North AfricaChapter 18

Section 1

North Africa – The People

• European Influence along the Mediterranean portion of N. Africa • Arab influences are seen in the sub-region, under

• Original natives to this region are known as Berbers. Berbers were nomads, or a group of people who move from place to place depending on the season, and availability of grass and water.

• Arabs are the other principle ethnic group in this region. They came from East, specifically the Arabian Peninsula.

European influence in North Africa

Population Density & Distribution

• The availability of fresh water in this region has a big influence over where the population centers are located. (Nile Delta).

• Port cities such as Algiers (Algeria), Tunis (Tunisia), and Tripoli (Libya) are also dense population areas. Since they are bordering the Mediterranean sea they have they ability to trade by sea for important resources.

Dense Populations along waterways in North Africa

North African Invasions

• After Arabs arrived from the East, the Berbers assimilated with the Arab culture, and adapted to the Arab way of Life.

• After the creation Islam in the 7th Century, and after it had been adopted by Arabs to the East, it would find its way to North Africa.

• European colonial rule also shaped this area. Algeria was a French colony and has a lot of French influence in their cuisine and architecture.

Nationalism

• In the 1800’s the idea Nationalism came to be which was the belief in the right of an ethnic group to have its own independent country. The countries that we see in the region today came from early nationalist ideology.

• Morocco

• Libya

• Egypt

• Tunisia

Suez Canal

• In 1922 when Egypt gained its Independence from the UK, they took control of the Suez canal.

• The Suez canal is an extremely important waterway in this region. It connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. If not for this waterway, ships would have to go around Africa to reach the Atlantic Ocean.

• Egypt is the major regional power because this waterway is in their territory.

Suez Canal

Culture

• The heaviest influence on religion and language in this region came from the Arabs

• Islam – the most practiced religion in this region, Most are Sunni Muslims, or Muslims who believe that the leadership of the religion should come from the community at large.

• Arabic – The most spoken language in this area.