AFRICAN EMPIRES GHANA, MALI, AND SONGHAI

ESSENTIAL QUESTION What are the major physical features that influence the rise of the West African kingdoms?

Create a list of physical features present on a map.

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY- The scientific study of the natural features of the Earth's surface, especially in its current aspects, including land formation, climate, currents, and distribution of flora (plants) and fauna (animals).

Cultural Geography- the study of the many cultural aspects found throughout the world and how they relate to the spaces and places where they originate and then travel as people continually move across various areas.

Create a list of factors of how geography and physical features can affect society.

Label major rivers, bordering oceans, and the Sahara Desert. http://www.classzone.com/webquest/MC_interactives/MT_03_traroutes/MT_03_087_traroutes.html Color Mali orange, Songhai purple and label the city of Timbuktu on their map.

1) Why were rivers important to the societies that developed in West Africa? 2) Why would people living in the territory below the Sahara have limited contact with people living in the lands to the North?