Before the middle of the fifteenth century, sub-Saharan Africa had remained remote and mysterious to Europeans because
A) there was little of value for them there.
B) sea travel down the African coast had been virtually impossible.
C) Islamic societies prevented Europe from making inroads there.
D) they did not know that it existed.
E) they feared the people who lived there.

Question

Before the middle of the fifteenth century, sub-Saharan Africa had remained remote and mysterious to Europeans because  
A) there was little of value for them there.
B) sea travel down the African coast had been virtually impossible.
C) Islamic societies prevented Europe from making inroads there.
D) they did not know that it existed.
E) they feared the people who lived there.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Before the middle of the fifteenth century, sea travel down the African coast had been virtually impossible due to strong winds, rough seas, and strong currents, which made it difficult or impossible for European ships to sail south, return north, or make landfall along the way. This prevented Europeans from exploring sub-Saharan Africa and made it a remote and mysterious place to them.

Before the Middle of the Fifteenth Century, Sub-Saharan Africa Had