Geography
The countries that make up North Africa are: Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Western Sahara and Morocco. The northern part of Africa is surrounded by its two neighbors: the Middle East and Europe. Because of the proximity, North Africa was the first victim of colonialization of Europe and the Islamic culture and Arabic language from the Middle East. North Africa is also surrounded by two main bodies of water, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. There are many different environment types and climates throughout the countries that create North Africa and it affects how people live and interact with their land. Not only that, the influence of the many countries around North Africa spread their way of life to them. The Sahara Desert dominates most of North Africa with its dry climate and land; it makes it impossible to farm crops. With only little fertile areas close to the Coast of the major bodies of water. The desert spreads from the west to the east covering much land. Rainfall is severely scarce; it is not common in the northern region. When rain does fall, it causes floods. Sand storms may lash through spreading sand around the area. Not to mention many giant sand dunes and sand seas that take over the desert. With the desert and these many complications, farming may be a tough job in this area of North Africa. There are many coastal areas by the Mediterranean Sea that create rare fertile areas for crops. These areas spread throughout Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and have help from the Atlas Mountains trapping moist air. This gives the area a nice climate to farm crops, it is known to have dry summers and wet winters and with the changing weather, it can affect the plants that grow there. Because the rainfall varies drastically each year, the indigenous plants are immune. These coastal areas also draw in tourists from the sun that shines year-round. It is a great place for farming and growing native crops. The Atlas Mountains cover from the Atlantic Ocean bordering Morocco to the Mediterranean Sea bordering Tunisia. They are responsible for the moist air and rainfall in the fertile coastal areas. Because of their height they lock in the air and create rainfall for rich farmland. Not only that, it feeds the rivers, streams and other sources of water increasing the water availability. Much of Algeria and Tunisia is open to tourism because of land and culture. In Egypt rests the Nile River which provides a major source of water for their land. The Aswan Dam controls the Nile River to control flooding that used to occur every year before the dam was built. Even with the Nile adding humidity to the weather, the land is still made up of dry desert. The Delta is where crops are grown because of the fertile land provided. The Nile irrigates all farmland in that area. As you see, each country has unique landforms, climate and culture that vary vastly from area to area. Because of the geographical landforms and location, the countries are dealt with different resources and land area that affect their everyday life. Different culture and ways of life are spread throughout the countries in the region. Economic success, culture, and resources all affect the outcome of the North African countries. |
Imperialism
The northern countries of Africa were the first countries to be affected by the European imperialism; Tunisia was one of the first Arab countries to be colonialized during that time. A year before the British set out for Egypt, the country was taken by the French in the in 1881. The French were powered by the competition with their rival, the British, in the conquest of colonializing the many resource rich countries in Africa. Italy soon stepped up alongside France in colonializing Tunisia. France was preparing to take over Italy, they took land for themselves. They built railroads for easier access. It was demanded by French entrepreneurs to quickly turn Tunisia into a French colony and soon they claimed Tunisia. France did this without proper permission, but was constantly persuaded by Germany because they felt it would benefit them also. Germany encouraged France to expand in Tunisia. Britain played no part in stopping France, for they were getting ready to seize Egypt for themselves. Italy and Turkey were Frances major enemies in Tunisia. The French army crossed the Tunisian border and took over in an orderly fashion. The capital was taken over a couple days later and a treaty was forced to be signed by the Tunisians. They were now under Frances power and enslaved in colonialization. The people of Tunisia resisted as soon as the treaty was signed. The French were fighting for every piece of land. Uprisings broke out and for a long time the Tunisians were battling the French for their own land. After several long months of violence, the French succeeded in capturing the leaders and ending the uprisings, spreading their rule over the entire country. While the French had fully conquered Tunisia, things began to change. Tunisia was completely dominated by France. The naval force was divided up into many groups to promote civil peace throughout Tunisia. Tunisians were given the task to control their own people and give out orders from the French civil controllers. France had a tight hold over the Tunisian people. With all this history, the French takeovers allowed land to be taken by French monopolies for use of profit. Land was seized all throughout the country. The land of Tunisian peasants was taken from them. The French were taking all the land in Tunisia from the people, and then they would later sell it back to the Tunisians or other colonists to make profit. Not only was the peasant class being affected, the working class was as well. The Young Tunisian society was created to help fight back with French domination and oppose their rule. They wish to come to an understanding with the French government. The Young Tunisian organization is supporting other North African countries that are being ridiculed to take over from the great powers. They are preventing the countries to be used for natural resources for wealth and power for other countries. Tunisia is stepping up and ready to run the country for themselves. The society is prepared for an uprising and maybe even war. Violence throughout the Northern countries may continue. |