The people who lived in the desert of North Africa could easily mine salt , but not gold. They craved the precious metal that would add so much to their personal splendor and prestige. These mutual needs led to the establishment of long-distance trade routes that connected very different cultures.
What was the importance of the gold and salt trade?
What was a major effect of the gold-salt trade in Africa? The gold-salt trade in Africa made Ghana a powerful empire because they controlled the trade routes and taxed traders . Control of gold-salt trade routes helped Ghana, Mali, and Songhai to become large and powerful West African kingdoms.
Why was salt important in North Africa?
Salt was mainly used to preserve foods, like meat, but also corpses , etc. Malians would also need salt in their food, since they wouldn’t normally have much in their diet. They would also import things like glass, ceramics, and precious stones from North Africa.
How did the gold and salt trade develop?
Why did the gold-salt trade develop between West Africa and North Africa? ... The trade began due to a surplus of each product per area . Gold was plentiful in West Africa so traders sent the item to North Africa so they too could have the valuable mineral. In return, North Africans gave salt to West Africa.
Is salt more valuable than gold?
Recorded history also soundly refutes the myth that salt was more valuable than gold . YouTube historian Lindybeige cites Venetian trade documents from the height of the salt trade in 1590 that establish the value of 1 ton of salt as 33 gold ducats.
Why was salt an important item of trade in Africa?
Salt was a highly valued commodity not only because it was unobtainable in the sub-Saharan region but because it was constantly consumed and supply never quite met the total demand . There was also the problem that such a bulky item cost more to transport in significant quantities, which only added to its high price.
Why was salt so important?
Salt plays a crucial role in maintaining human health. It is the main source of sodium and chloride ions in the human diet. Sodium is essential for nerve and muscle function and is involved in the regulation of fluids in the body. Sodium also plays a role in the body’s control of blood pressure and volume.
Why is African salt more valuable than gold?
To the north lay the vast Sahara, the source of much of the salt. ... People wanted gold for its beauty, but they needed salt in their diets to survive . Salt, which could be used to preserve food, also made bland food tasty. These qualities made salt very valuable.
Why was salt worth its weight in gold?
Salt was necessary for maintaining life , but it was in short supply in the forests of West Africa. Salt became worth its weight in gold. And since gold was so abundant Abundant (adjective) : existing or available in large quantities 7 in the kingdom, Ghana achieved much of its wealth through trade with the Arabs.
When did the gold and salt trade start?
The Trans-Saharan Gold Trade ( 7th–14th Century ) Around the fifth century, thanks to the availability of the camel, Berber-speaking people began crossing the Sahara Desert.
Why is Ghana called the land of gold?
It was the first of the great West African trading empires. Its wealth grew out of its place on a major trade route. ... Arab traders crossed the Sahara to Ghana , which they called the “Land of Gold.” The king collected taxes from merchants who came through his empire.
Why was salt so valuable in ancient times?
Salt’s ability to preserve food was a founding contributor to the development of civilization. It helped eliminate dependence on seasonal availability of food, and made it possible to transport food over large distances.
Which country is the largest producer of salt?
| Rank Country/Region 2012 salt production (metric tonnes) | 1 China 62,158,000 | 2 United States 40,200,000 | 3 India 24,500,000 | 4 Germany 19,021,295 |
|---|
Did salt used to be a luxury?
Prior to industrialization, it was extremely expensive and labor-intensive to harvest the mass quantities of salt necessary for food preservation and seasoning . This made salt an extremely valuable commodity. Entire economies were based on salt production and trade.
What impact did trade have on West Africa?
By providing firearms amongst the trade goods , Europeans increased warfare and political instability in West Africa. Some states, such as Asante and Dahomey, grew powerful and wealthy as a result. Other states were completely destroyed and their populations decimated as they were absorbed by rivals.
How did trade affect the development of African kingdoms?
The wealth made through trade was used to build larger kingdoms and empires. To protect their trade interests, these kingdoms built strong armies . Kingdoms that desired more control of the trade also developed strong armies to expand their kingdoms and protect them from competition.
