ew Atlantic Ocean. He began is conquest four years after Mohammed's death, and tried to bring with him Mohammed's teachings and his god, Allah. This initial introduction of Islam into Africa was long standing and helped to create the governments found in North Africa that lasted for centuries upon centuries. What helped bring Islam to other parts of the continent were Arabic traders. Sixty six percent of all Arabs live in Africa (Baulin, 21). They were a very powerful presence in regards to the economy. This is because of their control over various and important trade routes that routed their way throughout much of the northern half of the continent. Among the first converted, they brought their new religion of Islam with them as they set out to trade with other various groups and tribes across Africa. The Arab monopolies over the trade routes of Northern, Eastern, and Western Africa were partly responsible for the initial introduction of Islam into Africa. Southern Africa was not so easily attainable to the teachings of Mohammed. Natural barriers existed in the central parts of Africa that prevented many empires from expanded beyond such barriers. These stunt of expansion as well as a lack of Arab controlled trading routes that were successful avenues from which many were able to learn the ways of Allah. Therefore, as Jacques Baulin describes, missionaries used the seas to help bring the teachings of Islam places that they were previously unable to reach. All in all, the introduction of Islam to various parts of the continent helped to establish the roots of a faith that would be very influential in shaping most of the cultural, political, and religious climate of the continent of Africa. By examining how Islam developed and effected specific regions of the large continent can it be shown the overwhelming influence the teachings of Mohammed.
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