Geography:2nd Term e- note, SS 1.

Week 1..MEANING OF ENVIRONMENT

The environment is defined as the surroundings or conditions where a person, animal, or plant lives or
strives. In otherwords, the environment includes all the factors, external and internal, living and non-
living factors which affect an organism (both plants and animals).

TYPES OF ENVIRONMENT

There are three major types of environment. These are physical environment, social environment and
cultural environment.

(1) Physical environment: The biophysical environment is the biotic and abiotic surroundings of an
organism or population and they include the factors that have an influenc on their survival,
development and evolution. The physical environment includes plants,animals,climate and factors such
as temperature,wind ,sunlight ,soil and rocks

(2) Social environment: The social environment is the immediate physical and social surroundings that
people live or something happens or manifests. The social environment is also called non-physical
environment relates to the environment created by human activities in changing the phase of land
forms.it includes built environment in terms of schools, houses, roads, airports, seaports,bridges,play
grounds, markets,banks,shops and farms.

(3) Cultural environment: The cultural environment refers to the cultural and social aspect of a given
society from its very nature.They are the people who surround us,their norms and beliefs that make up
the cultural environment. The cultural environment include the religious activities in churches,
mosques, way of dressing, our hair styles and ways of feeding.

IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT .

The environment is very important to all living organisms including human beingThe

Importance of the environment can best be discussed under the importance of

Lithosphere,Hydrosphere, Atmosphere and Biosphere.

1.lmportance of Lithosphere to Man

(a) Lithosphere forms the basis of all human settlement.

(b)All mineral resources are derived from lithosphere.

(c)It aids transportation through construction of roads, railways an airport.

(d) All farming activities are carried out of lithosphere.

2. Importance of Hydrosphere to Man

(a) Hydrosphere provides water for domestic uses, e.g. washing, drinking and cooking.

(b) It provides a medium of transportation

(c) It also provides water for industrial uses.

(d) It provides food in form of fish, prawns, etc to man.

(e)It provides employment, e.g. fishermen.

3. Importance of Atmosphere to Man

(a).The atmosphere is the habitat of some living organisms.

(b) It provides oxygen for animals and plants for respiration.

(c) It provides carbon dioxide for photosynthesis by plants. best b Sphere

(d) It provides oxygen for combustion or burning.

(e).It contains ozone layer which acts as protective cover for living organisms against the burning
effects of ultra-violet rays of the sun.

4. Importance of Biosphere to Man

(a)Plants in the biosphere provide food for man.

(b) They also provide a source of energy like firewood for man.

(c) Plants also provide clothing materials like cotton and wool for man.

(d) It provides shelter in form of timber for man.

(e).It provides raw materials like timber. hides and skin, cotton for industries.

MEANING OF WEATHER

Weather is defined as the condition of the lower atmosphere of a place over a short period. The
weather of a place is always very brief and changes regularly e.g. the weather of today could be sunny,
rainy or cloudy.

WEATHER ELEMENTS

The elements of weather and climate include:

(i) Temperature (ii) Rainfall (iii) Wind

iv) Pressure (v) Relative humidity (vi) Cloud cover (vii) Sunshine.

1.Temperature: Heat within the air indicates how hot or cold a place is and varies from latitude to
latitude. The sun is the source of all heat, measured with the aid of thermometer. It influences the
actual amount of water vapour present in the air and also the rate of evaporation and condensation. In
the lower atmosphere, temperature decreases with heights.

2. Pressure: This consists of a number of mixed gases and has weight which it exerts on the earth
surface. It varies from place to place and from time to time. The higher one goes,the lower the
temperature and Pressure.Pressure is measured with a barometer.

3. Cloud: This is particles of water droplets in the upper atmosphere suspended in the air. Due to
condensation of water vapour carried by rising air, clouds may give precipition Cloud reduces visibility
and deplete solar insulation. Types of cloud include cirrus, cumulus and status.

4. Sunshine: This is the visible part of solar energy. It is useful for plants a other living organisms. It
determines how dry the wind is and aids the process of formation of clouds and rainfall. The amount of
sunshine depends on the latitude of a place, and the slope of land. Sunshine varies according season.

