GCEGeographyTransport and Communication2024

Which of the following is the MOST important factor that determined the location of early railways in West Africa?

AThe need to link coastal ports to mineral and agricultural producing areas inlandCORRECT
BThe desire to connect major urban centres for passenger traffic
CThe requirement to promote inter-territorial trade among West African countries
DThe need to reduce road congestion in densely populated coastal cities
AI
Toaster Teacher
Why the answer is A, and why the others tempt you.
Colonial railways in West Africa were primarily built to extract resources such as minerals and cash crops from the interior to coastal ports for export. This explains why most West African rail lines run perpendicular to the coast rather than parallel, connecting hinterland producing areas to seaports. Passenger traffic and inter-territorial linkages were secondary considerations.
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