Cultural Geography of Northern Africa

 Northern Africa encompasses the nations of Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Western Sahara.  Each of these coastal countries touches the Mediterranean Sea, with the exception of Western Sahara, which is on the Atlantic Coast.

Western Sahara has been involved in a lengthy dispute between the indigenous Saharawi and Morocco.  This small nation, which has been officially recognizes as an independent nation by the African Union, has a mostly desert climate and rich fishing grounds off the coast.  During the protracted dispute, nearly 100,000 people have been displaced, moving to refugee camps in neighboring Algeria.

The northern tip of Morocco is just 8 miles off the coast of Spain.  Arabic is the official language, but many Moroccans are multilingual, reflecting their Berver, Arab, French and Spanish ties.  Morocco is known for its beaches, lively marketplaces, spices, and early Islamic architecture.  Nearly 99% of the country is Muslim.  Most Moroccans have Berber or Arab ancestry; Moors are those of Berber and Arab descent.  Berbers have a long history as merchants, transporting goods across the Sahara Desert.  Many Berbers today are farmers in the mountains and valleys.

Algeria, the largest country in Africa, is bracketed by the Atlas Mountains to the north and the Ahaggar Mountains to the south.  The Sahara Desert, which claims 80% of the nation's area, lies between these mountain ranges.  About 90% of the population live along the fertile Mediterranean coast.  About 80% of the population are of Arb descent.  In 1962, more than one million Algerians died fighting France for their independence.  In the 1990s, the region became embroiled in another political conflict that cost hundreds of thousands of lives.  Despite its troubles, the country boasts incredible natural beauty along its rocky coast and high plateaus, and has spectacular ruins from the time of the Roman Empire.

Tunisia is a small nation bordering Algeria and Libya, with a long Mediterranean coastline.  Home to the ancient city of Carthage, traditional souks, ancient mosques, and modern architecture, Tunisia has a thriving, diverse culture.  In 2010, a protest against corruption and economic strife led to a movement called Arab Spring, the results of which are still shaping Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and several Middle Eastern nations today.

Libya, which gained its independence from foreign rule in 1951, has a rich history and immense stores of oil.  Since an armed rebellion in 2011 overthrew the long-term government of Muammar Gaddafi, the nation has been politically volatile.  The Islamic State militant group (ISIS) has established a presence there, bringing acts of brutality and terrorism.  Libya is 90% desert and the vast majority of the population live along the coast.  Beautiful Roman ruins, such as those at Leptis Magna, Cyrene, and Sabratha, give testament to Libya's rich and complex heritage.

Egypt anchors northern Africa at the northwest corner, and it's usually considered part of the Middle East.  Like Tunisia and Libya, Egypt experienced its own revolution in 2011, resulting in political upheavals that are still affecting the region and beyond.  Egypt's influence spread far and wide in ancient times, as the fertile Nile River valley brought great wealth and enabled the culture to prosper and thrive.  The ancient artifacts and architecture tell a story of a powerful kingdom and complex social structure that dates back 5,000 years.

As in other places around the globe, northern Africa faces environmental concerns due to increases in population and industry, as well as threats to freshwater resources from climate change.  One example is the Aswan High Dam in Egypt.  Built in 1970 to generate hydroelectricity, the dam created Lake Nasser, which is used to irrigate land and provide fish.  However, the dam blocks rich alluvial soil from fertilizing the Nile Valley as it has for millennia, resulting in decreased soil fertility and agricultural productivity downstream.

LEARNING

Read Geography, The Human and Physical World pages 372-384

Read through the following links

Western Sahara dispute
Moroccan Berbers
Algeria history and demographics
Tunisian landmarks
Arab Spring
Libya landmarks
Egyptian revolution 2011 (photos)
Timeline of Egyptian revolution
Building the Great Pyramid
Ancient Egypt
Preserving antiquities

MAPPING

On a map of Africa, label the six countries of northern Africa and label their capital city.