5.Rainfall: Rainfall refers to water droplets from the atmosphere. It occurs as a result of evaporation
from water bodies su as rivers, lakes, ocean and transpiration from plants. Condensation reache
saturation point, dew point is finally reached. The amount of rainfall measured with the aid of a rain
gauges .The different types of rainfall are convectional, orographic and cyclonic.

6 Wind: This is air in motion, from high pressure to low pressure belts. It has special mode of direction
and is made up of series of dusts and eddies, capable of carrying moisture, dust and othe pollutants.
Wind adapts to the characteristics of its immediate environment. The direction is measured with wind
vane while the speed is measured with anemometer.

7.Humidity: This is a measure of the dampness of the atmosphere due to water in the gaseous state, and
it varies from place to place at different times of the day. Two types exist: absolute and relative humidity
and it is measured with hygrometer.

Week 2-- 3.MEANING OF CLIMATE.

Climate is defined as the average weather conditions of a place over a long period of time (35 years)

The weather of any given place changes from day to day while climate is comparatively constant over a
long time.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WEATHER AND CLIMATE

1.Weather is the atmospheric condition of a place 1.Climate is the average condition of a place over a
over a short period (days,weeks,hours,months) long period of time (35 years).
2. Weather changes very often. 2. Climate does not change very often.

3. Weather cannot be generalized 3. Climate can be generalized.

4. Weather describes the atmospheric condition of 4. Climate describes the atmospheric condition of
a small place a large area.

ATTRIBUTES OF CLIMATE

The attributes of climate are variability, aerial extent and duration.

(1) Variability: Climate is often described as the average weather conditions of a place over a long period
of time (35 years). The climatic condition of a place does not change regularly. It does not change
frequently from day to day. Rather the climate of a place remain the same for a very long period of time.

(2) Aerial extend: The climate of a normally cover a long distance. In other words, the area normally
cover climate is usually very large. Climate occur within a long distance before change.

(3) Duration: The climate of a place do last for a very long time. The duration of of climate is always very
long. The climate of a place may experience heavy rainfall and it might take a very long time before it
can stop.

FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE

Climate varies from one part of the world to another due to the effects of the following factors.1.
latitude.2. Altitude .3. continentality or distance from the sea.4. Ocean currents.5. planetary winds and
pressure belts.6. slope and aspect.7.Cloud cover.8. Natural vegetation and soil

1.Latitude: Latitude refers to the location of a place on the earth's surface in relation to the equator.
Tropical latitudes, where the sun's altitude is always high have hotter temperature than lower latitudes
where the sun's altitude is generally low. These differences in t temperature in relation to different
latitudes affect climate.

(2) Altitude: Altitude refers to the height of a place above the sea-level. As one moves higher into the
atmosphere, the temperature decreases by 6.5°C for every 1000m of ascent.This is called the normal
lapse rate. High altitudes like high mountains contain less dust and water vapour and so allow heat to
escape easily and remain cold.

(3) Continentality or distance from sea: Generally, the further the inland is from the sea, the less the
rainfall, e.g. free town on the coast and Timbuktu on the inland. Lower temperature range exists along
the coast than inland, e.g. Calabar (less than 30°C) and Agades (more than 15 C). Higher humidity also
occurs along the coast than further inland generally.There is also thicker cloud cover along the coast
than inland.

(4) Slope and aspect: Steep slope experiences more rapid change in temperature than a gentle slope.

Week 4: Geography of Nigeria.

LOCATION OF NIGERIA

Nigeria is located between 4°N and 14°N of the Equator and between 3°E and 15°E of the Greenwich
meridian. Therefore, the latitudinal extent or stretch of Nigeria is about 10° (14°N -4°N) while the
longitudinal extent or stretch is 12° (15°E -3°E,).

POSITION OF NIGERIA

Nigeria is in West Africa and centrally located in Africa. In West Africa, apart from the Atlantic ocean in
the South, she is surrounded by Francophone (French speaking) countries. She is bounded in the west by
Benin Republic, in the north by Niger Republic, in the east by Cameroun Republic, in the north-east by
Chad Republic and in the south by Atlantic ocean.

