Geography & Early Development in West Africa

Label the map with these geographic features.

a

b

c

d

e

Atlantic Ocean

Atlas Mountains

Niger River

Sahara Desert

Nile River

Match the following

• Grassland

• Sahara

• Tropical

• Sahel

• Desert

• Savannah

• Cold

• Rainforest

• Woodland

• Tundra

What was the progression of how cities developed in medieval West Africa?

• extended family groups

• villages of groups of extended families

• cities and towns

What is the largest hot desert in the world, found in the northern part of Africa?

• The Kalahari

• The Arctic

• The Sahara

• The Sahel

Answer explanation

The largest hot desert in the world is the Sahara, located in northern Africa. It spans several countries and is known for its vast arid landscapes, making it distinct from the Kalahari, Arctic, and Sahel.

What crescent-shaped river became a major trade route in west Africa?

• The Nile

• The Niger

• The Congo

• The Arno

Answer explanation

The Niger River, known for its crescent shape, was crucial for trade in West Africa, facilitating the movement of goods and cultures across the region, unlike the Nile, Congo, or Arno.

The process of ​ (a)   allowed early Africans to produce​ (b)   .

• smelting

• iron

• gold

• mining

Answer explanation

The process of smelting allowed early Africans to produce iron. Smelting is the method of extracting metal from its ore by heating, which was crucial for creating tools and weapons from iron.

What were the two main items early African cultures made with iron?

• jewelry

• farming tools

• weapons

• fences

Answer explanation

Early African cultures primarily used iron to create farming tools and weapons. Farming tools were essential for agriculture, while weapons were crucial for protection and hunting.

What is the MAIN reason early African villages were built along rivers?

• to control trade

• to control flooding

• to find iron ore

• to find gold

Answer explanation

Early African villages were built along rivers primarily to control trade. Rivers provided essential routes for transporting goods, facilitating commerce and interaction between communities, which was vital for their development.

How did making farm tools from iron help villages develop in medieval West Africa?

• more people wanted to become farmers

• more crops could be grown to feed people who worked in other jobs

• people began fighting over farmland and living in villages provided protection

• blacksmiths found it was safer to work in villages

Jenne-jeno was

• the first African Queen

• a major West African trade route

• an early city and trade center in Africa

• the first African Empire