(a) State five ways in which highlands promote economic development in the North Central Highlands (b) What five characteristics of highlands hinder the development of the region?
Explanation
(a) Ways in which highlands promote economic development in the North-Central Highland: (i) Sources of solid minerals (e.g, tin in Jos Plateau) (ii) Promotion of tourism (iii) Sources of rivers (iv) High plains suitable for crop farming (v) Provision of pasture for grazing (vi) Presence of waterfalls for HEP generation (vii) Used for mounting communication masts (viii) Rocks and gravels for construction (b) Problems of development: (i) Transportation difficulty (ii) Remoteness of some highlands makes them inaccessible (iii) Steep nature of the slopes leads to rapid soil erosion (iv) Ruggedness of highlands limits agricultural production (v) Highlands are vast, thus making integrated development difficult (vi) Rain shadow effect on the leeward side limits development