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COURSE GUIDE HCM 145 GEOGRAPHY OF TOURISM Course Developer/Writer Dr. G. O. Falade National Open University of Nigeria Programme Leader Dr. G. O. Falade National Open University of Nigeria Course Coordinator Mr. M. A. Gana National Open University of Nigeria NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA HCM 145 COURSE GUIDE National Open University of Nigeria Headquarters University Village Plot 91, Cadastral Zone, Nnamdi Azikiwe Express way Jabi, Abuja Lagos Office 14/16 Ahmadu Bello Way Victoria Island, Lagos e-mail: [email protected] website: www.nou.edu.ng Published by National Open University of Nigeria Printed 2012 ISBN: 978-058-186-3 All Rights Reserved ii HCM 145 COURSE GUIDE CONTENTS PAGE Introduction………………………………… …..…………. 1 Course Objectives…………………………… …..………… 1 Working through this Course……………… …..………….. 1 Study Units………………………………… …..………….. 2 Assignment File……………………………… ….………... 2 Final Examination and Grading…………… ….………….. 3 Salient Points ………………………………… ….……….. 3 Final Advice ……...…………………………… ….………. 3 iii HCM 145 COURSE GUIDE Introduction HCM 145 is on Geography of Tourism. Our major concern here is with geography as it relates to tourism professionals. An attempt has been to provide all the essential features of the geography of Nigeria that you may need in your profession. We have touched on the concept of geography, only peripherally in this book. In the unit on Biodiversity: Landscape, Environment and Ecology, we have discussed, besides the geographical features of Nigeria, the variety of its flora and fauna wealth along with the environmental concerns. The unit on Seasonality and Destinations defines the concept of seasonality. It describes mainly the relationship between the destinations and their seasonality from the point of view of tourism. The unit on Map and Chart Work deals with the importance of maps and charts for tourism professionals. It also describes the language used in maps and charts and tells you the method to read maps and charts to your benefit, etc. Course Objectives As a potential tourism professional you will wonder at the variety and range of questions/queries that may be put across to you by an itinerant tourist (particularly to Nigeria) regarding the landscape, ecology or environment of this country even including questions concerning the state of transportation and road network system. In order not to avert or try to dodge such queries but instead, be able to provide replies that will satisfy potential tourists the necessary information you require has been provided in this course. Thus, by the time you have read this course fully, you should have sufficient knowledge in areas such as: 1. Geographical features 2. Ecological varieties 3. Environmental concerns in Nigeria 4. The road network and 5. Transportation Working through this Course In order to complete this course, you are required to read all the study units as well as other suggested materials. While it is not necessary for you to read them, in order to complete the course successfully, it will be to your advantage if you can. Each unit contains a Self Assessment Exercise by which you can assess your own progress. At various points 1 HCM 145 COURSE GUIDE in the course, particularly at the end of each unit, are TMAs (Tutor- Marked Assignments). Such assignments are supposed to be attempted and their answers mailed to your Tutorial Facilitators. Study Units This course is made up of 12 units broken into modules as follows: Module 1 Unit 1 Nigeria‟s Biodiversity (Landscape, Environment and Ecology) Unit 2 Seasonality and Destinations Unit 3 Map and Chart Work Unit 4 Nigeria‟s Location Unit 5 Nigeria: Relief and Drainage Module 2 Unit 1 Climate of Nigeria Unit 2 Nigeria Vegetation Unit 3 Modes of Transport in Nigeria Unit 4 Demand for Recreation I Unit 5 Demand for Recreation II Module 3 Unit 1 Site Evaluation Unit 2 Visitor and Site Monitoring and Control Assignment File The assignment file will be made available to you; there you will find all the details of the work you must submit to your tutor for marks. The marks you obtain for these assignments will count towards the final mark you obtain for this course. Assignments will normally attract 30% of the final grade, while the formal examination also attracts 70%. The assignments and the final examination add up to 100%. The assignment policy of the University as stated in the student‟s handbook should be observed. Application for extension should be submitted to the tutor. If the assignment is mailed to the tutor, it is the responsibility of the student to check with his/her tutor to confirm the receipt of such assignment so posted. As a precaution, you are advised to keep a copy of each assignment you submit. You are advised to be very systematic in following the instruction pertaining to your course of study. 