Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean History Practice Exam

The Three Great West African Empires are historically recognized as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. These empires were significant in the development of trade, culture, and Islamic influence in West Africa from the 8th to the 16th centuries.

Ghana, often referred to as the first of the great empires, thrived from around the 4th century until its decline in the 11th century. It was known for its wealth derived from gold and its trade network that connected various regions.

Following Ghana, the Mali Empire rose to prominence from the 13th to the 16th centuries and became renowned for its wealth, particularly under the reign of Mansa Musa. Mali also became an important cultural center, especially with the city of Timbuktu emerging as a hub of learning and trade.

The Songhai Empire succeeded Mali, reaching its peak in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was recognized for its military strength and administrative sophistication and continued the rich legacy of trade and cultural exchange established by the earlier empires.

The other options incorrectly include empires that were not among the three main ones. For instance, while Benin was a significant kingdom, it was located in a different area and timeframe compared to these em