Four Main Geographic Regions of West Africa

West Africa is commonly divided into four major geographic zones, each with distinct climate, vegetation, and economic activities:

1. The Coast: Stretches from Mauritania to Nigeria. Tropical, hot and humid. Economy: fishing, major ports (Dakar, Abidjan).
2. The Sahel: Semi-arid belt south of the Sahara. Long dry season, short rains. Economy: livestock herding; cities like Niamey, Ouagadougou.
3. The Sudan (Savanna): Between Sahel and Congo Basin. Tropical with distinct wet/dry seasons. Economy: agriculture; cities like Bamako, Conakry.
4. The Congo Basin (Guinean Forests): Humid tropical rainforest zone. Year-round rain. Economy: agriculture, timber; cities like Kinshasa, Brazzaville.

These zones shape livelihoods, settlement patterns, and environmental challenges across the region.