Africa has diverse geography including deserts, rainforests, and savannas. Several powerful empires rose in West Africa between 400-1500 CE including Ghana, Mali, and Songhai which controlled trade routes across the Sahara desert and grew wealthy from gold and salt trading. Other civilizations included the Benin and Kongo kingdoms in central Africa and the Ethiopian and Zimbabwean kingdoms in East Africa, which participated in regional and international trade networks.

1. Chapter 13: Medieval AfricaSection 1: The Rise of African Civilizations

2. Africa’s GeographyDeserts – Sahara, Kalahari, Libyan, NamibMediterranean climate – Morocco, ZimbabweRain Forest – Congo BasinSavanna – most of the continent of Africa2nd largest continent

3. Africa’s GeographyAlmost all of Africa is on a plateauGreat Rift Valley – earliest human fossils found

4. West African EmpiresBerbers – first settlers in North AfricaThey traded with West Africans (400 B.C.)Used Camels that were intro. by the RomansCamels – ships of the desertGold –Salt trade

5. West African EmpiresGhana400’sCrossroads of tradeTaxed tradersControlled people who owned gold mines, huge army, gold-salt trade

6. West African EmpiresGhana fell – new gold mines found, fighting, farmed too muchMali – 1200’sGriots - storytellersSundiata – Lion prince

7. West African EmpiresMansa MusaPilgrimage to MeccaTimbuktu – center of learning Songhai – 1330’sSunni AliLargest empire in West Africa

8. Rain Forest KingdomsBenin – Niger DeltaFounded 1440Food surpluses supported rulers and a class of artisansKongo – Congo BasinWeavers

9. East AfricaEthiopia – ShebaAxum – city-stateTrade on the Red SeaKing Ezana – ChristianityArab sailors used dhows

10. East AfricaArab traders inter-married with African women – SwahiliGreat ZimbabweLargest kingdom in East Africa – 1400’sTrade - gold, copper ivoryStone walled city