The Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão reached the mouth of the Congo in 1484. Commercial relationships quickly grew between the inland Bantu kingdoms and European merchants who traded various commodities, manufactured goods, and people captured from the hinterlands. After centuries as a major hub for transatlantic trade, direct European colonization of the Congo river delta began in the late 19th century, subsequently eroding the power of the Bantu societies in the region. COUNT 5
QSN1 Whose expedition arrived at the mouth of the Congo River in 1484? ANS1 Diogo Cão QSN2 What was Diogo Cao's nationality? ANS2 Portuguese QSN3 What did European traders exchange with Bantu people? ANS3 commodities, manufactured goods, and people QSN4 When did formal colonization of the Congo River delta begin? ANS4 late 19th century QSN5 Colonization reduced the power of what groups in the Congo River basin? ANS5 Bantu societies