Mention and explain seven trade routes of Trans-saharan trade?

1. The Salt Route: One of the most important trade routes in Trans-Saharan trade was the Salt Route, which connected the salt mines of the Sahara Desert with the markets of West Africa. Salt was a valuable commodity in West Africa, where it was used for preserving food and as a form of currency.

2. The Gold Route: Another important trade route was the Gold Route, which connected the gold mines of West Africa with the markets of North Africa and the Mediterranean. Gold was a highly sought-after commodity in North Africa and Europe, and West Africa was a major source of this precious metal.

3. The Slave Route: The Trans-Saharan trade also involved the trade of slaves, who were captured in West Africa and sold in North Africa and the Middle East. Slavery was a common practice in many parts of the world at the time, and slaves were used for a variety of purposes, including as laborers, soldiers, and concubines.

4. The Textile Route: Textiles were another important commodity in Trans-Saharan trade, with North African merchants trading their woven goods for gold, salt, and slaves from West Africa. Textiles were highly valued in West Africa for their quality and craftsmanship.

5. The Ivory Route: Ivory was another valuable commodity traded along the Trans-Saharan trade routes, with merchants from North Africa and the Mediterranean trading for ivory tusks from West Africa. Ivory was used for a variety of purposes, including as a luxury item and for carving.

6. The Date Route: Dates were an important commodity in North Africa, where they were grown in oases along the trade routes. Dates were traded for gold, salt, and other goods from West Africa, and were highly valued for their nutritional value and long shelf life.

7. The Camel Route: Camels were the primary mode of transportation for goods along the Trans-Saharan trade routes, as they were well-suited to the harsh desert environment. Camels were used to transport goods such as salt, gold, slaves, textiles, ivory, and dates between North Africa and West Africa, and played a crucial role in the success of the trade routes.

1. Sahel Route:
- Ran along the southern edge of the Sahara, connecting West Africa with North Africa.
- Traded gold, salt, slaves, leather, and textiles.

2. Ghudamis Route:
- Linked the Libyan coast with the Fezzan, a region in southwestern Libya.
- Carried ivory, gold, slaves, and dates.

3. Bilma Route:
- Connected the salt mines of Bilma in Niger with North Africa.
- Salt was the primary commodity traded along this route.

4. Tibesti Route:
- Traversed the Tibesti Mountains in Chad, linking North Africa with Lake Chad and the Sudan.
- Traded leather, ostrich feathers, and slaves.

5. Agadez Route:
- Ran through the Agadez region in Niger, connecting the Sahara with the Hausa kingdoms in West Africa.
- Traded gold, copper, salt, and slaves.

6. Gao Route:
- Connected the important city of Gao on the Niger River with North Africa.
- Traded gold, slaves, and horses.

7. Takedda Route:
- Ran through the ancient city of Takedda in southeastern Niger, linking West Africa with the Nile Valley in Egypt.
- Traded gold, salt, and slaves.