North Africa

Physical Geography Landforms Bodies of Water Atlas Mountains are located in the northwest in Morocco. Sinai Peninsula is part of Egypt to the east. Sahara Desert is in southern North Africa. Nile River is in Egypt. Suez Canal connects the Red and Med. Seas. Mediterranean Sea is to the north. Red Sea is to the east. Atlantic Ocean is to the west. Strait of Gibraltar separates Africa from Europe

Physical Map of North Africa

Pictures of North Africa Nile River Satellite Image of the Nile River Sahara Desert

Pictures Continued Sinai Peninsula Sahara Desert Suez Canal in Egypt

North Africa’s Resources Oil is the main natural resource of North Africa. Hydroelectric power is generated on the Nile River by the Aswan High Dam. The Nile River provides water for farmers.

North Africa’s Religion Most people in North Africa follow Islam. Islamic Law rules their daily lives in business, government, banking, and family. Islamic Law prohibits alcohol, pork, lying, stealing, gambling, and murder. The holy book is the Quran. Muhammad is the founder of Islam.

Religion Picture Countries following Islam

Egypt Pictures Egyptian Mosques

North Africa’s people Most people are Arab or Berber. The two major languages are Arabic and Berber. Many people in rural areas are farmers along the Nile or an oasis. Many people in cities work as architects, bus drivers, scientists, or bankers. Some people work in markets or in crafts.

North Africa’s countries Egypt Algeria Cairo is the capital with a population of 10 million people. Most people follow Sharia or Islamic Law. Most people live along the Nile ½ of Egypt’s people live in cities. Egypt’s farmers in rural areas are called the fellaheen. The open air markets in Egypt are called bazaars. Some parts of Cairo are modern and some are over 1,000 years old. More than 80% of the country is a desert. Algeria’s farmers grow wheat, barley, and raise livestock. Most of Algeria’s people are Arabic, but some are Berber. Most people live along the Mediterranean coast. People who live in the desert live near an oasis. At the heart of Algerian cities are mosques and market places.

Egypt Challenges People can farm along the Nile River year-round because of the Aswan High Dam. The Aswan High Dam has caused the Nile Delta to shrink because it blocks the silt and farmers must use chemical fertilizers. Fertilizers threaten Egypt’s water supply.

Egypt Continued Nile River Sphinx

Pictures Pyramids in Egypt Cairo, Egypt

Pictures

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