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GEOGRAPHY
PREAMBLE

The Geography syllabus is designed to evaluate candidates’ knowledge of the features of the
earth’s crust (internal and external), the spatial spread of the physical and human features, the
interactions that exist between man and these spatial features, the changes that occur over space
as well as the effects of those changes on man with a view to maintaining sustainability in
man’s ecosystem. This examination syllabus is based on the assumption that not less than three
hours of teaching per week will be allocated to the subject.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The examination will test the candidates’ ability to

(i) explain the concepts of differential character and the spatial relationships
of the surface features of the earth;

(ii) explain the concepts of man- environment relations (i.e. to analyse the life of man
within his physical and cultural environments and to explain their interactions);

(iii) demonstrate a basic knowledge of the nature and functioning of physical and human
environments, particularly an understanding of their inter-relationships and the resulting
issues;

(iv) organize and formulate principles according to acquired geographical concepts and then
apply these principles to interpret and analyze spatial problems in the immediate and
wider environments;

(v) demonstrate skills and techniques for accurate, orderly and objective geographical
investigations to be carried out both in the classrooms and in the immediate
environment;

(vi) communicate geographical ideas effectively through reports, graphs, charts, sketches,
diagrams and maps;

(vii) explain the cultural, social and economic circumstances of people in their immediate
environments and those of other countries within the sub-region.

SCHEME OF EXAMINATION

There will be three papers, Papers 1, 2 and 3 all of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2 will be a
composite paper to be taken at one sitting.
PAPER 1: will consist of fifty objective questions to be taken in 1 hour for 50 marks. The questions
will be drawn from topics in the syllabus that are common to all the member countries.
Candidates will be required to attempt all the questions.
PAPER 2: will contain nine essay-type questions out of which candidates will be required to
answer four in 2 hours for 80 marks.
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It will be made up of two sections; Sections A and B for candidates in Nigeria and three
sections; Sections A, B and C for candidates in Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The
Gambia.

Candidates in Nigeria will be required to attempt four questions in all, choosing two
questions from each of Sections A and B. Candidates in Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and
The Gambia will be required to attempt four questions in all, choosing at least one question
from each of Sections A, B and C.

The questions will be distributed in the sections as follows:

Section A: Economic and Human Geography

This will consist of three essay-type questions on Economic and Human Geography.
Candidates in Nigeria will be required to attempt any two of them while candidates in Ghana,
Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia are to attempt at least one of the questions.

Section B: Regional Geography of Candidate’s Home Country

There will be a set of three essay-type questions on Regional Geography on each of Ghana,
Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. Candidates in Nigeria will be required to
answer two of the questions on their country while those in the other countries will answer at
least one out of the sets for their countries.
Section C: Regional Geography of Africa
There will be three essay-type questions drawn from Africa for candidates in Ghana, Sierra
Leone, Liberia and The Gambia out of which candidates are expected to answer at least one.

PAPER 3: Element of Practical and Physical Geography

Will consist of eight essay-type questions out of which candidates are to answer four in 1
hour 50 minutes for 70 marks. Question 1, on map reading and interpretation, will be
compulsory for all candidates and will carry 25 marks while the other questions will carry 15
marks each. Candidates are advised not to spend more than 35 minutes on Question 1.
Candidates will be expected to bring graduated rulers (both metric and imperial), a complete
mathematical set, a piece of string and a simple non-programmable calculator for use during
the writing of the paper.

DETAILED SYLLABUS

Any topic in the syllabus that is marked with one asterisk (*) will be for candidates in Ghana,
Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia. Topics that are marked with two asterisks (**) will be
for candidates in Nigeria only. The topics without asterisk are for all member countries.

CONTENTS NOTES
ELEMENTS OF
PRACTICAL AND
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
Map work Maps: meaning, types and uses.
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Map reading and interpretation based on contoured survey

maps of parts of West Africa: scale, measurement of
distances, direction and bearing, map reduction and
enlargement, identification of physical features such as spurs,
valleys, etc. and cultural features such as city walls,
settlements, communication routes, etc.; measurement of
gradients, drawing of cross profiles, inter-visibility,
description and explanation of drainage characteristics and
pattern; patterns of communication, settlement and land use.

Definitions of terms, instruments, chain and prismatic

*Principles of elementary surveying compass, plotting of traverse, avoiding obstacles in the field.

**Geographic Information System GIS: Basic concepts, components (hardware, software, data,
(GIS) procedures and experts); sources of data (land surveying,
remote sensing, map digitizing, map scanning, field
investigation and tabular data etc); uses (defence, agriculture,
urban development, mapping, surveying, transportation,
census etc), problems (power, personnel, capital etc).
Statistical maps and diagrams
Graphical representation of statistical data: Bar graphs, Line
graphs, flow charts, dot maps, proportional circles, density
maps, isopleth maps.
Elements of Physical Geography
The earth as a planet in relation to the sun, latitude and
distance, longitude and time, earth’s rotation and revolution
and their effects, structure of the earth (internal and external).
*Hydrosphere
Ocean basins, salinity, ocean current ( causes, types and their
effects on the temperature of adjacent coastlands), lakes,
rivers, lagoons, water as an environmental resource.

