Sub-Saharan Africa and North America: Geographic Profiles

Posted on Dec 22, 2025 in Geography

Chapter 7: The Sub-Saharan African Realm

1. Africa: Physical Geography and Climate

  • Size: Africa: 11.6 million sq. miles; USA: 3.6 million sq. miles.
  • Physical Geography: Characterized by “continentality” (far from moisture sources), lack of a major mountain backbone, presence of rift valleys, and often described as a “plateau continent.”
  • Climate Classification:
    • A (Tropical): Af (Rainforest), Am (Monsoon), Aw (Savanna).
    • B (Dry): BW (Desert), BS (Steppe).
    • C (Mesothermal/Temperate): Csa/Csb (Mediterranean, e.g., Cape Town), Cfa (Humid Subtropical, e.g., Durban), Cfb (Marine West Coast, e.g., Port Elizabeth).
    • Note: No “D” (Microthermal) or “E” (Polar) climates exist in Sub-Saharan Africa. H (Highland) exists.
    • Sub-designations: a=hot summer, b=mild summer, f=precip all year, w=winter dry (ITCZ).

2. Agriculture and Demographics in SSA

  • Agriculture: Since the 1960s, population growth (3%/year) has outpaced food production (2%/year), indicating low productivity.
  • Labor Force: In most countries, 60–90% of the labor force is in agriculture (e.g., South Africa: 30%, Nigeria: 70%).
  • Arable Land (%): USA: 16%; Most SSA countries <20% (e.g., RSA: 12%, NGA: 33%, UGA: 22%, RWA: 48%). The Rift Valley region shows higher percentages.
  • Entrepreneurship: The main crop is maize (corn).

3. Colonization and Culture

  • Colonization: Primarily by the British and French. Ethiopia was never formally colonized.
  • Neo-colonialism: Economic influence persists through loans from the IMF and World Bank.
  • Language and Religion: Many languages and several language families exist. English and French serve as lingua francas. Christianity and Animism dominate, with Islam prevalent in the North.
  • Muslim Majority: Identify which countries have a Muslim majority.
  • Madagascar: Influenced by “Malay” culture, with rice as a staple.

4. Population Statistics (SSA)

  • Population: Approximately 900 million people overall, with medium density.
  • Top 3 Most Populous Countries: 1. Nigeria (NGA): 178m, 2. Ethiopia (ETH): 96m, 3. DRC: 71m.
  • Urbanization: SSA average: 31% urban; South Africa: 60%.
  • Life Expectancy & Health: Significant challenges exist (e.g., RSA: 60 yrs, BOT: 47 yrs, LES: 44 yrs) due to HIV/AIDS and migrant worker issues. Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is high (e.g., RSA: 4% or 40/1000; CAR: 12% or 120/1000; USA: 0.7% or 7/1000).

5. Population Growth Rates

  • Rate of Natural Increase (RNI): USA: 0.5%; RSA: 1.0%; Many SSA countries are 2% or 3%.
  • Total Fertility Rate (TFR): USA: 1.9 children/female; Most SSA countries: 4–8; RSA: 2.3.
  • Youth Dependency: % population < 15 years: USA: 19%; Most SSA countries > 40% (e.g., RSA: 29%), leading to large class sizes.

6. Economy: Primary Sector Reliance

  • Economic Structure: Heavy emphasis on primary economic activities (agriculture, mining, fishing), making economies vulnerable to world price swings (e.g., Cote D’Ivoire cocoa).
  • GDP Per Capita (PPP): USA: $53,000; Most SSA countries < $4,000; RSA: $13,000.
  • Oil Economies: Angola (ANG): $7,000; Gabon (GAB): $21,000; Nigeria (NGA): $6,000.

7. Case Study: Angola and South Africa

  • Angola: RNI: 3.2% (doubling time ~20 years); TFR: 5.5 children/female. Only 3% arable crops; 85% of GDP from oil. Experienced civil war (1975–2002). The US government supported the MPLA government against UNITA rebels.
  • South Africa (RSA): Former Dutch & British colony; 54 million people. GDP: $13,000. Features large industrial sectors and modern infrastructure. Population is predominantly Black (approx. 80%), with 8% White, 9% Colored/Mixed, and 3% Asian-Indian.

