North AfricaNorth AfricaMoroccan Camel CaravanMoroccan Camel Caravan

Regions Of Africa

Physical GeographyPhysical Geography

The Big Idea

North Africa is a dry region with limited water resources.

Main Ideas

• Major physical features of North Africa include the Nile River, the Sahara, and the Atlas Mountains.

• The climate of North Africa is hot and dry, and water is the region’s most important resource.

Main Idea 1:Main Idea 1: Major physical features of North Major physical features of North Africa include the Nile River, the Africa include the Nile River, the

Sahara, and the Atlas Mountains.Sahara, and the Atlas Mountains. The The Nile RiverNile River is the longest river in the world. is the longest river in the world.

– Flows more than 4,000 milesFlows more than 4,000 miles northward through the desert northward through the desert

– Empties into the Mediterranean SeaEmpties into the Mediterranean Sea

The land along the Nile is very fertile.The land along the Nile is very fertile.– Floods on the river deposit Floods on the river deposit siltsilt, or finely ground fertile soil, all , or finely ground fertile soil, all

along the river.along the river.

– Before it reaches the sea, the Nile fans out into a huge fertile Before it reaches the sea, the Nile fans out into a huge fertile delta.delta.

The Aswan High Dam controls flooding on the Nile. The Aswan High Dam controls flooding on the Nile. – Because of the lack of silt, farmers need to use fertilizer to Because of the lack of silt, farmers need to use fertilizer to

grow crops.grow crops.

The SaharaThe SaharaLargest desert in the world, covering most of North Africa

Very dry, so very few people live there

Nearly every settlement in the Sahara is located near an oasis, a wet and fertile area in a desert where a spring or well provides water.

Common features in the Sahara include broad gravel plains, tall sand dunes, and dry streambeds.

The Sinai and Suez Canal

• The Sinai Peninsula is east of the Nile. It is mostly rocky and barren.

• The Suez Canal is a short cut from Europe to Asia and India. It separates the Sinai peninsula from the rest of Egypt. Ships carry oil and goods from the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea through the canal.

• .

Other Physical Features Other Physical Features of North Africaof North Africa

Mountains

• Several mountain ranges can be found in the Sahara.

• The highest mountains are the Atlas Mountains in the northwest, near the Mediterranean Sea. They rise to 13,600 feet (4,160 m) above sea level.

Main Idea 2:Main Idea 2:The climate of North Africa is hot The climate of North Africa is hot and dry, and water is the region’s and dry, and water is the region’s most important resource.most important resource.

ClimateClimate Three main climates:Three main climates:

– DesertDesert: very dry, : very dry, with temperatures with temperatures ranging from mild ranging from mild to very hotto very hot

– MediterraneanMediterranean: : found along the found along the coast; mild winters coast; mild winters and warm summersand warm summers

– SteppeSteppe: found : found between the coast between the coast and the desertand the desert

ResourcesResources Because Because rain is rare, rain is rare,

water is a valuable water is a valuable resource.resource.

Oil and gasOil and gas are found are found in Libya, Algeria, and in Libya, Algeria, and Egypt.Egypt.

Morocco has Morocco has iron oreiron ore.. Coal, oil, and natural Coal, oil, and natural

gas are found in the gas are found in the Sahara.Sahara.

History and CultureHistory and Culture

The Big Idea

North Africa is rich in history and Islamic culture.

Main Ideas

• North Africa’s history includes ancient Egyptian civilization.

• Islam influences the cultures of North Africa

• Most people speak Arabic.

Main Idea 1:Main Idea 1: North Africa’s history includes North Africa’s history includes ancient ancient

Egyptian civilization.Egyptian civilization. Egyptian civilization began after 3200 BC.Egyptian civilization began after 3200 BC. The EgyptiansThe Egyptians are most famous for building huge stone are most famous for building huge stone

monuments, especially monuments, especially pyramids.pyramids.– The pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs, or Egyptian The pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs, or Egyptian

kings.kings.

– The largest pyramid is called the Great Pyramid. It is still The largest pyramid is called the Great Pyramid. It is still standing today.standing today.

The Egyptians also The Egyptians also developed a writing system called developed a writing system called hieroglyphics.hieroglyphics.– Used pictures to represent words or ideasUsed pictures to represent words or ideas

– Often carved on monuments to record pharaohs’ deedsOften carved on monuments to record pharaohs’ deeds

Greek and Arab Influence

• The Greeks under Alexander the Great invaded Egypt.

• They built a city, Alexandria, that became a center of trade and culture.

• In the 600s the Arabs conquered much of North Africa.

• They brought the Arabic language and Islam to the region.

Later North African HistoryLater North African History

European Influence

• By 1912 European countries such as Britain, Spain, France, and Italy had taken over North Africa.

• North Africa regained independence beginning in the 1920s. The last country to become free was Algeria in 1962.

Modern North Africa

• Since independence the countries of North Africa have tried to build stronger ties with other Arab countries.

People and Language

• Egyptians, Berbers, Bedouins, and people of mixed ancestry live in North Africa.

• The majority of people in the region speak Arabic.

Main Idea 2:Main Idea 2:Islam influences the cultures of Islam influences the cultures of North Africa and most people North Africa and most people speak Arabic.speak Arabic.

Religion

• Most North Africans are Muslims, people who practice Islam.

• Islam influences many aspects of life in North Africa.

• A small percentage of people in the region practice Christianity or other non-Islamic religions.

Government

Economy

• Governments are torn over how much influence Islam should have in the running of countries.

• Oil is the most important resource in Libya and Algeria. Money from oil pays for schools, health care, and military equipment.

• Farmers in the region grow wheat, olives, fruits, and nuts.

• Tourism is also an important activity.

Main Idea 2:Main Idea 2:People in the other countries of North Africa are mostly People in the other countries of North Africa are mostly pastoral nomads or farmers, and oil is an important pastoral nomads or farmers, and oil is an important resource resource in the region.in the region.

• Together, western Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco are called the Maghreb, from the Arabic for “west.”