Geography
Transcript of Geography
Chapter 20
North Africa
Physical Features
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt
Stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea; Mediterranean Sea is off the northern coast; Sahara desert is to the south
The Nile World’s longest river
Flows northward through the eastern Sahara
Empties into the Mediterranean Sea Blue Nile and White Nile merge to form
the Nile Water from Nile irrigates farmlands and
forms a large river delta where it empties into the Mediterranean Sea
Flooding of the Nile has left silt (finely ground soil good for growing crops) in surrounding fields○ Aswan High Dam was built to control
flooding○ Trapped water formed Lake Nasser in
southern Egypt○ Dam traps silt and now farmers must
use fertilizers to enrich their fields
The Sinai Peninsula and Suez Canal Sinai Peninsula
East of the NileBarren, rocky mountains, and desert cover
the peninsula Suez Canal was built by the French in
1860sIt is a strategic waterway that connects the
Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea
The SaharaCovers most of North Africa
○ Largest desert in the world○ Few people live here○ Some settlements near oasis○ Windswept gravel plains and sand dunes
cover much of desert
Mountains
Some sand dunes reach 1,000 feet Mountains
Ahagger Mountains located in central Sahara○ Highest peak is 9,842 feet
Atlas Mountains located on northwestern side of Sahara○ Rise to 13,671 feet
Climate& Resources 3 climate types:
Desert Climate covers most of region; temperatures from mild to very hot (136 degrees F); low humidity causes temperatures to drop rapidly after sunset
Mediterranean Climate (A climate characterized by moist, mild winters and hot, dry
summers):○ Northern coast west of Egypt
Steppe Climate (found in the middle of continents and in the lee of high mountains. The mountains block
moist air from oceans or tropical climates from reaching the steppe)○ Between the Mediterranean climate and the Sahara
Resources:Oil and gas most importantIron ore and minerals to make fertilizerscoal
HISTORY & CULTURE
Section 2
history
Nile River home to world’s oldest civilizations3200 B.C. Egyptian kingdom was formed
along northern NileThey also built pyramids, other monuments,
and writing systemLater invaded by Greeks and Arabs
The Ancient Egyptians
Built pyramids as tombs for pharaohsWorkers cut large blocks of stone far away
and rolled them on logs to the Nile, moved on barges, and carved at building site
Egyptian Writing
Developed hieroglyphicsPictures and symbols stood for ideas or
wordsCarved into temples and monuments
○ Record words and achievements of pharaohs
Greek and Arab Civilizations Open to invaders due to long
Mediterranean coastlineGreeks and Romans
○ Alexander the Great: founded city of Alexandria, EgyptBecame important seaport and trading center
Arab armies○ Invaded; brought Arabic language & Islam○ Cities became centers of learning, trade, and
craft making
European Control 1800s European countries began taking over region 1912 controlled all of North Africa 1922 Egypt gained limited independence
British kept military bases & control of the Suez Canal until 1956
Region a major battle ground during WWII 1950s Libya, Morocco, & Tunisia each gained
independence; Algeria in 1962 after bitter war with France
Modern North Africa After gaining independence, countries have tried to build
stronger ties with Arab countries
CultureLanguage & Religion Common aspects of culture
Language, religion, foods, holidays, customs, & art and literature People and Language
Egyptians, Berbers, & Bedouins (nomadic herders who travel throughout deserts of Egypt and Southwest Asia) make up nearly all of Egypt’s population
Arab & Berber ancestry Berbers: an ethnic group who are native to North Africa and speak
Berber language French, Italian, & English still spoken in some areas Religion
Most are Muslims○ Pray 5 times a day
6% of Egyptians are Christians
Food & Festivals
Grains, vegetables, fruits, & nuts are common
Couscous: made from wheat and looks like small pellets of pasta; steamed over boiling water or soup; served with vegetables or meat, butter, & olive oil
Fuul is a popular dish in EgyptMade from fava beans mashed with olive oil,
salt, pepper, garlic, & lemons
Holidays
Birthday of the prophet of Islam, MuhammadMarked with lights, parades, and special
sweets of honey, nuts, & sugar During holy month of Ramadan,
Muslims abstain from food and drink during the day
Art & Literature North Africa is know for its architecture, wood
carving, & other crafts Women weave textiles (carpets with geometric
designs and bright colors) Important writers and artists in this region
Egyptian poetry and other writings date back thousands of years
Naguib Mahfouz: 1st Arab writer to win Noble Prize in literature
Also has growing movie industryPopular music based on singing and poetry is
enjoyed by North Africans
SECTION 3North Africa Today
Egypt Most populous of North Africa’s countries Gov’t face challenges Most Egyptians are poor farmers
Limited resources & few jobs Gov’t and Society
Republic gov’t○ Influenced by Islamic law
Constitution; elected officials; power shared between president & prime minister
Debate over role of Islam in country○ Some believe laws should be based on Islam law, some fear this would cause
fewer personal freedoms; some violence has resulted Little clean water and disease are common in larger cities
Resources & Economy Few resources Farmland limited to Nile River valley &
delta Fertilizer must be used in soil (expensive) Over watering has brought salt to the surface of the soil,
which is bad for growing crops Have caused increase in importing of foods
Had to import much of its food recently Suez Canal is another sources of income;
ships pay a toll to pass through it Economy dependent on:
Agriculture, petroleum exports, and tourism
Other Countries of North Africa
Western Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, & Morocco called MaghrebArabic for westMostly covered by SaharaCities & farmland along the coast
Government & Economy Conflict over role of Islam in society Oil, mining, and tourism
Oil most important Money from oil pays for schools, health care, other social
programs, & military equipment Large deposits of natural gas, iron ore, & lead as well Agriculture is important
Wheat, other grains, olives, fruits, & nuts Desert climate & poor soil limit farming Food is generally imported
The Countries Today
Share similar challengesViolence: under dictator shipsTrying to strengthen trading relationships w/
U.S. & Europe
Algeria
Violence between gov’t & Islamic groups killed thousands in1990s
TodayTrying to recover from violence & strengthen
economy w/ exports
Tunisia
More rights granted to women recently Close economic relationships w/ Europe
Morocco
Only North African country w/ little oil Important producer and exporter of
fertilizer