Pen-Write E-Library

SCHEME OF WORK

WEEK TOPIC
THEME: THE EARTH AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM
1. Revision of first term work.
Mountains: (a) Types of Mountains – (i) Volcanic (ii) Fold (iii) Block (b) Characteristics of the Mountains (c) Mode of formation of the Mountain types. (d) Importance of mountains (i) Minerals (ii) Agriculture (iii) Communication (iv) Climatic effect, etc.

2. Plateaux: (a) Types of Plateau – (i) Tectonic (ii) Lava shields (iii) Dissected (b) Characteristics of the Plateaux (c) Mode of formation
of the Plateaux types. (d) Importance of Plateaux (i) Minerals (ii) Agriculture (iii) Communication(iv) Climatic effect, etc.

3. Lowlands: (a) Types of lowlands: (i) Valleys (ii) Coastal (iii) Plains, etc. (b) Characteristics of Valleys, Plains, Coastal areas
(c) Mode of formation of lowlands. (d) Importance of lowlands to man.

THEME: ENVIRONMENT AND ITS RESOURCES
4. The Environment: (a) Meaning of environment (b) Types of environment – (i) Physical (ii) Social (iii) Cultural (c) Domains of the environment – (i) Atmosphere, (ii) Lithosphere, (iii) Hydrosphere and (iv) Biosphere (d) Importance of the environment.

5. Weather: (a) Meaning of weather (b) Weather Elements (c) Weather Records – (i) Temperature (ii) Rainfall (iii) Humidity (iv) Wind direction and speed, etc. (d) Attributes – (i) Variability (ii) Aerial extent (iii) Duration, etc. (e) Importance of weather.

6. Climate:(a) Meaning of climate (b) Elements of climate (c) Attributes – (i) Variability (ii) Aerial extent (iii) Duration, etc.
(d) Factors affecting climate – (i) Altitude, (ii) Latitude, (iii) Slope and aspect (iv) Ocean currents, (v) Cloud cover, (vi) Wind, etc.(e) Climatic regions of the world (f) Importance of climate on physical and cultural activities.

THEME: REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF NIGERIA.
7. Nigeria – Location and position: (a)Location and position – Latitudes, Longitude, Boundaries and neighbours (b) Size and distances – (i) North to South (ii) East to West (c) Political divisions – (i) States and their Capitals (ii) Local Government Areas and their Headquarters.

8. Physical Setting of Nigeria: (a) Relief – (i) Highlands and lowlands (ii) Drainage (major rivers, river basins, etc.) (b) Climate and the season (c) Vegetation belts (savannah and rain forest belts).

9. Population of Nigeria:(a) Population size, distribution and structure. (b) Population quality (c) Population movement (d) Population data.

10. Resources of Nigeria: (a) Mineral Resources: Petroleum, Gas, Coal, Tin, Columbite, Iron ore, Lime stone, etc. (b) Power: Petroleum, Gas, Coal, Hydro Electric Power (HEP), Solar Energy, etc. (c) Water Resources: (rivers, lakes, dams, sea, underground water (d) Vegetative: (tree crops, food crops, cash crops, timber, etc.) (e) Vegetation: Forests, Savannah (grasslands), Biosphere. (f) Importance of the environment.

11. Revision.

12. Examination.

TOPIC: MOUNTAINS
CONTENT: 1. Types of Mountain- Mode of formation and characteristics.
2. Importance of mountains
The major land forms of the world include: (i) Mountains (ii) Plateaux (iii) Plains.
Sub-Topic 1:Types of Mountains- Mode of formation and characteristics
Definition of Mountains
Mountains can be defined as the great elevated land surfaces resulting from intense action of internal forces. There are four types of mountains namely:-
(i) Fold mountains (ii) Block mountains (iii) Volcanic mountains and
(iv) Residual mountains.

EVALUATION:
1. What is mountain?
2. State three types of mountain

Sub-Topic 2: FOLD MOUNTAINS
Mode of formation:
Fold Mountains are formed by large scale horizontal earth movement as a result of stress and compression forces which cause-expansion or contraction of some parts of the earth. The compression forces produce wrinkling or folding of the crust of the earth. The up folds of the wrinkles are anticlines while the down folds are called syncline.
Upfold and Downfold
A fold may be simple, but where the compressional forces are complex, it results in asymmetrical folding. When pushed further, it forms an over-fold; an overfold later forms a recumbent fold. Where there are cracks or faults in extreme folding. It forms over thrust fold.

Simple foldAsymmetrical folding



Overfold

Recumbent anticline

Over thrust fold
Characteristics
i. They contain old hard rocks with steep sides.
ii. They have wrinkling or folding appearance.
iii. They show distinct peaks of great heights.
iv. They exist in layered form.
v. They have anticlines and synclines.
vi. Folding shortens the earth’s crust
vii. They form the most wide spread type of mountains.
viii. They form the highest mountain ranges.
ix. Examples of Fold Mountains are Himalayas, Rockies, Andes, Alps and Atlas mountains.
EVALUATION:
1. Explain the mode of formation of Fold Mountains
2. Highlight five characteristics of Fold Mountains
3. Give four example of Fold Mountains
SUB-TOPIC 3: BLOCK MOUNTAINS
Mode of Formation
Block Mountains are caused by faulting accompanied by tension and compressional forces. Tensional forces are those that tend to pull the earth’s crust apart and they result in a normal fault while compressional forces are those that shorten the crust to produce a reverse or thrust fault.
(a)

TENSION


(b)

Formation of Fold Mountain
When the enclosed block in between two faults subsides or the land on the either sides of the parallel faults rises, the rift valley or graben is formed.
(a)
.
Compression

Formation of Rift Valley
Characteristics:
i. They are made up of old hard rocks with flat or slight sloping surfaces
ii. They steep sides
iii. They are associated with rift valleys
iv. It is a block between two faults
v. It has fairly steep straight edges
vi. They are usually very high
vii. Example includes Huns-ruck mountain, Vosges mountain and the block forest of the Rhine land.
CHARACTERISTICS OF RIFT VALLEY
i. There is a trough between two parallel faults.
ii. It has steep-sided walls.
iii. It also has flat bud at times irregular floor.
iv. Rift valleys are usually very deep.
v. Examples are Rhine valley, Dead sea Jordan valley, Great East Africa Rift valley.
EVALUATION:
1. With aid or diagram, describe mode of formation of Block Mountains
2. Mention five characteristics of fold mountains
3. Use appropriate diagram to illustrate mode of formation of Rift Valley.
4. State four characteristics of rift valley
SUB-TOPIC 4: VOLCANIC MOUTAIN
Mode of Formation:
Volcanic mountains are formed from volcanoes which are built up from molten magma ejected through fissures or vents in the earth’s crusts. That is, they are formed when molten materials are ejected through vent or fissure in the earth’s crust. The molten materials include molten lava, volcanic bombs, cinders, ash, dust and liquid mud. They fall around the vent in successive cone. Another name for volcanic mountain is mountains of accumulation.

Volcanic Mountain
Characteristics
i. They are made up of molten materials.

ii. They have irregular side with conical shape
iii. They are made up of ash, volcanicbombs’ cinders
iv. They are formed in layers.
v. Examples includes Mountainfuji (japan), Mt mayon (philipines),Mts Kilimanjaro, Kenya, elgon, Ruwenzori and cameroun (all in africa)
EVALUATION:
1. Explain the mode of formation of volcanic mountain
2. Outline five characteristics of volcanic mountains
3. Give three examples of volcanic mountains
Sub-Topic 5: RESIDUAL MOUNTAINS
Mode of formation
Residual Mountains are evolved by denudations. They are formed from already existing mountain which are lowered or reduced by agents of denudation such as running water, ice and wind. The resistant areas may remain and this forms Residual Mountain. Residual Mountains are referred to as Mountain of denudation

Residual Mountain
Characteristics
i. They are formed from the remains of already existing mountains.
ii. They have irregular surfaces with steep sides
iii. They are formedwith different heights and side.
iv. They are caused by agents of denudation.
v. Examples are Mt Monadnock SA), Highlandsof Scotland, Highland of Scandinavia, Deccan plateau, Idanre Hills and Ado Rock in Western Nigeria.

VALUATION:
1. Draw a diagram of residual mountain and explain how it forms
2. Mention four characteristics of residual mountains
3. List four examples of residual mountains.
Sub-Topic 6: Importance of mountains
1. They serve as source of rivers e.g. river Niger from the guinea highlands.
2. They modify the climate of the surrounding area for human settlement e.g. Jos plateau, Mt Kenya, Elgon Kilimanjaro
3. They serve as tourist attraction e.g.Olumo rock, Idanre hills.
4. Sources of mineral e.g. Tin and Columbite from Jos plateau, coal from Udi hills, gold from the rocks.
5. Mountains encourage relief rain formation.
6. They may serve as natural boundaries e .g CamerounMountain which separates Nigeria and Cameroun.
7. They may serve as defense against external invaders.
8. For trance humans e.g. Switzerland, and Australia
Disadvantages of Mountains
1. They serve as barrier to communication as they prevent roads, railway and airport construction.
2. They prevent human habitation.
3. They promote soil erosion.
4. Mountainous soil is poor in nutrients.
5. Mountains occupy good land that could have been used for farming.
EVALUATION:
1. Enumerate five importance of mountains to man
2. Mention three disadvantages of mountains
GENERAL EVALUATION:
1. Name three types of mountains and give a good example of each. (b) Describe the process of formation of any one of the different types of mountains. (c) In what four ways are mountains of great importance to man? (SSCE NOV, 1990).
2. With the aid of diagrams and examples, write explanatory notes on any two of the following (a) Rift valley (b) Horst (c) Volcanic mountain (WASSCE June, 2003)
3. With the aid of diagrams, describe one mode of formation of a block mountain. (b) In what four ways are mountains of economic importance? (WASSCE June, 2013).

