Final answer:
If the Sahara did not exist and the savanna extended to the Mediterranean coast, Africa's history could have seen greater interaction between African societies and the Mediterranean world, more expansive trade and cultural exchanges, and a different pattern of human settlement and development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The history of Africa's savanna region is deeply intertwined with the climatic conditions and geographical landscapes of the continent. If the Sahara Desert did not exist and the savanna extended to the Mediterranean coast, the history of Africa could have been vastly different. The savanna is known for its grassy plains, scattered trees, and vibrant wildlife, which supported a variety of large grazing mammals and enabled human settlements to flourish due to the conducive environment for agriculture and trade. In contrast, the Sahara's arid conditions limited early human development to its periphery. Should the savanna have reached the Mediterranean, it might have facilitated even greater interaction between African societies and the Mediterranean world, potentially altering the course of trade, and cultural exchanges, and possibly even delaying the expansion of desert zones that drove human migrations.