saltgold

A long time ago, Africans traded across a long route from the Middle East and North Africa to West Africa. This route crossed through the large desert, the Sahara. Traders learned skills and knowledge to travel safely across this perilous desert. Traders rested in the morning, to escape the heat and traveled at night, looking for water at oases. Traders crossed this desert to trade with West Africa, which had little salt. West Africa, in return, gave them gold. As trade grew, some towns along the route turned into larger cities.

Picture provided by: http://www.saharamet.com/desert/photos/desert2.jpg Info provided by: World Cultures: A Global Mosaic, pages 79-80