(i) Rocks Types, characteristics, formation and uses.

(ii) Tectonic processes Vulcanicity, earthquake, landforms: Mountains, plains, karsts

and coastal landforms (formation, characteristics and
importance).

(iii) Denudational processes Agencies modifying landforms such as weathering, mass

movement, running water, underground water, wind and
waves.

(iv) Weather and climate Simple weather study based on local observation, description
of the Stevenson’s screen and uses of basic weather
instruments e.g. rain gauge, thermometer, barometer, wind
vane etc.

(v) Climate Rainfall, sunshine, air pressure, wind, humidity, temperature

(a) Elements and cloud. Factors affecting climatic elements e.g. altitude,
latitude, ocean currents, land and sea breezes, continentality,
aspect. Interpretation of climatic charts and data.

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(b) Classification Major types of climate (Hot climate – Equatorial, Tropical

Continental, Desert; Temperate climate – warm and cool).
Classification of climate based on Greek and Koppen.

** (c ) Climate change Meaning, causes, effects and remedies.

*(vi) Vegetation Major types (Tropical Rainforest, cool/warm temperate

woodland, Tropical Grassland); characteristics, distribution,
factors affecting their distribution, plant communities.
Vegetation as an environmental resource. Conservation of
vegetation resources.

*(vii)Soil Definition, local types and characteristics. Factors and

processes of soil formation, soil profile, importance to man
and the effects of human activities on soil. Soil erosion and
conservation.

(vii)The environment
Meaning, classification ( renewable and non renewable)
(a) Environmental types ( vegetation, water, mineral, atmospheric, etc ) and the
resources importance of each.

Types (soil erosion, drought, desert encroachment, flooding

(b) Environmental and pollution), causes, effects and prevention of each.
problems/ hazards
Meaning, importance, methods, problems and solutions.
(c) Environmental
conservation

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CONTENTS NOTES

ECONOMIC AND HUMAN

GEOGRAPHY

(i) World Population Factors and patterns of growth, distribution and movement,
growth rate problems.
(ii) Settlement Types (rural and urban); patterns and factors affecting
location; growth and size; functions of rural and urban
settlements; interaction patterns( urban-rural, rural-urban,
urban-urban, rural-rural); migration.
(iii) Transportation Modes (roads, railways, water, air, pipeline, cables, ropeways
etc.) Transportation and economic development (movement
of people and commodities, national and international trade,
diffusion of ideas and technology, national integration);
problems of transportation and their solutions.
(iv) Industry Classification (primary, secondary and tertiary); types (heavy
and light industry); factors of industrial location;
contributions to development; problems/solutions.
(v) Trade Meaning, types (national and international), reasons for trade,
importance.
(vi) Tourism Meaning, centres, reasons (leisure, recreation, education etc );
importance, problems and solutions.

ASPECTS OF REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY PECULIAR TO MEMBER COUNTRIES

CONTENTS NOTES

REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF
NIGERIA

(a) Nigeria on broad outline Location, position, size, distance and political divisions.

(b) Physical setting Relief, drainage, climate, vegetation

(c) Population Size, distribution, structure, population quality, population

movement, population data ( sources and problems/solutions)

(d) Resources Mineral (petroleum, gas, coal, tin/columbite, iron ore,

limestone)- distribution, methods of extraction, problems and
solutions)

Power (Petroleum, gas, coal HEP, solar energy)

Water (rivers, lakes, dams, sea, underground water)

Vegetation (trees, food and cash crops; timber,etc)- forest,

savanna, biosphere.

(e) Agriculture Types of agricultural practices, food and cash crops,

importance, problems and solutions.
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(f) Transportation Mode, advantages and disadvantages, problems and

solutions, influence of transportation on human activities.

(g) Communication Communication networks, advantages and disadvantages,

importance, problems and solutions.
(h) Industry Definition, types, major industrial zones, factors of location,
importance, problems and solutions.

(i) Trade Meaning, types (national and international), stock exchange,

capital market, forex, major commercial areas, importance of
commercial activities.

(j) Tourism Meaning, centres, reasons for tourism, importance, problems

and solutions.

Issues of Development and Environmental Conservation:

(k) Issues on development and Rural and regional development, resource management and
environmental concerns conservation, environmental pollution e.g. air, water, soil,
noise; waste disposal, etc.

