Final answer:
The Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Mali were both powerful Islamic empires that prospered through trade, had significant cultural exchanges due to their strategic locations, and faced internal challenges with succession that contributed to their decline.
Step-by-step explanation:
Both the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Mali were significant powers in their respective regions and shared commonalities such as the adoption of Islam, which played an integral role in the administration and cultural development of their societies.
The trade route networks both empires controlled were critical to their economic prosperity and political influence. The Ottomans and Mali used their strategic positions to facilitate trade between different regions, which included not only goods but also culture and knowledge.
The wealth that the Mali Empire acquired from trade, especially during the reign of Mansa Musa, is analogous to the prosperity the Ottoman Empire experienced due to its control over key trade routes connecting Europe and Asia. Both empires also experienced issues of succession and internal strife, which eventually contributed to their declines.