Natural Resources in Central Africa
Central Africa is a region filled with rich natural resources from deep forests to underground minerals that include oil, timber, cocoa, gold, among others. These resources are very important and useful in people’s daily activities.
Cameroon
Resources found in Cameroon include:
- Cocoa is used to make chocolate and drinks.
- Oil makes fuel for cars and planes. It is also used for trading with other countries
- Bananas are a healthy fruit eaten all over the world.
Central African Republic (CAR)
Resources found in CAR are:
- Diamonds and gold are used for making jewelry.
- Timber is used to build houses and make furniture.
Diamonds help the country trade with others and earn money ( foreign exchange).
Chad
Resources found in Chad are:
- Oil and gas give us fuel and electricity.
- Livestock gives meat, milk, and leather.
- Salt is used in food and to keep it fresh.
Petroleum is by far the main export, live cattle and meat are also exported.
Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville)
Resources found in Republic of Congo are:
- Oil powers cars and machines.
Oil is the biggest source of income for the country.
- Potash helps farmers grow healthy crops.
- Diamonds are used in jewelry.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Resources found in DRC are:
- Copper and Cobalt are used in electronics like phones, laptops, and batteries.
- Diamonds and gold are for jewelry.
- Oil gives energy for cooking and lighting.
Copper and cobalt are the country’s leading exports.
Equatorial Guinea
Resources found in Equatorial Guinea are:
- Timber is used to build homes and make products.
- Oil and gas provide energy.Oil helps the country earn money.
- Cocoa makes sweet treats like chocolate.
Gabon
Resources found in Gabon are:
- Oil makes fuel for cars and factories. Oil is Gabon’s biggest export.
- Manganese is used to make steel, which is very strong and used in construction of buildings and cars.
- Uranium can be used to make electricity.
These natural resources are Important because:
- They create jobs in farming, mining, and factories.
- They help countries trade with others and earn money.
- They are used to build roads, schools, and hospitals that help the lives of people in a country.
- They help grow food and make energy.
- They help Central Africa connect with the world by selling useful things.