African Kingdoms

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World's largest desert in Northern Africa

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Sahara

Front

Semi-desert region between the Sahara Desert and the savanna to the south.

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Sahel

Front

an area of tall grasses and scattered trees.

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Savanna

Front

longest river in West Africa; a trading highway in early times.

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Niger River

Front

trade across the Sahara Desert

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Trans-Saharan Trade

Front

first West African Empire that became wealthy through controlling the salt and gold trade.

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Ghana

Front

second West African empire that prospered from gold-salt trade. After converting to Islam, became a center of Muslim culture.

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Mali

Front

a group of people descended from a common ancestor

Back

Lineage

Front

Professional story-tellers or oral historians; record keepers of their culture

Back

Griots

Front

a huge web of trade routes that connected Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, & East Africa across the Indian Ocean.

Back

Indian Ocean Trade