Question

How might the history of Africa have been different if the Sahara did not exist and the savanna region extended up to the Mediterranean coast?

a) Increased trade and cultural exchange with Eurasian civilizations.
b) Limited contact with external civilizations, maintaining isolation.
c) Greater agricultural development, supporting larger populations.
d) Minimal impact on African history due to other geographical factors.

Answer 1

If the Sahara did not exist and the savanna extended up to the Mediterranean coast, it would have led to increased trade and cultural exchange, greater agricultural development, and limited isolation for Africa.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the Sahara did not exist and the savanna region extended up to the Mediterranean coast, the history of Africa would likely have been different in several ways. First, there would have been increased trade and cultural exchange with Eurasian civilizations. The absence of the Sahara would have provided a direct land route for trade between Africa and Europe, allowing for the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies. Second, greater agricultural development would have been possible, supporting larger populations. The savanna region is more fertile and suitable for farming than the desert, allowing for the growth of agricultural communities. Lastly, with easier access to the Mediterranean coast, there would have been less isolation and limited contact with external civilizations. The Mediterranean coast has historically been a hub for trade and cultural exchange, so the absence of the Sahara would have facilitated closer connections with the outside world.