African Empires

Which characteristic did Aksum and Timbuktu have in common?

• They were both near rich gold mines
• They both grew wealthy through trade
• They were both central to the slave trade
• They both developed as iron-making centers

Which economic activity has dominated the Sahel region of Africa throughout much of history?

• gold mining

• migratory trading

• nomadic herding

• subsistence farming

Yams were most commonly grown in which areas of Africa?

• the deserts

• coastal regions

• the savannas

• forest regions

What is the main difference between the savannas and the semiarid regions of Africa?

• the abundance of salt

• the elevation above sea level

• the type of grain crops grown

• the amount of water available

Which factor most contributed to the development of trade among the different peoples of Africa?

• climatic diversity

• military conquest

• animal migrations

• cultural similarities

Which factor most contributed to the spread of the Bantu languages?

• trade

• migration

• cultural diffusion

• religious conversion

Which body of water borders the western coastline of Africa?

• the Indian Ocean

• the Atlantic Ocean

• the Arabian Sea

• the Persian Gulf

Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca featured a lengthy stay in the city of

• Gao

• Timbuktu

• Cairo

• Alexandria

Christianity first entered Africa through

• Aksum

• Egypt

• Ethiopia

• Mali

The spread of Islam in East Africa was similar to its spread in West Africa because, in both areas, Islam

• existed side by side with indigenous religions

• replaced Christianity among local populations

• first gained strength among the common people

• acquired prestige by being embraced by wealthy kings