North Africa 21714 226083022 2008-07-16T19:22:07Z Koavf 205121 [[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 226070419 by [[Special:Contributions/68.94.97.85|68.94.97.85]] ([[User talk:68.94.97.85|talk]]) [[Image:LocationNorthernAfrica.png|right|thumb|350px| {{legend|#00a000|Northern Africa ([[subregion|UN subregion]])}} {{legend|#00ff00|geographic, including above}}]] '''North Africa''' is the [[north]]ernmost [[region]] of the [[Africa]]n [[continent]], separated by the [[Sahara]] from [[Sub-Saharan Africa]]. Geopolitically, the [[United Nations|UN]] [[subregion|definition]] of Northern (not North) Africa for the collection of statistical information (and not its geographical definition) includes the following seven territories: <table><tr><td valign=top> *[[Algeria]] *[[Egypt]] *[[Libya]] *[[Morocco]] </td><td valign=top> *[[Sudan]] *[[Tunisia]] *[[Western Sahara]]* </td></tr></table> <nowiki>*</nowiki> The disputed territory of [[Western Sahara]] is mostly [[military occupation|occupied]] by Morocco; the [[Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic]] controls [[Free Zone (region)|the remainder]]. The [[Spain|Spanish]] ''[[plazas de soberanía]]'' ([[Enclave and exclave|exclaves]]) are on the southern coast of the [[Mediterranean Sea]], surrounded by Morocco on land. The Spanish [[Canary Islands]] and [[Portugal|Portuguese]] [[Madeira Islands]] in the [[Atlantic Ocean|North Atlantic Ocean]] are northwest of the [[Africa]]n mainland and sometimes included in this region.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Geographically, [[Mauritania]] and more rarely the [[Azores]] are sometimes included. There are also other older names for certain locations in North Africa that have been changed since ancient times. The [[Maghreb]] includes Western Sahara (claimed by Morocco), Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. North Africa generally is often included in common definitions of the [[Middle East]], as both regions make up the Arab world. In addition, the [[Sinai Peninsula]] of Egypt is part of [[Asia]], making Egypt a [[transcontinental country]]. ==Geography== The [[Atlas Mountains]], which extend across much of [[Morocco]], northern [[Algeria]] and [[Tunisia]], are part of the fold mountain system which also runs through much of [[Southern Europe]]. They recede to the south and east, becoming a [[steppe]] landscape before meeting the Sahara desert which covers more than 90% of the region. The sediments of the Sahara overlie an ancient plateau of [[crystalline rock]], some of which is more than four billion years old. Sheltered valleys in the [[Atlas Mountains]], the [[Nile valley]] and delta, and the [[Mediterranean]] coast are the main sources of good farming land. A wide variety of valuable crops including cereals, rice and cotton, and woods such as cedar and cork, are grown. Typical mediterranean crops such as olives, figs, dates and citrus fruits also thrive in these areas. The Nile valley is particularly fertile, and most of [[Egypt]]'s population lives close to the river. Elsewhere, irrigation is essential to improve crop yields on the desert margins. ==People== {{see|Ethnic groups of North Africa}} [[Image:Amazigh berber language.PNG|thumb|right|Distribution of Berbers in Northwest Africa]] The inhabitants of North Africa are generally divided in a manner roughly corresponding to the principal geographic regions of North Africa: the [[Maghreb]], the [[Nile Valley]], and the [[Sahara]]. [[Northwest Africa]] on the whole is believed to have been inhabited by [[Berbers]] since before the beginning of recorded history, while the eastern part of North Africa has been home to the [[Egyptians]]. Ancient Egyptians record extensive contact in their Western desert with peoples that appear to have been [[Berber people|Berber]] or proto-Berber. Following the Muslim-Arab conquest in the 7th century AD, the region underwent a process of [[Arabization]] and [[Islamization]] that has defined its cultural landscape ever since. Questions of ethnic identity usually rely on an affiliation with [[Arab nationalism|Arabism]] and/or [[Islam]], or with indigenous cultures and religions. Many North African nomads, such as the [[Bedouin]], maintain a traditional pastoral lifestyle on the desert fringes, moving their herds of sheep, goats and camels from place to place – crossing country borders in order to find sufficient grazing land. ==Culture== {{main article|Culture of North Africa}} Though people of the [[Maghreb]] and the [[Sahara]] speak various dialects of [[Berber languages|Berber]] and [[Arabic]], and almost exclusively follow [[Islam]]. The Arabic and Berber groups of languages are distantly related, both being members of the [[Afro-Asiatic languages|Afro-Asiatic family]]. The Sahara dialects are notably more conservative than those of coastal cities (see [[Tuareg languages]]). Over the years, [[Berber people]]s have been influenced by other cultures with which they came in contact: [[Greeks]], [[Phoenicians]], [[Egyptians]], [[Ancient