Songhai Empire & Trans-Sahara Trade

Which geographic feature most influenced the development of early West African empires?

• The Sahara Desert

• The Nile River

• The Indian Ocean

• The Andes Mountains

Based on the map, which city was most likely a cultural center due to its trade location?

• Ségou

• Timbuktu

• Great Zimbabwe

• Accra

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WHII.6b

West African empires were in a perfect spot to trade because they were in between 2 important natural resources:

• silver and diamonds
• silver and gold
• gold and rice
• gold and salt

The empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai benefits from being near the -

• largest European cities

• Mediterranean Sea

• Red Sea Coast

• Trans-Saharan trade routes

What is an impact of the establishment of Trans-Saharan Trade Routes in West Africa?

• Europeans traveled to West Africa to study in Timbuktu

• Islam and Arabic spread to West African centers of trade

• Horses were transported to West Africa to carry goods.

• Barber tribes were conquered and cease to exist.

This is a map of Africa.  What letter marks the location of the Niger River?

• A
• B
• C
• D

Which letter represents the Sahara?

• A

• B

• C

• D

How did the Niger River encourage trade?

• It was a source of food.

• It was a transportation route.

• It's annual floods provided rich soil.

• It provided water for baking.

West African culture was shaped by the ________________________  trade network

• Trans-Saharan
• Indian Ocean
• Middle Eastern
• Mediterranean 

Ghana grew rich because of the trade of ______ and _______.

• Salt and Iron

• Gold and Iron

• Gold and Salt

• Salt and Ore