Africa Project/Region 1

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Africa Project/Region 1

• By Laura, Josh, Connor, Caycee

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Morocco
Its climate, geography, and history are all more
closely related to the Mediterranean than to the
rest of Africa, and for this reason visitors are
often struck by the odd sensation of having not
quite reached Africa in Morocco. In the north,
its fine beaches, lush highland valleys, and
evocative old cities reinforce this impression.
Yet, as one moves south and east, into and over
the starkly beautiful ranges of the Atlases,
Morocco's Mediterranean character melts away like
a mirage. The Sahara stretches out to the
horizon, and forbidding Kasbahs stare.
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Morocco

• Geographic Features-Morocco's varied
  geography includes no less than four separate
  mountain ranges, in addition to river valleys,
  beautiful sandy coasts, and wide expanses of
  desert. The three most mountain ranges, which run
  parallel to each other from the southwest to the
  northeast, are the Middle Atlas, the High Atlas,
  and the Anti-Atlas. The Moroccan coastline, which
  fronts onto both the Mediterranean and the
  Atlantic, plenty of great beaches as well as a
  number of old coastal cities. In the southeast
  area, Morocco's mountain ranges yield to the
  expanse of the Sahara. The rivers that flow down
  this side of the High Atlas support long, narrow,
  and lush river valleys that resemble oases.

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Morocco

• The climate in Morocco is reliably dry,
  although small amounts of rain do fall between
  November and March. Temperature varies
  considerably by season and locale. While the
  southern and southeastern desert regions can
  reach extremely high temperatures during the hot
  summer months, the higher altitudes of the
  mountains are cool in summer evenings and
  freezing in winter. Most travelers find the early
  summer months to be the most comfortable time to
  visit, as rain is not a threat and temperatures
  are warm during the day and pleasantly cool at
  night.

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Morocco

• Cultural Make-up- Morocco's history began
  with the Berbers, the aboriginal people who have
  inhabited the country since the end of the 2nd
  millennium BC Rome extended its rule over the
  area after defeating Carthage in 146 BC, and
  testimony to its presence still exists in the
  fine Roman ruins at Volubilis. As Rome fell into
  decline, Morocco was invaded first by the Vandals
  and then, in the 7th century, by the Arabs.
  Although external Arab rule lasted little more
  than a century, the arrival of Islam proved to be
  a permanent addition to Moroccan culture. In the
  ensuing centuries a series of ruling dynasties
  came to power, including the Idrissids, the
  Almoravids, and the Almohads, but none seemed
  capable of long maintaining the critical support
  of the Berber leaders. . Each region possesses
  its own specificities, contributing, thus, to the
  making of national culture and to the
  civilization legacy. Morocco has set among its
  top priorities to protect all forms of its legacy
  and preserve its historical monuments. Since its
  independence, Morocco has witnessed deep
  socio-cultural mutations like all other countries
  in the second half of the XX century. It is
  within these changes that arts are being
  organized for several decades. It was also
  decided to allocate 1 of the local councils
  budget to the building in each prefecture or
  province of a culture compound, that comprises a
  theater, and to the sponsorship of artists. It is
  likewise projected to create in each region, two
  drama companies that local councils will finance
  and supply with the appropriate means.

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Morocco

• Government type- constitutional monarchy

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Morocco

• Tourist Attractions-National tourism has
  considerably recovered in 1996, after three
  consecutive years of an activity slump. In 1996,
  the number of foreign tourists who visited
  Morocco reached 1,801,165 visitors. Out of this
  figure visitors who came on cruise reached
  163,193, which is an annual increase of 8.7
  while visitors who stayed in Morocco were
  estimated at 1.6 millions, marking an increase of
  7.2 in comparison with the previous year.
  European tourists exceeded 1.3 million persons,
  which is an increase of 7.9. This evolution is
  the result of more French and German visitors,
  whose number posted an increase of respectively
  17.8 and 31.1. Meanwhile, the number of Spanish
  tourists was lower and the decrease was even
  sharper among English, Italian and American
  tourists

