Why do fewer people live in West Africa's interior than near the coast? A because the Niger River flows through the interior B because growing food is more difficult in the interior C because the interior has more earthquakes

The correct answer is: **B. because growing food is more difficult in the interior** **Explanation:** - **Option A:** While the Niger River does flow through the interior of West Africa and supports several communities, its presence alone doesn't explain why fewer people live in the interior overall. Rivers can be sources of life and sustenance, promoting settlements rather than causing depopulation. - **Option B:** The interior regions of West Africa often face harsher climatic conditions, such as more arid environments in areas like the Sahel. These conditions make agriculture and food production more challenging compared to the coastal regions, which typically have more favorable climates and better access to resources. This difficulty in growing food can limit population growth and density in the interior. - **Option C:** West Africa is not particularly known for high seismic activity or frequent earthquakes. Therefore, earthquakes are not a significant factor affecting population distribution in the region. **Conclusion:** The primary reason fewer people reside in West Africa's interior compared to the coast is due to the greater challenges associated with growing food in those inland areas.