North Africa History & Culture Vocab: silt, pharaohs, hieroglyphs

History  1 st peoples of North Africa were hunter- gatherers.  Population was concentrated along the Mediterranean and Nile river.  Every year the Nile floods spreading silt( finely ground soil) over its banks.

Early Peoples  3000 BC. Egypt was established with pharaohs.  Pharaohs were considered like gods and had ultimate power.  Egyptians developed a writing system called hieroglyphics.  Egyptian astronomers created a 365 day calendar and learned how to predict the Nile floods.

Egypt  1570 to 1085 BC Egypt ruled Syria, Israel & Libya.  Phoenicians, Greeks & Romans ruled the region later.  The Phoenicians were traders and sailors from today’s Lebanon.  They set up Carthage which later became a rival to Rome

Other Rulers  Alexander the Great founded Alexandria, Egypt.  The Vandals set up a kingdom in Libya.  The Byzantine Empire ruled most of North Africa in the 500’s.  Arab armies in the 600’s conquered the area.  By the 700’s most North Africans were Muslim and Arabic was the language of choice.

Arab & Colonial rule  Cairo and other cities became Muslim centers of culture and education.  Marrakech, Morocco became a trade center with Europe, Africa & Asia.  1500’s the Ottomans ruled the region until the 1800’s.  France ruled much of North Africa. GB took over Egypt & the Suez Canal.

Independence  Problems with the Europeans. Were not granted the same rights as the Europeans.  After World War II the region gained independence.  1952 Egypt  1956 Tunisia & Morocco  1962 Algeria  1951 & 1969 Libya

Culture  Most of the peoples consider themselves Berber. Berbers lived in North Africa before the Arabs came to the region.  Bedouins or nomads also live in the region.  Arabic is the official language.  French is spoken in Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. Italian in Libya & English in Egypt.

Land Usage  Most people live in the coastal regions & the foothills of the Atlas Mtns.  In Egypt most live along the Nile.  Cairo is the largest urban area in North Africa.  Egypt is the most populated Arab country.  The Medina is the ancient part of the city. Keeps the people and the buildings cool.

Culture Religion  Most are Muslim with a few Christians & jews.  Fridays are special day of prayer.  Muslims also celebrate Id al- Adha (Abraham willigness to sacrifice Isaac). Traditions & Customs  Traditional Clothing  Men & Women wear caftans.  Women dress to Muslim custom.  Weddings last several days due to the family is important in the Arab culture.