6.1: Geography & Environment 🌍
Central Africa is mostly covered by what type of landscape?
Tropical rainforests
Where did the first Bantu speakers come from?
Nigeria 🇳🇬
Who did East Africans trade with along the coast?
Arabians, Persians, and Indians
The Shona people settled in what region of Africa?
South Africa
What caused the decline of Great Zimbabwe?
Drought and overuse of land by cattle
What type of environment covers most of South Africa?
Large grasslands
The Bantu Migration moved in which two directions?
South and east
What was the most important East African city-state for trade?
Kilwa
What was the name of the Shona’s large stone-walled settlement?
Great Zimbabwe
When was Great Zimbabwe abandoned?
Around the 1500s
Why is Central and Southern Africa considered geographically diverse?
It includes both tropical rainforests and wide grasslands
About how many Bantu languages exist today?
Around 450
What religion did Arab traders bring to East Africa?
Islam
What were the three main parts of Great Zimbabwe?
Valley Ruins, Hill Complex, and Great Enclosure
Who was Mutota the Conqueror?
A leader who left Great Zimbabwe looking for salt
What new language came from the combination of Bantu and Arabic?
Swahili
What did the Bantu people spread as they migrated?
Culture, farming techniques, and ironworking skills
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What was Great Zimbabwe the center of?
Gold trade ⚱️
What did Mutota create after leaving Great Zimbabwe?
Mutapa Kingdom
What natural feature helped connect East Africa to trade routes?
The coastline along the Indian Ocean
How did Bantu migrations shape East African culture?
They mixed with other groups and influenced languages, trade, and customs
How did Islam influence East African government?
Muslim officials and merchants helped run city-states
About how many people lived in Great Zimbabwe at its height?
10,000-20,000
How did the Mutapa Kingdom continue Great Zimbabwe’s legacy?
Controlled trade, kept Shona culture strong