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT:
Objective Test:
1. Residual mountains are those caused by……………. (a) denudation (b) residue (c) faulting (d) vulcanicity (e) folding
2. Which of the following combinations of processes is associated with formation of a rift valley? (I) Tension or compression forces (II) Resistance and faulting (III) Emergency of the middle crust of rocks (IV)Submergence of the middle crust of rocks. (a) I,II and III only (b) I,II and IV only (c) I, III and IV only (d) II, III and IV only (e) I and III only
3. Which of the following best explains why the older fold mountains are lower and less rugged than the newer ones? (a) The newer fold mountains are situated in areas of active earth movement (b) The effects of earth movements resulting in mountain building are much greater nowadays than they were during the period of folding (c) The newer fold mountains, in contrast to the older ones are made up of more resistant rocks. (d) The older fold mountains have been subjected to the forces of denudation for longer geological period (e) Most of the newer fold mountains are situated in the in the interior parts of continents where they are free from constant sea erosion.
4. Which of the following does not result from the action of internal forces on the rocks on the rocks of the earth’s crust? (a) Folding (b) weathering (c) Bending (d) Faulting (e) Displacement
5. The mountain formed by the building up of a very thick basic lava is known as…………. (a) a volcanic plug (b) a lava dome (c) a volcanic cone (d) a caldera (e) a basalt plateau

READING ASSIGNMENT:
Senior Secondary Geography 1 by M. A. Abegunde et al. Pages 28-31
PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT:
Read types of plateau
REFERENCE TEXTS:
1. Senior Secondary Geography1 by M.A. Abegunde et al
2. Certificate Physical and Human Geography for SSS by A. Areola et al.
3. Essential Geography for SSS by O.A. Iwena

TOPIC: PLATEAU
CONTENT: 1. Types of Plateau- Mode of formation and characteristics
2. Importance of plateau

SUB-TOPIC 1: Types of Plateau- Mode of formation and characteristics.
Definition of Plateau
Plateaux are elevated upland with extensive flat or level surface which usually descends sharply to the surrounding lowlands. They are sometimes referred to as table land. They are tabular in shape, steep-sided with rough and irregular surfaces.
Types of Plateau
There are three types of plateau based on their mode of formation. These are: 1. Tectonic plateau
1. Volcanic or lava plateau:
2. Dissected plateau.
EVALUATION:
1. Define Plateau
2. State three types of plateau

SUB-TOPIC 2: TECTONIC PLATEAU
Mode of formation:
Tectonic Plateauis found as a result of earth movement which causes the uplift of some areas and the depression of others. The Uplifted areas of land form tectonic plateau while the depressed are form basins undulated land form. They are normally of a considerable size, and fairly uniform altitude. Tectonic plateau is of two types namely; tale land and Intermont.
A table land is formed when the uplifted area of the level land slope down to surrounding lower land. When a plateau is enclosed by fold mountains, they are known as intermont plateau e g Tibetan plateau between Himalayas and Kunlun and Bolivian plateau between two ridges of the Andes.
Other examples of tectonic plateau are Deccan plateau (India,). Mesetal (central india) and Harz of Germany.
Characteristics:
1. They form table lands
2. They are normally of a considerable size and fairly uniform altitude
3. They form basins undulated landform
4. Examples are Deccan plateau (India,). Mesetal (central india) and Harz of Germany.
EVALUATION:
1. Explain the mode of formation of tectonic plateau
2. State four characteristics of tectonic plateau.

SUB-TOPIC 3: VOLCANIC PLATEAU
Mode of formation:
These are formed when molten lava ejected out of the earth’s crust through a vent and spreads out in successive layers. The lava cools and solidifies to form volcanic or lava plateau. Examples include Antrim plateau of northernIreland, Columbia snake plateau, northern western part of Deccan plateau and India plateau.
Characteristics:
1. They made up of molten materials
2. They form in successful layers
3. They contain materials like ash, volcanic bombs cinders,etc.
4. Examples are Antrim plateau of northern Ireland, Columbia snake plateau, etc.
EVALUATION:
1. Describe the formation of volcanic plateau
2. Identify four characteristics of volcanic plateau
SUB-TOPIC 4: DISSECTED PLATEAU
Mode of formation:
These are formed when an upland is being worn down by agents of denudation (Such as water, wind, ice, etc.) into remnant structure of irregular surfaces.e g Scottish Highlands. Also, dissected plateaux may form when plateaux or highlands are subjected to downward cutting by various streams originating from them, and which have produced dissected surfaces. Examples of such include Jos plateau (Nigeria),edges of Fouta Djallon Plateau (guinea) and Kumasi plateau (Ghana).
Characteristics:
1. They remnants of the original plateau
2. They are formed by agents of denudation such as water, wind, etc
3. They form irregular surfaces
4. Examples are: Jos plateau (Nigeria),edges of Fouta Djallon plateau (guinea) and Kumasi plateau (Ghana).
EVALUATION:
1. Discuss the mode of formation of dissected plateau.
2. Mention four characteristics of dissected plateau.
SUB-TOPIC 5: Importance of Plateau
1. Some plateaux are sources of mineral resources. E.g. Tin and Columbite in Jos Plateau, Nigeria; Kosciusko plateau in Australia.
2. They centres of tourist attraction. E.g. Jos Plateau.
3. Most plateau are good for agricultural purpose due to their cold climate and soil fertility
4. They support human settlement due to their flat surfaces
5. Plateau also support the growth of pasture grasses and legumes which support the rearing of animals like cattle, sheep and goat.
6. Some plateaux are sources of many rivers.
EVALUATION:
1. Enumerate five importance of plateau to man.
GENERAL EVALUATION:
1. Write short notes on (a) tectonic plateau (b) volcanic plateau
2. Outline four characteristics of any of the above types of plateau.
3. Give four examples of dissected plateau
4. Differentiate between volcanic and dissected plateau.
5. Explain how plateau is of importance to man.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT:
Objective Test:
1. The following are types of plateau EXCEPT (a) mountain plateau (b) tectonic plateau (c) dissected plateau (d) volcanic plateau (e) intermont plateau
2. When a plateau is enclosed by fold mountains, it is called………… (a) fold mountain (b) intermont plateau (c) table land (d) tectonic plateau (e) volcanic plateau
3. One of the examples of volcanic plateau is…………… (a) Kilimanjaro (b) Mt Ruwenzori (c) Pediplain (d) Columbia Snake Plateau (e)Jos plateau
Essay Questions
1. Explain two types of plateau. Give characteristics of each of them.
READING ASSIGNMENT:
Basic Geography Course for senior secondary schools 1 by N.P. Iloeje et al. Pages 55 and 58.
PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT:
Read the meaning and types of plain
REFERENCE TEXTS:
1. Basic Geography Course for senior secondary schools 1 by N.P. Iloeje et al.
2. Senior Secondary Geography 1 by M.A. Abegunde et al.
3. Comprehensive Geography for senior secondary schools by P.O. Ajayi

TOPIC: Lowlands
CONTENT: 1. Types of Lowlands- Mode of formation and characteristics.
2. Importance of lowlands to man.

Sub-Topic 1: Types of Lowlands- Mode of formation and characteristics.

Meaning of lowland
Lowland are the areas that are below 300m above the sea level. There are three types of lowland, they are:
i. Valleys
ii. Coastal
iii. Plains
Valleys: A valley is a low land between two highlands. A valley that contains water is called a water valley while a valley without water is called a dry valley.
Mode of formation:
Valley may form when the enclosed block in between two faults subsides or the land on the either sides of the parallel faults rises. This type of valley is called rift valley or graben is formed.


CHARACTERISTICS OF VALLEY
i. There is a trough between two parallel faults.
ii. It has steep-sided walls.
iii. It also has flat bud at times irregular floor.
iv. Rift valleys are usually very deep.
v. Examples are Rhine valley, Dead Sea, Jordan valley, great east Africa rift valley.
Coastal land: coastal lands or areas are areas that are close to the ocean or sea. It is a zone of land nearest to the sea.
There are two types of coast. They are:
1. Coastline of submergence: This is formed as a result of sinking of the land or the rising of the sea. Examples are: Fiord coast, Ria coast, estuarine coasts and Dalmatian or longitudinal coast.
2. Coastline of emergence: This is formed as a result of uplift land or fall of the sea level. Examples are: uplift lowland coast and emergent upland coast.
Various coastal features of erosion include: Capes and bay, Cliff, Cave, Spits and bars, Beaches, etc.
Characteristics of Coastal Areas
1. It is the zone of land adjacent or nearest tothe sea.
2. It is characterized by deposition of sand and gravel loosened from the land.
3. The coast land is warm in the night but cold during the day.
They contain erosional features such as Capes and bay, Cliff, Cave, Spits and bars, Beaches, etc.
4. Examples include Fiord coast, Ria coast estuarine coast, etc.
EVALUATION:
1. Define lowland
2. State three types of lowland
3. Describe mode of formation and characteristics of a valley and coastal area
SUB-TOPIC 2: PLAINS
Definition of Plains
A plain is an extensive lowland area either level or gentle undulating land, usually a few metre above the sea level.
TYPES OF PLAINS
There are three major types of plains according to their mode of formation, these are:
i. Structural plains
ii. Erosional plains
iii. Depositional plains
STRUCTURAL PLAINS
These are plains that have not been disturbed by earth movement. They are structurally depressed area of the world formed by horizontally bedded rocks. Examples include the Russian platform and the great plains of the USA and central low land of Austria.
EROSIONAL PLAINS
These are plains that have been levelled by various agents of denudation such as running water, rivers wind and glacier which wear out the rugged surface and smoothens them. Plains formed from the action of these agents of denudation are called peneplainswhile those formed when wind blows and reduces a highland to a flat but a gentle land is called pediplain. Example of peneplains is the great lakes plain of the Hudsonbay area, north America and that of the pediplain include Reg and Hamad of Sahara desert.
DEPOSITIONAL PLAIN
These are plains formed by the deposition of materials that been carried over a long distance by various agents of transportation such as wind, water, wave and glacier. The features produce in the formation of depositional plain include:
i. Alluvial plains: These are formed from the deposition of sediments eroded from the upper course of a river to the lower course of that river. Examples are the flood plains of rivers Niger, Nile and Mississippi and their deltas
ii. Flood plains: They are lowland adjacent to a river, built up by depositions of alluvium. E.g the flood plain of the Indus, Ganges, the Tigris and the Nile.
iii. Deltaic plains: These are plains formed from sediments brought down by a river on the mouth of that river.E.g deltaic plains of Rivers Niger, Nile and Mississippi.
iv. Outwash plains: They are formed from the materials brought by down by glacier.
v. Loess plains: They are formed by the deposition of fine particles by wind in the desert or semi-desert region.
vi. Coastal plains: They are formed from the deposition of materials brought by the ocean onto the continental shelf. They can also be formed by the uplift of part of the sea-floor bordering a continent.E.g the coast plain around Lagos in Nigeria.
vii. Lava plains: They are formed through the filling up of valleys by flowing lava, e.g, the basaltic lava in New Mexico.
EVALUATION:
1. What is plain?
2. Explain three types of plain with examples
3. Describe four depositional plains
SUB-TOPIC 3: Importance of Lowland to Man
Lowland areas are of great importance to man. They are important in the following ways.
1. Lowlands provide good fertile soil for cultivation of crops.
2. They provide good pasture for rearing animals.
3. They favour good settlements and population concentration.
4. They are sources of mineral such as petroleum in Nigeria.
5. They provide excellent topography for transport development.
6. Plains provide good communication rout ways such as road, railways, airport etc.
Disadvantages of Lowland
1. Lowlands are not good area for protection during war as they are easy for invading enemy to overrun.
2. Lowlands are extensively liable to flooding where they are located close to the sea or to a river.
3. Lowlands may subject to hash climate depending on it’slocation , example is the Sahara desert.
4. Some may pose serious barrier to communication, especially in areas flooded by water.
EVALUATION:
1. Explain the Importance of lowland to man
2. State four disadvantages of lowlands
GENERAL EVALUATION:
1. Define lowland. Mention three types of lowlands
2. Explain the formation of a rift valley with the aid of diagram
3. Discuss the two types of coast
4. Explain the mode of formation of (i) structural plain (ii) erosional plain
5. Write short notes on these: (i) flood plain (ii) Alluvial plain (iii) Loess plain
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT:
Objective test (choose the correct answer from letter a-d)
1. A lowland between two mountain is called __________(a)plain (b)valley (c)coast (d)river
2. Coastal land is usually found ________ (a)between land and sea (b)on mountain top (c)in the ocean (d)in the desert
3. Which of the following is a coastal land (a)lagoon (b)mountain(c)coastline of emergence (d) coastline of transportation
4. The following are types of plain EXCEPT (a)conventional plain (b)structural plain (c)Erosional plain (d)depositional plain
5. A plain formed when wind blows and reduces a high land to a flat or level but gentle plain is called _________ (a)pediplain (b)alluvial plain (c)peneplains (d)flood plain.
Essay Questions:
1. State three types of lowland
2. Describe three types of plain
READING ASSIGNMENT:
Certificate Physical and Human Geography for SSS by A. Areola et al. Pages 28-30
PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT:
Read the meaning and types of environment
REFERENCE TEXTS:
1. Essential geography for sss by o.aIwena
2. A comprehensive text on physical, human and regional geography for sss colleges by M.O Adegoke.
3. Comprehensive geography for sss D.O Ajayi

