Urbanism and Environment in Central African Republic, Nigeria, Egypt and Lesotho

Assignment:

Blog Assignment:  Explore the layers of AfricaMap (AfricaMap.harvard.edu). Select 3 of the layers from the following list: ethno and linguistic (language), environment (surface geology, major rivers), population density, utilities, and crisis mapping. Briefly address what these maps reveal about the potential differences and similarities between four African countries, each from a different part of the continent. Using Jing capture screen shots of your maps to include in your blog discussion

It seems interesting to compare The Central African Republic, Egypt, Nigeria and Lesotho because all four countries have a major river running across them. The Central African Republic’s southern border is lined by the Ubangi River. In Egypt, the dry desert land is cut vertically by the Nile River. Nigeria is split into thirds by the Niger and Benue rivers. Rising from the mountains in Lesotho, the Orange River runs westwards and connects Lesotho, South Africa and Namibia.

The Ubangi River runs on the southern border of Central African Republic

The Nile River in Egypt

The Niger River in the west and the Benue River in the East in Nigeria 

The Orange River starts in Lesotho mountains and runs west

 These major rivers affect population distribution in these four countries very differently. (Cities with populations greater than 1000 are marked in red in the maps above). In Egypt, more than 98% of the country’s population lives along the river. Most of the rest of the country is inhabitable given its dry, hot desert climate. Along the river is where the only arable land can be found. Population distribution is more scattered in the other three countries. Nigeria, having one of the largest populations on the continent has a wider distribution of large cities and has a topography with a more diverse set of soils. Central African Republic is similar although its capital Bangui is along the river. Lesotho is largely covered by lithosols and has the least variation of soils maybe because of its exceptionally high elevation compared to other countries in Africa.  

Digital soil map of Egypt

Digital soil map of Nigeria

Digital soil map of Central African Republic

Digital soil map of Lesotho

Elevation in Lesotho

Looking at trade routes, trends in Egypt are predictably along the Nile River but in Nigeria the trade routes are mostly in the North whereas the population is denser in the south. The same is true in Central African Republic.