north africa

• • Cairo & Alexandria were the center of North Africa’s economy
• • Trans-Saharan African trade was the main contributor of gold, iron, and enslaved ppl
• • Timbuktu was strategically located at the end of the trans-Saharan trade route, connecting it to extensive trade networks in West Africa
• • Mansa Musa, the Sultan of Mali at Timbuktu, emerged as one of the wealthiest individuals globally due to this trade
• • To the east shore of the Red Sea (near Egypt) is Jeddah. This port was essential for pilgrimage to Mecca 
• • Jeddah bridged the Arabian Sea with Alexandria on the Mediterranean shore