Trade routes across the Sahara Desert connected the Mali Empire to Europe and the Middle East. Timbuktu, home to the famous Sankore University, was also an important cultural center. Why did Mali ...

The empire’s prosperity was further increased by Mali’s advantageous placement along trans-Saharan trade routes, which made it a major hub for trade with the Mediterranean world. The Legendary ...

Some key dates in Mali's history: c. 300AD-1200s - Much of the region is part of the Ghana Empire, one of several major West African empires controlling trans-Saharan trade in gold, salt, other ...

The Empire of Mali managed to control the gold-bearing regions of Galam, Bambuk, and Bure, which are all located in Mali. How did Mali make its money? Ancient Mali was essentially a trade nation, ...