ABSTRACT
The impact of weather and climate on the life of man has always been of enormous significance, determining the seasonal cycles of food availability and type, the existence of many diseases, and controlling the range of human habitat. Consider the relevance of climate to agriculture anywhere in the world, to aviation, road transport and shipping, to building design and construction, to the use of fuel, to industry, water resources, sport and many leisure activities, and to physical and mental health. The basis of an understanding of weather and climate had to be the assemblage of reasonably accurate and prolonged records of climatic data for extensive areas. The situation is exemplified in West Africa, a region set apart by history, culture, traditions and languages and by physical geography, especially climate. In West Africa only Western Sahara is not a member of the World Meteorological Organization. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
