ABSTRACT
Sokoto Province lies entirely within the Sudanese savannah zone, that vast expanse of open country lying between 8° and 16° N. Since, in any region which supports human inhabitants, the climate and physical environment are basic considerations in the study of a society, it is necessary to describe, in a general way, the environmental features. The confluence of the Sokoto and Niger Rivers is near Bahindi. While the Sokoto River carries a far smaller volume of water than the Niger it is of great importance for it too has a broad flood-plain which provides indispensable pastures in the dry season when upland pastures have been parched by the sun and burned by bush fires. In comparison with flood-land, the upland bush is not restricted. However, the effect of farmers cultivating both flood-lands and uplands from a single home means that the most intensive upland cultivation is also found near the banks of the Sokoto River.