Meaning, member countries, purposes/mandate,

(l) ECOWAS advantages/benefits, disadvantages, problems and solutions.

Geo-political issues-Land reclamation.

(m) Geo-political issues

REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF
GHANA

(a) Ghana on broad outline Location, position, size, distance and political divisions.
(b) Physical setting Physical environment (geology, relief, drainage, climate,
vegetation and soils).
(c) Population Size, growth, distribution and density, age/sex structure:
fertility, morbidity and mortality, migration.
(d) Settlement
Origin, types (rural and urban), characteristics, hierarchy,
land use, urbanization processes, problems and solutions.

(e) Primary economic activities

Subsistence (intensive and extensive) commercial (vegetable,
(i) Agriculture
livestock, dairying, commercial grain), plantation, problems
and solutions.

Inland and ocean (in-shore/off shore), methods, types of fish,

(ii) Fishing
storage and marketing, importance, problems and solutions.

Sources of timber, methods of exploitation, types of species

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(iii) Lumbering (for internal use and for export), problems and solutions,
conservation.

Types, distribution of minerals, methods of extraction,

(iv) Mining importance, problems and solutions.

Types of manufacturing industries, distribution, factors

(f) Manufacturing influencing location of industries, problems of
industrialization.

Services, transport and communication, recreation and

(g) Trade and commerce tourism, administration.

Meaning, centres, reasons for tourism, importance, problems

(h) Tourism and solutions.

Water (Akosombo and Kpong Hydro-electric Power projects

(i) Energy and power – benefits and side effects), fuel wood and charcoal,
petroleum and natural gas (Saltpond), solar, wave and wind
energies (Donkokrom and Kokrobite), Biogas e.g. cow dung.

Issues of Development and Environmental Conservation:

(i) Issues on development Rural and regional development, resource management and
and environmental conservation, environmental pollution e.g. air, water, soil,
concerns noise; waste disposal etc.

REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF
SIERRA LEONE

(a) Sierra Leone on broad Size and location, physical environment, people and
outline settlements.

(b) Primary economic activities

(i)Agriculture Meaning of agriculture, Subsistence (intensive and extensive)

commercial (vegetable, livestock, dairying, commercial grain
production), plantation, problems and solutions.

(ii) Fishing Meaning of fishing, Inland and ocean (in-shore/off shore),

methods, types of fish, storage and marketing, importance,
problems and solutions.

(iii) Lumbering Meaning of lumbering, Sources of timber, methods of

exploitation, types of species (for internal use and for export),
problems and solutions, conservation.

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(iv) Mining Types, distribution of minerals, methods of extraction,

problems and solutions.
(c) Manufacturing Location of industry, types of industries, problems of
manufacturing industry, Energy and Power, water, fuelwood
and charcoal, biogas (e.g. cow-dung), hydro-electric power
projects e.g. Dodo, Guma, Bumbuna.

(d) Transport and Road, rail, water, air, the roles of transport and
communication communication to economic development,( internal and
external trade, diffusion of ideas and technology), problems
of transport and communication, solutions.

(e ) Trade Major commodities of trade (agricultural, manufactured

goods, minerals, etc.), patterns of trade (internal and
external), problems of trade.
(f) Population Size, growth, distribution and migration.

(g) Tourism Meaning, development of tourism, problems of tourism &

solutions, socio-economic effects of tourism. Main tourism
areas, factors responsible for its development, economic
importance.

REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF
LIBERIA

(a) Liberia on broad outline Location, position, size, distance and political divisions.
(b) Physical setting Relief, drainage, climate, vegetation and soil.
(c) Population Size, distribution, structure, population quality, population
movement, population data ( sources, problems & solutions)
(d) Resources Mineral, power, water and vegetation resources, importance
of resources to development.
(e) Agriculture Types of agricultural practices, food and cash crops,
importance, problems and solutions.

(f) Transportation Mode, advantages and disadvantages, problems and

solutions, influence of transportation on human activities.

(g) Communication Communication networks, advantages and disadvantages,

importance, problems & solutions.
(h) Industry Definition, types, major industrial zones, factors of location,
importance, problems and solutions, importance.

Meaning, types ( national and international), forex, major

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(i) Trade commercial areas, importance of commercial activities.

Meaning, centres, reasons for tourism, importance, problems

(j) Tourism and solutions.

Meaning of fishing, Inland and ocean (in-shore/off shore),

(k) Fishing methods, types of fish, storage and marketing, importance,
problems and solutions.

Types, distribution of minerals, methods of extraction,

(l) Mining problems and solutions.

REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF
SENEGAMBIA
Location, position, size, distance and political divisions.
(a) Senegambia on broad
outline

(b) Physical setting Relief, drainage, climate, vegetation and soil.

