World Geography / Unit 8: Africa
8.3 North Africa
Notes
North Africa lies north of the Sahara and shares many ties with Southwest Asia.
- Countries: Morocco (capital Rabat), Algeria (Algiers), Tunisia (Tunis), Libya (Tripoli), Egypt (Cairo) and, by some definitions, Sudan (Khartoum). The status of Western Sahara is disputed.
- Most people live along the Mediterranean coast and the Nile Valley. Egypt's farming depends on the Nile, and most Egyptians live along it.
- Arabic is the main language and Islam the main religion. Berbers (Amazigh) are Indigenous people of the region.
- The Suez Canal in Egypt links the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, so ships avoid sailing around Africa.
- Resources: oil and natural gas in Libya and Algeria; phosphates in Morocco; tourism in Egypt and Morocco.
Practice
Which waterway in Egypt links the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea?
The Suez Canal opened in 1869.
What is the capital of Egypt?
Cairo lies near the Nile Delta.
Why do most Egyptians live in a narrow strip along the Nile?
Water and fertile soil are found along the river.
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