8. Apartheid Legacy in South Africa

  • Apartheid (1950s–1990s): System of strict racial segregation and “separate development.”
  • Transition: First democratic election in 1994, resulting in President Nelson Mandela (ANC) victory over the National Party (NP).
  • Land Issues: Apartheid created townships and “bantustans” (e.g., Soweto) as high-density, cheap labor reserves reliant on migration. Current issues involve land reform, redistribution, restitution (legal claims), and tenure reform.

9. South African Economy and Development

  • Labor & Income: Agriculture employs only 10% of the labor force, contributing only 1% to GDP. Income disparity is greater than in Brazil (BRA).
  • Unemployment: Official unemployment rate: 25% (Whites: 6%; Real rate closer to 40%). 9 million illegal immigrants.
  • Development Index: Ranked 129/182 countries by the UN Development Index.
  • Sectors: Mining (2% labor force, 3% GDP from gold/diamonds); Manufacturing (13% GDP).
  • Social Spending: Education spending: 7% GDP (teacher shortage); Healthcare spending: 9% GDP (acute shortage of medical personnel).

10. Health Disparities and West Africa

  • Healthcare Access (RSA): Spending parity with the USA (46% public sector health spending). Doctor ratio: 1 per 4,600 people (private sector: 1 per 600).
  • West Africa: Desertification (BSH, BWH, BSH, AW, AF/AM) is a major issue, leading to drier conditions.
  • Nigeria: Gained independence from Britain in 1960. Major ethnic groups: Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo. Government income (80–90%) relies heavily on oil, leading to corruption. Only 33% arable crops, requiring food imports. Lagos is the former capital; Abuja is the “forward capital.”

11. Comparison: SSA vs. North America (CAN/USA)

The text shifts abruptly to cover Canada (CAN) and the USA:

  • Canada (CAN): 10 provinces and 3 territories (Yukon Terr., NW Terr., Nunavut).
  • USA: 50 states and overseas territories.

Chapter 1: North American Realm

1. North American Regions

  • Regions: Core, Maritime Northeast, French Canada, Southeast (Miami: world-city, rich-poor contrast), Southwest (Texas), Pacific Hinge (Pacific Rim), Western Frontier, Continental Interior (Meat Belt, Corn Belt, Soybean Belt, Wheat Belt—experiencing population loss), Northern Frontier (Alaska and Canadian Territories, very low population density).

11. North American Physical Geography

  • Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior (H.O.M.E.S.) – vital for fresh water and transportation.
  • Mississippi River: Major watershed and drainage system.
  • Precipitation: Generally dry in the West, wet in the East (e.g., Kauai: 460 in/yr vs. Honolulu: 22 in/yr).
  • Temperature Range: Determined by latitude and distance from major water bodies. Continental locations (Minneapolis, MN: 62°F range) show greater variation than maritime locations (Portland, OR: 28°F range).

12. North American Climate Types

  • A (Tropical): Af (Rainforest, e.g., Hawaii – HI), Aw (Savanna, e.g., Florida – FL).
  • B (Dry): Bw (Desert), Bs (Steppe – common in the Intermountain West).
  • C (Mesothermal/Temperate): Cfa (Humid Subtropical, SE USA), Csa/Csb (Mediterranean, California – CA), Cfb (Marine West Coast, Pacific NW).
  • D (Microthermal/Cold): Dfc (Subarctic, Alaska/Canada), Dfb (Humid Continental, US/CAN border), Dfa (Humid Continental, MW/NE USA).
  • E (Polar) and H (Highland) climates also exist.

13. US Population and Urbanization

  • Religion (USA): 50% Protestant, 33% Roman Catholic. Canada leans Catholic (mentioning JFK). Non-believers: up to 16%; Jewish: 1–2%.
  • Population: USA: 325 million.
  • Megalopolis: Large interconnected urban areas, such as “BosWash” (Boston-Washington D.C.).
  • Key Cities: Washington D.C. (Capital), Philadelphia (PHIL – NTC/Finance), Boston (BOS).