TOPIC: ENVIRONMENT
CONTENT: 1. Meaning and Types Of Environment
2.Domains or Spheres Of Environment
3.Importance of The Environment

Sub-Topic 1: MEANING AND TYPES OF ENVIRONMENT
Meaning of Environment
Environment can be defined as the total surrounding of any organism in a given area. This includes the physical factors, the climatic factors and other living organisms in that surrounding.
Types of Environment
There are three types of Environment, which include
1. The Physical environment
2. The social environment
3. Cultural environment


PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: This can be defined as all the natural physical constituents that can be felt, seen and handled. This includes, the relief, water bodies, climate and vegetation.
SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT: Social environment can be defined as man’s interaction with his physical and cultural environment; that is man’s interaction with both natural and man made environment as well as his interaction with his fellow man.
CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT: Cultural environment can be defined as the man made environment; in other words it is the environment made by man for his comfort. The cultural environment of man varies from place to place, depending on the environment condition of that particular place.

SUB-TOPIC 2: Domains or Spheres of Environment

The domains or sphere of the environment can be divided into four; they include: The Atmosphere, The Hydrosphere, The Biosphere and The Lithosphere.
ATMOSPHERE:
This is the gaseous portion of the environment where gases like oxygen, nitrogen, carbon-dioxide, argon, are very essential in the troposphere which is about 10km in the average. The most variable components of the troposphere apart from gases, is water vapour which is closer to the ground. The quantity of dust particles in the troposphere varies more than that of water vapour. The troposphere is of great importance; biotic activities are most paramount. Another layer of importance in the atmosphere is the stratosphere, just immediately after the atmosphere. The stratosphere is important because it is the layer of the atmosphere with a high concentration of ozone gas which is commonly known as the Ozone Layer. The Ozone gas or Ozone Layer, absorbs the ultraviolent radiation, this ultraviolent radiation if allow to reach the earth surface will pose a lot of danger to both man and every other living organism in the environment.
THE HYDROSPHER:
This is the liquid part of the environment like oceans, seas, rivers lakes etc. Water is the crucial element in the environment, so that life cannot exist without water.
BIOSPHERE:
The Biosphere is the biological active part of the earth where living organisms including man exist. The biosphere can be divided into two bio-cycles which are: (i) Aquatic bio-cycle (ii) Terrestrial bio-cycle.
The aquatic bio-cycle consists of fresh water and salt water; while the terrestrial bio-cycle harbours zones with certain life forms which can adapt to the environment. The terrestrial bio-cycle can be further divided into three bio-chores which includes:
i. The forest Bio-chores (Rainforest and Deciduous forest)
ii. The grass land Bio-chores (Sudan, Guinea and Sahel savannah)
iii. The desert bio-chores.
LITHOSPHERE:
This is the solid portion of the environment which contains rocks, sand, soil and minerals.

EVALUATION:
i. Mention the four domains of the environment
ii. Describe the stratosphere and why it is very essential part of the atmosphere.
iii. Why is the hydrosphere seen as the most crucial sphere.
iv. List the two bio-cycles and the three bio-chores you have learned

SUB – TOPIC 3: IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT
1. The environment is actually the habitat of life, where man interacts with other living and nonliving thing.
2. The physical environment provides all the essential element for life e.g. the air, water, vegetation, soil etc.
3. The social Environment provides man the privilege of producing everything he needs for his comfort.
4. The environment also enhances the culture of the people
5. The source of existence of every living organisms including man is from the environment
6. The environment also serves as a source of energy to lives. For instance the sun, which is the ultimate source of energy, is found in the environment.

EVALUATION
1. Discuss the various importance of the environment to lives.
2. Identify the characteristics feature that makes the environment important to lives.

GENERAL EVALUATION:
1. Mention the 4 spheres of the environment
2. Distinguish between the aquatic and terrestrial bio-chores.
3. Identify the layer of the atmosphere with the concentration of the ozone gas.
4. Mention the importance of the environment to lives

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT:
Objective Test:
1. Which part of the atmosphere is very essential to lives? (a) Thermosphere (b) Stratosphere (c) Troposphere (d) Mesosphere.
2. The quantity of ............ in the troposphere varies more than that of water vapour (a) Oxygen (b) Dust particles (c) Nitrogen (d) Ozone gas.
3. One among these is not a Bio-chores (a) Terrestrial bio-chores (b) Forest bio-chores (c) Desert bio-chores (d) Grass land bio-chores.
4. The biosphere is basically divided into (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 6
5. ............. is the most crucial element in the environment (a) Rocks (b) Air (c) Water (d) Man.
EssayQuestions:
1. Describe three types of bio-chore

READING ASSIGNMENT:
Essential Geography for SSS by O.A. Iwena. Pages 24-26

PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT:
Read about meaning and various elements of weather

PREFERENCE TEXTS
1. COMPREHENSIVE GEOGRAPHY FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL: BY PETER OLUWAFEMI, S. AJAYI
2. ESSENTIAL GEOGRAPHY FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL BY O.A IWENA

TOPIC: WEATHER
CONTENT:
(i) Meaning and Elements of Weather
(ii) Importance of weather

Sub-Topic 1: MEANING AND ELEMENTS OF WEATHER
Meaning of Weather
Weather is the atmospheric condition of a place for a short period of time. You often hear people say; it looks like it is going to be a sunny day. The atmosphere is dark, so there may be rainfall.
There is a strong wind blowing. All these are describing the immediate weather conditions at those periods of time.

Elements of Weather
1. TEMPERATURE: This describes the degree of hotness and coldness of a place as measured by the thermometer. Temperature may be expressed either numerically or graphically. The temperature is reading the maximum and minimum thermometer and recorded.


Maximum and minimum thermometer
RAINFALL: Rainfall is the liquid droplets that fall from the atmosphere to the earth’s surface. The instrument for measuring rainfall is the rain-gauge. It consists of copper cylinder with a metal funnel either 13cm or 20cm in diameter which reads into a smaller copper container or glass bottle.
The measurement of rainfall is done by removing the funnel empting the rain in the container into a graduated cylinder.



Rainguage

TYPES OF RAINFALL
There are 3 types of rainfall namely:
(a) Orographic or Relief rain
(b) Conventional rain
(c) Cyclonic or frontal rain.
1. OROGRAPHIC OR RELIEF RAIN
Whenever On-shore winds are approaching the coast and they meet a chain of highlands like mountains, plateau escarpment or high hills, they are forced to rising above the obstacle (barrier). On rising, they loose their pressure (strength), expand and are cooled. The fall in temperature raises the relative humidity to 100%. Condensation takes place, clouds are formed and rain fall on the side where the wind is blowing. It is however not usually a heavy rain.

Orographic or relief rainfall

2. CONVENTIONAL RAIN
As earth’s surface is heated by insulation (sunshine), the air above it is also heated. The heated air then expands and becomes less dense. The warm moist air is forced to rise, cool and become saturated so that condensation takes place. Clouds are formed and rain falls in torrential showers. It is usually accompanied by thunder and lightning.


Conventional rainfall

3. FRONTAL OR CYCLONIC RAIN
This type of rain is formed when two air masses with different temperatures meet. The warmer air tend to rise over the cold air because the warmer air is lighter. The rising warm air expands cools and finally drops its moisture as rain. This is not usually a heavy rain.

