Question

Which option best explains how the geographic position of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai contributed to their success?
• Their position near the Mediterranean Sea allowed them to trade extensively with Islamic empires.
Their position near the Atlantic Ocean gave them access to trade routes across the seas that made them wealthy.
Their position in western Sudan gave them control over major trade routes based around local resources.
Their position south of the Sahara Desert gave them protection from invasions.

Answer 1

Their position in western Sudan gave them control over major trade routes based around local resources.

Explanation: being in the Sahel/western Sudan put them on the trans‑Saharan trade routes (gold, salt, etc.), allowing them to tax and control commerce between North Africa/Islamic traders and interior West Africa, which generated their wealth and power.