The Mali Empire of West Africa, at its height in the 14th century, controlled trade routes that supplied much of the Mediterranean with gold. Mansa Musa, the empire's most famous ruler, undertook a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, distributing such quantities of gold along his route that the metal's value reportedly remained depressed in Cairo for years afterward.
Based on the passage, which inference is most strongly supported?
- A
Mansa Musa's pilgrimage had no measurable effects beyond West Africa
- B
Cairo's economy in the 14th century was unaffected by external events
- C
The Mali Empire's gold trade was limited to local exchanges
- Dcheck_circle
The economic reach of the Mali Empire extended substantially beyond its political borders
Explanation
Mali's gold supplying Mediterranean markets and depressing Cairo's gold prices supports A. B, C, D contradict the passage.