British explorers Dixon Denham (1786-1828), Hugh Clapperton (1788-1827), and Walter Oudney (1790-1824) were the first Europeans to cross the Sahara successfully from north to south. They started from Tripoli, Libya, in 1822 and reached Kano, Nigeria in 1823.
Only now are the mineral resources of the Sahara being developed. Salt and coal are mined successfully. In 1956 the French discovered huge oil, gas, and coal reserves. There are also deposits of copper, lead, zinc, and phosphates. Trucks can cross the Sahara on four major roads equipped with refueling stations. Oases have been expanded by tapping deep-lying sources of water.
See also : Africa explorer | All about Africa | Desert travel tips
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