Cyclonic or frontal rainfal

HUMIDITY
This tells us how damp the atmosphere is. It varies place to place at different times of the day. The actual amount of water vapour present in the air is called absolute humidity while relative humidity is the ratio between the actual amount of water vapour and the actual amount the air can hold at a given temperature expressed as a percentage. The air is saturated when its relative humidity is 100%.
The instrument used for measuring relative humidity is the hygrometer. It consists of wet and dry bulb thermometers placed side by side in the Stevenson screen.

WINDS
This refers to the movement of air over the earth’s surface. Winds vary from light breeze to a devastating hurricane. The instrument used for measuring wind direction is called wind-vane. Wind-vane consists of arrow which usually points towards the direction from which the wind is blowing.




Wind vane

WIND SPEED
The speed of wind is measured by an anemometer. The commonest is the cup-anemometer. It consists of 3 or 4 semi-circular cups. As the wind blows on the cups it records the intensity through the horizontal bars in kilometre per hour.


Anemometer or cup counter

EVALUATION:
1. What is weather
2. Name 4 elements of weather
3. Name the instruments used for measuring each of them
4. Name and explain 3 types of rain.

Sub-Topic 3:IMPORTACE OF WEATHER
The importance of weather to us is numerous:
1. Weather conditions regulate the forces of nature to a great extent. The type of food we eat, what we wear are determined by what the weather condition is, at that particular period of time.
2. Also, our mental alertness, physical characteristics and even racial differences have some relationship with the weather and by extension climate of the area we live.
3. The safety of air communication and water and even land transport has a lot to do with weather conditions.
4. Many of the other elements of weather are controlled by sunshine. It is true that without sunshine, there would be no life on earth.
5. Most if not all the modern communication gadgets are controlled by sunshine on satellite and the gadgets themselves etc. This can be seen in how humidity and rain affect T.V. shows etc.
6. The condition of temperature precipitation and humidity may promote or discourage the growth of fungi and diseases which may be injurious to both men and crops.
EVALUATION:
1. Give six reasons to show that weather is important.
GENERAL EVALUATION
1. What is rainfall?
2. Explain how orographic rain is formed
3. Explain how cup-anemometer is used
4. Describe Hygrometer
5. Give 3 reasons to show that weather is important

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT:
Objective Test:
Tick the correct Answer from options a-e
1. One of the following is not an element of weather. (a) Temperature (b) Isolyet (c) Humidity (d) Rainfall (e) wind.
2. The instrument used for measuring temperature is known as(a) Thermometer (b) Hygrometer (c) Anemometer (d) Wind vain (e) Rain guage
3. The rain that falls heavily with thunder and lightning is known as (a) Orographic rain (b) Cyclonic rain (c) Morning rain (d) Evening rain(e) Convectional rain.
4. The instrument used for measuring wind speed is known as (a) Wind vane (b) Cup-anemometer (c) Rain-gauge (d) Thermometer (e) Hygrometer
5. One of the following is an importance of weather (a) tarring roads for vehicles use (b) Mixing concrete for building (c) Promote or discourage growth of fungi or disease (d) Purchase of textbooks for students (e) Playing drums for national Anthem.
Essay Questions:
1. Describe the instrument for measuring rainfall.
2. Explain how rainfall is recorded

READING ASSIGNMENT
Read certificate physical and human geography for senior secondary school, pages 130-142.
PRE READING ASSIGNMENT
Read about Climate (meaning, elements and importance).
.
REFERENCE TEXT:
1. Certificate physical and human geography (New Impression) by O. Areola etal
2. (Exam focus) Geography for WASSCE / SSCE by O. Areola et al.

TOPIC:CLIMATE
CONTENT:
• Meaning and Elements of Climate
• Climatic regions of the World
• Importance of Climate.

SUB TOPIC 1: MEANING AND ELEMENTS OF CLIMATE
Meaning of Climate
Climate is the average weather condition of a place taken for a long period of time. The
record of weather must have been taken for at least 35 years before the climate of the place can be established (known)
Elements of Climate
The elements of weather and climate are the same. This is because it is as the elements of weather of a place are measured for a long period of time that we know the climate. These elements include:
i. Atmosphere
ii. Temperature
iii. Humidity
iv. Precipitation (Rainfall, snowfall, hail, fog, mist, sleet, etc.).
v. Winds
vi. Sunshine

ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
This is the weight of the volume of air which extends layers of the atmosphere. The instrument used for measuring pressure is called barometer. There are two types of barometer namely. Mercury and Aneroid barometer. On maps, places of equal pressure are joined by lines called Isobars.


Mercury Barometer

TEMPERATURE
The temperature of a place refers to how cold or how hot the place is. In other words, it is the degree of hotness or coldness of a place. The instrument used for measuring temperature is called Thermometer. The thermometer is usually kept in a wooden box with louvers called Stevenson Screen in order to protect it from the direct rays of the sun and to allow free flow of circulation of air. Stevenson Screen usually carries maximum and minimum thermometers and dry and wet bulb thermometer. A line joining places of equal temperature on a map is called Isotherm.



Maximum and minimum thermometer in Stevenson Screen
HUMIDITY
The amount of water vapour in the air is called humidity. Water vapour is the evaporation from water bodies and transpiration from plants on earth.
There is maximum amount of water vapour which the air can hold at a time. When that amount is reached, the air is said to be saturated. The ratio of water vapour present in the air at a given temperature to the amount needed to saturate it is known as relative humidity. The air is saturated when the relative humidity is %. The instrument used for measuring humidity is called Hygrometer.

Hygrometer (Wet and dry bulbs)
PRECIPITATION
Precipitation refers to mist, fog, dew, frost, sleet, hail, snow and rain.
Rain is a form of precipitation that is liquid and comes from large droplets of water fallen from the clouds. Rainfall is usually measured by an instrument called Rain-guage. Lines joining places of equal average rainfall are namely: Conventional, Orographic (relief) and Cyclonic rainfall.

WINDS
This is the natural horizontal movement of air over the earth surface. The instrument used for measuring wind direction is called windvane. However, speed is measured by an anemometer.

SUNSHINE OR INSOLATION
This is the radiant energy received from the sun which reaches the atmosphere and the earth surface. The sun travels 150 million kilometre to reach us on earth as solar energy.

EVALUATION
1. What is climate?
2. Name 6 elements of climate
3. What is the instrument used for measuring each of the elements.

SUB TOPIC2:CLIMATE REGIONS OF THE WORLD
Koppen, a seasoned geographer who lived many years ago classified climate into 5 main regions namely:
1. Rainy climates with no cold season
2. Dry climates
3. Rainy climates with mild winters (meso thermal)
4. Rainy climates with severe winters (micro thermal)
5. Polar climates with no warm season.

IMPORTANCE OF CLIMATE ON PHYSICAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
The climate condition of a place affects the physical cultural activities of that place.
1. Hot Climate zones result in heavy rains in some places and consequently erosion and landside. Where there are deserts, the heat is unbearable. These affect human output because people tend to get easily tired. Knowledge of climate helps in determining types of crops produced in an area.
2. The heavy rains in sloppy zones cause leaching thereby resulting poor food production in some areas. Climate determines communication industrial progress.
3. Where winds like typhoons and the like are prevailingvegetations are often uprooted and human lives and properties may be lost. However where warm air blow moderately on-shore rains may be moderate and food production could be high resulting in high population of human.

FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE
I. Latitude: - Due to the inclination of the earth the intensity of sunshine varies from one latitude to another. The tropical latitudes are hotter than the temperature latitudes. This influences climate variables which determine the different climate zones of the world.
II. Altitude: - Places nearer the earth surface are warmer than those higher up. The rate of decrease in temperature with height is called environment lapserate. Higher lands experience more rainfall as highlands induce Orographic rainfall.
III. Distance from the sea: - Places closer to the sea may experience more rainfall depending however on the direction of the prevailing winds.
IV. Ocean Current: - Coastlands that are washed by warm currents tend to have an increased temperature while those washed by cold currents tend to have reduction of temperature.
V. Cloud Cover: - Areas of more cloud cover tend to experience high humidity and consequently more rainfall more than those with less cloud cover.
VI. Wind: - winds blowing on-shore over warm currents bring a lot of rain, particularly if a mountainous relief obstructs the passage of the wins in-land e.g Western Britain and Norway.

EVALUATION
1. Name the climatic regions of the world
2. Explain four factors that affect climate
3. What are the importance of climate on physical and human activities

GENERAL EVALUATION
1. Define climate.
2. What is the relationship between weather and climate?
3. Define the word temperature.
4. How does altitude affect climate?
5. Give 2 importance of climate to man.

WEEK END ASSIGNMENT
Objective Test:(Tick the correct option)
1. To establish the climate of a place, we must find the average of recorded weather condition of the place over a period of at least...... (a) 10 years (b) 12 years (c) 35 years (d) 70 years (e) 90 years.
2. Which of the following is not element of climate? (a) Thunder (b) Precipitation (c) Temperature (d) Humidity (e) Winds.
3. The instruments use for measuring humidity is called. (a) Rain-guage (b) Thermometer (C) Wind vane (d) Barometer (e) Isobar.
4. One of the following is not a factor affecting climate (a) latitude (b) altitude (c) distance from the sea (d) ocean current (e) school lessons.
5. Which of the following statements is not true (a) lines joining places of equal temperature is called isotherm (b) the air is saturated when the relative humidity is 100% (c) climate is important because it helps determine the type of crops produced in a place (d) there is no relationship between weather and climate (e) the classification of climates into 5 regions was done by koppen.
Essay Questions:
1. Explain one of the Koppen’s classifications of climate

READING ASSIGNMENT
Read exam focus Geography for WASSCE and SSCE by O. Areola et al, Pages 78 – 83
PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT
Read about Nigeria – location and position

REFERENCE TEXT
1. Certificate physical and human Geography (New Impression) by O. Areola et al
2. (Exam focus) Geography for WASSCE and SSCE by O. Areola et al
3. Senior Secondary Geography 1 by M. A. Abagunde et al.

TOPIC: NIGERIA – LOCATION AND POSITION
CONTENT:
I. Location and Position: Latitude , Longitude, Boundaries and Neighbours
II. Size and Distance.

