Final answer:
The first of the Western Sudanic empires was the Ghana Empire. It existed from the 8th to the 13th century, was located in present-day Mauritania and Mali, and was known for its control of trade routes and wealth from gold and salt trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first of the Western Sudanic empires was the Ghana Empire. The Ghana Empire existed from around the 8th century to the 13th century and was located in present-day Mauritania and Mali. It was known for its control of the trans-Saharan trade routes and its wealth derived from gold and salt trade. The empire was also a center of learning and Islamic culture.
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