The Gold and Salt Trade

What did the men leading the camels in the Sahara use to guide their way?

• Landmarks

• Stars and winds

• GPS

• Compass

What was the precious cargo carried by the camels in the Sahara?

• Silk

• Salt

• Spices

• Gold

Why was salt worth its weight in gold in West Africa?

• It was used for making weapons

• It was used for making jewelry

• It was essential for preserving food

• It was used for building houses

What animal was the perfect work animal for the gold salt trade?

• Camels

• Elephants

• Horses

• Donkeys

What did West Africans use as currency due to the close link between gold and salt?

• Silver

• Copper

• Salt

• Bronze

Which empire ruled from 300 to 1000 CE and taxed traders for importing and exporting goods?

• Empire of Ghana

• Roman Empire

• Kingdom of Mali

• Songhai Empire

Which empire rose up around the trade city of Timbuktu and ruled a large area of West Africa?

• Kingdom of Mali

• Ottoman Empire

• Empire of Ghana

• Songhai Empire

Which empire reigned from about 1450 to 1600 CE and had borders that reached far north into the Sahara?

• Empire of Ghana

• Mongol Empire

• Kingdom of Mali

• Songhai Empire

What did the salt trade support the rise of over 1,300 years?

• Agricultural revolution

• Trading empires

• Textile industry

• Fishing industry

What did the coastal regions use as a source of salt?

• Sea salt

• Rock salt

• Himalayan salt

• Table salt