Africa and its Golden Age of Empires (Click on this Link)!

The varied climate zones, physical features, and natural resources of Africa have helped create diverse ways of life. Nubian civilization adopted much from ancient Egyptian culture and, at the same time, developed advances of its own. Over the centuries, North Africa was influenced by Carthaginian, Roman, and Muslim civilizations.

In West Africa, trade played an important role in linking and strengthening the kingdoms of the region. Rulers built powerful kingdoms by gaining control of key trade routes and defeating their enemies. Muslim civilization spread through much of West Africa. The kingdom of Axum, in East Africa, prospered by controlling a triangle trade network that linked Africa, India, and the Mediterranean world. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all influenced East Africa.

African peoples developed ways of life that were best suited to the conditions of their environment. Village governments, family bonds, and religious beliefs gave people a sense of community. Art and literature reinforced the beliefs and history of each society.