3.1.1

Geography of the Mali Empire

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Geography of the Empire of Mali

The Empire of Mali was a West African Islamic Empire that existed from the 13th century to the 16th century.

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Key facts about the Mali Empire

  • The empire had lots of different natural environments including the Sahara desert, mountain ranges, and rivers.
  • The Empire sat just south of the Sahara.
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Desert and forest

  • The Empire of Mali was close to the Sahara desert.
    • This meant that it could expand its trade networks and increase its wealth by keeping in contact with all the traders travelling between North Africa, Europe, and Asia.
    • Mali was also located right in the middle of existing trade routes.
  • The Empire of Mali had access to raw materials such as wood and food thanks to the forests located near its coasts.
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Rivers and mountains

  • Many rivers ran across Mali. The River Niger was the most important river for the empire, because:
    • This river acted as a fast and direct mode of transport for traders.
    • This river provided water for agricultural (farming) and domestic (household) use.
  • Rivers and mountains also helped defend against invasions. Invading armies would have had a more difficult time travelling around or across them.

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1The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.4King John

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.6The Black Death

2Worldviews

3The Empire of Mali

4The Renaissance & Reformations, 1500-1598 AD

5The British Empire, 1583-1960 AD

6The Peasants' Revolt

7Religion in the Middle Ages

8Slavery, 1619-1833 AD

9The English Civil War, 1642-1660

10The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1840

11US Independence, 1775-1783

12The French Revolution, 1789-1815

13The British Empire, 1857–1930

14Suffrage

15World War 1, 1914-1918

16The Inter-War Years, 1919-1939

17World War 2, 1939-1945

18The Cold War, 1947-1962

19Civil Rights in the USA, 1954-1975

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