The role of Touat in the African Trans-Saharan caravan trade (15 C to 19C)

Abstract

The west African desert was a crossroad for the Trans-Saharan trade from the immemorial times. Traders as well as travelers from the sahel, the north African coast, Europe and the western used to cross west africa and vice versa vi aTouat. Trades routes have always been active, even prior the kingdoms of the western and central Sudan. During the height between the 8th and late 19th centuries, Touat served as a cultural main road for the different people and tribes along the trade route; and is still serving up till nowadays.