1. Chapter 16: Section 1 A Trading Empire
The African Landscape
The Sahara
World’s largest desert
3.5 million square miles
Camels made trade possible between West Africa and the Mediterranean world

2. Vegetation Zones People tend to live where rain falls the most
At the equator- rainforest zone- hot and wet year round
Above and below the equator is the savanna- a broad grassland with scattered trees
North and south of the savanna are the deserts
At the northern tip is the Mediterranean zone- summers are warm and dry, winters are rainy

3. The Niger and Senegal Rivers Natural Resources
Early civilizations formed near these rivers
Natural Resources
Natural materials that people can use to meet their needs
Prized items like gold, along with agricultural wealth, gave rise to powerful trading empires

4. Iron-Working Technology
The Rise of Ghana
Iron-Working Technology
By 350 BCE, West Africans began making iron tools in a place called Nok
With iron tools, the people could grow more food which increased population

5. Ancient Ghana
Soninke people founded a kingdom between the Niger and Senegal rivers
As population grew, governments were formed, and labor specialization developed
Each clan, or group of related families, specialized in a craft or trade
The kingdom grew into an empire known as Ghana
Enslaved people in its wars of conquest

6. A Powerful Empire Gold-Salt Trade
Ghana acted as a go-between for the North African traders and the south
North Africa produced salt and gold and ivory was produced in the south

7. Wealthy Rulers Invasion and Decline
Kings became rich from the gold-salt trade
Kings controlled the gold supply- too much gold will lower prices so all gold nuggets belonged to the king
Invasion and Decline
Lasted for four centuries
Known for religious tolerance and welcomed Muslims
Began to decline
Overpopulation, food shortages, overdependence on trade
Around 1060 CE the Almoravids expanded empire into Ghana and disrupted trade and weakened the monarchy