By: Andrés Villarreal

Introduction My family and I planed a trip from Rabat, Morocco to Kabul, Afghanistan. This trip was planned to know the north part of Africa. We wanted to travel by train so that we have the opportunity to see the magnificent landscape. Even though we couldn’t know much of some parts because of the conflict that were happening, here is what I saw and learned.

Rabat, Morocco Rabat is the capital of Morocco. This capital is a very religious city were most of the people are Muslim. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg. Talking of the political part it government is a monarchy ruled by Mohammed VI. Temperatures varies a lot. From June to August, the average high T° in summer is 28°C and in winter temperatures drop to an average low of 8°C

Algeria Algeria was are next destiny. What I discovered as soon as I arrived was that it real name is People's Democratic Republic of Algeria and that it is the largest country on the Mediterranean Sea. It government is an authoritarian regime governed by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. We were at Algiers, its capital. It is very nice the only thing I didn’t like about it is that it was at 36°C and I don’t go away of Barranquilla to receive more heat in other country than the one I receive daily. At night I was happy since it was cold with 5°C.

More About Algeria I take this space to tell you that Algeria is recognized for its agricultural work. Algeria is recognized for its fertilized soil and 25% of the people work in agriculture or fishing. Its principal resources are oil, gas, iron, zinc, silver, copper, and phosphates. Only the 17,1% of its population is unemployed.

Libya After a long train trip a finally arrived to Lybia. When I wake up in the train after more than 600 miles traveled I noticed something I wasn’t prepare to see. My father explained me that Lybia was in civil war against their ruler, Ghadafi. Because of this civil war we arrive to Lybian capital Tripoli. Eventhough there was a civil war I can still tell you things that I learned of this country.

More About Lybia Lybia is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north. It faces Algeria to the west and Egypt to the east which I am going to tell you something about. I was wondering if my dream of having a cold climate will became true; but no. Tripoli is the hottest city in the days. Its so hot that I took a bath 5 times a day. Lybian economy is based on the exportation of oil which make many people rich. The dominant religion is Islam with 97% of the population.

Egypt After getting out of a civil war I entered to one of my most wished destinies, Egypt Egypt is world wide recognize for its pyramids. Egypt is the major power in Africa and is the most populated country in Africa. Egyptian government is a Military Junta. Its temperature varies from very hot in the day to very cold in the night; typical of a desert country. Mainly Egyptian economy is based on agriculture, media, petroleum exports, and tourism thanks to the marvelous places were the pharaohs were buried; the pyramids.

Saudi Arabia Are next stop by bus was Riyadh which is the Saudi Arabian capital. We arrived to a home of an uncle. He act almost as a guide man. He told us that his country was the one of the largest country in the Middle East, if not the largest. People talk both languages Arabic and English. Its government is an Islamic absolutist monarchy governed by Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.

More About Saudi Arabia The average temperature in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is 25.3 °C, eventhough there are days that temperatures riches to more than 35 °C. We couldn’t do much in Saudi Arabia since it was raining a lot. So much that I got scared. We spend all days talking in family and as always my dad and uncle star talking about the economy of the country. Saudi Arabia's command economy is petroleum-based. Here there are many luxurious people..

Iraq After seen how money flows in Saudi Arabia we travel on to Iraq with my uncle. Iraq has a very attractive climate; the average temperature in Iraq is 22.8 °C it is not so hot neither so cold. Iraq is bordered by Jordan to the west, Syria to the northwest, Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, and Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south. Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector. Right now Iraq is in reconstruction after fighting almost 30 years against Iran and USA. For me this country was very boring since it was in reconstruction but nothing concrete.

Afghanistan We finally arrived to are last destiny after taking a shortcut for not passing through Iran. Officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. As it names says, over 99% of the Afghan population is Muslim Afghanistan is an Islamic Republic governed by Hamid Karzai. Its capital is Kabul, place were we were established. Afghanistan temperatures varies from -7 °C to 23 °C. Finally I had a cold temperature in North Africa. It is an impoverished and least developed country, one of the world's poorest.

Conclusion In this trip I have learned a lot. I didn’t know that temperatures can vary so much from day to night. Something that impressed me is that I passed through countries well develop with very rich people to countries as Afghanistan which are not developed and very poor. Religion is basically Islamic. This is one of the most amazing trips I ever had.