Sources

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/gold/hd_gold.htm

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/history/

http://www.cybertraveltips.com/africa/ghana/Ancient-Ghana-History.html

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ghana_Empire

World History Book.

Contemporaries

Mali and Songhai

(Mali)(Songhai)

Major Trade networks

(  The trade routes of Ancient Ghana^)

From the seventh to the eleventh century, trans-Saharan trade linked the Mediterranean economies that demanded gold.  Increased demand for gold in the North Islamic states, which sought the raw metal for minting, prompted  attention to Mali and Ghana, that was later referred to as the "Land of Gold.

Significance of the Ghana empire

Ghana was significant and note worthy because of the major trading of gold and salt resources. The mixed economy of Ghana Empire consisted of agriculture, carpentry, pottery, iron smelting, gold smiting and cloth manufacturing. The main goods traded were salt, copper and gold.

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Ruler

Soninke was one of the first Rulers of Ghana.Soninke united the Soninke people (the northernmost Mande peoples) and possibly founded the city of Kumbi Saleh.Soninke first named their kingdom after this royal family. He was known as the Kaya maghan, "king of the gold," and as Ghana, or war chief. Over time, the land of the Ouagadou (Wagadu) became known as Ghana by the Arabs.

Major Accomplishments

 Ghana had many accomplishments, one of the most important is the gold, salt and ivory trades.  It was located midway between the desert, the main source of salt, and the goldfields of the upper Senegal River.The Empire grew rich from the trans-Saharan trade in gold and salt.

           

Demise Of Ghana

There were many reasons for the decline of Ghana. The King lost his trading monopoly, at the same time drought began and had a long effect on the land and its ability to sustain cattle and vegitation.  There is the knowledge that the Almoravid Muslims came from North Africa and invaded Ghana. Other stories are that the Almoravid influence was gradual and did not involve military takeover.