NORTH AFRICA JOINS WITH SOUTHWEST ASIA TO FORM A REGION CALLED THE “MIDDLE EAST” BY WESTERNERS.

I. LANDFORMS
A. Atlas Mtns. run parallel to Atlantic & Med. coasts from northern Tunisia to Atlantic O.
B. Sahara Desert (physical region)
1. World’s largest desert &expanding southward (desertification)
2. Deserts created by two factors
a. Weather pattern dominated by high pressure
b. Absence of moist sea air (distance or blocked by mountains)
3. Sahara created by both factors
4. Nearly uninhabited as settlements are limited to sites with water (i.e., oases, wadis)
5. Rainwater carves out wadis (dry streambeds that only fill with water after rain falls)
C. Nile River
1. Valley and delta contain thousands of acres of rich, fertile land
2. Longest river in world (4187 miles)
3. Regularly flooded every summer and deposited rich, fertile silt in farm fields before dams built upstream
4. Created the Nile Delta (physical region)

II. CLIMATES
A. Mediterrean (dry, sunny, warm summers; mild, wetter winters) is found along the coast
B. Semiarid (10”-20” rainfall/year)
C. Arid (dry) covers most of North Africa as subtropical high pressure keeps region dry
D. Plants & animals are concentrated around oases

III. NATURAL RESOURCES
A. Most valuable are oil & natural gas
B. Rich fishing grounds off Morocco’s Atlantic coast
C. Rain or irrigation makes farming possible in areas with good soil

IV. THE REGION TODAY
A. Economic Activities
1. Oil & natural gas are basis of Libyan & Algerian econs.
2. Agriculture is very important in this region despite dry climates
3. Tourism is another important activity which falls victim to violence
4. Not enough jobs due to rapid population growth
5. Many skilled & educated workers leave to find better jobs in Europe or oil-rich countries in Southwest Asia (guest workers)
B. Urban environments
1. Cities have mix of modern & traditional buildings

2. Many cities are becoming overcrowded with a ring of slums (shantytowns) surrounding the older core
3. Not enough housing
C. Political Issues
1. Role of Islam in society
2. Role of the United States
D. Environmental Challenges
1. Desertification (spreading of desert conditions)
2. Pollution from oil refining
3. Polluted water supplies
4. Health of the Nile River

V. EGYPT
A. Nile River is main resource
B. Little rain falls here so Nile is very important for irrigation (97 percent of land is irrigated by Nile)




C. Largest dam is the Aswan Dam
1. Positive effects
a. Allows year- round irrigation
b. Produces one-third of Egypt’s electricity
c. Stabilized water availability
2. Negative effects
a. Required to use artificial fertilizers
b. No longer provides nutrients for fish in the Mediterranean
c. Salt buildup in the water
d. Erosion inNile waterway and delta
e. Caused poor drainage of nearby land
f. Increase in schistosomiasis (disease)
D. Home of the Suez Canal
E. Member of the Arab League
F. Islamic nation; speaks Arabic, English & French
G. Most populous nation in North Africa
H. Capital is Cairo
I. Major city is Alexandria which developed at the site of a natural harbor

VI. LIBYA
A. Member of the Arab League
B. Islamic nation; speaks Arabic, Italian & English
C. Major oil-producer (member of OPEC)
1. Positive effects
a. $$$ for social programs
b. Pol. power
2. Negative effects
a. Few jobs
b. Changes traditional ways of life by increasing contact with Western culture
c. Economy is totally tied to oil prices

VII. TUNISIA
A. Islamic nation that speaks Arabic & French
B. Member of the Arab League


VIII. ALGERIA
A. Member of the Arab League
B. Major oil-producer (member of OPEC)
C. Islamic nation that speaks Arabic & French

IX. MOROCCO
A. Islamic nation that speaks Arabic & French
B. Member of the Arab League
C. Claims Western Sahara as part of its territory