Rome|Romans]], [[Vandals]], [[Arabs]], and lately [[European ethnic groups|European]]s. The cultures of the Maghreb and the Sahara therefore combine indigenous Berber, Arab and elements from neighboring parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. In the Sahara, the distinction between sedentary [[oasis]] inhabitants and nomadic [[Bedouin]] and [[Tuareg]] is particularly marked. The diverse peoples of the Sahara chi que en categorized along ethno-linguistic lines. In the Maghreb, where Arab and Berber identities are often integrated, these lines can be blurred. Some [[Berber languages|Berber]]-speaking North Africans may identify as "Arab" depending on the social and political circumstances, although substantial numbers of [[Berbers]] (or ''Imazighen'') have retained a distinct cultural identity which in the 20th century has been expressed as a clear ethnic identification with Berber history and language. Arabic-speaking [[Northwest Africa]]ns, regardless of ethnic background, often identify with Arab history and culture and may share a common vision with other [[Arabs]]. This, however, may or may not exclude pride in and identification with Berber and/or other parts of their heritage. Berber political and cultural activists for their part, often referred to as [[Berberist]]s, may view all [[Northwest Africa]]ns as principally Berber, whether they are primarily Berber- or Arabic-speaking (see also [[Arabized Berber]]). The Nile Valley traces its origins to the ancient civilizations of [[ancient Egypt|Egypt]] and [[Kush]]. The [[Egyptians]] over the centuries have shifted their language from [[Egyptian language|Egyptian]] to modern [[Egyptian Arabic]] (both [[Afro-Asiatic]]), while retaining a sense of national identity that has historically set them apart from other people in the region. Most Egyptians are [[Sunni]] Muslim and a significant [[Copts|minority]] adheres to [[Coptic Christianity]] which has strong historical ties to the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Church]] and [[Eritrean Orthodox Church]]. North Africa formerly had a large [[Judaism|Jewish]] population, many of whom emigrated to France or Israel when the North African nations gained independence. A smaller number went to Canada. Prior to the modern establishment of [[Israel]], there were about 600,000–700,000 Jews in North Africa, including both [[Sephardic|Sfardīm]] (refugees from France, Spain and Portugal from the Renaissance era) as well as indigenous [[Mizrahi Jew|{{Unicode|Mizrāḥîm}}]]. Today, less than fifteen thousand remain in the region, almost all in Morocco and Tunisia. (See [[Jewish exodus from Arab lands]].) ==History== {{main|History of North Africa}} ===Antiquity and Ancient Rome=== The most notable nations of antiquity in western North Africa are [[Carthage]] and [[Numidia]]. The Phoenicians colonized much of North Africa including Carthage and parts of present day Morocco (including [[Chellah]], [[Mogador]] and [[Volubilis]]<ref>[http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=14906 C. Michael Hogan, ''Volubilis'', The Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham (2007)]</ref>). The Carthaginians were of [[Phoenicia]]n origin, with the Roman myth of their origin being that [[Dido (Queen of Carthage)|Queen Dido]], a Phoenician princess was granted land by a local ruler based on how much land she could cover with a piece of cowhide. She ingeniously devised a method to extend the cowhide to a high proportion, thus gaining a large territory. She was also rejected by the [[Trojan]] prince [[Aeneas]] according to [[Virgil]], thus creating a historical enmity between Carthage and [[Rome]], as Aeneas would eventually lay the foundations for Rome. The [[Carthaginians]] were a commercial power and had a strong navy, but relied on mercenaries for land soldiers. The Carthaginians developed an empire in [[Spain]] and [[Sicily]], the latter being the cause of [[First Punic War]] with the [[Roman Republic|Romans]]. Over a hundred years and more, all Carthaginian territory was eventually conquered by the Romans, resulting in the Carthaginian North African territories becoming the [[Roman province of Africa]] in 146 B.C.<ref>''The Punic Wars 264-146 BC'', by Nigel Bagnall </ref> This led to tension and eventually [[conflict]] between [[Numidia]] and Rome. The Numidian wars are notable for launching the careers of both [[Gaius Marius]], and [[Sulla]], and stretching the constitutional burden of the Roman republic, as Marius required a professional army, something previously contrary to Roman values to overcome the talented [[military]] leader [[Jugurtha]].