North and West Africa Flashcards
Arable
Land that is suitable for farming
Sahel
A strip of dry grasslands that acts a transition zone between the Sahara Desert and savanna region
Land Degradation
the quality of the land has diminished. Caused by human and geographic factors
Desertification
the physical process causing fertile land to change into arid desert
Caravan
Group of travelling traders
Trans-Sahara Trade Route
a system of trade routes that cut through North and Western Africa. Used to trade major goods such as gold and salt.
Mansa Musa
Wealthy leader of Mali. Took a pilgrimage to Mecca with 60,000 followers
Islamic Golden Age
Period of many advancements and achievements. Advancements and achievements include: Number system, Algebra, Chemistry, Navigation, Banking, Education, Art, Chess, Literature, and Architecture
Astrolabe
Navigational tool used to map the stars. Improved by Muslim Traders
Ibn Sina
wrote a book that became a standard medical textbook
Axum (Aksum)
Eastern Africa empire from 350-600 CE. Controlled trade in Africa, India, and the Mediterranean
Ghana
Thrived from 800- 1100 CE. Controlled the Gold-Salt Trade in order to gain taxes.
Songhai
At its height 1450-1600. Conquered the Mali Empire.
Mali
Existed 1200-1500 CE. Controlled the Trans-Sahara trade route. Led by Mansa Musa
Arid
having little to no rain. Dry and barren.