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Summary Grade 7 History Guide
Summary of 88 pages for the course History at 7th Grade (History Guide)
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, 2Section A: Trade across the Sahara Desert
The Mali kingdom was in the western part of Africa, south of the Sahara Desert. It
stretched across West Africa to the Atlantic Ocean. Mali was at the height of its power in
the 14th century (1300 – 1399). The Niger River, which is over 4000km long, flowed
through the Mali Empire. People travelled long distances between Mali, North Africa,
Europe and the Middle East in order to trade.
The trade routes from
Timbuktu, in Mali, in
the 14th century
Mali Empire
Salt mine
Gold mine
Trade route
---- Route to Mecca
RANBY, R Platinum Social Sciences Gr 7 page 104
GM 2018
, 3
Activity 1
Refer to the map on page 2 and answer the following questions:
1. Which river runs through the Mali Empire? (1)
2. Was gold mined in Mali? (1)
3. Draw the symbol for a salt mine. (1)
4. The main trade routes went from Timbuktu to Egypt and ____________, in Africa.
(Name the country). (1)
5. Which large desert is found in the northern part of Africa? (1)
Camel caravans as the means of transport
Vocabulary
Camel caravan: a procession of camels travelling together in single file
Navigate: to find the way safely
Camels were used to transport goods and people along the Trans-Saharan trade-route
through the Sahara Desert to West Africa.
Most large animals are unable to survive in the Sahara Desert as there is very little water
for them to drink, but a camel can go without water for up to nine days.
A camel can carry heavy loads, including people and goods. Camels have broad, flat,
leathery pads under each foot. The pads spread when the camel puts its foot on the
ground and this stops the foot from sliding and sinking into the sand. They have long
eyelashes and bushy eyebrows which protect their eyes during sandstorms. They have
large nostrils which open and close and this traps water vapour which returns to their
bodies. Their thick fur helps them to cope with harsh weather conditions and changes in
body temperature. Camel milk is rich in vitamins and minerals.
GM 2018
, 4
Traders travelled across the Sahara Desert in camel caravans so they would be safe from
attack by robbers. The Sahara is one of the hottest places in the world, and daytime
temperatures can be as high as 57° C in the summer. So, camel caravans sometimes
travel during the early morning and early evening when it’s cooler.
Activity 2
Work in pairs.
1. List 2 to 3 other reasons why the Sahara Desert was one of the most difficult deserts to
cross.
2. It is very easy to get lost in the desert. How do you think the people navigated their way
through the desert?
3. Where is fat stored in the camel’s body?
4. Where is water stored in the camel’s body?
Source A
This extract describes the importance of oases (Singular – oasis)
for travellers in the Sahara:
Even though there are many oases in the Sahara, the desert is so
big that the travellers may go for days to reach them. Without
these wet rest stops for humans and animals, crossing the desert
would be almost impossible.
Goods traded
In the 14th century, the kingdom of Mali became rich and powerful as a result of the trans-
Saharan trade. Sahara trade linked Mali to the Middle East and Europe. From Persia and
Arabia, camels carried goods such as rugs, swords, daggers and glass. From India, they
carried spices, dyes, cloth and beads. The Arabs would exchange their goods for gold,
slaves, ivory, salt and ostrich feathers.
Salt Gold Ostrich feathers
GM 2018
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