Early African Civilizations

The Sahara is

• the world's largest desert
• Africa's longest river
• a high mountain range
• an empire in early Africa

In most traditional African religions, people honored

• the emperor
• only one god
• their ancestors
• religious leaders

Trans-Saharan trade in early West Africa MAINLY involved the exchange of _________ for gold.

• Iron
• Salt
• Slaves
• Ivory

What was the main reason camels were used as the dominant source of transportation across northern Africa?

• They were strong climbers that crossed mountains with ease.
• They were calm on ships that crossed the Niger River.
• They were very good at traveling across the Sahara Desert.
• They were suited for travel across the muddy savanna.

Why was salt so valuable?

• People needed salt to preserve food.
• Salt was used as a fertilizer for crops.
• Salt was used as a medicine.
• Salt was used in many religious ceremonies.

The vegetation zone with flat grasslands and abundant animal life.

• savannah

• desert

• rainforest

• sahel

The trans-Saharan trade increased after about 300 C.E. as a result of the

• population increase

• growth of cities

• introduction of camels

• slave trade

What is the main belief of followers of animism?

• There is only one god

• Spirits play an important role in daily life

• People are organized into family groups

• Storeytellers are sacred beings who keep history alive

What term describes dense, wet forests near the equator.

• rifts

• Sahel

• rain forests

• animism

Which is not a zone that makes up Africa's distinct geographic regions.

• Tundra to the south

• Rain Forest at the Equator

• Savanna covering 40%

• Desert in the North

• Mediterranean