Final answer:
The Mali Empire was an essential middleman in historical trade, chiefly facilitating the exchange of gold and salt between West Africa and the Saharan region. Important trade cities of the empire included Timbuktu, Gao, and Djenné, with the Berbers playing a key role in the trans-Saharan caravan trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mali Empire served as a pivotal middleman for trade between various regions. In particular, Mali played a significant role in facilitating trade between the gold-producing areas in the southern regions of West Africa and the salt mines in the Saharan desert to the north. Additionally, it acted as an intermediary for the exchange of other valuable commodities such as ivory, copper, and slaves, with a notable trade reach stretching even into the Middle East and Europe through the trans-Saharan trade routes.
Trading centers such as Timbuktu, Gao, and Djenné were crucial in linking the Berber traders operating from the north with sub-Saharan Africa. The Berber caravans played an essential role in the exchange, delivering salt from the desert mines, such as those in Targhaza, in exchange for West African gold. This trade interaction elevated Mali, particularly during its golden age under rulers like Sundiata Keita, who established a compelling system of governance, taxation, and legal structures that supported and maintained the empire's wealth and power.
Ultimately, the Mali Empire's prominence in trade extended beyond just salt and gold. It significantly influenced the movement of various goods and cultures across considerable distances, strongly bolstered by its Islamized governance that resonated with much of the trade across the Sahel and North Africa.