Geography Challenge: West Africa
Using Atlas (p. 84 and 86) and your Textbook (p. 134-135, 149, and 419) label,
shade in, or draw symbols for the following onto your map:
Draw the boundaries North Africa and West Africa
Mediterranean Sea
Indian Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Arabia
Spain
Italy
Sahara Desert
Niger River
Senegal River
Jenne (Jenne-Jeno)
Kumbi (Koumbi-salei)
Timbuktu
Shade in Ghana (whole area)
Shade in Mali (whole area) Color code these areas and fill in the key on the map
Shade in Songhai (whole area)
Taghaza
Wangara
Gold
Slaves
Salt
Ivory
Answer these questions by using the information found in your Setting the Stage
Section (p.134-135)
1. What ocean borders Africa to the west? East? What sea borders Africa to the
North?
2. Into what four regions is Africa divided?
3. In what region were the Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai located?
4. Why do you think the Niger and Senegal Rivers were so important to the societies
that developed in West Africa?
5. Why do you think territories below the Sahara Desert might have had limited
contact with lands to the north before the 700s CE?
6. What religion spread from North Africa to West Africa?
7. What city was an important center for trade and learning for Mali and Songhai?
8. Give a short summary of the section about Jenne-Jeno. Your summary should
describe the growth and importance of this place. (p. 141 Text)
Geography Challenge Answers
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