NORTH AFRICANotes for your Regional Study Guide

WHICH COUNTRIES MAKE UP THIS REGION?

Western Sahara Morocco Algeria Tunisia Libya Egypt Sudan

ALGERIASand dunes

SOUTHERN MOROCCOSand dunes

TUNISIAOlive trees

CAIRO, EGYPTThe Nile Delta

SUDANThe ancient city of Meroe, on the east bank of the Nile near Shendi.

WHAT IS THE DOMINANT LANDSCAPE OF THIS REGION?

Desert The word “Sahara” means desert in

Arabic so it’s sort of redundant to say “Sahara Desert.” The Sahara covers 3.3 million square miles; the US is only slightly larger than the Sahara. There are almost no surface waterways in this region, other than the Nile.

A CLIMAGRAPH FOR WESTERN SAHARAThe dark green line at the bottom shows precipitation.

WHAT IS THE CLIMATE OF THIS REGION? As a desert region, it is hot and dry. The

word for this is “arid.” Rainfall is scarce. When it does rain,

the water causes flash floods. Sand storms are common. This is an extreme climate; it influences

everything.

WAS THIS REGION COLONIZED?

Yes, by Britain, France, Italy, and Spain. All of the North African countries

gained independence during the 1950s-1970s.

WAS THERE A SPECIFIC RESOURCE COLONIAL POWERS WERE INTERESTED IN?

Not really. The colonization of North Africa took place during the “Scramble for Africa” in the late 1800s.

European nations were interested in expanding territory and gaining power.

The small strip of land that would become home to the Suez Canal was important for trade.

WHY IS THIS AREA A SINGLE REGION? North African countries share the

desert landscape and climate. They also share a common religion in

Islam. The region is 90% Muslim; the next most prominent religion is Christianity at 5%.

The region shares a common history of Muslim conquest over several centuries from 919-1171 AD.

IN THE MODERN ERA, WHAT DO PEOPLE DO FOR A LIVING IN THIS REGION?

Growing food to eat and sell is the most common activity in North Africa.

WHAT ARE THIS REGION’S BIGGEST CHALLENGES?

Rapid population growth Political instability Rising social tensions Religious hostilities

NORTH AFRICA PHOTO GALLERY

The next 7 slides show people from each of the countries from this region.

How are they alike? How are they different?Last point: North Africa is very similar to the Middle East.1. Main language is Arabic2. Main religion is Islam3. Main ethnic group is Arab4. Oil production is imp. in Middle East and N. Africa5. Climate similar to Middle East. (desert)

THIS GIRL IS FROMWestern Sahara

THIS IS A NOMADIC BERBER FROMMorocco

MOHAMED FELLAG IS A FAMOUS COMEDIAN & ACTOR FROMAlgeria

THESE ARE JEWS READING THE TORAH. THEY ARE FROMTunisia

THIS PROTESTOR IS IN BENGHAZI. IT’S THE SECOND LARGEST CITY INLibya

THIS GUY ON HIS PHONE ISEgyptian

THIS IS LEILA ABOULELA. SHE IS A WRITER FROMSudan

THE ASSIGNMENT FOR THIS REGION FOCUSES ON THE MUSLIM CONQUEST OF NORTH AFRICA.

Please complete the assignment that focuses on Islamic Kingdoms of North Africa.

See page 58 in the Atlas of World History.