Back to: History SSS 1
Hello, my brilliant Afrilearn superstar! I hope you’re having a fantastic day! Have you ever travelled to a different part of Nigeria and noticed how the land and weather are different from what you’re used to? Some places have thick forests, others have wide open grasslands, and some are close to the sea with beautiful beaches. That’s because Nigeria is a very large country with different types of land and natural features. Today, we will be learning about the land and people of Nigeria, focusing on the coastal region, forestry region, and semi-savannah. Let’s get started!
Land and the People of Nigeria; coastal regions, forestry region and semi savannah
Nigeria is a country blessed with diverse landscapes, climates, and natural resources. It is divided into different geographical regions, each with unique features, vegetation, and the kinds of people who live there. These regions affect the way people farm, build houses, and even the types of food they eat.
Let’s look at three important regions in Nigeria:
1. The Coastal Region
The coastal region is the part of Nigeria that is closest to the Atlantic Ocean. It covers states in the South-South and South-West, including Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, and Cross River. This region has many rivers, creeks, and swamps, and it is home to Nigeria’s largest water bodies.
Features of the Coastal Region
It has mangrove forests and swamps.
The climate is hot and humid with a lot of rainfall.
It has many rivers, such as the Niger and Benue Rivers, which empty into the ocean.
Fishing is a major occupation because of the large water bodies.
The region is rich in oil and gas, making it important for Nigeria’s economy.
The People of the Coastal Region
The people in this region are mainly the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ibibio, Efik, and Yoruba. Many of them are fishermen, traders, and oil workers. Their food includes seafood like crabs, prawns, and periwinkles, and they eat traditional meals like Banga soup, Afang soup, and Efo riro.
2. The Forestry Region
The forestry region is located in the South-West and South-East parts of Nigeria, including states like Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Enugu, and Anambra. This region has thick forests with tall trees, making it rich in wood, timber, and cash crops like cocoa and rubber.
Features of the Forestry Region
It has tropical rainforests with tall trees such as mahogany, iroko, and obeche.
The climate is hot and wet, with heavy rainfall.
It is good for farming because of the rich soil.
It produces cash crops like cocoa, rubber, palm oil, and kola nuts.
The People of the Forestry Region
The major ethnic groups in this region include the Yoruba, Igbo, Bini (Edo), and Ibibio. Many people here are farmers, traders, and woodworkers. This region is famous for cocoa farming, which was an important part of Nigeria’s economy in the past. Popular foods in this region include Pounded yam and Egusi soup, Oha soup, and Ogbono soup.
3. The Semi-Savannah Region
The semi-savannah region is found in the Middle Belt and some parts of the North, including states like Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Kaduna, Taraba, and Plateau. This region has open grasslands and scattered trees, making it good for farming and cattle rearing.
Features of the Semi-Savannah Region
It has a mix of grasslands and short trees.
The climate is moderate, with both dry and rainy seasons.
It is good for farming and growing crops like yam, millet, maize, and groundnuts.
Cattle rearing is common because of the open grasslands.
The People of the Semi-Savannah Region
The major ethnic groups in this region include the Tiv, Nupe, Idoma, Gwari, and Igala. Many people here are farmers and herders, and they grow crops such as yam, rice, and millet. Some popular foods in this region include Tiv pounded yam and Beniseed soup, Tuwo Shinkafa, and Akpu with Ogbono soup.
Summary
Nigeria has different geographical regions, each with unique land features and natural resources.
The coastal region has swamps, rivers, and mangrove forests and is rich in fishing and oil production.
The forestry region has tropical rainforests and is good for cash crop farming and timber production.
The semi-savannah region has open grasslands and is great for crop farming and cattle rearing.
Evaluation
- What are the three regions discussed in this lesson?
- Name two states found in each region.
- What are the major economic activities in the coastal region?
- Describe the vegetation and climate of the forestry region.
- Why is the semi-savannah region good for cattle rearing?!
Well done, my champion! Now you understand how Nigeria’s land is different in various regions and how it affects the people who live there. Keep learning and exploring, because knowledge is power! See you in the next lesson!
School Owner? Grow your school with Africa's most trusted school management + content platformGet more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on Android [DOWNLOAD]
Get more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on iPhone [DOWNLOAD]