7th Grade UBD – Unit 2 – Africa North Africa

Preview North Africa- The population of North Africa is unevenly distributed. Most people live within 200 miles of either the Mediterranean Sea or the Atlantic Ocean. Society and Culture- People in North Africa face the challenge of how to preserve the traditions they value as their countries modernize.

Reach Into Your Background Suppose you have been given the assignment of describing your way of life to students in North Africa. How would you answer the following questions: What is a day in your life like? What is your school like? What is your home like? (5 minutes)

Partner Activity Work with a neighbor and compare your answer with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

Key Ideas- North Africa The physical environment encourages people to settle along the region’s coast or in the Nile River Valley. Cities in North Africa are growing rapidly. The Suez Canal separates Asia from Africa.

Destination North Africa Video- Destination North Africa

North Africa All the countries of North Africa have coastlines that open on the Atlantic Ocean or Mediterranean Sea. Much of the interior of North Africa is a vast stretch of desert.

Key Term Maghreb- Is the Arabic name for northwest Africa.

Maghreb Most people of the Maghreb live near the coast because the high mountains block the path of moisture bearing winds. This area receives between 40 to 50 inches of rain and snow each year. Moisture combined with soil has made this area fertile.

Distribution of Population Population is unevenly distributed. People live mostly within 200 miles of either the Mediterranean Sea or the Atlantic Ocean. In Egypt the population is concentrated along the Nile River. The only places where people can live in the Sahara Desert are near desert oases.

Key Term Oases- A place in the desert made fertile by a steady supply of water.

Distribution of Population Cities offer the promise of jobs, education, better medical care, and exciting daily life. For most, the promise fades quickly because cities cannot offer the jobs and housing that villagers expect. Many new arrivals end up in crowded slums on the outskirts of the cities.

The Women of Kibera Video- The Women of Kibera

Population Pressures Egypt has enjoyed remarkable success due to the Nile River. However, Egypt like many countries, still struggles to meet the needs of its growing population. People in Egypt need more food, housing, schooling, and jobs. These needs alarm government planners.

Key Term Fellaheen- The Egyptian name for peasant farmers.

Aswan High Dam Aswan High Dam is located in the middle of the Egyptian Desert and is one of the largest dams in the world. Aswan High Dam is 11,811 ft long, 3,215 ft thick at its base and 364 ft tall. 

Aswan High Dam Constructed in the 1960's, Aswan High Dam was built to control the annual flooding of the Nile river.  

Benefits At present the dam provides for irrigation and generates electricity for the whole of Egypt. The dam added a whole new aspect to the economy of Egypt as well as to the environment of Egypt. Because of the dam, farmable land in Egypt has increased by thirty percent.

The Suez Canal The Suez Canal separates Asia from Africa. The Canal is about 105 miles long and provides the shortest water route between Europe and the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. It was completed in 1869 and still plays a major importance in world trade.

Eyewitness To History Reading Activity- Eyewitness To History 3

Questions What physical features do all North African nations share? Why is the population of Africa so unevenly distributed? What are some problems that have come about as a result of rapid population growth?

Answers What physical features do all North African nations share? All the countries of North Africa have coastlines that open on the Atlantic Ocean or Mediterranean Sea. Why is the population of Africa so unevenly distributed? Most people live where the climate is milder and water is available. What are some problems that have come about as a result of rapid population growth? Some of the problems that have come about as a result of rapid population growth are a lack of food, housing, schooling, and jobs.

Key Ideas- Society and Culture Islam influences daily life throughout North Africa through laws and religious practices. North Africa is largely rural, but big cities are growing since people want to live there due to the better job opportunities. The Nile River valley is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations.

What Is Culture Culture has many elements. Culture includes food, clothing, homes, jobs, language, and so on. It also includes things that are not so easy to see, such as how people view their world and what their religion is. These ideas shape the way people behave.

Key Term Culture- Is the way of life of a group of people who share similar beliefs and customs.

The Influence of Islam Religion is an important part of North African culture. Islam is the main religion of most North Africans. More than 95 percent of North Africans practice Islam and are called Muslims.

The Influence of Islam Like Jews and Christians, Muslims believe in one God. Monotheism is the belief that there is one God Allah is the Arabic word for God.

The Quran The sacred book of Islam is the Quran. Besides teaching about God, the Quran provides a guide to life. Like the Bible, the Quran forbids lying, stealing, and murder. It also prohibits gambling, eating pork, and drinking alcohol.

Five Pillars of Islam Islam unifies the people of North Africa. Islamic law governs all aspects of life, including family life, business practices, banking and government.

Cultural Changes in North Africa North Africa today mixes traditional and modern ways of life. Culture does not stay the same forever. It changes all the time. Cultural changes often occur when people travel. As they travel, people bring their new customs and ideas with them.

Cultural Changes in North Africa The movement of customs and ideas is called cultural diffusion. The word diffuse means “to spread out.” People pick up new ideas and customs all the time. Because of this customs and ideas spread from one place to another.

Key Term Cultural Diffusion- The movement of customs and ideas from one culture to another.

Preserving Muslim Culture One of the more recent influences on North Africa is Western Culture. Some Muslims are concerned that their countries are becoming too Western. Some Muslims fear that this will lead to the loss of Muslim values and traditions. They want to preserve their way of life.

Questions What percent of North Africans practice Islam and are called Muslims? What does the Quran forbid?

Answers What percent of North Africans practice Islam and are called Muslims? More than 95 percent of North Africans practice Islam and are called Muslims. What does the Quran forbid? The Quran forbids lying, stealing, murder, gambling, eating pork, and drinking alcohol.

Independent Activity What has been the “muddiest” point so far in this lesson? That is, what topic remains the least clear to you? (4 minutes)

Partner Activity Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

Independent Activity What traditions in your culture do you think are worth preserving? Write a one page essay describing the customs you value most.

Math Activity Work with a neighbor and find the population of each country in North Africa. Then create a bar graph to show this data.