Look at the map of Africa's ecosystem. what two areas that made it possible for people in these ecosystems to use the trans-Saharan trade route?
desert
rain forest
savanna
Sahel
The two areas that made it possible for people in these ecosystems to use the trans-Saharan trade route are the Sahara Desert and the Sahel region.
To determine the two areas that made it possible for people in these ecosystems to use the trans-Saharan trade route, we need to understand the characteristics of each ecosystem and how they relate to trade.
First, let's look at the ecosystems mentioned:
1. Desert: The desert regions, such as the Sahara Desert, were challenging environments for trade due to their extreme aridity and lack of resources. It was difficult for people to survive in these areas, let alone establish trade routes. Therefore, the desert ecosystem alone doesn't directly contribute to the trans-Saharan trade route.
2. Rainforest: The rainforest is a dense, tropical ecosystem characterized by abundant rainfall and lush vegetation. While the rainforest regions, such as the Congo rainforest, were vital in providing valuable commodities like ivory and tropical products, these areas were not directly part of the trans-Saharan trade route. The rainforest acted as a source of goods that traders from other areas would acquire and transport to the Sahel or Savannah regions.
Now, let's focus on the remaining two ecosystems:
3. Sahel: The Sahel is the semi-arid transitional zone between the Sahara Desert and the savanna. It is an ecologically diverse and productive area where pastoralism and agriculture are practiced. The Sahel acted as a critical hub for the trans-Saharan trade route, connecting the traders coming from the desert with those traversing the savanna.
4. Savanna: The savanna is a vast tropical grassland with scattered trees and few water resources. It was a significant part of the trans-Saharan trade route, providing a viable corridor for trade caravans and commerce. The savanna's temperate climate and suitability for agriculture made it an ideal region for settlements and trading posts.
Therefore, the two areas that made it possible for people in these ecosystems to use the trans-Saharan trade route are the Sahel and the savanna. The Sahel acted as a link between the harsh desert and the savanna, while the savanna provided a more favorable environment for trade and settlements.
The two areas that made it possible for people in these ecosystems to use the trans-Saharan trade route are the desert and the Sahel.
The vast desert region, known as the Sahara, played a significant role in the trans-Saharan trade route. Despite its harsh and barren nature, the desert provided a direct passage through which traders could travel from the North African coast to the Sahel region and further south. The desert allowed for the establishment of caravan routes, where traders would navigate through the arid landscape, often relying on camel caravans to transport goods.
The Sahel, which is a semi-arid region located to the south of the Sahara Desert, served as a transitional zone between the desert and the more fertile lands further south. Its geographic location made it a natural meeting point for traders from both sides of the Sahara. The Sahel provided various resources, including water sources, grazing lands for livestock, and access to natural minerals, making it an important hub for trade activities and facilitating the flow of goods along the trans-Saharan trade route.
It's important to note that while the rainforest and savanna are prominent ecosystems in Africa, they did not directly contribute to the trans-Saharan trade route as their dense vegetation and geographical barriers made it difficult for traders to navigate through these areas.