Based on the diagram, which resource was both an import and an export of Mali? Why do you think it was both an import and export?

Question

From Mali:

Gold
Copper
Kola nuts
enslaved people
Education

To mali:

Salt
Ivory
horses
cloth
pottery
jewels
metal tools
education

Answer 1

Salt was both an import and export of Mali. This can be seen in the diagram as salt is listed under "To Mali" as an import, but also listed under "From Mali" as an export. This is because Mali was located in the Sahara desert region and did not have access to salt mines, so they needed to import salt from other regions. However, Mali was also a major producer of gold, which was often traded for salt, making salt an export for Mali as well.