Population and Land

Ploughing sandy soils. Image credit zimbabweelection.com

• Land is the most important natural resource base in a country.
• This is especially true for a country like Zimbabwe whose economy is agro-based
• Rapid population growth increases human demand on the land causing heavy damage to the land.
• A slow population growth rate as well as advanced technologies and land use practices have helped maintain balanced and healthy environments.
• The major problem of Africa is slow growth in industrialization.
• In developing countries, rapid population growth rates coupled by increasing poverty, have created the scissors effect, slicing their ability to sustain themselves.
• Rapid population growth rates, shortage of farmland, together with poor farming practices and low level of technology, have left the communal areas highly degraded.
• Land resources have been over exploited, erosion accelerated and the rate of desertification increased.
• The areas are characterized by high deforestation for farmlands, for fuel, and building materials, severe overgrazing and over-cultivation, turning the countryside into badlands, semi deserts and highly silted waterways.

To access more topics go to the O Level Geography Notes page