Population and Demographic Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on Sub-Saharan Africa's population, geography, culture, and economic challenges.

Population Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is the fastest-growing world region, with 950 million people and a natural increase rate of 2.6%.

Poverty Line in Sub-Saharan Africa

41% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa lives on less than $1.25 per day.

Life Expectancy in Sub-Saharan Africa

The average life expectancy in Sub-Saharan Africa is 57 years.

Region's Geographic Divisions

Sub-Saharan Africa consists of 48 states and 1 territory, often divided into western, central, eastern, and southern subregions.

Physical Features of Sub-Saharan Africa

The region is dominated by extensive elevated plateaus, with highest elevations on its eastern edge, straddling the equator.

Congo River's Significance

The Congo River is the largest watershed in Sub-Saharan Africa, second only to the Amazon River in terms of annual flow, and is a vital source of hydroelectricity.

Main Biomes of Sub-Saharan Africa

The three main biomes are tropical forests, savannas, and deserts, including the Ituri rainforest in the Congo Basin (world's second-largest equatorial rainforest).

Soil Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa

Soils are relatively infertile, except in areas with volcanic activity like the Great Rift Valley, which supports dense settlement and agriculture.

Key Environmental Issues

Significant environmental issues include deforestation, desertification, and drought, which impact household income and food consumption.

Sahel Region and Desertification

The Sahel region is particularly vulnerable to desertification due to overgrazing and agricultural expansion.

Green Belt Movement

An environmental organization led by Wangari Maathai, focused on tree planting, reducing deforestation, and empowering women in Kenya.

Biofuels and Deforestation

Biofuels account for a significant portion of energy supply (e.g., 84% in Nigeria), contributing to deforestation.

Climate Change Vulnerabilities

Sub-Saharan Africa is vulnerable to climate change, with potential consequences like expansion of vector-borne diseases, wildlife depletion, and famine, especially in the Sahel.

Youth Population

43% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa is under the age of 15, and the region is expected to reach 2 billion people by 2050.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

The TFR in Sub-Saharan Africa is 5.1, the highest in the world, influenced by cultural practices, rural lifestyles, and limited female education.

Major Health Challenges

The region faces high child and maternal mortality rates, low life expectancy, and a high burden of diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and Ebola.

HIV/AIDS Epidemic Epicenter

Southern Africa is the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic, with countries like South Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho having the highest HIV prevalence rates.

Urbanization Trends

Over one-third of Sub-Saharan Africa's population lives in urban areas, with cities like Lagos, Nairobi, and Accra experiencing rapid growth and sprawl.

Urban Segregation

Urban spaces in the region are highly segregated, with upper-income gated communities and 'Global Central Business Districts' emerging due to world market forces.

Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

Sub-Saharan Africa is culturally diverse with over 1,000 languages spoken, including major families like Niger-Congo and official languages like English and French.

Bantu Language Family

The Bantu language family introduced agriculture to large areas of central and southern Sub-Saharan Africa, with Swahili becoming the most widely spoken language in the region.

Dominant Religions

Islam and Christianity are the dominant religions, with Islam prevailing in the Sahel and Christianity spreading elsewhere, while animism retains appeal.

South Sudan's Independence

South Sudan separated from Sudan in 2011, creating a new state in the region.

Nollywood

The Nigerian film industry, a major cultural hub in West Africa, producing over 2,500 films a year.

The Scramble for Africa

European powers colonized the region in the 1880s following the Berlin Conference, establishing rules for 'effective control' of territories.

Post-Colonial Challenges

After gaining independence (Ghana in 1957; most by mid-1960s), many Sub-Saharan African countries struggled with unstable political institutions and national identity due to imposed colonial borders.

Organization of African Unity (OAU)

Founded in 1963 to promote African unity and mediate disputes; now known as the African Union (AU).

Conflict Diamonds (Blood Diamonds)

Diamonds mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict; led to the establishment of the Kimberly Process certification scheme in the 1990s.

Deadliest Regional Conflict

The Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced the deadliest ethnic and political conflict in the region, with an estimated 5.4 million deaths between 1998 and 2010.

Economic Growth and Drivers

Sub-Saharan Africa saw an average annual growth rate of 5.7% (2000-2009), with cell-phone usage and digital technology being key drivers of development.

Historical Contributors to Poverty

The slave trade and colonization are seen as major contributors to the region's poverty.

China's Investment in Africa

China is a significant investor in Sub-Saharan Africa, seeking oil and ore for its industrial economy, with major recipients including Angola, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Debt Relief Strategies

The World Bank and IMF have provided debt relief to heavily indebted poor countries, allowing them to redirect funds towards infrastructure and basic services.

Economic Differentiation

The region exhibits varying levels of economic development, with wealthier nations like Mauritius, Seychelles, and South Africa, contrasting with countries facing corruption and poverty despite natural resources (e.g., Nigeria).

Regional Trade Blocs

Groups like the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) promote intraregional exchange and development.

Women's Role in the Economy

Women play a crucial role in the informal economy, with 70% of women over 15 in the labor force, and hold significant political and economic power, particularly female traders in West Africa.

Sub-Saharan Africa as a Formal Region

Defined as a formal region by geographers, distinct from North Africa, characterized by a fast-growing, generally poorer, more rural, and younger population.

Environmental Obstacles to Development

The region faces obstacles such as poor soils, widespread disease, and drought vulnerability, leading to concerns about food and water insecurity.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Geographers use tools like map projections, remote sensing, and GIS to collect and show spatial data for understanding regional challenges like desertification and habitat loss.