Africa south of the Sahara is
a region of enormous
natural resource wealth, and
yet many of its people live in
poverty. A study of the
region today will explain the
immense challenges Africa
south of the Sahara faces in
gaining economic
independence and stability
while finding the best use of
its natural resources, which
are key to the region’s
development.
Section 1:
The Economy
The physical
environment affects
people and their
activities. Africa south of
the Sahara is making the
slow transition from an
economy based on
subsistence farming to one
that is part of the global
economy.
Section 2: People and
Their Environment
Human actions modify
the physical
environment. Throughout
the region, human
activities—such as war
and deforestation—have
had a tremendous impact
on the environment and
have contributed to famine
and the starvation of
millions of people.
The Economy
Africa south of the Sahara
is making the slow
transition from an economy
based on subsistence
farming to one that is part
of the global economy.
Economic Activities
Africa south of the Sahara is making the
transition from an economy based on
farming to one that is part of the global
economy.
• Farming is the main economic activity in Africa south
of the Sahara.
Economic Activities (cont.)
• Farming methods:
– Subsistence agriculture
– Shifting cultivation
– Pastoralism
– Sedentary farming
– Commercial farming
Agricultural Workforce
Economic Activities (cont.)
• Export crops:
– Cacao
– Tea
– Coffee
– Palm oil
– Peanuts
– Sisal
Economic Activities (cont.)
• Challenges:
– Overgrazing
– Overworked soils
– Lack of technology
Economic Activities (cont.)
• Logging and commercial fishing represent a small
portion of the region’s economic activity.
• Mining is important in the region, but many
countries do not benefit directly.
– Gold—Africa is the world’s largest producer.
– Gems and industrial diamonds
– Oil
Economic Activities (cont.)
• Industrialization progress is slow.
• Challenges:
– Lack of skilled workers
– Power shortages
– Political conflicts
– Lack of facilities and equipment
Africa South of the Sahara: Economic Activity
Transportation and Communications
Developments in transportation and
communications will have positive effects
on the region’s economy, but the physical
environment has made such development
difficult.
• Roads and railroads are a top priority despite
geographic challenges.
• Two important road systems: Trans-African Highway
and Trans-Sahara Highway
Transportation and Communications
(cont.)
• Communications:
– Radio
– Limited television, newspapers, magazines,
telephone, Internet, cell phone
– New satellite and wireless technology are
helping communications.
Trade and Interdependence
Countries in Africa south of the Sahara are
trying to develop their economies through
trading relationships.
• Africa south of the Sahara is the poorest region in the
world and owes billions of dollars in debt to foreign
countries.
Trade and Interdependence (cont.)
• Trade relations:
– Japan
– U.S.
– China
– Mostly Western European countries
– Regional—Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS)
People and Their Environment
Throughout the region,
human activities—such as
war and deforestation—
have had a tremendous
impact on the environment
and have contributed to
famine and the starvation
of millions of people.
Managing Resources
In Africa south of the Sahara, factors such
as poverty, population growth, war, and
drought have caused a severe strain on the
environment.
• Poverty and hunger are the biggest enemies in this
region.
Carrying Capacity in Africa
South of the Sahara
Managing Resources (cont.)
• A wide area of the Sahel has turned into desert,
adding to the problem of famine.
• War continues to be a major cause of hunger and
malnutrition in Africa south of the Sahara.
Hunger in Africa South of the Sahara
Human Impact
Human activities have destroyed rain
forests, threatened wildlife, and raised
questions about land use in Africa south of
the Sahara.
• About half of the original tropical forests are gone.
• Deforestation and hunting threatens the region’s
wildlife.
Human Impact (cont.)
• Due to hunting and poaching, the elephant
population has dwindled to 600,000 from the
millions.
Challenges for the Future
As Africa south of the Sahara faces the
future, human activities continue to have
both positive and negative impacts on the
environment.
• Positive steps toward the future:
– Democratic reforms
– Efforts to encourage private enterprise
Challenges for the Future (cont.)
– Game reserves
– Ecotourism
– Protection of tropical forests
Slowly Industrializing
Protecting Endangered Species
• Most African countries have
set up large parks and game
reserves to protect endangered
species.
• These parks and reserves also
serve as a source of income for
the countries as tourists come
from around the world to see
Africa’s wildlife.
• Private enterprise has also
helped save endangered
species. For example, crocodile
farmers earn money selling
crocodile leather. However, they also release
crocodiles into the wild, increasing the population.
subsistence farming
producing just enough food for a
family or a village to survive
shifting cultivation
clearing forests to plant fields for a
few years and then abandoning them
sedentary farming
farming carried on at permanent
settlements
commercial farming
agriculture or aquaculture organized
as a business
cash crop
farm products grown to be sold or
traded rather than used by the farm
family
conservation farming
a land-management technique that
helps protect farmland
infrastructure
the basic urban necessities like
streets and utilities
e-commerce
selling and buying on the Internet
carrying capacity
the population that an area will
support without undergoing
deterioration
habitat
area with conditions suitable for
certain plants or animals to live
poaching
illegal hunting of protected animals
ecotourism
the practice and business of
recreational travel based on concern
for the environment