The Ghana Empire was a powerful West African state that thrived from around the 6th to the 13th century. It was located in what is now southeastern Mauritania and western Mali. The empire was known for its wealth, primarily derived from the trade of gold, salt, and other goods across the Sahara Desert. The capital city, Kumbi Saleh, was a bustling trade center that attracted merchants from various regions. The Ghana Empire played a significant role in the development of trade routes and cultural exchanges in West Africa, influencing the rise of later empires like the Mali Empire.