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