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Question

Which one of the following lakes of West Africa has become dry and turned into a desert ?

The correct answer is

Lake Faguibine

Understanding the Question: West African Lakes

The question asks us to identify a specific lake located in West Africa that has significantly dried up and transformed into a desert area. This points towards a body of water that has undergone severe environmental change, likely due to factors like climate change, drought, or changes in water sources.

Analyzing the Options and Identifying the Dried Lake

Let's look at the provided options and consider their locations and current status:

  • Lake Victoria: This is the largest lake in Africa by area. However, it is located in East Africa, bordered by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Therefore, it is not a West African lake.
  • Lake Faguibine: Located in Mali, which is in West Africa. Historically, Lake Faguibine was a large lake fed by the Niger River. Over recent decades, due to severe droughts in the Sahel region and reduced flow from the Niger River, Lake Faguibine has drastically shrunk and is often completely dry, with its basin turning into a desertified landscape. This perfectly matches the description in the question.
  • Lake Oguta: A freshwater lake located in Imo State, Nigeria, in West Africa. While it is in West Africa, it is a well-established lake and has not dried up and turned into a desert.
  • Lake Volta: This is one of the largest artificial reservoirs in the world by surface area, located in Ghana, West Africa. It was created by damming the Volta River. This lake is a significant body of water and has not dried up.

Based on the analysis, Lake Faguibine in Mali is the West African lake that has become dry and largely turned into a desertified area due to environmental factors.

Lake Name Location (Region) Current Status Fits Question?
Lake Victoria East Africa Large, exists No (Wrong Region)
Lake Faguibine West Africa (Mali) Largely dry, desertified basin Yes
Lake Oguta West Africa (Nigeria) Exists No
Lake Volta West Africa (Ghana) Large artificial lake, exists No

Conclusion: The Dried West African Lake

Considering the status and location of each lake, Lake Faguibine is the only option among those listed that is in West Africa and has become largely dry, turning into a desert.

Revision Table: West African Geography Focus

Reviewing the locations and characteristics of major lakes in West Africa can help reinforce geographical knowledge.

  • Faguibine: Mali, Sahel, shrinking/dry.
  • Volta: Ghana, artificial, major water source.
  • Oguta: Nigeria, natural, freshwater.

Additional Information: Causes of Lake Drying in Arid Regions

The drying up of lakes like Lake Faguibine is often linked to several factors:

  • Climate Change: Changes in rainfall patterns and increased temperatures lead to less water inflow and more evaporation.
  • Drought: Prolonged periods of low rainfall severely impact water levels, especially in lakes dependent on river flow or direct precipitation.
  • Reduced River Inflow: Diversion of rivers for irrigation or other uses upstream, as well as reduced flow due to drought, decreases the amount of water reaching the lake.
  • Sedimentation: Build-up of silt and sand can reduce the lake's capacity over time.
  • Human Activity: Unsustainable water management practices can exacerbate natural drying trends.

Understanding these factors is crucial for studying environmental changes in regions like the Sahel in West Africa.

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