Best Ever Q&A Space Our World Nature History Early Civilizations Ancient Egypt Ancient Greece Biblical Times Ancient Rome Middle Ages Early Africa Early America Great Explorers Industrial Revolution World Wars Science & Technology

Choose a Page:Which metals did early Africans use?What was the Great Trek?What was Great Zimbabwe?*What was the East Coast Trade?*What were early African villages like? What was the East Coast Trade? The east coast of Africa was for a long time an important source of trade in gold, ivory, and other goods. The first to exploit it were the Arabs, who sailed as far south as Madagascar from about 700 AD. In 1498 Portuguese ships began to take part in the rich East Coast Trade. Wars were fought between the Arabs and Portuguese for control of ports and sea routes. Other European nations, including the Spanish, Dutch, and English, also exploited the trade.   Previous: Back Book: Best Ever Q&A Section: History Chapter: Early Africa