1. AFRICA

2. African History
The history of Africa was largely ignored, for two reasons:
Few written records
Cultures were so different from European cultures they were mostly misunderstood

3. Africa- Geographical diversity
Deserts:
-Sahara, Kalahari
-deserts able to be crossed
Savannas:
- tropical woodlands, grassland
- covers about 25% of Africa
- livestock, sorghum, wheat, peanuts, millet,
cotton, bananas, gold, copper, coal, diamonds

4. Geographical diversity (cont’d)
Tropical rainforests
-high temperatures and excessive rainfall
-mahogany, ebony, palm oil, yams, corn, rice, sweet potatoes,
plantains, cotton, coffee, manioc, bananas, gold, copper,
coal, diamonds, etc.
Highlands
- cooler climate
- coffee, cotton, sisal, coconut, tea, cashews, rice, gold, copper,
coal

5. Early kingdoms emerged along the Nile- for several reasons:
Agricultural growth-settlements grew into regional states
Urbanization
Creation of large scale political units

6. Trade communities arose in the east and south
Merchants sailed down the Red Sea from N. Africa and the Mediterranean Sea.
Traders from Saudi Arabia brought their religion with them (Islam)
Diplomatic and trade missions between China and East Africa
Intermarriage between East Africa and the Arab and Persian peoples

7. Trade communities arose in the Western Sudan and west central Africa
Ghana (land of gold)
Mali (started as a trading federation )
Songhai (replaced Mali)
Benin
Kanem-Bornu