Podcast
Questions and Answers
The kingdom of Ghana was known for trading gold and salt.
The kingdom of Ghana was known for trading gold and salt.
True
The savanna region is rich in gold deposits.
The savanna region is rich in gold deposits.
False
People in North Africa primarily sought gold from West Africa.
People in North Africa primarily sought gold from West Africa.
True
Camels were first used for trade across the desert around A.D. 200.
Camels were first used for trade across the desert around A.D. 200.
Signup and view all the answers
Food and enslaved persons were not part of the trans-Saharan trade.
Food and enslaved persons were not part of the trans-Saharan trade.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
West African Trade
- People in the region between the Sahara and southern West African forests established a kingdom called Ghana.
- The kingdom became a crucial center for gold and salt trade.
- West Africa's diverse vegetation zones supported various resources:
- The Sahara had abundant salt deposits.
- The savanna was suitable for millet farming and cattle raising.
- The southern forests contained significant gold.
- A trans-Saharan trade developed because:
- People in the savanna and forests had gold but lacked salt.
- People in North Africa had salt but desired gold.
- The trade involved exchanging gold from West Africa for salt from the Sahara.
- Other goods traded included food and enslaved people.
- The use of camels, which started around AD 300, made cross-desert trade easier.
- Camels could travel long distances efficiently with minimal food and water.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the dynamics of trade in West Africa, focusing on the ancient kingdom of Ghana and the exchange of gold and salt. Understand how geography and resources influenced trade routes and the impact of camels on trans-Saharan commerce. Learn about the cultural and economic exchanges that shaped the region's history.
