< HKDSE Geography < M5
Physical Inputs
| Factor | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Climate | |
| Sunlight/Insolation | Abundant |
| Temperature | High, AMT 28 C |
| Annual range of temperature | Small, 15 C |
| Wind | Serious |
| Relative humidity | Low |
| Rainfall | Scanty (around 250-500 mm on average) and variable; much seasonal variation |
| Soil | |
| Soil fertility | Low |
| Soil acidity | Alkaline |
| Soil texture | Highly coarse, porous and permeable |
| Soil moisture content | Very low |
| Relief | |
| Altitude | Low |
| Aspect | / |
| Slope gradient | Gentle |
| Drainage | |
| Rivers | Very few; only drained by River Niger and River Nile |
Pastureland is limited since the carry capacity of the land is low.
Note on climate
- The Sahel has a semi-arid climate.
- Affected by high-pressure belts (subtropical highs), they face sinking air. The air diverges to form offshore winds. There is thus a loss of moisture. High pressure leads to a lack of uprising air and thus scanty rainfall.
- As it is an inland location, it lacks the mediating effect of seawater, so it is very hot in summer. Intense solar radiation creates a high evaporation rate, which reduce soil moisture, hindering crop growth.
Cultural Inputs
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure and amenities | Poor |
| Technology level | Primitive |
| Labour input | Low |
| Education level | Low |
| Transport networks | Poor |
| Market | Nil (Subsistence farming) |
| Capital | Very little |
| Government support | Limited |
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