Vol. 4, No. 2, March 1966 - "Africa"

THE SOUTHERN EXTENT OF THE AFRICAN RIFT VALLEY SYSTEM

(pp. 1 - 11)

Harm J. de Blij

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Abstract

The positive features of Africa's physiography are sustained dominantly by crystalline rocks. In its broadest outlines, the continent is a plateau, highest in the east and tilting toward the west, bounded by escarpments leading down narrow, hilly coastal belts or, infrequently, coastal plains. The great continental shield possesses a number of major drainage basins (Congo, Niger-Chad, Nile-Sudan) which remain separated by divides which are in effect remnants of the planed surface which formerly extended across the landmass. To the east of these drainage basins lies what may be called the continent's plateau axis undefined an almost uninterrupted plateau, mostly between one and two miles high, extending from northern Ethiopia to South Africa.

THE PORT OF DAKAR: A CASE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF INDEPENDENCE UPON A FORMER COLONIAL PORT

(pp. 12 - 16)

Richard J. Peterec

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Abstract

The port of Dakar in Senegal, like many other institutions introduced and developed during the colonial period, is in the process of redefining and reshaping its role in an independent West Africa. Since the political independence of Senegal, Mali, and Mauritania in 1960 undefined or perhaps more accurately, with the dissolution of French West Africa in 1959 undefined a series of new political and economic relationships has been introduced in West Africa. Among other things, these changes have resulted in the modification of the traditional role of the port in this region. Some of the changes have come about suddenly and unexpectedly (e.g., the political break between Senegal and Mali between 1960 and 1963 which forced Mali to develop new ties with other neighboring states, notably the Ivory Coast), while others have been and are being developed more gradually (e.g., the political and economic relationship between Senegal and independent Gambi). In response to these changes, the role of the port of Dakar today is different from what it was before the abolishment of French West Africa and from what it very likely will be in the future.

THE SOILS OF TROPICAL AFRICA, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NIGERIA

(pp. 17 - 22)

Donald J. Ballas

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana, Pennsylvania

Soils often may be considered "the best total index of the environment", reflecting in many cases such diverse ecological factors as climate (including micro-climates), vegetation, parent material, topography, animal life (biological organisms in the broadest sense), time, and human intervention. Hence, it is still surprising and discouraging, at least to the author, to observe the relative neglect of soils in textbooks and articles on Africa.

NIGERIA AND SOME OF ITS CITIES

(pp. 23 - 24)

Norah E. Zink

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana, Pennsylvania

Abstract

Nigeria approaching 60 million is the most populous nation in Africa, which comprises one-fifth of all the people of the continent. The Federation of Nigeria, now dissolved, was made up of four autonomous and largely hostile regions undefined the North, East, West, and Midwest undefined and the Federal Region of Lagos. These areas were not equal in size, the North containing three-fourths of the country and over one-half of the people. A revolt on January 15, 1966 ended the Federation which had been in existence since October 1, 1960 and replaced it with military rule.