Which trade route was too distant from East and West Africa to be used?(1 point) Responses Mediterranean Sea Mediterranean Sea Silk Road Silk Road trans-Saharan trans-Saharan Black Sea
Black Sea
The trade route that was too distant from East and West Africa to be used was the Silk Road.
The trade route that was too distant from East and West Africa to be used is the trans-Saharan trade route. To understand why, we need to consider the geographical locations and the obstacles presented by this route.
The trans-Saharan trade route refers to the trade network that spanned across the Sahara Desert, connecting North Africa with the kingdoms and empires of West Africa. This route had several challenges that made it less favorable compared to other trade routes.
Firstly, the Sahara Desert is a vast expanse of land, covering approximately 9 million square kilometers. It is one of the harshest and most inhospitable environments on Earth, with extreme temperatures, limited water sources, and vast stretches of sand dunes. Crossing such a hostile landscape was a significant obstacle for traders, as it was difficult to navigate and required extensive preparation.
Secondly, the distance between East and West Africa was considerable when traveling via the trans-Saharan route. The route extended for thousands of kilometers, making it an arduous and time-consuming journey. With limited resources and difficult terrain, it was not a practical option for traders seeking to transport goods efficiently.
Instead, other trade routes, such as the Mediterranean Sea and the Silk Road, offered more accessible and shorter paths for trade between East and West Africa. The Mediterranean Sea served as a crucial trading route for civilizations around the Mediterranean region, including North Africa. Meanwhile, the Silk Road was a prosperous network of trade routes linking East Asia with Europe, which also connected to Africa through maritime trade routes.
In conclusion, the trans-Saharan trade route was too distant and challenging to be widely used by traders traveling between East and West Africa. The Mediterranean Sea and the Silk Road provided more viable alternatives for trade, considering the geographical and logistical factors involved.