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Geography & African Civilizations
The Story of Africa Geography & African Civilizations
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Satellite View
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Africa’s Size Second largest continent 11,700,000 sq. mi.
M I L E S M I L E S Second largest continent 11,700,000 sq. mi. 10% of the world’s population. 2 ½ times the size of the U. S.
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Bodies Of Water Mediterranean Sea Red Sea Nile River Niger River
L. Chad--> <--Gulf of Aden L. Albert--> Congo River L. Victoria L. Tanganyika-> Indian Ocean Atlantic Ocean Zambezi River Limpopo River Orange River Pacific Ocean
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The Mighty Nile River: “Longest River in the World”
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The African Savannah: 13 million sq. mi.
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The Sahara Desert
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African Rain Forest Annual rainfall of up to 17 ft.
Rapid decomposition (very humid). Covers 37 countries. 15% of the land surface of Africa.
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Empire of Ghana Website
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Natural Resources
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Gold-Salt Trade Berbers SALT GOLD
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Empire of Mali Website
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Geography & African Civilizations
Empire of Mali Emerged by 1235 south of Ghana; Mali’s wealth was also build on gold Sundiata militarily took over Ghana; peace and prosperity followed Some of Mali’s next rulers became Muslims and built mosques Mansa Musa (Muslim) divided Mali into provinces and appointed governors Within 50 years of Mansa Musa, Mali’s gold trade shifted east and his successors were unable to govern the empire effectively
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Sundiata [ ] “Lion Prince”
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Mansa Musa [r ]
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Empire of Songhai Website
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Geography & African Civilizations
Empire of Songhai 1400s Capital was Gao; extended their territory to the large bend in the Niger River Two great Muslim leaders: Sunni Ali & Askia Muhammad Created an empire through military conquest and efficient tax collecting Unfortunately, Songhai lacked modern weapons Defeated by Moroccan invaders and ended 1,000 years of W. African power
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Stele, Ezana’s Royal Tomb, Aksum (4c)
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Geography & African Civilizations
Early Civilizations of Southern Africa Great Zimbabwe 1000 A.D. City built by Shona people that turned into an empire built on gold trade Leaders taxed traders and travelers who ventured through Great Zimbabwe was abandoned by 1450; no clear reason why Much of what is known about Great Zimbabwe comes from impressive ruins
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Great Zimbabwe ruins
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