High School

Looking at this map, European nations controlled most of the territory of Africa by 1914. Why do you think each region of colonial territory extends to a coast?

Answer :

Explanation:

1. Access to Trade: European nations established colonies along the coast of Africa to gain easy access to trade routes. The coastal areas provided convenient ports for ships to dock and trade goods, allowing for efficient transportation of resources between Africa and Europe.

2. Strategic Importance: Controlling coastal regions gave European powers strategic advantages in terms of defense and security. By having a presence along the coast, they could easily monitor maritime activities and protect their trade interests in the region.

3. Resource Extraction: Many of the valuable resources that European powers sought in Africa, such as gold, ivory, and later on, rubber and minerals, were often located inland. By establishing control over the coastal regions, they could use these areas as bases to facilitate the extraction and transportation of resources from the interior to the coast for export.

4. Colonial Administration: European powers established administrative centers in coastal areas as a means of governing their colonies more effectively. Coastal regions often served as hubs for colonial infrastructure, such as railways and roads, which facilitated the movement of goods and people within the European powers established administrative centers in coastal areas as a means of governing their colonies more effectively. Coastal regions often served as hubs for colonial infrastructure, such as railways and roads, which facilitated the movement of goods and people within the colony.

In conclusion, the extension of colonial territories to the coast in Africa was driven by economic, strategic, and administrative considerations that allowed European powers to assert control over the continent and exploit its resources effectively.