1. Geography & African Civilizations
The Story of Africa
Geography & African Civilizations

2. Satellite View

3. Africa’s Size Second largest continent  11,700,000 sq. mi.
M I L E S
M I L E S
Second largest continent  11,700,000 sq. mi.
10% of the world’s population.
2 ½ times the size of the U. S.

5. Bodies Of Water Mediterranean Sea Red Sea Nile River Niger River
L. Chad-->
<--Gulf of Aden
L. Albert-->
Congo River
L. Victoria
L. Tanganyika->
Indian Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Zambezi River
Limpopo River
Orange River
Pacific Ocean

6. The Mighty Nile River: “Longest River in the World”

8. The African Savannah: 13 million sq. mi.

9. The Sahara Desert

10. African Rain Forest Annual rainfall of up to 17 ft.
Rapid decomposition (very humid).
Covers 37 countries.
15% of the land surface of Africa.

11. Empire of Ghana
Website

12. Natural Resources

13. Gold-Salt Trade
Berbers
SALT
GOLD

14. Empire of Mali
Website

15. Geography & African Civilizations
Empire of Mali
Emerged by 1235 south of Ghana; Mali’s wealth was also build on gold
Sundiata militarily took over Ghana; peace and prosperity followed
Some of Mali’s next rulers became Muslims and built mosques
Mansa Musa (Muslim) divided Mali into provinces and appointed governors
Within 50 years of Mansa Musa, Mali’s gold trade shifted east and his successors were unable to govern the empire effectively

16. Sundiata [ ]
“Lion Prince”

17. Mansa Musa [r ]

18. Empire of Songhai
Website

19. Geography & African Civilizations
Empire of Songhai 1400s
Capital was Gao; extended their territory to the large bend in the Niger River
Two great Muslim leaders: Sunni Ali & Askia Muhammad
Created an empire through military conquest and efficient tax collecting
Unfortunately, Songhai lacked modern weapons
Defeated by Moroccan invaders and ended 1,000 years of W. African power

20. Stele, Ezana’s Royal Tomb, Aksum (4c)

22. Geography & African Civilizations
Early Civilizations of Southern Africa
Great Zimbabwe 1000 A.D.
City built by Shona people that turned into an empire built on gold trade
Leaders taxed traders and travelers who ventured through
Great Zimbabwe was abandoned by 1450; no clear reason why
Much of what is known about Great Zimbabwe comes from impressive ruins

23. Great Zimbabwe ruins