Sahara Desert Crossword Puzzle

1. the percent of Africa that the Sahara covers (no spaces)
5. Powerful empire in West Africa from 1430 to 1591
6. Payment made to ensure caravan safety across the desert
8. Nomadic people native to North Africa, crucial to trans-Saharan trade
11. World’s largest hot desert, covering 3.3 million square miles
14. Empire that followed Ghana, home to Timbuktu
15. Major goods traded in Trans-Saharan Trade (no spaces _____and____)
16. lifestyle of Berbers that helped them learn to travel across the Sahara
18. Animal known as the 'ship of the desert'
19. Historical period when trans-Saharan trade peaked
21. Early empire that grew wealthy through trade by 750 CE
23. Year Berbers got access to camels (spell out number, no spaces or dashed and include BCE or CE)
26. salt flats
27. Fertile area in a desert with water, critical for survival and trade
28. Type of camel with one hump, reintroduced around 300 BCE

2. Large sand dunes found in the Sahara
3. Berbers are __________ to North Africa
4. Valuable mineral traded across the desert, essential for life
7. Religion that spread along trade routes, connecting Afro-Eurasia
9. Arabic word meaning 'shores', refers to the edge of the Sahara
10. Technology improved by Berbers in the 700s to help camels carry more
12. City that began as a caravan stop, became a center of learning
13. A group that traveled together for trade or protection across the desert
17. Precious metal from West Africa, key to regional wealth
18. Pit stop for caravans that became points of cultural exchange
20. the number of miles a caravan traveled in a day
22. Camel feature adapted to sandy terrain
24. Stores fat in camels, allowing them to survive with little food
25. Where salt deposits were located in the Sahara