2 HCM 145 COURSE GUIDE Final Examination and Grading The final examination of any tourism course will be questions of 2½ - 3 hours duration, with a value of 70% as formerly stated of the total course grade. All areas of the course will be examined. As a result, it is very important you read through and through the whole course material as many times as possible as mere permutation may disappoint you. You might find it useful to review your self-tests, TMAs and comments on them before the examination period. The series of courses under Foundation Course in Tourism are at 100 level, of either first or second semester courses. They are all 2-credit unit courses. They are available to all students taking the B.Sc. Tourism Studies. They are also suitable for any one who is interested in knowing what tourism is, particularly those studying a course in Hospitality Management, generally. Salient Points Below are some salient points that could be of help to you while working through this course: 1. Read the course guide thoroughly. 2. Organise a study schedule. Note the time you are expected to or should spend on each unit and how the assignments relate to the unit. 3. Once you have created your own study schedule, do everything you can to stick to it. The major reason that students fail is that they get behind with their course work. 4. Review the objective for each study to confirm that you have achieved them. If you feel unsure about any of the objectives, review the study material or consult your tutor. 5. After completing the last unit, review the course and prepare yourself for the final examination. Final Advice Organise how to manage your time. Do everything to stick to it. One of the major reasons a lot of students fail is that they take things for granted and procrastinate, only to be rushing unnecessarily towards exam period. If you get into difficulties with your schedule, do not waste time to let your tutor know before it will be too late to help you. When you are confident and satisfied that you have achieved a unit‟s 3 HCM 145 COURSE GUIDE objectives, you can then move on to the next unit. Proceed unit by unit through the course, pacing your studies and making the whole exercise easy for yourself. Good luck and enjoy your reading. 4 MAIN COURSE CONTENTS PAGE Module 1 ………………………………………………… 1 Unit 1 Nigeria‟s Biodiversity (Landscape, Environment and Ecology)…………………... 1 Unit 2 Seasonality and Destinations………………… 18 Unit 3 Map and Chart Work………………………… 28 Unit 4 Nigeria‟s Location…………………………… 41 Unit 5 Nigeria: Relief and Drainage………………… 52 Module 2 ………………………………………………… 64 Unit 1 Climate of Nigeria…………………………… 64 Unit 2 Nigeria Vegetation…………………………… 78 Modes of Transport in Unit 3 Nigeria……………….87 Unit 4 Demand for Recreation I…………………….. 100 Unit 5 Demand for Recreation II……………………. 109 Module 3 ………………………………………………… 125 Unit 1 Site Evaluation………………………………. 125 Unit 2 Visitor and Site Monitoring and Control……. 138 HCM 145 MODULE 1 MODULE 1 Unit 1 Nigeria‟s Biodiversity (Landscape, Environment and Ecology) Unit 2 Seasonality and Destinations Unit 3 Map and Chart Work Unit 4 Nigeria‟s Location Unit 5 Nigeria: Relief and Drainage UNIT 1 GEOGRAPHY AND TOURISM – NIGERIA’S BIODIVERSITY (LANDSCAPE, ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY) CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Objectives 3.0 Main Content 3.1 Geography of Nigeria 3.1.1 Location 3.1.2 Physical Features (Relief and Drainage of Nigeria) 3.1.3 Importance of the Rivers of Nigeria 3.1.4 Climatic Characteristics 3.2 Ecology of Nigeria 3.2.1 Vegetation and Soil 3.2.2 Forestry 3.2.3 Minerals 3.3 Environmental Concern 1 HCM 104 GEOGRAPHY OF TOURISM 4.0 Conclusion 5.0 Summary 6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment 7.0 References/Further Readings 1.0 INTRODUCTION This unit is on Geography and Tourism. Our major concern here is with geography as it relates to tourism professional. An attempt has been to provide all the essential features of the geography of Nigeria that you may need in your profession. We have touched on the concept of Geography, only peripherally in this study. 2.0 OBJECTIVES After reading this unit, you should be familiar with the: • geographical features • ecological variety • environmental concerns in Nigeria 3.0 MAIN CONTENT 3.1 Geography of Nigeria 3.1.1 Location Nigeria is located on the West Coast of Africa between Latitudes 4° and 14°N and Longitudes 3° and 15°E. It covers an area of 923,768 square kilometers. The country is bounded to the West by the Republic of Benin, to the North by the Peoples Republic of Niger and the Republic of Chad, to the East by the Republic of Cameroun, and to the South by the Atlantic Ocean. With a current population of about 140 million inhabitants, Nigeria records the highest population in Africa and the largest concentration of the black race on earth.