Question

Describe the characteristics of the Sahel. Write a paragraph of at least 5 complete sentences.

Answer 1

The Sahel is a semi-arid transition zone stretching across Africa from the Atlantic coast in Senegal and Mauritania to the Red Sea region of Sudan and Eritrea, forming a broad belt between the Sahara to the north and wetter savannas to the south. It has a hot climate with a short, highly seasonal rainy season (typically June to September) and long dry periods; annual rainfall varies widely from about 100 mm in the north to 600 mm or more in the south. Vegetation is sparse relative to the savanna, consisting mainly of grasses, shrubs, scattered acacia trees, and areas of bare or sandy soil, with a clear north–south gradient in productivity. Economies are largely based on pastoralism and rainfed subsistence agriculture—millet, sorghum, and livestock are important—but livelihoods are vulnerable to drought, variable rains, overgrazing, and land degradation. The region faces significant environmental and social challenges, including desertification, soil erosion, food insecurity, rapid population growth, and recurring humanitarian crises exacerbated by climate change and political instability. Despite these stresses, the Sahel is home to diverse ethnic groups and cultures with long histories of mobility, communal resource management, and adaptation to a marginal environment.