Sub-Topic 1: Latitude, Longitude, Boundaries and Neighbours


Location, Position and Size of Nigeria


A WEST AFRICA MAP SHOWING THE POSITION OF NIGERIA

Location: Nigeria is located between 40N and 140N of the Equator and between 30E and 150E of the Greenwich meridian. Therefore, the latitude extent or stretch of Nigeria is about 100(40N- 140N) while the longitudinal extent or stretch is 120 (30E-150E).

POSITION: Nigeria is in West Africa. She is bounded in the West by Benin Republic, in the North by Niger Republic in the East by Cameroon Republic, in the north-east by Chad Republic and in the south by Atlantic Ocean.

SIZE: Nigeria is the fourth largest country in West Africa in term of land area after Niger, Mali and Mauritania. The total land area of Nigeria is approximately 923,768 square kilometres.
The greatest distance from east to west is approximately 1,3000km while from north to south is about 1,100km. In terms of population, Nigeria is the most populous single country in Africa with 140 million (i.e 140,003,542) people in 2006. Hence, she is often referred to as ‘the giant of Africa’.

POLITICAL DIVISION:
The country, Nigeria came into existence in 1914 as a result of the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates. She became independent in 1960. As at independence, the country had three regions namely: North, East and West. The Northern region had its headquarters in Kaduna, East in Enugu and West in Ibadan.
In 1960, Nigeria became a Republic and the fourth region known as Mid-west was created from the western region with headquarters in Benin City. The political division remain four until 1967 when the country was divided into twelve states.In 1976, the country was further divided into 19 states in September 23rd 1987; two more states were created, making the total number to be 21. Nigeria presently has thirty six (36) states and a Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja which is the federal capital of Nigeria. These states and their capitals are shown in the table below:

Map of Nigeria showing 36 states and FCT

EVALUATION:
1. Draw an outline map of Nigeria. On the map, locate and name (i) the Gulf of guinea (ii) the bight of Bonny (iii) latitude 140N (iv) longitudes 80E and 15E (v) the country to the western border (vi) the federal capital territory.
2. Describe the size location of Nigeria in relation to other countries of west Africa (WASSCE June 2005).
3. Write out state and capital
4. Write out all the L.G.A area in your state and their headquarters.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT:
Objective Test
1. Nigeria is located on latitude………… (a) 40Nand 140N (b) 30N and 150N (c) 30E and 150E (d) 100N and 150E
2. Nigeria is located on longitude…………. (a) 40E and 150E (b) 30E and 150E (c) 30N and 150N (d) 140E and 150S
3. Nigeria has………… local government areas (a) 777 (b) 756 (c) 123 (d) 774
4. Nigeria is divided into 12 states in……………. (a) 1978 (b)1987 (c) 1967 (d) 1976
5. Nigeria is bounded in the north by……… (a) Niger (b) Cameroun (c) Mali (d) Benin
Essay Questions:
1. Draw a map of Nigeria and locate the 6 geo-political zones in Nigeria.
(b) Locate two states in each zone.
READING ASSIGNMENT:
Anew Geography of Nigeria (fifth edition) by N.P. Iloeje. Pages 2-9
PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT:
Read about highlands and lowlands in Nigeria
REFERENCE TEXTS:
1. Anew Geography of Nigeria (fifth edition) by N.P. Iloeje.
2. Essential Geography for Senior Secondary Schools by O.A Iwena

TOPIC: PHYSICAL SETTING OF NIGERIA
CONTENTS: 1. Relief of Nigeria
2. Climate and the season
3. Vegetation belts (savannah and rain forest belts)
Meaning of Relief
A Relief refers to the surface features of the land above the sea level. Relief of Nigeria can be grouped into two main classes which are lowlands and highlands.

Sub-Topic 1: Lowland areas in Nigeria
Lowlands refer to the area below 300m above sea level.Areas of low lands in Nigeria and their altitude or height are:
1. The Sokoto plain in the Northwest (200 – 300m)
2. The Niger-Benue trough valley (100 – 300m)
3. The Chad basin or Bornu plain (100 – 300m)
4. The Niger Delta (0 – 100m)
5. The cross River basin (120 – 180m)
6. The interior coastal lowland of western Nigeria (100 – 300m)
7. The Coastal plain (0 – 100m)
Rocks Associated with Lowlands
1. Coastal Plain – Sedimentary rocks of alluvial deposits
2. Niger – Benue trough – Sedimentary rocks of limestone sandstone and shale.
3. Sokoto plain - sand, clay, sandstone and limestone
4. Chad basin – made up of sand and clay, rocks generally known to be associated with lowlands are the sedimentary rocks.

Importance of Lowlands
1. Plains, especially level ones are good for human habitation, population and settlements are usually concentrated on plains.
2. Some plains are rich sources of minerals like petroleum and coal.
3. Plains, especially depositional plains have rich fertile soils which favours intensive agriculture.
4. Plains, generally favours communication as roads, railways, and airports are better built on levelled lands.
5. In areas of low rainfall, rearing of animals are carried out in plains as it favours the growth of pastures.
6. Rivers in plain provides water for drinking and transportation.
7. Rivers in plains (basins) provide jobs e.g fishing.

Disadvantages of Plains.
1. Some plains, especially in delta areas may be flooded with water and this reduces human activities.
2. Some may pose serious barrier to communication, especially in area flooded by excess water either from river or after rain. It therefore increases the cost of developing these area e.g. construction of fly-over’s.

EVALUATION:
On a sketch map of Nigeria, locate and name one lowland region in the north and one in the south.

Sub-Topic 2: HIGHLANDS AREAS IN NIGERIA
Highland refers to area over 300m above the sea level. Areas of highlands in Nigeria are grouped into four areas. These are:
1. The North-Central Highlands: - It lies in the Northern Nigeria around Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Jigawa and Plateau states. Jos plateau (200 – 1500m) is found in the highland and is a great hydrological centre or watershed with radial pattern of drainage in which rivers like Hadeija, Kaduna, Sokotoetc take their sources.
The highest point is Jos plmateau in share Hills (165m).
2. The western Highlands: - the western highlands or Yoruba upland is found in the Western part of Nigeria around Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Kwara, Ondoand Edo States. The important outstanding hills found within this area are Ijanre 950m, EfonAlaiye ridge, Apata hill (400 – 700m), Epeme hill, (350 – 600m) Kukuruku hill, Iseyin hill, Abeokuta hill etc.
Many rivers take up their sources from this upland, some flowing Northward such as River Arum and Moshi which empty their water into River Niger. Others flow southward such as RiversOgun, Osse and Osun, which empty their water into Atlantic Ocean.
3. The Eastern Scarp land: - This area is found in the eastern region of Nigeria especially around Enugu and Nsukka. The major highland in this area is the Udi-Nsukka Plateau whose height lies between 300 meters to 600 meters.
The major rivers that take up their sources from this scarp land include River Anambra, Imo, and Cross River.
4. The Eastern Highland: - The Eastern highlands are areas which represent the highest zone in Nigeria and Cameroon border fringe. Among these highlands are:
(i) Adamawa mountain whose height is between 1800 – 2400 meters
(ii) The Alantika and shebshi hills 1600 – 2,000 meters
(iii) The Mantana mountain 1200 – 1599 meters
(iv) Obudu and Oban hill 1200 meters
(v) Biu plateau 800 – 1200 meters
The rivers that take their sources from this zone include Yedesram, Ngota, Gana, KastinaAla etc.


Relief of Nigeria

IMPORTANCE OF HIGHLANDS
1. Sources of Minerals: Most highlands in Nigeria are sources of minerals like coal (Enugu), Tin and Columbite (Jos Plateau) gold, diamond and limestone.
2. For Defense: Highlands are useful in times of inter-tribal war for easy defense against enemies.
3. As Tourist Centres: some high mountains are centres for tourist attraction e.g Jos Plateau.
4. As Sources of Rivers: Most highlands in Nigeria serves as watershed or sources (the beginning) of many rivers in Nigeria.
5. Construction of Hydro-Electricity Power (HEP): The nature of some rivers with their steep slops, fast flowing and presence of rapids at the source aids the construction of H.E.P to generate electricity.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHLANDS
1. They prevent human habitation
2. Most highlands occupy large land areas.
3. Highlands encourage soil erosion.
4. They often serve as barrier to communication.
5. Most highland soils may be poor in nutrient and as such may not be good for agriculture.

EVALUATION:
1. The differences in height of any part of the earth surface are called relief. Write an account of the relief of any part of Nigeria.
2. Divide Nigeria into main relief areas and describe the surface characteristics of one lowland and one highland

SUB TOPIC 3: DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN NIGERIA
Drainage refers to water bodies like rivers and lakes. Drainage of Nigeria is discussed in two parts: rivers and lake.
Rivers in Nigeria
The rivers in Nigeria can however be divided into four main types:
i. The Niger and Benue rivers system
ii. The rivers west of the lower Niger
iii. The river east of the lower Niger
iv. The river flowing into lake Chad

THE NIGER – BENUE RIVER SYSTEM: The river Niger, the largest and longest river in Nigeria has a length of 2600miles from its source in Fouta- Djalon highland (Guinea) passing through Mali and Niger before flowing eastward and later southward of Nigeria.
It has a lot of tributaries in Nigeria and the major one is River Awun.River Benue has it source from eastern highland of Mandara Mountains and joins the Niger at Lokoja. Because of this Lokoja is known as a confluence town.

THE RIVERS WEST OF THE LOWER NIGER: Rivers found on the western highlands or Yoruba highlands include the following; RiverOgun, Osun, Osse and Ossiomo which flow directly into the Atlantic Ocean.

THE RIVERS EAST OF THE LOWER NIGER: These are rivers that take their sources from the eastern scarp land and eastern highlands, thereby emptying their water into River Niger, Benue and the Atlantic Ocean. The river includes: River Donga, Kastina – Ala, Anambra, Imo, Cross river and Taraba.

THE RIVERS THAT FLOW INTO LAKE CHAD: These rivers take their sources from the North central Highlands basically Jos Plateau. Most of these rivers flow into Lake Chadhence; the area is termed inland drainage. The major Rivers found within the said areas are Hadeija, Katagum, Komajugu, Gana, Yedseram. Others include: Zamfara, Rima, Gongola, Sokoto, Kontagora, Mada etc.