Size. Nigeria is the fourth largest country in West Africa in terms of land area after Niger, Mali and
Mauritania. The total land area of Nigeria is approximately 923,768 square kilometers.

The greatest distance from east to west is approximately 1,3000km while from north to south is
about 1,100km.

Diagram of Nigeria at a glance.

In terms of population, Nigeria is the most populous single country in Africa with 140 million (ie.
140,003,542) people in 2006.

POLITICAL DIVISION OF NIGERIA

The country, Nigeria came into existence in 1914 as a result of the amalgamation of the Northern and
Southern protectorates. She became independent in 1960. As at independence, the country had three
regions namely, North, East and West. The Northern region had its headquarters in Kaduna, East in
Enugu and West in Ibadan.

In 1960, Nigeria became a Republic and the fourth region known as Mid-West was created from the
then Western region with its headquarters in Benin city. The political divisions remained four until 1967
when the country was further divided into twelve states.

In 1976, the country was further divided into 19 states. In September 23rd 1987, two more states were
created, making the total number to be 21. Nigeria presently has thirty six states and a Federal Capital
Territory (FCT), Abuja which is the federal capital of Nigeria.

Assignment

Write out the 36 states and capitals.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN NIGERIA

A local government area is formed by the combination of several towns and villages which have similar
physical and cultural features. Local government area represents the third tier of government in Nigeria
and each local government area has its own administrative headquarters.

Week 5.Topic,, RELIEF (LOWLANDS AND LOW HIGHLANDS)

Definition of Relief: Relief refers to the surface features of the land above the sea level. Relief of Nigeria
can be grouped into two main classes which are lowlands and highlands.

(A) Lowlands. Lowlands refer to the areas below 300m above the sea level.

Areas of Lowlands in Nigeria

Areas of lowland and their altitude or height are as follows:

1.The Sokoto plain in the North West (200 - 300m).

2. The Niger-Benue trough/valley (100- 300m).

3. The Chad basin or Bornu plain (100- 300m).

4. The Niger Delta (0-100m).

5.The Cross River basin (120-180m).

6 The interior coastal lowland of Western Nigeria (100-300m).

7 The coastal plain (0-100m).

Rocks Associated With Lowlands

1.Coastal plain - sedimentary rocks of alluvial deposits.

2. Niger-Benue trough-sedimentary rocks of limestone, sandstone and shale.

3. Sokoto plain-sand, clay, sandstone and limestone.

4. Chad basin-made up of sand and clay.

Rocks, generally known to be associated with low lands are the sedimentary rocks.

Importance of Lowlands

(1) Plains, especially level ones are good for human habitation. Population and settlements are usually
concentrated on plains.

(2) Some plains are rich sources of minerals like petroleum and coal.

(3) Plains, especially depositional plains have rich fertile soils which favour intensive agriculture.

(4) Plains, generally favour commu-nication as roads, railway, airports are better built on levelled lands.

(5) In areas of low rainfall, rearing of animals are carried out in plains as it favours the growth of pasture.

(6) Rivers in plains provide water for drinking and transportation.

(7) Rivers in plains (basins) provide jobs eg.

DISADVANTAGES OF PLAINS.

1. Some plains, especially in delta areas may be flooded with water and this reduces human activities.

2. Some may pose serious barrier to communication, especially in areas flooded by excess water either
from river or after rain. It, therefore, increases the cost of developing these areas e.g construction of
flyovers.

(B) Highlands: Highlands refer to areas over 300m above the sea level.

Areas of Highlands in Nigeria and their height or altitude are as follow: The highlands in Nigeria are
grouped into four areas.

1. The North-Central Highlands: It lies in the centre of Northern Nigeria around Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi,
Jigawa and Plateau States. Jos plateau (200-1500m) is found in this highland and is a great hydrological
centre or watershed with radial pattern of drainage in which river like Hadeja, Kaduna and Sokoto take
their sources. The highest point of Jos plateau is Shere Hills (1650m)
2.The Western Highlands: The Western highlands or upland is found in the western part of Nigeria
around Ondo, Oyo, Kwara and Osun States.

