LIFE ON THE SAHARA…

NORTH AFRICA

Political Geography

Use the map on page 405 to help you in identifying the correct country and capital

-Khartoum, Sudan-N’Djamena, Chad-Cairo, Egypt-Tripoli, Libya-Tunis, Tunisia-Algiers, Algeria-Rabat, Morocco

Physical Geography

Use the map on page 403 to help you in identifying the following physical features

-the Nile River -Ahaggar Mountains-the Blue Nile River -Atlas Mountains-the White Nile River -the Gulf of Sidra-the Nubian Desert -the Mediterranean

Sea-the Libyan Desert -the Red Sea-Lake Chad -the Tropic of Cancer-the Tibesti Mountains -the Suez Canal-the Strait of Gibraltar -Lake Nasser

Colonialism in North AfricaWhich colonial influences are prevalent in

North Africa and where in North Africa?

-France, Italy, Britain, Spanish-How are relations with the past colonial powers

today?

Influence of Nile

River floods roughly same time of year, providing people with water and rich soil

Civilizations since 3300 BCE (before common era)Egyptian dynasty – 2,600 years, 30 dynasties, led by

Pharaohs – god-kings, theocracyAdvanced with farming, building cities, writing,

medicinal practices

Influence of Islam

North Africa lies close to Southwest Asia and across the Mediterranean Sea from Europe

Easily invaded, occupied Greeks, Romans,

Phoenicians, Ottoman Empire

Islam remains major cultural and religious influence

Islam spreads to N. Africa around 634 ACE (after common era)

Often, it spread by force From there, spread west

Influence of Oil

Began as agricultural economyToday, based around oilLibya and Algeria supply EU with much of its oil

and gasHas caused problems, as well: labor force to meet

demands, lack of education to support infrastructure?

Cultural Influences

SOUKS- Marketplaces- Storytellers, musicians,

fortunetellers- Located in Medina – old

section- Marrakesh, Morocco

(model Medina Souks)- Bargaining, bartering,

clothes, spics, foods

RAI - Music style – 1920s in

Algeria before independence

- Protest music- Today, used as form

of rebellion against Islamic foundamentalists

Gender Roles

Households centered around malesEat-pray separatelyChanging today, however – women in

professional jobs; increased penalties for spousal abuse; no more preteen arranged marriages in Tunisia

What’s up next?

Political map test on Monday December 7, 2009Physical map test on Wednesday December 9,

2009On Monday we will take a closer look at North

African issues of todayAlso, answer the following question on loose-leaf

paper in a paragraph – discuss what is the single biggest cultural influence in North Africa? Is it the oil supplies, the climate, Islam, or the Nile river? Discuss.

Also, like your paper assessment on West Africa, you will have a similar project for North Africa – due also on Wednesday December 9, 2009