Chapter 6, Problem 6.1R

To determine

The economic and environmental factors that contribute to reliance on biofuels in this region.

Answer to Problem 6.1R

Most of the human settlements in this area are widely scattered due to the absence of broad alluvial lowlands. The areas that are characterized with higher soil fertility have higher population density. Along coastal locations and the major rivers of the continents, the settlements are also more.

Explanation of Solution

The largest landmass that lies at the equator is known as Sub-Saharan Africa. The physical environment of this area is vast and remarkably beautiful, which is characterized by huge elevated plateaus that are formed by the geologic uplift that occurs on wide areas.

The eastern edge of the continent is characterized by highest elevations. There involves the occurrence of the Great Rift Valley that forms a complex upland area of lakes, volcanoes, and deep valleys, whereas the areas in West Africa are characterized by lowlands. Regardless of the vast biodiversity, enormous water resources and occurrence of valuable minerals, it has relatively poor soils, widespread diseases and vulnerability to drought.

Broad alluvial lowlands that influence the settlement patterns are not present in Sub-Saharan Africa like other regions in the world. As a result, the majority of the human settlements in the area are widely scattered. Depending on the fertility of soil, the population density varies. The regions that are characterized by highly fertile soil exhibit considerable high population densities like those areas that surround the Great Rift Valley. Other major areas of human settlements are located along the coasts and the major rivers of the continent.