Notes for your Regional Study Guide

 Western Sahara  Morocco  Algeria  Tunisia  Libya  Egypt  Sudan

Sand dunes

Olive trees

The Nile Delta

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

 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.

The dark green line at the bottom shows precipitation.

 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.

 Yes, by Britain, France, Italy, and Spain.  All of the North African countries gained independence during the 1950s-1970s.

 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.

 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 AD.

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

 Rapid population growth  Political instability  Rising social tensions  Religious hostilities

 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 Arabic 2. Main religion is Islam 3. Main ethnic group is Arab 4. Oil production is imp. in Middle East and N. Africa 5. Climate similar to Middle East. (desert)

Western Sahara

Morocco

Algeria

Tunisia

Libya

Egyptian

Sudan

 Please complete the assignment that focuses on Islamic Kingdoms of North Africa.  See page 58 in the Atlas of World History.