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Morocco

• Recipe-Peasant Pancakes4 bananas1/2 cup apricot
  liqueur1 cup pancake mix1/4 inch cooking
  oil1/2 cup soft bread crumbs3 Tbsp melted
  butter4 Tbsp sugar1 tsp. ground gingerIn a
  1-pint bowl cut 4 bananas (peeled) in 1/2-inch
  slices. Add 1/2 cup apricot liqueur and marinate
  for 1/2 hour. In a 1-quart bowl place 1 cup
  pancake mix following package directions to make
  a thick pancake batter using the above liqueur
  drained from the bananas as part of the liquid.
  Add bananas to the batter and stir thoroughly. In
  a 9-inch skillet heat lt inch cooking oil. Drop
  the mixture by tablespoonfuls (2 or 3 pieces of
  banana in each spoon) into the hot fat until
  golden brown on both sides. In a 1-pint bowl
  Combine 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs made by grating
  fresh bread,3 Tbsp melted butter, 4 Tbs. sugar
  and 1 tsp. ground ginger. Place3 or 4 peasant
  pancakes on dessert plates. Sprinkle 1 to 2 Tbsp
  crumb mixture over the pancakes.
• Note Crystallized ginger may be used instead of
  ground ginger, in which case use 2 Tbsp sugar and
  2 Tbsp crystallized ginger, minced finely.

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Algeria
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Algeria

• Geographic Features-slightly less than 3.5
  times the size of Texas. In Northern Africa
  bordering the Mediterranean Sea, and between
  Morocco and Tunisia. Mostly high plateau and
  desert some mountains narrow, discontinuous
  coastal plain.

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Algeria

• Climate- arid to semiarid mild, wet winters
  with hot, dry summers along coast drier with
  cold winters and hot summers on high plateau
  sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially
  common in summer

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Algeria

• Cultural Make-up- Arab-Berber 99, European
  less than 1 note almost all Algerians are
  Berber in origin, not Arab the minority who
  identify themselves as Berber live mostly in the
  mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers
  the Berbers are also Muslim but identify with
  their Berber rather than Arab cultural heritage
  Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently,
  for autonomy the government is unlikely to grant
  autonomy but has offered to begin sponsoring
  teaching Berber language in schools.

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Algeria

• Government type- republic socialist, based
  on French and Islamic law judicial review of
  legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council
  composed of various public officials, including
  several Supreme Court justices has not accepted
  compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
• Religion- Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99,
  Christian and Jewish 1

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Algeria

• Tourist Attractions-Algiers The capital
  has been a port since Roman times and many
  impressive ruins can still be seen, such as those
  at Djemila, Timgad and especially Tipasa (see
  below), which are all in good condition because
  of the dry desert climate. Algiers was
  commercialized by the French in the mid-19th
  century and much of the fabric of the city dates
  from this time. However, it still has a Maghreb
  feel to it, with many zig-zag alleyways, mosques,
  a casbah, medersas (study houses) and the
  beautiful Turkish houses and palaces much admired
  by Le Corbusier. The Bardo Ethnographic and Local
  Art Museum and the National Museum of Fine Arts
  are amongst the finest museums in North Africa.

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Niger
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Niger

• Niger became independent from France in 1960 and
  experienced single-party and military rule until
  1991, when Col. Ali SAIBOU was forced by public
  pressure to allow multiparty elections, which
  resulted in a democratic government in 1993.
  Political infighting brought the government to a
  standstill and in 1996 led to a coup by Col.
  Ibrahim BARE. In 1999 BARE was killed in a coup
  by military officers who promptly restored
  democratic rule and held elections that brought
  Mamadou TANDJA to power in December of that year.
  TANDJA was reelected in 2004. Niger is one of the
  poorest countries in the world with minimal
  government services and insufficient funds to
  develop its resource base. The largely agrarian
  and subsistence-based economy is frequently
  disrupted by extended droughts common to the
  Sahel region of Africa.

