrative function (seats of government).
- Commercial function (trade, banking and markets).
- Industrial function (manufacturing).
- Others: educational, medical, transport and cultural functions.
