Final answer:
The central idea of the 'The Gold and Salt Trade' is the significance of salt as a valuable commodity in the trans-Saharan trade, largely driving the exchange of goods like gold.
Explanation:
The central idea of the text 'The Gold and Salt Trade' is that salt was a vital commodity in the trans-Saharan trade, serving as currency and being highly valued in regions with scarce salt supply.
In the trade system, salt was carried from the Sahara to sub-Saharan regions in exchange for goods like gold. The demand for West African gold and salt drove the trade, leading to the emergence of powerful kingdoms like Mali that controlled access to these resources.
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