14. Canadian and US Politics/Demographics

  • Canada (CAN): Capital: Ottawa. Population: 36 million. Major corridor: Windsor–Toronto–Ottawa (capital)–Montreal–Quebec City.
  • US Senate: 2 Senators per 50 states = 100 total.
  • Political Trends: Historically dominated by white males; the “Rust Belt” (1960s–JFK era) saw political shifts. List of US Presidents by state affiliation (Johnson/Carter from GA, Reagan/Bush I from CA/TX, Clinton from AR, Bush II from TX, Obama from IL, Trump from NY).

15. US Immigration and Urban Change

  • Immigration (Since 1960s): Primarily from Latin America and Asia.
  • “Black Belt”: Region with a large Black population (e.g., Pine Ridge, SD).
  • Economic Shifts: Major metro areas attract jobs (coasts/entry points). Suburbanization driven by tertiary (services) and quaternary (information) sectors. Deindustrialization since the 1970s due to automation and competition.
  • CBDs: Central Business Districts are evolving from single nodes to multi-node metro areas (e.g., LA: 3.6m city vs. 16m metro).
  • Gentrification: Influx of “yuppies” (young urban people).
  • Education Rankings (Forbes 2016, largest 200 US Cities): Top 5 include Boulder, CO; Ann Arbor, MI. Bottom 5 include Modesto, CA; Bakersfield, CA.
  • Entrepreneurship: 11% rate.
  • Suburb Types: “Street car suburb” vs. “automobile-based suburb.”

Test Question: Post-War U.S. Suburbanization

Described as “The greatest misallocation of resources in the history of the world.”

  • Catalysts (Since 1940s): Cheap fossil fuels and the automobile.
  • Advantages of Suburbs: Detached housing, parking space, private land, greater home ownership opportunity, perceived lower crime/better schools (funded by private property taxes), “leap-frogging” development, consumerism.
  • Cultural References: 1970s: *Partridge Family*, *Brady Bunch*. 1990s: *Seinfeld*, *Friends* (contrasted with urban shows like *Full House*, *Sex in the City*).

16. Disadvantages of Suburbia

  1. Large lot sizes/homes, expensive housing with poor relative location.
  2. Waste of space, lack of orderly growth.
  3. Impractical public transportation; over-reliance on automobiles.
  4. High demand for roads/highways (e.g., I-81 in VA, costing $32 million/mile).
  5. Damage to central city economic base (“white flight,” e.g., Detroit, MI) and deindustrialization.
  6. Loss of prime agricultural land.

Neighborhood vs. Suburb: A neighborhood features local amenities (shops, schools, parks) at low density. Suburbs offer advantages of the city (amenities) and the countryside (space) but suffer disadvantages of the countryside (“culture cowtown”).

17. Migration and the Sunbelt

  • Percent Change Population (US States, 2000–2010): US mean: 9.7%. High growth in NV (35%) and AZ (25%). MI experienced negative growth (-0.5%).
  • Migration Factors: “Push” and “pull” factors include climate, space, taxes, cost of living, and modern factories (one-story design, lower wages/fewer unions).
  • High-Tech/Info Tech Centers (Sunbelt West): SF Bay Area (Silicon Valley), Salt Lake City (Software Valley), Seattle, Austin (TX), NC Research Triangle.
  • Sunbelt East: MA (Silicon Alley).
  • Attractions: Quality of life, climate, lack of unionization, venture capital availability, proximity to research institutions.

18. Economic Development and Recession

  • Sunbelt Economy: Characterized by uneven economic development, poor rural parts, and deindustrialization.
  • Great Recession (2008): Oil prices spiked ($45/barrel to $145/barrel). Triggered by the “Housing Bubble” and easy credit.
  • Affected States: MI, CA, AZ, NV (Sunbelt states heavily impacted).
  • Canada: Ontario (37% of CAN GDP); Quebec (19% of CAN GDP). Quebec held referendums on secession in 1980 (42% for) and 1995 (49% for). Quebec’s TFR is low: 1.4 children/female (Francophone).