North Africa
Major Countries of North Africa
North Africa spans the northern part of the African continent, near the Mediterranean Sea. The region encompasses the Atlas Mountains, most of the Sahara, and the lower part of the Nile River. It also includes six countries and one disputed territory. In this interactivity you will explore the major countries of North Africa. Click the player to begin.
View a printable version of this interactivity or an ADA compliant transcript.
Cultural Influences of North Africa
The cultural landscape of North Africa has been shaped by several factors. It was home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations. It has been an important region for trade, in the past and in modern times. It is also dominated by the Sahara. In this interactivity, you will examine some of the cultural influences of North Africa. Click the player to begin.
View a printable version of this interactivity or an ADA compliant transcript.
Aswan High Dam
Satellite image of the Aswan High Dam, Nile River, and Lake Nasser
The Aswan High Dam is located in southern Egypt on the Nile River. It was built by the Egyptian government in the 1960s. The dam generates hydroelectric power for Egypt and controls flooding along the Nile. When the dam was completed, it formed a reservoir, or artificial lake. This reservoir is named Lake Nasser. Lake Nasser provides a reserve of freshwater, which has reduced the threat of drought in the region. The Egyptian economy has greatly benefited from the High Dam. Many villages have become more developed and modernized since its construction.
Aswan High Dam
Unfortunately, the Aswan High Dam has also had a negative impact on the population and the environment. The Nile River carries fertile sediment, known as alluvial soil. Before the construction of the dam, this sediment was deposited along the banks of the river and in the Nile Delta. Now, the High Dam traps much of this sediment. This has decreased the fertility of the soil and increased erosion. Farmers use chemical fertilizers to make up for the loss of fertility. The run-off from these fertilizers pollutes the Nile and the Mediterranean Sea. This has negatively impacted the fish populations in the Mediterranean. Additionally, the stagnant waters of Lake Nasser have increased the incidence of disease. Snails live in the lake and spread a parasitic disease known as schistosomiasis. Cases of malaria have also increased.
Economic Characteristics of North Africa
Herd of goats grazing in Morocco
Similar to Southwest Asia, the economies of North Africa rely on primary economic activities like pastoralism, farming, and oil drilling. Pastoralism is a type of agriculture focused on grazing livestock. It is practiced by rural populations and the seminomadic people of the Sahara. The Sahara dominates the local landscape and the climate is mostly arid. As a consequence, water is the most important resource in the region. The scarcity of water limits farming to areas near the Nile River and the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. These areas have access to freshwater and fertile soil. Most of the population lives in these locations.
Oil drilling supports several North African economies. This is particularly true of Libya and Algeria. Both of these nations are members of OPEC. They rely almost exclusively on their oil industries. Petroleum products account for over 95% of all Libyan exports. The same is true for Algerian exports. Oil revenue has generated great wealth for both of these countries. However, because they rely almost entirely on oil exports, drops in the price of oil can devastate their economies.
Morocco and Egypt have two of the most diverse and developed economies in the region. They have large primary sectors, but they also have industries in the secondary and tertiary sectors. Morocco’s major exports include textiles, automobiles, machinery, and agricultural goods. Egypt’s major exports include petroleum, textiles, chemicals, and precious metals. Both countries have large tourism industries as well. However, the recent political unrest in Egypt has negatively impacted tourism to the country.
Oil tanker in the Suez Canal
Morocco and Egypt also benefit from their locations near major sea lanes. These sea lanes are important trade routes for the region and the rest of the world. Morocco is near the Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Egypt controls the Suez Canal, which links the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. This has enhanced shipping routes in the region, as it allows faster travel between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
North Africa Review
Now that you have learned about the major regions, cultural influences, and economic characteristics of North Africa, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player to get started.
