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Africa, the second largest continent, features diverse landscapes and climates that shaped early civilizations. From the Sahara Desert to the Nile River and Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's geography influenced the rise of prominent societies such as Egypt, Kush, and Axum. The emergence of agriculture led to thriving trade networks in these civilizations. The influence of Islam in the 8th century transformed the region, creating a complex socio-political landscape. This overview provides insights into Africa’s civilizations and their geographical contexts.
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Development of African Civilizations Global Studies I
Land • Africa is the second largest continent. • almost 5000 miles of land surrounded by two seas and two oceans • Prominent geographical features include: • Sahara desert • Great Rift Valley • Nile River • Congo River • Mount Kilimanjaro
Climate • Four climate zones • Mild zone • Northern coast and southern tip • Desert • Sahara in the north • Kalahari in the south • Rain forest • Along the equator • Savanna • Stretches across Africa north and south of the rainforest
Emerging Civilization • Farming led to first African civilizations: Egypt, Kush, and Axum • Kush • Lived in the upper Nile valley • economy was first based on farming, but soon became a major trading state • Exported iron, ivory, gold, ebony, and slaves • Imported jewelry and silver lamps • in the fourth century A.D., King Ezanaof Axum conquered Kush
Emerging Civilization • Axum • founded by a colony of Arabs in what is now Ethiopia • combined Arab and African cultures • Prospered due to location on the Red Sea and the trading route between India and the Mediterranean • exported ivory, myrrh, and slaves • imported textiles, metal goods, wine, and olive oil • most distinctive feature was religion • about A.D. 330, King Ezanaconverted to Christianity and he made it the official religion of Axum
The Rise of Islam • Early 8th century, the entire coastal region of North Africa to the Strait of Gibraltar was under Arab rule • a number of Muslim trading states had been established on the African coast of the Red Sea • In the twelfth century, problems arose: • Coastal Muslim states moved inland to take control of the slave and ivory trades from Axum. • Axum fought back. • By the early 15th century, Axum and the Muslim state of Adal were in a growing conflict.
Map Activity • Use the map on page 224 in your book to shade the following climate zones: • Mild zone: shade blue • Desert: shade brown • Rain forest: shade green • Savanna: shade orange • Place a key on your map showing the climate zones