Important hills in this area include

(1)Idanre hill (highest point) - 950m

(!!) Apata hill (400-700m),

(!!!) Epeme hill (350-600m).

Three important rivers - rivers Ogun,Osun and Osse have their sources from the highlands.

3. The Eastern Highlands: These found in the borders between Nigeria a Cameroun. They represent the
highest zones in Nigeria. Among the mountains are:

1. Obudu and Oban hills (1200m).

2.Adamawa mountains (1800--2400m)

3. Biu plateau ( 800 -- 1000).

The area has rivers like Rivers Gana,Ngoda and yedseram which flow to lake Chad.

4. The Eastern Scarpland: This is found within the eastern region of Nigeria, especially around Enugu and
Nsukka. The major highland in this area is the Udi-Nsukka Plateau (300- 600m)

Rivers Anambra, Imo, and Cross have their sources from this scarpland.

Major Rock Types in Highlands

1. North central plateau, western highlands, Mandara mountain., Shebshi, Alantika, Obudu and Oban
hills are made up of basement complex rocks (combination of igneous and metamorphic rocks).

2. ) Jos Plateau is made up of volcanic rocks

3. . Udi Hills are made up of carboniferous sedimentary rock.

Importance of Highlands

(1) Sources of minerals: Some moutains are sources of some minerals like tin. gold, diamond which are
useful to man.

(2) Formation of rainfall: High mountains aid the formation of rainfall (orographic or relief rainfall),
especially on the windward side of the mountain. (

(3) Climatic barriers: Some mountains serve as climatic barriers because, their two sides may have
different climates.
(4) For defence: Mountains are useful in times of inter-tribal wars for easy defence against enemies.

(5) As tourist centres: Some high mountains are centres for tourist attraction.

(6) As sources of rivers: Mountains are the sources (the beginning) of many rivers and streams.

(7) Construction of Hydro-electric Power (H.E.P.): The nature of some rivers with their steep slopes, fast
flowing and, presence of rapids at the source aid the construction of H.E.P to generate electricity.

Week 6:DRAINAGE OF NIGERIA

Drainage refers to water bodies like river and lakes. Drainage of Nigeria is discussed in two parts - rivers
and lakes.

River in Nigeria.

Nigeria is drained by two main rivers -- Rivers Niger and Benue.

River Niger, the largest river in Nigeria has its source from Guinea highlands in Guinea.it pass through
Mali and Niger Republic to Nigeria

River Benue has its source from eastern highlands and joins the Niger at Lokoja. Because of this Lokoja is
known as a confluence town.

Other rivers in Nigeria take their sources from highlands in Nigeria known as Hydrological centres. These
are:

1. Western Highlands: They have rivers such as Ogun, Osun and Osse which flow directly into the
Atlantic ocean.

2. North-Central Highlands: They have such rivers as Kaduna, Hadeija, Zamfara, Yobe, Ghana, Gongola
and Rima

3. ) Eastern Highlands: They have rivers like Donga and Kastina-Ala.

4. Eastern Scarplands: They have rivers like Anambra and Cross River.

Characteristics of Nigerian Rivers.

1.The volume of the rivers changes with season: The volume of water increases during the rainy season
and decreases during the dry season.

2. Presence of debris: Most Nigerian rivers do have lots of debris like dead leaves, mud and wood when
they flow through forest.
3.Specifle diretion of flow. Rivers in the south flow in the north-south direction into the sea while rivers
in the north flow in radial pattern to different directions.

4. Shallowness: Most rivers are very shallow and full of silt associated with high evaporation and
seepage of water into the soil.

5. The colour changes with season: The rivers have muddy and dirty colour during rainy season but
remain clear and clean during dry season.

