Chapter 22 Homework

Chapter 22, Section 1

1. What are three of the problems cash-crop production has created for the economies of

the countries of the region?

Answer:  One problem is the complete reliance on one or two crops.  A disease or drought killing those crops could demolish the countries' economies.  Another problem is land and lack of fair distribution.  Farmers that produce essential foods do not have enough room to grow enough crops and support the country.  The cash crop farms are using up everything.  Another problem is the fights that spring up between the farmers and the cash-crop plantation owners over land and how much each should get.

2. What are three ways that transportation and communications in the region are changing?

Answer:

Transportation is slowly moving into roads and railroads.  Some countries consider the construction, maintenance, and workers on railroads to be number one priority.  Because of this, more people from various countries have been able to meet.  New satellite technology improves the reach of television to broadcast global news.  Telephone service is also been closely looked at, many countries trying to establish phone lines in more rural areas so people can communicate with one another.

Creative Writing: Write a paragraph about the possible reasons that countries in the region have taken on enormous debt that they have been unable to repay. Consider the economic activities, transportation and communications, and trade relationships of the countries of Africa south of the Sahara.

Answer:

I think that the debt is a result of many things.  One is the constant building of new roads and paying the workers, which requires a lot of money.  Another would be making satellites, or paying other countries to make them, and also installing telephone poles.  Another reason that the debt exists could be the multiple wars in which the countries had to pay outside countries to help and provide aid.  The wars result is major debt, which is also a factor.

Chapter 22, Section 2

1. What are three reasons food shortages have occurred in parts of Africa south of the Sahara?

Answer:  Grasslands turning into Deserts, wars stunting economical growth, and drought.

 

2. What are three of the steps African countries south of the Sahara are taking to protect

their environment?

Answer:  Creating reserves for endangered species, Encouraging ecotourism, or tourism based on concern for the environment, and signing agreements to preserve the forests.

Creative Writing: Famine and war are among the threats to the people of Africa south of the Sahara, and desertification and poaching are among the threats to the environment and wildlife. Write a paragraph describing how the threats are related, and how reducing the threats to the people can reduce the threats to environment and wildlife.

Answer:

Desertification causes famine and wide spread death.  By taking better care of the environment and stop abusing resources, people can stop desertification.  And, with no desertification, or at least less, droughts will be less common and therefore famine will be less common.  Less common famine will lead to more people surviving.  War is another thing that causes panic.  People in panic often look for any way to make ends meet, even if it is killing animals. Poverty may drive people to hunt endangered animals and sell their goods for high prices in order to stay alive.  By stopping war, people will be less desperate and perhaps decrease in poaching.