1. Africa

2. Geographic Contrasts Other parts get 400 inches of rain a year
Second largest continent in the world.
Some parts have constant drought
Can be land of rocky dust or desert
Example: Sahara Desert in North Africa
Other parts get 400 inches of rain a year
Can be land of lush, green rainforests
South Africa has fertile soil and vegetation.

4. Early African People First Humans appeared in Great Rift Valley
Nomadic lifestyle until they learned to domesticate animals
Lived in clans
Religion included animism – a religion where people believe that spirits are present in animals, plants, and other natural forces.

5. Great Rift Valley

6. Kingdom of Aksum Located by the Red Sea = modern day Ethiopia
Took over many important areas and became an important center of trade
Traded with Egypt, Arabia, Persia, India and the Roman Empire at Aksum’s key sea port called ADULIS

7. Trade in Aksum
Items traded: salt, rhinoceros horns, tortoise shells, ivory, emeralds, and gold
Imported cloth, glass, olive oil, wine, brass, iron and copper

8. Aksum Religion Traditionally monotheistic
God called Mahrem and their king Ezana was a direct descendent of him.
Offered sacrifices- animals
King Ezana converted to Christianity
In 451 A.D., Ethiopia and Egypt with become Orthodox and split from Roman Catholic

9. Aksumite Architecture
Developed unique architecture using stone instead of mud bricks to build palaces and buildings
Used NO MORTAR
Instead they carved stones to fit together tightly
Built huge stone pillars called Stelae to celebrate king’s conquests

10. Fall of Aksum Aksum lasted for 800 years
Fell to invaders who practiced Islam

11. Pictures Cited
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