6. Seasonality: Most rivers flow during rainy season but stop or reduce flowing during the dry season.

Importance of Nigerian Rivers

(1) Medium of transportation: Rivers. especially the large ones serve as medium of transportation from
one place to another

(2)Generation of Hydro-electric Power (H.E.P): Many rivers are dammed in areas of water fall and rapids
for the purpose of generating electricity

(3) Irrigation purposes: Water from rivers is used for irrigation purposes (ie. irrigation agriculture)
especially in areas of low rainfall to aid crop cultivation

(4)Domestic uses: Water from rivers is used for various domestic purposes such as cooking, washing,
bathing and drinking

(5) Industrial uses: Water from rivers is also required by many industries such as textile, brewery and
chemical industries

(6) Provision of employment: Rivers do provide employment to many people eg fishermen, canoe and
ship builders

(7) Sources of food supply: Rivers are known to provide food for man in form

of fish, prawns, crayfish and crab.

(8) Recreation/Tourism: Some rivers are centers of tourist attraction and may generate foreign exchange
for a nation.

Problems Encountered in the Utilization of Nigerian Rivers.

These are:

1. Seasonal fluctuation of the water volume.

(ii) Rapids and falls on the rivers.

(iii) Growth of water weeds.

(iv) Narrow channels.

(v) River pollution.

(vi) Inland drainage into lakes.

(vii) Shallow channels.

(V!!!) Shortness of rivers.

River Basins: River basin refers to the area generally drained by a river and its tributaries. In other words,
river basins are naturally depressed low land areas. River basin is also called catchment area.

In Nigeria, there are five major river basins. These are:

(i) The Niger Basin (ii) The Benue Basin(iii) The Chad Basin (iv) The Cross River Basin

(v) The South Atlantic Basin. The rivers in these basins are grouped into three classes of:

1. Long rivers with large basin: These rivers flow to the sea across long to distances through the
land.e.g.River Niger and Benue.

2. Short rivers with small basin: These rivers also flow to the sea but are very short. e.g. Rivers Osun,
Ogun and Cro river.

3.Rivers in basins of inland drainage These rivers do not reach the sea but rather they flow into Lake
Chad.e.g Rivers Yobe, Hadeija and Yedserama and Gana.

IMPORTANCE OF RIVER BASIN.

1. Good sites for settlements: As a result of the fact that river basins are depressed lowlands, it enables
people to settle a build houses.

(2) Suitable lands for agricultura purposes: Some river basins with alluvial plains are fertile lands for
agricultural purposes.

3. Medium of communication: Th presence of rivers enables people to transport themselves and their
good . from one place to another.

(4)River basins serve as deposits fo minerals: Depressed or lowland areas do serve as deposits for
minerals e petroleum.
(5) Sites for water supply: Water from rivers in the basins may be used for domestic and industrial
purposes,

(6) Fishing in the river: Rivers in the basins do provide or act as fishing ground for fishermen.

Lakes In Nigeria:

A lake is a body of water surrounded by land

. The lakes in Nigeria grouped into two major types.

1. Man- made or artificial lakes: These lakes are constructed by man.Examples of such lakes are Lake
Kainji on River Niger and Shiroro Lake on River Kaduna.

2. Natural lake: These are lakes which exist naturally.The only popular example is Lake Chad.Lake Chad is
also described as an inland drainage because it receives water from many rivers such as
Hadeija,Gana,Yobe,etc.

In spite of the fact that lake Chad receives water from many rivers,it is very shallow.

Reasons for the Shallowness of Inland Drainage (Lake Chad)

1. Nature of the rivers flowing into the lake.The five rivers that supply the lake with water are
shallow,flow sluggishly and pass through semi desert.Hence, most of the water is lost through
evaporation and percolation into soil leading to reduced flow of water into the lake.

2. Tapping of some rivers by river Benue: Specific rivers like River Lagone (outside Nigeria) is being
tapped by the Benue headstream. This contributes to reduced volume of water.

3. Location of the lake: The Lake is essentially located in Sahara desert and thus it experiences high
evaporation leading to low volume of water.

4. Underground drainage: It has been suspected that lake Chad is experiencing underground seepage to
nearby oasis, hence, the shallowness of the lake.

Importance of Lakes

: Lakes, just like rivers almost perform the same functions. So, the importance of lakes can therefore be
summarised in the following ways

1. Employment

ii) Provision of food e.g. fish

(iii)Irrigation

(iv) Generation of H.E.Pob

(V) Development of the area

(vi) Industrial Uses

(vii) Transportation

(viii)Tourism

(ix) Domestic Uses.