Africa I. Geography of Africa A. Diverse 1. Mountains on North coast and

East 2. Sahara Desert – largest on Earth 3. Savannas – grasslands with

unreliable rainfall 4. Rainforest – heavy rains, warm

temperatures 5. Great Rift Valley – deep

canyons surrounded by mountains

GhanaII. African Kingdoms A. Ghana – near West coast

1. had lots of gold and iron2. Traded gold for salt with Muslims a. salt preserved food3. Berbers – nomadic traders on

camelback a. ivory, ostrich feathers, hides,

slaves4. Eventually conquered by Muslims

Mali – Same area as Ghana Empire

B. Mali – Atlantic coast1. strong government2. traded salt & gold3. Mansa Musa – strong ruler 1312 – 1337

a. doubled size of Malib. Muslimc. made pilgrimage 1. brought back architects, scholars, books

Timbuktu -Center of Muslim learning

Songhai

-Southeast part of Niger River Valley

-Sunni Ali

-Conquered Timbuktu, and Mali

-Peaked around 1500 under rule of Mohammed Askia