North Africa By Mr. Mulligan

North Africa is a dry region with limited water resources. Physical 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.

Major Physical Features The Nile River is the longest river in the world. Flows more than 4,000 miles northward through the desert Formed by the union of two rivers, the Blue Nile and the White Nile Empties into the Mediterranean Sea The land along the Nile is very fertile. Floods on the river deposit silt, or finely ground fertile soil, all along the river. Before it reaches the sea, the Nile fans out into a huge fertile delta. The Aswan High Dam controls flooding on the Nile. Because of the lack of silt, farmers need to use fertilizer to grow crops.

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

Sinai Peninsula

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.

The Sahara

The Sahara Largest desert in the world, covering most of North Africa Very dry, few people live there settlements are located near an oasis, (a wet and fertile area in a desert where a spring or well provides water. Common features include broad gravel plains, tall sand dunes, and dry streambeds

CLIMATE Three main climates: Desert: very dry and hot temperatures Mediterranean: coastal; mild winters and warm summers Steppe: found between the coast and the desert

Resources of North Africa Rain is rare making water a valuable resource. Oil and gas=Libya, Algeria, and Egypt. Morocco= iron ore. Coal, oil, and natural gas= Sahara.

History and Culture of North Africa Rich in Islamic culture North Africa’s history includes ancient Egyptian civilization. Islam influences the cultures of North Africa and most people speak Arabic.

Islamic Influences Egyptians, Berbers, Bedouins, and people of mixed ancestry live in North Africa. The majority of people in the region speak Arabic.

European Influence By 1912 European countries such as Britain, Spain, France, and Italy had taken over North Africa They created colonies. North Africa regained independence beginning in the 1920s. Last country to become free was Algeria in 1962.

Egypt 75 million People are poor famers Republic Capital is Cairo Limited resources Petroleum and tourism $$ 99% of population live in Nile Valley and Delta More then ½ live in rural areas and villages

Egypt

Libya Much is desert Capitol is Tripoli Aquifers beneath sand w/ pipelines to carry water Oil pays for new infrastructure , hospitals, and schools Led by powerful dictator Qaddafi until his death in 2011 Now is a parliamentary republic Trade sanctions were placed on Libya for want of nuclear weapons (punish country by using trade barriers)

Libya

Maghreb Countries Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco make up Maghreb Countries “The land farthest west” Economy based on oil Westernmost part of Arab speaking Muslim world

Maghreb Countries

Tunisia North Africa’s smallest country Tunis is capital Independent in 1956 (France) Presidents have tried to provide education and health care, giving Tunisia one of lowest poverty rates in Africa. Women have more rights than other Arab nations

Tunisia

Algeria North Africa’s largest country Algiers is the capital Economy depends on oil and natural gas pumped from Sahara Shortage of work 1830-1962 ruled by French, won independence after civil war (1954-1962) Republic w/ president and legislature

Algeria

Morocco Leading producer of phosphates Became independent in 1956 Constitutional Monarchy King holds great influence Controls Western Sahara, seized the land in 1975 the Western Saharans want freedom, but can’t get it.

Morocco