(c) Population Size, distribution, structure, population quality, population

movement, population data ( sources, problems &solutions)

(d) Resources Mineral, power, water and vegetation resources, importance

of resources to development.

(e) Agriculture Types of agricultural practices, food and cash crops,

importance, problems and solutions.

(f) Transportation Mode, advantages and disadvantages, influence of

transportation on human activities, problems and solutions.

(g) Communication Communication networks, advantages and disadvantages,

importance, problems and solutions.

(h) Industry Definition, types, major industrial zones, factors of location,

importance, problems and solutions.

(i) Mining Types, distribution, methods of extraction, problems and

solutions

(j) Fishing Meaning of fishing, Inland and ocean (in-shore/off shore),

methods, types of fish, storage and marketing, problems and
solutions.

(k) Issues on development and Issues of Development and Environmental Conservation:

environmental concerns Rural and regional development, resource management and
conservation, environmental pollution e.g. air, water, soil,
noise, waste disposal etc.

(l) Trade Meaning, types (national and international), forex, major

commercial areas, importance of commercial activities,
problems and solutions.
(m) Tourism
Meaning, centres, reasons for tourism, importance, problems
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and solutions.

REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY OF
AFRICA

(a) Africa on broad outline Location, size, position, political divisions and associated
islands, physical features and their economic importance
(relief, drainage, climate and vegetation), distribution of
minerals.
(b) Selected topics
(i) Irrigation agriculture Irrigation agriculture in the Nile Basin and the Niger Basin.

(ii) Plantation agriculture Plantation agriculture in West and East Africa.

(iii) Oil production Oil production in Nigeria, Ghana and Libya.

(iv) Lumbering
Lumbering in Equatorial Africa (with particular reference to
Cote d’Ivoire and Zaire).
Gold mining in South Africa.
(v) Gold Mining

(vi) Copper mining Copper mining in Zambia and Zaire

Population distribution in West Africa.

(vii) Population

Meaning, member countries, purposes/mandate,

(viii) ECOWAS
advantages/benefits, disadvantages, problems and solutions.

FIELD WORK Fieldwork on any one of the following topics should be based
on local geography of candidate’s home country. (This
aspect of the syllabus should be examined by schools as part
of the continuous assessment and should account for 25% of
the total mark allotted to continuous assessment).

(i) Land use (rural or urban):

rural – crop farming (e.g. rice, cocoa, etc. )
urban crop farming
mining (e.g. coal, tin, petroleum etc.), fishing.
urban – commercial activities, ports, factories,
recreational etc.
(ii) Market survey – rural or urban.
(iii) Traffic flow – rural or urban.
(iv) Patterns of journey to work – rural or urban.
(v) Rate of erosion in the locality, etc.

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SUGGESTED READING LIST

S/N AUTHOR TITLE PUBLISHER

1. R. B. BUNNETT & P.O. OKUNROTIFA General Geography in Diagram for Longman

West Africa.

2. B. O. AKINDELE & G. C. LEONG Certificate Physical and Human Oxford

Geography (West African Edition).

3. STRAHLER, A. N. Introduction to Physical Wiley International Ed.

Geography.

4. MONKHOUSE, F. J. Principles of Physical Geography. University of London

5. UDO, REUBEN K. Comprehensive Geography of Longman

Tropical Africa.

6. UDO, REUBEN K. Geographical Regions of Nigeria. Longman

7. N. P. ILOEJE A new Geography of Nigeria (New Longman

Edition).

Senior Secondary Geography Series

8. M. A. ABEGUNDE et al Longman
(1-3)

9. DICKSON K. B. & BENNEH G. New Geography of Ghana. Ghana University Press

10. DICKSON & ACHEAMPONG Geography for Senior Secondary Ghana Education Service
Schools in Ghana.

An outline Geography of West

11. OBOLI, H.O.N. Harrap & Company
Africa.

Sierra Leone in Maps.

12. J. I. CLARKE Hodder & Stoughton

A New Geography of Sierra Leone.

13. GWYN-JONES Hodder & Stoughton

Africa.
14. PRITCHARD, J. M. Longman

Macmillan Senior School Atlas.

15. M. DUZE & AFOLABI OJO Macmillan

New Secondary School Atlas.

16. COLLINS Longman

World Atlas.
17. PHILIPS
Longman Dictionary of Geography

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18. CLARY AUDREY N. (Human and Physical). Longman

A Penguin Dictionary of geography

19. MOORE, W. E.
Basic Geography Course for Senior
20. N. P. ILOEJE, P.C. ONOKALA & F.O. Secondary Schools Books 1-3. Longman
ODEMERHO

Macmillan Senior School Atlas for

Liberia Schools.
Macmillan
21. MACMILLAN
IGCSE Geography

Hodder Education, UK
22. Guiness, P. & Nagle, G.

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