<ref>[[Sallust]], ''De Bello Iugurthino''</ref> North Africa remained a part of the [[Roman Empire]], which produced many notable citizens such as [[Augustine of Hippo]], until incompetent leadership from Roman commanders in the early fifth century allowed the [[Germanic peoples|Germanic]] [[barbarian]] tribe, the [[Vandals]], to cross the [[Strait of Gibraltar]], where upon they overcame the fickle Roman defense. The loss of North Africa is considered a pinnacle point in the fall of the Western Roman Empire as Africa had previously been an important grain province that maintained Roman prosperity despite the barbarian incursions, and the wealth required to create new armies. The issue of regaining North Africa became paramount to the Western Empire, but was frustrated by Vandal victories and that the focus of Roman energy had to be on the emerging threat of the [[Huns]]. In 468 A.D., the last attempt by the Romans, with [[Byzantine]] aid, made a serious attempt to invade North Africa but were repelled. This is placed as the point of no return for the western [[Roman empire]] in a historical sense and the last Roman Emperor was deposed in 475 by the [[Ostrogoth]] generalissimo [[Odoacer]] who saw no purpose in regaining North Africa. [[Trade routes]] between [[Europe]] and North Africa remained intact until the coming of the Moslems. ===Arab Conquest to modern times=== The [[Muslim conquests|Arab Islamic conquest]] reached North Africa in 640 AD. By 670, most of North Africa had fallen to [[Muslim]] rule. Indigenous [[Berbers]] subsequently started to form their own polities in response in places such as [[Fez]], [[Morocco]], and [[Sijilimasa]]. In the eleventh century a reformist movement made up of members that called themselves [[Almoravids]], expanded south into [[Sub-Saharan Africa]]. After the [[Middle Ages]] the area was loosely under the control of the [[Ottoman Empire]], except [[Morocco]]. After the 19th century, the imperial and colonial presence of [[French colonial empire|France]], [[British Empire|the United Kingdom]], [[Spanish Empire|Spain]] and [[Italy]] left the entirety of the region under one form of European occupation. In [[World War II]] from 1940 to 1943 the area was the setting for the [[North African Campaign]]. During the 1950s and 1960s all of the North African states gained independence. There remains a dispute over [[Western Sahara]] between [[Morocco]] and the [[Algeria]]n-backed [[Polisario Front]]. ==Transport and industry== The economies of [[Algeria]] and [[Libya]] were transformed by the discovery of oil and natural gas reserves in the deserts. [[Morocco]]'s major exports are [[phosphate]]s and agricultural produce, and as in [[Egypt]] and [[Tunisia]], the tourist industry is essential to the economy. [[Egypt]] has the most varied industrial base, importing technology to develop electronics and engineering industries, and maintaining the reputation of its high-quality cotton textiles. Oil rigs are scattered throughout the deserts of [[Libya]] and [[Algeria]]. Libyan oil is especially prized because of its low [[sulphur]] content, which it means it produces much less pollution than other fuel oils. ==See also== *[[2004 locust outbreak]] *[[European Digital Archive on Soil Maps of the World]] *[[Northern Africa Railroad Development]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.north-africa.com The North Africa Journal] Analytical magazine :*[http://www.north-africa.com/energyandmining.htm Energy and Mining] :*[http://www.north-africa.com/industry.htm Industries and Markets] :*[http://www.north-africa.com/politics.htm Politics and Diplomacy] :*[http://www.north-africa.com/financebanking.htm Finance and Banking] :*[http://www.north-africa.com/agriandtourism.htm Agriculture and Tourism] :*[http://www.north-africa.com/corpaffairs.htm Corporate Affairs] :*[http://www.north-africa.com/socandlabor.htm Social and Labor Affairs] {{Regions of the world}} [[Category:North Africa| ]] [[Category:Middle East]] [[ar:شمال أفريقيا]] [[frp:Africa du Nord]] [[az:شمالی آفریقا]] [[be-x-old:Паўночная Афрыка]] [[bs:Sjeverna Afrika]] [[br:Norzhafrika]] [[bg:Северна Африка]] [[ca:Àfrica del Nord]] [[cv:Çурçĕр Африка]] [[cs:Severní Afrika]] [[cy:Gogledd Affrica]] [[de:Nordafrika]] [[et:Põhja-Aafrika]] [[el:Βόρεια Αφρική]] [[es:África del Norte]] [[eo:Nord-Afriko]] [[eu:Iparraldeko Afrika]] [[fa:آفریقای شمالی]] [[fr:Afrique du Nord]] [[gl:África do Norte]] [[ko:북아프리카]] [[hr:Sjeverna Afrika]] [[id:Afrika Utara]] [[is:Norður-Afríka]] [[it:Nordafrica]] [[he:צפון אפריקה]] [[kn:ಉತ್ತರ ಆಫ್ರಿಕಾ]] [[ka:ჩრდილოეთი აფრიკა]] [[sw:Afrika ya Kaskazini]] [[ku:Efrîqaya Bakur]] [[lt:Šiaurės Afrika]] [[hu:Észak-Afrika]] [[mk:Северна Африка]] [[mzn:آفریقای شمال]] [[ms:Afrika Utara]] [[nl:Noord-Afrika]] [[ja:北アフリカ]] [[jv:Afrika Lor]] [[no:Nord-Afrika]] [[nn:Nord-Afrika]] [[pl:Afryka Północna]] [[pt:Norte de África]] [[ro:Africa Nordică]] [[ru:Северная Африка]] [[sq:Afrika veriore]] [[scn:Africa dû Nord]] [[simple:North Africa]] [[sk:Severná Afrika]] [[sl:Severna Afrika]] [[sr:Северна Африка]] [[sh:Sjeverna Afrika]] [[fi:Pohjois-Afrikka]] [[sv:Nordafrika]] [[tl:Hilagang Aprika]] [[kab:Tafriqt ugafa]] [[th:แอฟริกาเหนือ]] [[vi:Bắc Phi]] [[tr:Kuzey Afrika]] [[uk:Північна Африка]] [[ur:شمالی افریقہ]] [[vec:Nordàfrica]] [[wa:Afrike bijhrece]] [[wo:Bëj-gànnaaru Afrig]] [[yo:Apa Ariwa Afrika]] [[zh:北部非洲]]