The Sahel is a semi-arid region in Africa that stretches across the continent from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Red Sea in the east. It is bordered by the Sahara Desert to the north and the savanna grasslands to the south.
While the Sahel has been inhabited for thousands of years, it was never a major centre of civilisation or power. This is due to a number of factors, including the region's harsh climate, lack of natural resources, and geographic isolation.
The Sahel is a very hot and dry region. Average temperatures range from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius, and rainfall is scarce. This makes it difficult to grow crops or raise livestock, and it also makes the region vulnerable to drought and famine.
The Sahel is also lacking in natural resources. There are few minerals or forests in the region, and the soil is often poor. This has limited the development of industry and trade in the region.
Finally, the Sahel is geographically isolated. It is located between the Sahara Desert and the savanna grasslands, which are both difficult to traverse. This has made it difficult for the Sahel to connect with other regions of Africa and the world.
As a result of these factors, the Sahel was never a major centre of civilisation or power in the ancient world. It was not until the rise of Islam in the 7th century AD that the Sahel began to play a more significant role in history.
