a large, hot desert in North Africa that covers about 3.5 million square miles; largest non-polar desert in the world

a region that has distinctive types of plants because of its soil and climate

a zone of semidesert, south of the Sahara, with little rainfall; where short grasses, small bushes, and a few trees grow

a vegetation zone of tall grasses, shrubs, and scattered trees, with a long rainy season; in a tropical region

a small, round whole grain used for human consumption and livestock feed; Resilient in harsh environments, it’s commonly cultivated in Asian and African countries.

a cultivated grass that grows tall like corn in sub-Saharan Africa; it is used as a grain and as a source of syrup

Africa south of the Sahara Desert

the main river in West Africa, which was a kind of trading highway

an area of tall trees and high amount of rainfall that contains many different plants and animals

tropical tree from the rainforests that produces a kola nut used for sweetening breath, chewed during ceremonies and rituals and used as a form of medicine. Today used as a flavoring agent for sodas and as an additive in energy drinks; caffeine

North African Islamic Arabs who were nomads that controlled the caravan trade between the Mediterranean and the Sudan; known for crossing the desert on camels

system of intensive trade routes that connected peoples north and south of the Sahara

a monotheistic religion based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad

Muslim historian and explorer who crossed the Sahara with a trade caravan and documented his travels

A West African empire ruled by the Mande that became a major crossroads of the Islamic world; its wealth is also based on trans-Saharan trade; kingdom encouraged the spread of Islam

The first West African ruler to practice Islam devoutly; emperor of Mali; made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca and established trade routes to the Middle East; name translates to “King Moses”

city in central Mali founded in the 13th century by Mansa Musa and was a center of trade and culture

pilgrimage made by Muslims to the holy city of Mecca at least once in their lifetime

one of the most significant world maps of the 14th century that put Mali on the map; it depicted Mansa Musa holding a scepter and gleaming nugget

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West Africa

Term	Definition
Sahara	a large, hot desert in North Africa that covers about 3.5 million square miles; largest non-polar desert in the world
vegetation zone	a region that has distinctive types of plants because of its soil and climate
Sahel	a zone of semidesert, south of the Sahara, with little rainfall; where short grasses, small bushes, and a few trees grow
savanna(h)	a vegetation zone of tall grasses, shrubs, and scattered trees, with a long rainy season; in a tropical region
millet	a small, round whole grain used for human consumption and livestock feed; Resilient in harsh environments, it’s commonly cultivated in Asian and African countries.
sorghum	a cultivated grass that grows tall like corn in sub-Saharan Africa; it is used as a grain and as a source of syrup
sub-Saharan Africa	Africa south of the Sahara Desert
Niger River	the main river in West Africa, which was a kind of trading highway
rainforest	an area of tall trees and high amount of rainfall that contains many different plants and animals
kola tree	tropical tree from the rainforests that produces a kola nut used for sweetening breath, chewed during ceremonies and rituals and used as a form of medicine. Today used as a flavoring agent for sodas and as an additive in energy drinks; caffeine
Berbers	North African Islamic Arabs who were nomads that controlled the caravan trade between the Mediterranean and the Sudan; known for crossing the desert on camels
trans-Saharan trade	system of intensive trade routes that connected peoples north and south of the Sahara
Islam	a monotheistic religion based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad
Muslims	Followers of Islam
Ibn Battuta	Muslim historian and explorer who crossed the Sahara with a trade caravan and documented his travels
Mali	A West African empire ruled by the Mande that became a major crossroads of the Islamic world; its wealth is also based on trans-Saharan trade; kingdom encouraged the spread of Islam
Mansa Musa	The first West African ruler to practice Islam devoutly; emperor of Mali; made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca and established trade routes to the Middle East; name translates to “King Moses”
Timbuktu	city in central Mali founded in the 13th century by Mansa Musa and was a center of trade and culture
hajj	pilgrimage made by Muslims to the holy city of Mecca at least once in their lifetime
Catalan Atlas	one of the most significant world maps of the 14th century that put Mali on the map; it depicted Mansa Musa holding a scepter and gleaming nugget

Created by: jenine.haines

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