Transcript North Africa and Southwest Asia (Middle East)

Climate & Geography
North Africa has a
primarily desert and
semi-arid climate, which
means there is little to no
rainfall in the area.
The climate doesn’t allow
for very much vegetation.
Soil in the area is poor.
The best vegetation
occurs around rainy
coastal areas along valley
floors of rivers.
Rainfall and Flooding
When it rains the regions deltas, rivers,
oases, and wadis are subject to seasonal
flooding which deposits rich silt for farming.
Sahara Desert
The northernmost
region of the African
continent is separated
from the rest of Africa
by the Sahara Desert.
The Sahara
Desert
stretches over
most of North
Africa, it is the
world’s largest
dry desert.
The region’s MOST PRECIOUS resource.
Even though this is a dry area, water plays
a very large role. There are several large
bodies of water which play a major role in
world politics.
Nile River
The Nile is the
main source of
water for Egypt.
All of the
population lives
along the Nile
River valley. It is
the only river that
runs south to
north.
Atlas Mountains
Northern
Morocco & Algeria
Suez Canal
It is a
transportation
corridor located
in Egypt.
It enhanced
shipping routes
in the region.
Aswan High Dam
Positive Effects
 Controls flooding
 Recreation areas
 Power
Negative Effects
 Land losing fertility
 Lost homes when
built
Governments
Algeria – Parliamentary Republic
Egypt –
In transition
Libya –
In transition
Morocco – Constitutional Monarchy
Tunisia – Republic
Economy
The area has a heavy reliance on
primary economic activities such as
oil drilling and agriculture.
The area is the home of the Organization of
Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Many
countries are still members.
Large oil revenues major producers of
world’s oil.
Positive Effects
 Jobs
 Revenue
 Position of power



Negative Effects
Reliance on one
industry
Pollution
Unequal distribution of
wealth
Trade
Trade has been
important to the region
from the earliest time.
 Today regional conflicts
and political unrest have
affected trade and
tourism.
 The area today has
contemporary trade
routes (sea lanes).

City Center of Trade and Culture
Cairo, Egypt – is a major center for trade and
culture because of its location in the middle of
North Africa and Southwest Asia.
Cultural Characteristics


The area has experienced rapid urbanization,
moving or changing from country to city.
Most modernization has centered around urban
areas, while the traditional lifestyle has continued
in the rural, the country area or lifestyle, areas.
Population
A large percent of the
population is under the
age 15 due to conflict,
disease, and the
hardships associated
with the region.
The population is
generally unevenly
distributed due to
the environment and
resources.
Languages
In Northern Africa, language is an
extremely important cultural feature
that is often linked to religion.
Arabic
Is the official
language spoken in
most countries in
North Africa. It
spread through the
area because of the
Islamic religion.
There are dialect
differences between
the North African
countries.
‫ديانا‬
Berber
Is the language of
the native people
(Berbers) in the area
before Arabic was
spread through
Islam.
Ramses II
It is still spoken by
some Moroccans,
Algerians, and
Libyans.
Languages by Country
Algeria - Arabic , French, Berber
Egypt - Arabic , English, French
(widely understood
by educated classes)
Libya - Arabic, Berber, Italian, English
(widely
understood in major cities)
Morocco - Arabic , Berber, French (often used
for business & government), Spanish,
English
Tunisia - Arabic , French
(business)
Religion
North Africa and S.W. Asia are the birthplace
to 3 major monotheistic religions: Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam.
Religions by Country
Algeria - Islam 99%
Christianity and Judaism 1%
Egypt Islam 90%
Coptic 9%
Christianity 1%
Other 6%
Libya Islam 97%
Morocco - Islam 98%
Christianity 1%
Judaism and other 1%
Tunisia - Islam 98%
Christianity 1%
Judaism and other 1%
Religious Conflict
Since 1949, the
region has been in
conflict over the area
known as the West
Bank and Gaza. This
area was once
PALESTINE and is
present day ISRAEL.
Standard of Living
Great variation in the standard of living in
the region. It ranges from the relatively
high to the poverty stricken.
Bedouins/Nomadic Lifestyle
Bedouins - desert dwellers in Arabic.
Many cultures have been
traditionally nomadic.
Today, many nomads have
settled, but there are still
some in the region.
NOMADS – people who
follow a food source from
place to place never
settling down.
Cultural Landscape
Mosques minarets
(architectural
feature)
Bazaars – Souks
(marketplaces)
Oil rigs in Libya
Walled cities
in Morocco
Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt
Art
The art of the region reflects the
diversity of the religions:
Geometric tiles
Calligraphy
Prayer rug
Mosaics
Stained glass