MAP SHOWING DRAINAGE OF NIGERIA


Drainage system in Nigeria

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF NIGERIAN RIVERS:
1. Rapids and cataracts.
2. Seasonality
3. Shallowness
4. Presence of debris
5. Short distance
6. Specific direction of flow

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF NIGERIA RIVER
1. Irrigation purpose
2. Generation of Hydro-Electric Power
3. For navigation
4. For domestic purposes
5. For industrial uses
6. For recreation and tourism purposes
7. For fishing/emp
8. For construction of ports
9. For festival purposes.

River Basin:
River basin refers to the area generally drained by a river and its tributaries. In other words, river basins are naturally depressed low land areas. River basin is also called Catchment Area
In Nigeria, there are five major river basins.
These are:
(i) The Niger Basin
(ii) Sokoto/Rima basin
(iii) The Benue Basin
(iv) The Chad basin
(v) The Cross River Basin
(vi) The South Atlantic Basin
The above river basin can be classified into three namely:
1. Large Basin with low Rivers: These are rivers that flow over a long distance and empty their water into the Atlantic Ocean e.g. River Benue and River Niger.
2. Small Basin with Short Rivers: These are rivers that flow for a short distance before empting their water into bigger body. Such as Osun, Ogun, Osse, and Osisiomo.
3. Rivers in Basins of Inland Drainage: The Rivers that exist in this area do not have access into the Atlantic Ocean but flow into Lake Chad. Examples are: Hadeija, Kamadugu, Gana, Yedseran, Katagum etc.

LAKES
Lake can be defined as a body of water surrounded by land. Lakes in Nigeria can be grouped into two main bodies.
a. Artificial or Man – made lake: This type referred to as artificial lakes are constructed by man as a result of improvement in science and technology for two main reasons: (i) Irrigation, (ii) Hydro-Electric Power generation. Examples are the Kanji Lake along River Niger and the shirro Lake along River Kaduna.
b. Natural Lakes: These are lakes that exist naturally without man having anything to do with them. E.g. Lake chad – often referred to as an inland drainage because several rivers flow into it without getting out.
The Economic importance of a lake for any country is similar to that of rivers:

EVALUATION:
1. On an outlined map of Nigeria, show and name any three rivers and their basins.
2. With reference to specific example, explain five ways in which river basin promote economic development in Nigeria. (SSCE Nov. 1993)

Sub-Topic 4: CLIMATE AND THE SEASONS IN NIGERIA
Climate is the average weather condition of the atmosphere over a long period of time. The elements of climate include rainfall, temperature, wind, relative humidity, pressure, cloud cover and sunshine.Three of this element will be discussed:
Temperature: Temperature is defined as the degree of hotness or coldness of a place. The temperature in Nigeria is not uniform and it has the following characteristics.
i. It varies from place to place: Temperature is low (240C) in the south because of the cooling effects of the Atlantic Ocean while it is high in the north with over 280C because of the distance from the sea.

ii. It varies with altitude: Places on high altitude like Jos, Obudu, Adamawa, etc. Tend to have lower temperature (20C) while the neighbouring lowlands have temperature of over 270C.
iii. It varies with seasons: Temperatures are usually higher during the rainy season in the north but low in the south during dry season due to the influence of harmattan.
iv. Variation in annual range: The annual range – 30C while that of the North is 90C


Map of Nigeria showing the mean annual Temperature

WIND: Is defined as air in motion. There are four local types of wind in Nigeria. These are:
1. Tropical maritime air mass(southwest trade wind): it is this wind that is responsible for rainy season. It blows across the Atlantic Ocean towards the coast of Nigeria. The wind is warm and wet. Hence it brings rainfall to Nigeria with the wettest part in Delta region, Warri and Port Harcourt having twelve month of rainfall. It usually starts around March and ends around October with a short period in August called August break. The rainfall decreases towards the north.

2. Tropical continental Air mass (North East Trade wind): This wind is responsible for the dry season. It blow across the Sahara deserts toward Nigeria. It is cold, dusty and dry; hence it does not bring rain. Rather, it brings very cold, dusty and dry weather called harmattan. It starts from November and ends around February.
3. Equatorial Easterlies: This wind blows around the equator from the east. It has some influence on the N.E and S.E trade winds when they meet.The North East and South East trade winds meet along a slanting surface where they continually rub each other. This surface where they meet is called Inter-tropical front. The area above this front, where the two air masses to some extent mix as a resulting of rubbing is called Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). This zone is not fixed i.e. it could move north or south depending on which of the air masses is stronger.
When the Equatorial Easterlies cut below the S.W trade wind, they cause torrential rainfall accompanies by lightning and thunder. This rainfall is called Line Squall.When the Equatorial Easterlies cut below the N.E trade winds, they cause a whirlwind, cyclical wind, carrying dust and pieces of paper.This wind is called Dust devil.
4. Land and Sea Breeze: These Local winds are restricted to the coasts of Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt, etc. They blow alternatively between land and sea on a daily basis. The Breeze exchange between the land and the sea is attributed to differential heating of the land and sea.These winds are common in areas very close to the sea.

i. SEA BREEZE: This breeze blows from the sea to the land. During the day the land is heated much faster than the sea and it is cooler than the sea at night. As the land is heated during the day, it causes the air to rise, creating a low pressure situation. Air therefore, blows from sea to replace heated and rising air on the land, thereby resulting in lower temperature and relatively cool air on the land which results in sea breeze.

ii. LAND BREEZE: This breeze blows from the land to sea. At night the land become cooler than the sea, having lost much of its temperature at much faster rate than that of the sea.



South West and North East Trade Winds




RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION IN NIGERIA:
Rainfall is not uniformly distributed in Nigeria. It is higher in the south due to its nearness to the sea and the effect of south west trade wind while it is lower in the north.It decreases from the south (3,000m) towards the north (300m). Also rainfall varies with season; it is heavier during the rainy season (March – October) than in dry season November - February.In the south, therefore two peaks of rain fall (also called double Maxima) which are around June/July and September/October while the north has only one peak of rainfall (also called single maximum).


Map of Nigeria showing rainfall distribution

SEASONS IN NIGERIA
There are two types of season in Nigeria. These are dry and wet season.
a. Wet or Rainy Season:
The wet season occurs between March and November
Characteristics of Wet Season
i. High Temperature
ii. Low Pressure
iii. Prevailing Wind
iv. Heavy Rainfall
b. Dry Season:
The dry season occurs between November and February.
Characteristics of Dry Season
i. Low Temperature
ii. High Pressure
iii. Prevailing Wind
iv. Absence of Rainfall
v. Harmattan

EVALUATION:
1. Briefly explain Nigeria climate under these elements: (i) temperature (ii) rainfall
2. Discuss three types of wind
3. Mention two seasons in Nigeria. List four characteristics each.

SUB-TOPIC 5: Types of Climate in Nigeria
There are four climate types in Nigeria, these are
1. Sub-equatorial climate (south)
2. Tropical hinterland (Tropical wet)
3. Tropical continental (Topical dry)
4. High plateau climate.



Nigerian Map Showing Climate Types

1. Sub-equatorial climate (south)
It is found in the south, in places such as warri, Lagos, calabar, port Harcourt. This area is characterized with heavy rainfall of over 2500mm per annum. It has double maxima of rainfall – June/July and September/October with conventional type of rainfall.There is no month without rainfall of at least 50mm. The temperature is about 270C with low annual range temperature of 2 – 30C. The humidity is high with over 90%

EFFECT OF SUB-EQUATORIAL CLIMATES ON AGRICULTURE
1. Heavy rainfall gives rise to the growth of tree crops like cocoa, rubber, oil palm, kolanut etc.
2. Heavy rainfall also gives rise to the growth of tuber crops like yam, cassava, potatoes etc.
3. Heavy rainfall (i.e two peaks of rainfall) gives rise to double cropping i.e two planting season in March and September e.g early maize and late maize.
4. Heavy rainfall supports thick growth which is different to weed, cut-down trees and generally it leads to reduction in the size of farmland.
5. Heavy rainfall and humidity which gives rise to forest hinder rearing of cattle because of grasses and high incidence of cattle.

2. Topical Inter-land (wet) Climate
i. This climate is found in the forest areas
ii. It has moderate rainfall of 2000 – 3000mm
iii. It has 4 – 5 month of little rainfall i.e the wet season is roughly 6 – 7 months of the year.
iv. It has double maxima of rainfall in the southern boundary and single maximum in the northern boundary.
v. It has high temperature of over 270C.
vi. It has an annual range of temperature of 60C.

EFFECTS ON AGRICULTURE
1. Moderate rainfall gives rise to the growth of crops found in both north and south.
2. Moderate rainfall gives rise to the growth of yam, cassava, cocoyam, millet, sorgum etc.
3. Both root crops like yam and grain crops like rise, maize, millets are grown.
4. Light rainfall in the northern boundary gives rise to livestock production.

3. TROPICAL CONTINENTAL (DRY) CLIMATE
i. This is also called Sudan climate
ii. The climate found in Sokoto, Bauchi, Kano, Bornu, etc.
iii. Rainfall is between 500 – 1000mm per annum.
iv. There is a long period of little or no rainfall (i.e dry season of 4 – 8 months)
v. The relative humidity is low (20 – 40%) in January and (50 – 60%) in July.
vi. High temperature throughout the year (210C – 330C).
vii. It has a high range of temperature (- 110C).

EFFECT ON AGRICULTURE
1. Little rainfall brings about irrigation farming around Kano, Sokoto basin, Hadeija – Jaima basin etc.
2. Little rainfall favours the growth of grain crops like maize, rice, millet, sorghum etc.
3. Little rainfall supports livestock production like cattle, sheep and goats.
4. Little rainfall encourages wind erosion.

HIGH PLATEAU CLIMATE
i. This climate is found around highland areas like Jos, Adamawa, Obudu, Mambilla plateau.
ii. It has heavy rainfall around Jos and its environs with 200mm.
iii. It has moderate temperature between 210C and 260C.
iv. Temperature ranges between 800C – 120C.
v. It has high relative humidity.

