Vegetation Zones of West Africa Empire of Ghana

Influence of Islamic beliefs, ethics and laws. CH.5.2 THE EMPIRE OF GHANA What you must know: Study the Niger River . Study the relationship of vegetation zones (desert, savannah and forest) to trade in gold and salt, food and slaves. Growth of Ghana Empire. Influence of Islamic beliefs, ethics and laws.

Most West African people live in the grassland to farm. DESERT SAVANNAH/GRASSLAND Dense Forest Most West African people live in the grassland to farm.

Sahara Desert Largest desert in the world 3,500,000 sq. miles. 15% sand dunes, rest stone deserts, oases, mountains, sparse vegetation. High wind. Few animals, mostly nocturnal. Deposits of salt.

Scenes from the Sahara Desert

Sahel-Transition Zone Semi arid- between Sahara Desert and savannas to the south. Forms a belt across Africa. Low growing grasses and tall trees. 4 to 8 inches of rain per year

SA HEL

SAVANNAH-Flat, grassy, with scattered trees. Used for farming. Most people live in this region. Home to many wild animals.

Tropical Rain Forest covers the Southern part of West Africa home to people and many animals

Niger River Over 2, 600 miles long Key route for transportation, helped with communication and trade. Floods produced fertile soil for farming.

Sunset on the Niger River!

Niger River a source of food.

The empires of West Africa, Ghana and Mali flourished from trade. TRANS-SAHARAN TRADE The empires of West Africa, Ghana and Mali flourished from trade.

TRANS-SAHARAN TRADE Berbers from North Africa introduced the camel to West Africa. Caravans were used to cross the Sahara Desert, establishing trade routes between the North and West Africa. Gold from West Africa was exchanged for something the West Africans prized even more salt. Salt was used as a flavoring, a food preservative, and for retaining body moisture.

THE GROWTH OF GHANA’S EMPIRE SALT TAXING TRADE WEALTH GOLD THE GROWTH OF GHANA’S EMPIRE

WHAT DID GHANA DO WITH ITS WEALTH? Became an empire. Conquered surrounding lands. Conquered people had to pay a tax or tribute. Koumbi Saleh the capital became a thriving center of trade and culture.

AFRICANS CONVERT TO ISLAM Learn Arabic to study the Quran Trading Berbers from North Africa brought ISLAM and ARABIC to West Africans AFRICANS CONVERT TO ISLAM AND MOSQUE Learn Arabic to study the Quran

INFLUENCE OF ISLAMIC BELIEFS Kings practiced Islam and traditional beliefs to keep the throne. Muslims held positions in government because they could read and write in Arabic. Upper class converted to Islam and learned Arabic.

WHAT LED TO GHANA’S DECLINE? Almoravids attacked Ghana and occupied the capital. The war weakened Ghana’s trade network.