The king you are referring to is Mansa Musa, who ruled the Mali Empire in the early 14th century. He is well known for spreading wealth across his empire and for his famous pilgrimage to Mecca, which showcased the riches of Mali. Mansa Musa also significantly promoted education and culture, inviting scholars, poets, and architects to Mali, which helped establish the city of Timbuktu as a center of learning and culture, particularly in subjects like astronomy, mathematics, law, and history.
The trade routes mentioned refer to the Trans-Saharan trade routes, which facilitated trade between West African kingdoms and North Africa. Camels were essential for traversing the harsh desert environment.
Gold and salt were critical commodities in the trade during this period, and they were often viewed as having equal value, as both were essential to the economies of the regions they were traded in. Gold was abundant in West Africa, while salt was a vital resource for preserving food and maintaining health.
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