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Ghana is situated in the north-west of upper course of the Niger river. In the 8th century, Ghana captured and controlled some areas of gold deposits lying to its south.

As gold became the most important item of Ghana's trade it began to be called the land of gold. Due to gold Ghana became very powerful and prosperous.

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The basis of the Inca civilisation was agriculture. To cope with the infertile soil conditions, they terraced hillsides and developed systems of drainage and irrigation. It has been recently pointed out that in 1500, cultivation in the Andean highlands was much greater than what it is today. The Incas grew corn and potatoes and reared llamas for food and labour.

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Kongo Kingdom:

(i) Administration: The administration was quite efficient and highly centralised. The king was given divine honour. He was elected from some aristocratic family. The king was assisted by assemblies who had vast powers. The king did not have absolute power. Kingship was not hereditary.


(ii) The institution of Slaves: Though slavery was practised yet slaves were not a commodity. They lived like members of the masters' household. They could own personal property. They could change their masters.

The Political System : Many states had emerged near the river Kongo in ancient times. These states had united themselves into a large kingdom known as the Kingdom of Kongo.

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The role of foreign trade: 

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