EFFECT ON AGRICULTURE
i. Heavy rainfall leads to contour ploughing
ii. Heavy rainfall supports the growth of tree crops like coffee
iii. Moderate rainfall in the lowland supports the growth of grasses for cattle rearing.
iv. Absence of pest (e.gtse-tse flies) promotes livestock’s production

EVALUATION:
1. State four climatic regions in Nigeria
2. Describe any two of them

SUB-TOPIC 6: VEGETATION OF NIGERIA
The vegetation of Nigeria can be grouped into three major zones
1. Forest Zone or Vegetation: Forest zone contains mainly trees and has the following forest belt.
i. Mangrove swamp forest (salt and fresh water swamp)
ii. Rain forest
2. Savannah Zone: It is made up of mainly grasses and is further sub-divided into three savannah belt which are:
i. Guinea Savannah
ii. Sudan Savannah
iii. Sahel Savannah
3. Montane vegetable: Is found in highland areas like Jos and Adamawa with tress and grasses.


Map of Nigeria showing the vegetation in Nigeria

Mangrove swamp forest
Location: This vegetation is found mainly in delta and coastal areas like Port Harcourt, Warri, Uyo and Calabar.
Characteristics
i. It has tall, woody trees (white and red mangrove)
ii. It has aerial roots.
iii. It has evergreen trees with broad leaves
iv. Trees found include white mangrove, red mangrove and some raffia palms.
Importance
(a) Raffia palm is used for making baskets, bags, brooms, cane, chairs and production of palm wine.
(d) They are also used for boat building and firewood.
(e) Farming activities such as swamp rice cultivation are embarked on.

Rain Forest
Location: It is found in southern part of Nigeria in Benin, Sapele, Akure, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Aba etc.
Characteristics
i. It is the largest of all the vegetation belts in Nigeria
ii. Presence of tall grasses.
iii. Presence of tall trees with broad leaves
iv. The trees are scattered and deciduous i.e they shed their leaves during dry season.
v. Important trees include locust bean trees, shea-butter and isobelina.

Guinea Savannah
Location: This savannah is found in Enugu, Lokoja, Ilorin, Makurdi, Osogbo etc.
Characteristics
(i) It has tall trees with buttress roots ever green and broad leaves
(ii) Trees exist in different heights, storeys, or layers.
(iii) Presence of little undergrowth due to canopy of the parasite plants.
(iv) It has numerous heterogamous species of trees like Iroko, Obeche, Mahogany, African walnut, etc.
(v) Plant species are not in pure stand i.e. trees are scattered.
Importance
(i) It provides tropical hardwood like Iroko, Obeche, Mahogany, etc. Timber for construction purposes
(ii) Lumbering of these trees provides employment.
(iii) Farming activities e.g. rubber, cocoa, oil palm, etc.
(iv) Forest provides wood as sources of food.
Sudan Savannah
Location: This vegetation belt is found in Sokoto, Kastina, Kaduna, Kano, Dutse, Bauchietc
Characteristics
(i) It has short numerous grasses
(ii) Presence of scattered and short deciduous trees.
(iii) Plant species include acacia, data palm, silk cotton, plant boabab.
(iv) Some trees within dry season and sprout at the beginning of rainy season

Sahel Savannah
Location: This savannah is found in Maiduguri and Damaturu.
Characteristics
(i) It has short scanty grasses.
(ii) Presence of short and tough shrubs / trees.
(iii) Grasses are fewer, poorer and in patches.
(iv) It has many drought resistant and scattered plants.
(v) Popular plants include acacia, gum Arabic, data palm, baobab etc.

Montane Vegetation
Location: This vegetation is found in Jos and Adamawa area.
Characteristics
(i) It is associated with highland areas.
(ii) It has varied trees as its windward side.
(iii) It has grasses as its leeward side.
(iv) Presence of short, scattered and deciduous trees.
Importance:
i. Livestock production especially transhumance.
ii. Cultivation of crops.

IMPORTANCE OR CONTRIBUTION OF FOREST VEGETATION TO THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF NIGERIA
1. Provision of Food.
2. Provision of timber
3. Foreign exchange
4. Employment
5. Raw materials for industries
6. Provision of fuel wood
7. Tourism and wildlife.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH FOREST EXPLOITATION
These problems include:
(i) Soil erosion
(ii) Depletion of natural vegetation
(iii) Leaching of the soil
(iv) Exploitation that causes flooding
(v) The problem of transportation
(vi) The disappearance of wildlife
(vii) High cost of lumbering and difficulty in cutting trees because they are not in pure stand.

IMPORTANCE OR CONTRIBUTION OF SAVANNAH VEGETATION TO ECONOMIC GROWTH OF NIGERIA
1. Livestock farming
2. Arable crop farming
3. Employment
4. Development of game reserves
5. Provision of fire wood
6. Tourism

SOILS IN NIGERIA
The soils in Nigeria can be grouped in four major zones. These are:
1. Zone of laterite soils
2. Zone of forest soils.
3. Zone of sandy soil
4. Zone of alluvial soil


Map Of Nigeria Showing The Major Soil Zones In Nigeria

EVALUATION:
1. Explain two types of vegetation
2. Outline five importance of vegetation to man
3. Mention four major soil zones in Nigeria

GENERAL EVALUATION:
1. On an outline map of Nigeria, show and name (a) the savannah belts and one important town in each of the belts. (b) Highlight three vegetation characteristics of any one of the savannah belts shown on your map. (c) Describe the relationship between vegetation and rainfall in the savannah belts.
2. On an outline map of Nigeria, locate and name: (i) North – central highlands, Western highlands, Adamawa highlands and Udi hills.
3. (i) Describe four ways in which the North central Highland are of economic importance. (ii) Highlight any four problems limiting the economic development of the region.
4. On a sketch map of Nigeria, locate and name (i) Rivers Imo and Kaduna (ii) one confluence town (iii) one area with an annual rainfall below 100cm (iv) one area with an annual rainfall below 300cm (v) two important towns in each area.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT:
Objective Text:
1. Which of the following is not a characteristic of rain forest? (a) there is a great variety of tree (b) many of the trees have large buttresses (c) there are many climbing plants (d) absence of epiphytes.
2. The vegetation type characterized by short grasses and stunted trees is (a) warm temperate grassland (b) Sudan savannah (c) guinea savannah (d) cool temperature grassland.
3. ‘It is made up of a great variety of evergreen trees with distinct layer arrangement’ this refer to the (a) equatorial forest (b) tropical grassland (c) temperature grassland (d) coniferous forest.
4. ‘It is warm and dusty, originates from the Sahara and reaches its lowest southward extent in the January’ The above best describes the (a) Tropical maritime air mass (b) tropical continental air mass (c) South westerly’s (d) Equatorial Easterlies.
5. Jos has a heavier rainfall than the other towns on the same latitude in Nigeria because it (a) has lower temperature (b) is located on the windward side of a plateau (c) is located near the coast (d) is located on the path of descending wind (e) is located in the equatorial region.

Essay Questions:
1. Explain any one of the following
i. One climatic type in Nigeria
ii. One climatic element in Nigeria
iii. Drainage system in Nigeria

READING ASSIGNMENT:
Comprehensive Geography for SSS by P.O Ajayi. Pages 146-150

PRE READING ASSIGNMENT
Read about population size distribution and structure in Nigeria/

REFERENCE TEXTS:
1. A New Geography of Nigeria by N.P Iloeje
2. Comprehensive Geography for SSS by P.O Ajayi
3. Essential Geography for SSS by O.A Iwena

TOPIC: POPULATION OF NIGERIA
CONTENT:
1. Population, distribution and structure
2. Population quality
3. Population movement
4. Population Data

Sub-Topic 1: POPULATION, STRUCTURE AND DISTRIBUTION
Definition of Population:
Population is defined as the number of people living in an area at a particular time. The size of the Nigeria population following the 2006 population census data is about 140, 003, 542 persons.

POPULATION CONCEPTS
(a) Over Population: This is a situation whereby the population of a country is more than the available resources in that country.
(b) Under Population:Under population is seen as a situation whereby the population of a country is less than the available resources in that country.
(c) Optimum Population: This is a situation whereby the number of people in a given area is supported by the available resources to achieve the highest standard of living. This is to say that the number of people is equal to the available resources in that area.
(d) Population Density:Population density can be defined as the number of persons per unit land or per square kilometer of land, usually the population density of a country can be expressed mathematically:
(i) Population density = Total Population
Land area
(ii) Total population = Population density X total land area
(iii) Land area = Population density
Population density

EVALUATION:
1. Define population
2. Explain the following: (i) population density (ii) over population (iii) optimum population

Sub-Topic 2: POPULATION DISTRIBUTION:
The population of Nigeria is not evenly distributed due to several factors. The distribution could be high, moderate or low


Map of Nigeria showing population distribution

AREAS OF HIGH POPULATION DENSITY IN NIGERIA
These area include south-west Nigeria which include Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta,etc; the Hausa land which in include Kano, Kaduna, Jos and Sokoto; and Ibo land in the south east which includeEnugu, Onitsha, Owerri, Aba

REASONS FOR HIGH POPULATION DENSITY
1. Favourable climate: The areas mentioned above have adequate rainfall which ensures food production especially in the west and east. It is also favourable for human habitation.
2. Fertile soil: fertile soil favours the cultivation of cocoa, and kolanut in the west, oil-palm, yam and cassava in the east, and groundnut and cotton in Kano.
3. Natural attachment/historical factors: The growth of empires in the past such as Oyo and Kano empires favours high population density.
4. Administrative headquarters: Every administrative headquarters attracts people to such areas, some of which are Lagos, Enugu, Ibadan, Kano etc.
5. Employment opportunities: The availability of job opportunities in given area swells the population of that area.
6. Presence of minerals: The presence of minerals in a place contributes to high population density of such areas, e.g. coal in Enugu, petroleum in port Harcourt, and Warri, tin in Jos etc.
7. Migration: Rural–urban migration usual result in the increase of population in the towns.
8. Commercial activities: The presence of markets and business transaction tends to attract a large number of persons to such towns.
9. The presence of social amenities and infrastructure: The presence of amenities such as pipe-borne water, electricity, good transport net work roads, rail ways, air ports, sea port etc. Attract high population density.
10. Presence of industries: The presences of industries give rise to job opportunities, thereby resulting to high population density. Example of towns includes Lagos, Kano.

