Chapter Seven

Section One

The Land of Africa and the Climate of Africa Africa is the second largest continent Asia is the largest Stretches for almost five thousand miles and is surrounded by two seas and two oceans Many geographical zones Mountains along the Mediterranean coast The Sahara—the world’s largest desert Grasslands south of the desert Tropical jungles cover the portion of Africa jutting into the Atlantic Ocean

The Land of Africa and the Climate of Africa In the East part of Africa Snowcapped mountains Upland plateaus Lakes Great Rift Valley—area where mountains rise about deep canyons and wild animals populate grasslands

The Land of Africa and the Climate of Africa Farther south lies the dense vegetations of the Congo basin Congo River Farther south rain forests fade into hill, plateaus, and then deserts

The Land of Africa and the Climate of Africa Four distinct climate zones Each with a different way of life Mild climate—moderate rainfall and mild temperatures Northern coast and southern tip creates fertile land and abundant crops The Sahara in the north and the Kalahari desert in though south cover 40% of Africa A third climate zone is the rain forest along the equator Covers 10% of the continent Heavy rains and heat make for dense forest and disease-carrying insects Tsetse fly—carries the sleeping sickness People in the area do not raise animals in an effort to keep the fly away Farming and travel is minimal in these areas

The Land of Africa and the Climate of Africa Final climate zone is the savannas Broad grasslands dotted with shrubs and small trees Lie north and south of the rainforests Cover about 40% of Africa Rainfall allows for faming and animal herding Rain is unreliable

Emerging Civilizations and the Rise of Islam Farming gave rise to the first African civilizations Seven or eight thousand years ago Egypt, Kush, and Axum Trade of ivory, ebony, and leopard skins between Egypt and Nubia developed by 2000 B.C. Around 1000 B.C. Nubia liberated itself from Egypt & became Kush

Emerging Civilizations and the Rise of Islam By 750 B.C. the Kushites conquered Egypt But the Assyrians’ iron weapons overmatched the bronze and stone of the Kushites drove them out of Egypt Kushites returned to their original land Kush economy first based on farming Soon became a trading state Center was the city of Meroë Large supply of iron for tools and weapons

Emerging Civilizations and the Rise of Islam Kush trade provided iron, ivory, gold, ebony, and slaves to the Roman Empire, Arabia, and India Received luxuries such as jewelry and silver lamps Kush flourished from 250 B.C. to A.D. 150 New power—Axum—caused its decline

Emerging Civilizations and the Rise of Islam Axum was founded by a colony of Arabs in what is now Ethiopia Became an independent state that combined Arab and African cultures Axum prospered because it was located on the Red Sea and the trading route between India and the Mediterranean Exported ivory, myrrh, and slaves Imported textiles, metal goods, wine, and olive oil

Myrrh

Emerging Civilizations and the Rise of Islam For a time Axum and Kush competed for control of the ivory trade In the fourth century A.D., King Ezana of Axum conquered Kush

Emerging Civilizations and the Rise of Islam Axumite civilization’s most distinctive feature was its religion About A.D. 330, King Ezana converted to Christianity and made it the official religion of Axum Shipwrecked Syrians had introduced Christianity to Axum Within a few centuries, Islam brought important challenges to the kingdom of Axum

Emerging Civilizations and the Rise of Islam By the eighth century, a number of Muslim trading states has been established on the African coast of the Red Sea For centuries the relations between Christian Axum and the Muslim state were fairly peaceful In the twelfth century, problems arose The coastal Muslim states moved inland to wrest control of the slave trade and ivory trades from Axum

Emerging Civilizations and the Rise of Islam By the early fifteenth century, Axum and the Muslim state of Adal were in a growing conflict

Questions How does the geography of Africa compare to the geography of the United States? Within a few hundred years of its beginning, Islam spread through much of the northern half of Africa. In what areas of the world did Christianity spread after the fifteenth century (1400s)?

Kush vs. Axum occupations, natural resources, imports, and Exports

Writing Christian Axum traded peacefully with its Muslim neighbors. Do you think that two major religious groups can be peaceful neighbors?