North Africa

Where is this region? 2 1

North Africa

Why should we care? North Africa has been populated for thousands of years and has a tremendous amount of history. North Africa has always been defined by water issues (and now religion). North Africa is evolving (changing)…..for the better or worse is yet to be decided.

Water Issues We don’t really think about the importance of water in the United States. Almost every major city in the U.S. is next to a river. Water defines North Africa like no other region.

What’s the point of this commercial? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyD8Je8vt3g

Modern view of the Nile River

Nile River Although the Nile River Valley is only 3% of Egypt's land, 90% of the country’s population lives there. The river was so important to ancient Egyptians that they built a calendar around its annual flooding. Today, the annual Nile floods have been controlled by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

Nile River Life of Egypt – Very important!! Allowed Egypt to become a civilization.

Night view of the Nile River

Suez Canal Attempted 4000 years ago by Egyptians. Built in 1858 so Great Britain could easily trade in India. Opened in 1869.

Egypt

Red Sea Religious reference to the parting of the red sea…Moses and the Israelites.

Mediterranean Sea Thousands of years worth of trading routes

Sahara Desert Largest Sub-Tropical Desert in the world.

How can something as simple as water define a region?

Libya Former leader of Libya, Muammar Al Qadhafi, came to power by overthrowing the government, and was internationally condemned as a dictator who violated the human rights of Libyan citizens. 1989 sponsored terrorists attacks against the U.S. Constant Muslim fighting has caused instability.

Algeria 90% Desert Won independence from France in 1954