North Africa

History & Culture

Vocab: silt, pharaohs,

hieroglyphs

His

tory

1st peoples of North Africa were hunter-gatherers. Population was

concentrated along the Mediterranean and

Nile river. Every year the Nile floods spreading silt( finely ground soil)

over its banks.

Earl

y Pe

ople

s

3000 BC. Egypt was established with pharaohs.

Pharaohs were considered

like gods and had ultimate

power. Egyptians developed a

writing system called

hieroglyphics. Egyptian astronomers

created a 365 day calendar and learned how

to predict the Nile floods.

Egyp

t

1570 to 1085 BC Egypt

ruled Syria, Israel & Libya. Phoenicians, Greeks &

Romans ruled the region

later. The Phoenicians were

traders and sailors from

today’s Lebanon. They set up Carthage

which later became a

rival to Rome

Oth

er

Rule

rs

Alexander the Great

founded Alexandria, Egypt.

The Vandals set up a

kingdom in Libya. The Byzantine Empire ruled

most of North Africa in the

500’s. Arab armies in the 600’s

conquered the area. By the 700’s most North

Africans were Muslim and

Arabic was the language of

choice.

Ara

b &

Colo

nia

l ru

le

Cairo and other cities

became Muslim centers of

culture and education.

Marrakech, Morocco became a trade center

with Europe, Africa & Asia.

1500’s the Ottomans ruled

the region until the 1800’s.

France ruled much of

North Africa. GB took over

Egypt & the Suez Canal.

Independence

Problems with the Europeans. Were not

granted the same rights

as the Europeans. After World War II the

region gained independence.

1952 Egypt 1956 Tunisia & Morocco

1962 Algeria 1951 & 1969 Libya

Cult

ure

Most of the peoples consider themselves

Berber. Berbers lived in

North Africa before the

Arabs came to the region.

Bedouins or nomads also

live in the region. Arabic is the official

language. French is spoken in Morocco, Tunisia and

Algeria. Italian in Libya &

English in Egypt.

Land U

sage

Most people live in the

coastal regions & the

foothills of the Atlas Mtns.

In Egypt most live along the

Nile. Cairo is the largest urban

area in North Africa. Egypt is the most populated

Arab country. The Medina is the ancient

part of the city. Keeps the

people and the buildings

cool.

Cultu

reReligion

Most are Muslim

with a few

Christians &

jews.

Fridays are

special day of

prayer.

Muslims also

celebrate Id al-

Adha (Abraham

willigness to

sacrifice Isaac).

Traditions &

Customs

Traditional

Clothing

Men & Women

wear caftans.

Women dress to

Muslim custom .

Weddings last

several days

due to the

family is

important in the

Arab culture.