Show front frontin in A africa would bring brin war close to america while america eyes events in the pacific somewhat forgotten is the der ber tin lin rome end of the axis axil but as the special release below points out it is is only 1870 miles from western tip lip to natal brazil perhaps here then Is a front that requires quires re study cc copyrighted by the national Vat ional geographic geographic 11 society 1 this article explains some of the less known features of this reason that may play an important role in world affairs should either the axis or theaplies the allies try to occupy or develop it in a military way for strategic reasons nearer to the new world than any part of 0 europe la is the bulging shoulder of northwest africa a thinly settled region ranging from desert to tropical jungle fro from dakar raA french colonial port on fricas western up tip it Is only 1870 miles across the atlantic ocean to natal brazil busy sea lanes have paralleled this part odthe african coast ever since the early portuguese explorers er rounded the cape of good hopi hope to trade with india china and the east indies ships to and from south africa south america and australia oben oten stop to refuel at the scattered northwest african ports or at nearby near by islands only in comparatively recent years however has the region been developing from an agricultural and economic standpoint with the exception of the republic of liberia the territory Is divided into british french spanish and portuguese colonies those nations have been doing much to increase the productiveness ti veness of the land there are several geographic reasons for the delay in exploring and developing not only this section but the whole continent topography climate and the primitive character of dihe the negro savages must be taken into account sahara la Is unexplored in the north the birst des desolate 0 late sand and rock expanse of the sahara covers an area the size of the united states much of the desert never has been explored its oases are few and tar far between the dry beat of the sahara is in contrast to the hot humidity of the jungles and forests farther south but neither climate Is very suitable for white men hindering exploration and arans transportation por tation too have been the falls and rapids of the african rivers these unfortunately are found near the mouths of the streams at points where the continents vast plateau dips toward the coastal lowlands furthermore the coastline Is so regular that there are few good harbors despite these natural disadvantages some parts of northwest africa are becoming highly productive in the north the fertile lowlands of the atlas mountains in morocco and algeria yield not only the olives grapes and citrus fruits of the mediterranean basin but wheat and other grains farther south french west africa is an important source of peanuts end and palm oil peanuts called ground nuts by the natives and europeans supply a valuable vegetable oil they do not require irrigation in the grasslands of french west africa many experts believe there can be developed one of the most important farming areas of the future in portions where there is sufficient rainfall experiments have indicated that cotton can be grown in the drier areas sheep cheep and cattle a thready are being raised in quantities if insects and livestock diseases can be brought under control the herds may show marked improvement the grasslands merge into heavy tropical forests along the southern portion of the northwest african hump there as la in french west africa the natives are proving adaptable to farm work in liberia americans are supervising the development of rubber plantations in british colonies production of cocoa has become a leading business the cacao trees from which cocoa is obtained grow well in the hot damp regions where there is no wind to blow down their heavy pods cost co st of wars to america arm erica up to the be baegl lining inning of the he current curren t war between betwee D the united ed states and the axis powers powe rs america had en engaged in six wars and e each time the result was victory ric ory here Is the cost co st in money and a nd men me man deaths disease aises war cost cast used in action deaths deatha revolution no record 1812 no record mexican 1549 civil union 1084 confederate spanish first world 1 0 at cost of army and navy between wars I 1 |