North Africa
Mediterranean's southern shore
North Africa is the region comprising the countries along Africa's Mediterranean coast and the Sahara Desert—typically Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and sometimes Sudan and Western Sahara.
The region shares cultural and historical ties with the Arab world and Mediterranean Europe: North African cuisine features couscous and tagines.
Distinct from sub-Saharan Africa in climate, ethnicity, and language.
Northwest African region
- SaharaLargest hot desert
- Atlas MountainsNorthwest African mountain system
- Nile ValleyAfrican river's agricultural corridor
- SahelSemi-arid African transition zone
Barbary Coast · Mediterranean coastline · Nile Delta · oasis · erg
Wind-sculpted sediment formations
nomad · sandstorm · sirocco · fennec · caravan · mirage · scorching · sunbaked
Ancient Egypt's supreme rulers
- pyramidsApex-topped geometric solids
- CarthagePhoenician colony that challenged Rome
- CleopatraEgypt's last pharaoh
- HannibalCarthaginian military commander
Ptolemaic · Ramses · Nubia · Kush · Vandals · Byzantine · Ottoman · Barbary pirates
Steamed semolina granules
- tagineEarthenware pot and stew
- harissaNorth African chili paste
- shakshukaEggs in tomato sauce
- ful medamesEgyptian fava bean staple
mint tea · preserved lemons · dukkah · dates
Historic Arab city core
Coexisting language varieties, distinct roles
- calligraphyOrnamental handwriting art
- medinaHistoric Arab city core
- soukTraditional Arab market
- Arabic scriptSemitic consonantal alphabet
Maghreb
Northwest African region
- SaharaLargest hot desert
- Atlas MountainsNorthwest African mountain system
- Nile ValleyAfrican river's agricultural corridor
Sahel · Barbary Coast · Mediterranean coastline · Nile Delta · oasis · erg
sand dunes
Wind-sculpted sediment formations
oasis · nomad · sandstorm · sirocco · fennec · caravan · mirage · scorching · sunbaked · Tuareg
pharaohs
Ancient Egypt's supreme rulers
- pyramidsApex-topped geometric solids
- CarthagePhoenician colony that challenged Rome
- CleopatraEgypt's last pharaoh
Hannibal · Ptolemaic · Ramses · Nubia · Kush · Vandals · Byzantine · Ottoman · Barbary pirates · colonialism
couscous
Steamed semolina granules
ful medames · mint tea · preserved lemons · dukkah · dates
medina
Historic Arab city core
minaret · hammam · henna · carpet weaving · Ramadan · oud · fantasia
diglossia
Coexisting language varieties, distinct roles
- calligraphyOrnamental handwriting art
- medinaHistoric Arab city core
- soukTraditional Arab market
Tuareg
Saharan Berber ethnic group
- indigenousOriginating in a region
- African mapssub-Saharan, Maghreb, country maps, regional maps, national parks maps
- African regionsSahel, Maghreb, Rift Valley, Nile Valley, Congo Basin
- Barbary PiratesBarbary pirates, Barbary Coast, Algiers, Tripoli, Tunis
- WWII MediterraneanAfrika Korps, Rommel, Montgomery, Tobruk, Tunisia
- African ChristianityAugustine, Carthage, Copts, desert fathers, St. Augustine
- AugustineConfessions, original sin, divine grace, predestination, Doctor of the Church
North AfricaSouth Africa
Rainbow nation
Southern Africa · Central Africa · East Africa · West Africa