ADVANTAGES OF HIGH POPULATION DENSITY
1. Large labour: High population provides large labour force of industries.
2. Large market: High population is the source of large market for goods produced by industries.
3. Defense: Organized army in such area is possible.
4. Quick information dissemination: As a result of people staying in such areas, it is very easy for information to go round.
5. Effective planning: The high population density in a place, will give room for effective planning to enhance proper functioning.
6. Togetherness: Lagos population result in many people from different parts of the country staying together, thereby encouraging unity in diversity.

DISADVANTAGES OF HIGH POPULATION DENSITY
1. Pressure on natural resources: Natural resources such as fertile farmland become over used as a result of the high population growth in such area.
2. Pressure on social amenities: The presence of high or increase population in a given area will over stress the available social amenities such as pipe borne water, electricity etc.
3. Inadequate health services: In areas of high population density especially in developing countries like ours; health services are usually grossly inadequate especially when there is outbreak of epidemics.
4. Inadequate housing: Areas with high population concentration usually leads to poor accommodation as houses available may not be enough for the teaming high population.
5. Development of slums and ghettos: As a result of high population concentration and inadequate housing, slums and ghettos which are associated with poor standard of living are developed.
6. Increase crime wave: Areas of high population concentration is usually associated with increase in crime wave such as armed robbery, car snatching, hired assassins, kidnappers etc. Due to joblessness.
7. Unemployment / underemployment: Areas of high population density are prone to less job opportunities, thereby leading to both unemployment and underemployment.
8. Insufficient food: As a result of high influx of people into an area, there will not be sufficient food or water to satisfy the need of teaming population, thereby resulting in shortage of food.
9. Environment pollution: Poor housing and pressure on natural and social facilities and the multiplication of industries and automobiles usually leads to environment pollution.
10. Traffic congestion: many people travel on the roads at the same time and since they are usually many, there will be traffic congestion most of the time.
EVALUATION:
1. Define the term population and population
2. State the areas of high population densities in Nigeria and four reasons for such high population density in one of the areas mention.
3. State two reasons for over population
4. Draw a sketch map of Nigeria and on it mark in and name:
(a) i. One area of high population density ii one area of low population density iii one town in each area.(b) Give four reasons in each case for the type of population density shown on your map. (SSCE November 1990).

AREAS OF MODERATE POPULATION DENSITY IN NIGERIA
Areas of moderate population in Nigeria include: Benin City, Ilorin, Kaduna, Calabar, Bauchi, Dutse, Uyo, Oweri, etc. and parts of Benue.
The factors responsible for the moderate population densities are:
1. Traditional / cultural factors.
2. Historical factors
3. Climatic factors
4. Soil fertility
5. Agricultural production
6. Mineral resources
7. Commerce and industry
8. Relief
9. Transportation

AREAS OF LOW POPULATION DENSITY
The following areas are areas of low population density in Nigeria:
1. Middle belt of Nigeria comprising of Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Benue, Nigger and Abuja area.
2. The Niger delta comprising of Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross rivers, Delta and Edo state.
3. The Extreme North East of Bornu, and Yobe states.

REASONS FOR LOW POPULATION DENSITIES (BELOW 96 persons per Km2¬).
1. Low economic activities/lack of industries: Lack of basic amenities, low commercial and industrial activities is the reason why many areas in Nigeria are losing people to the urban centres especially job seekers. Typical example is the middle belt.
2. Inaccessibility: Most rural areas in Nigeria are inaccessible by road, rail etc. Hence resulting in low population density e.g. Delta and middle belts.
3. Presence of some insects: The presence of insects such as tsetse fly which causes sleeping sickness and black-flies which causes night blindness encourages low population in some areas of the middle belt.
4. Slave trade/historical factors: During this period of trans-Saharan and trans-Atlantic slave trades, such areas were considered target areas of attraction for slave raiding and had not fully recovered from the social trauma them by the slave raiders, hence result in sparse population – such areas include the coastlands and the middle belt.
5. Inter-tribal wars: In the olden days, inter-tribal wars were a common occurrence, hence people migrate from these areas to settle in new places of abode; this led to reduced population of the areas.
6. Relief: Bad topography or rugged highlands is one of the factors that scare people away from such an area.
7. The soil texture of an area: The major occupation of the people of Nigeria is farming. Hence area like Borno and Yobe that have poor sandy soil do not support serious farming activities hence such are tend to have sparse population.
8. Lack of social amenities: People do not like to settle where there are no social amenities such as good roads, electricity, pipe borne water, schools and hospitals; hence areas where such amenities are not found tend to be sparsely populated.

ADVANTAGES OF LOW POPULATION DENSITY
1. Low pressure on social amenities: As a result of low population, the pressure on the social amenities is low.
2. High standard of living: Because the population is low in these areas, there will be abundance of goods and agricultural products at very cheap rate.
3. High per capital income: This is usually achieved as a result of few labours for the industries.
4. Abundant resources: In areas where there is resources endowment, there will be abundance of resources because of the low population density.
5. Low crime rate: Because the population is not high, the rate of crime in such area will very minimal.
6. Adequate planning: such areas of low population density are usually planned very properly for decent living.
7. Regular flow of traffic: In areas of low population density, there is no traffic congestion.

DISADVANTAGES OF LOW POPULATION DENSITY
1. Disincentive to Government: One of the disadvantages of low population density is because the government doesn’t usually invest in such areas.
2. Low output: Due to very few numbers of people in a low population density area, the agricultural and industrial output is usually poor.
3. Wastage of output: Most of the output produced either from agriculture or the industries may be wasted because of the few number of people to consume them.
4. Underutilization of infrastructure: Pipe-borne water, electrical and even the health facilities are grossly utilizeas a result of the few number of people in such areas.
5. Inadequate labour force: Able bodies and skilled labourers may not be readily available as a result of rural-urban migration.
POPULATION STRCUTURE
Population structure can be defined as the distribution of population according to age and sex. The age structure of a population affects the key socio economic issues in schools. For instance, countries with high percentage of young population (under age 15) need to invest in education while countries with high percentage of older people (65 and above) need to invest in health sector.
Population structure is usually illustrated in a pyramid usually known as population pyramid – population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country’s population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis with male on the left and female on the right. The population is broken down into 5 years age group represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis with the youngest age group at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually develops over time base on fertility, mortality and international migration trend.


Population Pyramid

EVALUATION:
1. Mention the factors responsible for moderate population density.
2. Discuss five reasons why some areas in Nigeria are sparsely populated.
3. What is population structure?
4. Using the population pyramid in your note, identify the age group with the highest population and the age group with the lowest population.
Sub -Topic 3: POPULATION QUALITY, POPULATION MOVEMENT AND POPULATION DATA
POPULATION QUALITY
This is referred to the level of population available in a place. This is however a product of the educational, wealth and health attainment of that population. Education here also refers to how skilled population help in industrial development which boasts the wealth of such a nation.
It should be noted however that diseased that weaken the immune system like the HIV/AIDS could reduce the quality of a population. This is because the productive man power that is sick may not be able to do much.
Population Movement: This implies the movement of people from one part of the country to another and even beyond for various reasons. Population Movement in Nigeria is divided into seven. They include the following:
1. Local/seasonal Movement: This is the movement from the cities to the village and back at weekends, during Christmas and other festive occasion.
2. Transhumance movement: this has to do with the seasonal nomadic movement of the cattle Fulani with their cattle, from the North to the South-South and South-East for greener pastures.
3. Disaster movement: This involves the movement of people from disaster area for safety. It could be caused by drought, flood, land slide and other forms of both Natural and manmade disaster.
4. Economic Pressure: Economic pressure such as joblessness result in the movement of people to farm settlements, mines and offices in the urban centres for employment.
5. Rural Urban Drift: This is the movement of people from rural to urban areas in search of employment. This form of population movement takes place everyday in the country.
6. Immigration and Emigration: This is the movement of people into the country and out of the country. Over the years a lot of Nigerian citizens have moved out of the country to the other countries and a few foreigners moved into Nigeria.
7. Brain drain: This is the movement of qualified and skilled personnel out of Nigeria in the Developed world such as USA, Great Britain, Asia, e.t.c. in search of well paid job. Some may have travelled to these countries as students and after graduation, quality to obtain a green card to remain there and work.
POPULATION DATA
Population data involve the collection of statistical data of population for the different parts of country. Therefore, following the current statistical data, below is the population census of male and female for each state of the federation.
Nigeria 2006 Census Figures



EVALUATION:
1. What is population movement?
2. Outline 5 ways by which people move.
3. Discuss the concepts of brain drain.
4. Describe population data.
General Evaluation
1. Distinguish between population density and optimum population.
2. If the total population of Nigeria in 1995 was estimated to be 95,690,000 and her land area was 924,000km, calculate the population density, showing all your working.
3. Give a brief explanation of population quality.
4. (a)Draw an outline map of Nigeria. On the map , show and name: (i) one area of sparse population (ii) one area of moderate population (iii) one area of dense population (iv) one town in 4(a) (i) above. (b) Outline three factor responsible for dense population in the shown in 4(a)(iii)above. (c) Highlight three problems of densely population
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT:
Objective Test:
1. The population of an area is equal to the available resources applied to (a) population density (b) optimum population (c) under population (d) over population
2. Population density x total population is the formular for calculating (a) population density (b) total population (c) land area (d) absolute population
3. Which one among these is a disadvantage of high population density (a) large market (b) increase in crime wave (c) presence of industry (d) abundant resources
4. ------ is a type of movement from one place to another in search of job? (a) immigration (b) brain drain (c) emigration (d) economic pressure
5. The last population census in Nigeria was conducted in year (a) 1996 (b) 2006 (c) 2010 (d) economic
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
Draw a map of Nigeria and show the highly and sparsely populated areas. Mark towns in each of the locations.
READING ASSIGNMENT:
A New Geography of Nigeria by Iloeje. Page 10-17
PRE-READING ACTIVIES
Read about the resources of Nigeria.

REFERENCE TEXTS:
1. A New Geography of Nigeria by N.P Iloeje
2. Comprehensive Geography for SSS by P.O Ajayi
3. Essential Geography for SSS by O.A Iwena