1. Societies of West Africa Peoples of West African Kingdoms developed trade and artistic achievements, it was from this region many Africans were brought to the Americas.

2. Geography and World Trade ¾ of Africa lies with in the tropics, but the continent also contains rain forests, savannas, and the Sahara and Kalahari deserts. ¾ of Africa lies with in the tropics, but the continent also contains rain forests, savannas, and the Sahara and Kalahari deserts. Coastal ports on the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean allowed African peoples to establish trade with Persia and Arabia Coastal ports on the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean allowed African peoples to establish trade with Persia and Arabia West Africas Geography- Rain forest, Savanna (in the North), grasslands, forests, and borders the Sahara. West Africas Geography- Rain forest, Savanna (in the North), grasslands, forests, and borders the Sahara.

3. Kingdoms of West Africa Kingdoms of West Africa Ghana- First kingdom to grow rich from trade. (salt and gold) Ghana- First kingdom to grow rich from trade. (salt and gold) Muslim traders brought Islam to the kingdom- later a Muslim army conquered a portion of Ghana- lessoning its power. Muslim traders brought Islam to the kingdom- later a Muslim army conquered a portion of Ghana- lessoning its power. Mali- Replaced Ghana as ruler of trade and maintained Muslim roots. Mali- Replaced Ghana as ruler of trade and maintained Muslim roots. Mansa Musa- made Mali largest empire in the world and spread Islamic culture. Mansa Musa- made Mali largest empire in the world and spread Islamic culture.

4. Empires cont. Songhai - Broke from Mali, created own empire, captured important trading cities (Timbuktu), created a highly organized government. Songhai - Broke from Mali, created own empire, captured important trading cities (Timbuktu), created a highly organized government. Failed to modernize, lost power to a Moroccan force who used gun powder, not sword/spears. Failed to modernize, lost power to a Moroccan force who used gun powder, not sword/spears. Benin - Famous for their art, comparable to Amsterdam, slave trade grew out of this city and the pepper/ spice trade that flourished there. Benin - Famous for their art, comparable to Amsterdam, slave trade grew out of this city and the pepper/ spice trade that flourished there.