What did you find to be the most surprising or enlightening part of this history of West Africa and why

One of the most outstanding points in West African history is how geography was influential in the development of this region.

Explanation:

When researching the history of West Africa we can see how the geography of a place is important in the development and relationships that this place presents. This is because the geography of West Africa determined how the population would grow, causing the most populous and most influential villages to settle in the south of the Sahara desert. This happened because this region had a more fertile and well-structured soil for agriculture. These villages, therefore, had good agricultural products because they could establish an exchange trade with the villages that had another type of product.

since most of current immigration into the u.s., both legal and illegal, is coming from latin america. it would be very difficult to imagine or rationalize a country my fellow citizens are trying desperately to flee into, would pose a threat to my prosperity or freedom. since the u.s. has a long history of intervention, but no record of permanent occupation, i would not feel oppression is the main objective.  

the largest free trade nation, along with the largest gdp in the world wanting to expand it's economic policy on us, and including us, could only be positive. the u.s. government has no interest in, or way of simply forcing american culture on us. and has no track record of it. other nations that adopted american social culture, or "americanization" did so voluntarily, mainly through the choice of allowing american businesses and u.s. citizens to come into their nations, as free operatives.

small european communities with shared traditions consolidated into large new states (apex)