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Niger

• Government type republic
• National holiday Republic Day, 18 December
  (1958)

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Niger

• Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
• slightly less than twice the size of Texas
• Climate desert mostly hot, dry, dusty tropical
  in extreme south
• Terrain predominately desert plains and sand
  dunes flat to rolling plains in south hills in
  north
• Muslim is 80 and the remaining few are
  indigenous and Christian

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Niger

• Tourist attractions
• Agadez This beautiful old city has been the
  capital of the Tuareg tribes. It is thriving
  tourist center now. It is still a caravan
  trading city. Beautiful silver- and leatherwork
  can be bought in the back streets and the Mosque
  with its towering minarets provide an enchanting
  sight in the evening. 
• Aïr Mountains  This place has seen abundant
  wild life due to its having more rains compared
  to the semi arid regions around. But this
  situation is gradually changing as the drought is
  catching up here as well. Populated areas are
  slowly being vacated. Special permission can be
  had from the authorities for a visit to this
  place.

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Niger

• VEGETABLE STEW (Serves 4)
• "A spicy vegetable stew" I got this recipe from
  my mom, who got it from a friend. It's very easy
  to make.
• 1 very large onion, chopped1 bunch Swiss chard1
  can garbanzo beans 500 g (known also as chick
  peas, ceci, etc.)1/2 cup raisins 75 g1/2 cup
  uncooked rice 100 gSeveral fresh tomatoes (or 1
  large can 800 g of canned tomatoes)1 clove garlic
  (or more to taste)2 yamssalt and pepper to
  tasteTabasco sauce to taste

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Mauritania
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Mauritania

• Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania
  annexed the southern third of the former Spanish
  Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but
  relinquished it after three years of raids by the
  Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence
  for the territory. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA
  siezed power in a coup in 1984. Opposition
  parties were legalized and a new constitution
  approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential
  elections since then were widely seen as flawed,
  but October 2001 legislative and municipal
  elections were generally free and open. A
  bloodless coup in August 2005 deposed President
  TAYA and ushered in a military council headed by
  Col. Ely Ould Mohamed VALL, which declared it
  would remain in power for up to two years while
  it created conditions for genuine democratic
  institutions and organized elections. For now,
  however, Mauritania remains an autocratic state,
  and the country continues to experience ethnic
  tensions among its black population and different
  Moor (Arab-Berber) communities.

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Mauritania

• Location Northern Africa, bordering the North
  Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western
  Sahara
• slightly larger than three times the size of New
  Mexico
• Climate desert constantly hot, dry, dusty
• Terrain mostly barren, flat plains of the
  Sahara some central hills
• Religions Muslim 100

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Mauritania

• Government type republic
• Independence 28 November 1960 (from France)
• Legal system a combination of Shari'a (Islamic
  law) and French civil law

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Tunisia
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Tunisia

• Climate North is mild, south is Desert
• Terrain Mountainous up North, Dry Central Plain,
  with the Sahara Desert in the South.
• Population 10,074,951
• Languages Arabic
• Religion Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and other.
• Capitol Tunis
• Government Republic

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Tunisia

• Tunisia was settled by the Phoenicians in the
  12th century. In later years the City Carthage
  (named from the Phoenicians word for new city,
  but the Punic Wars Rome came in and destroyed the
  city. Carthage stayed under, Rome control until
  the Arab conquest in 648-669 A.D. It was ruled by
  Arabs until the Turks made it part of their
  Ottoman Empire. It was then part of the Ottoman
  Empire until the 19th Century. When France
  troops occupied the country in 1881 and the
  bay, the local Tunisia ruler saying that is was
  a French Protectorate. Then Nationalists in 1956
  forced the French to recognize Tunisia
  independence and sovereignty. Then on July 25th
  1957 Tunisia was declared a Republic.

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Egypt
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Egypt

• Population 77,505,756
• Climate Desert hot dry
• Terrain dessert plateau, Nile and Delta rivers
• Capital Cairo
• Religions Muslim and Christianity with other
  religions
• Languages Arab
• Government Republic

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Egypt

• Egyptian history starts around 3300 BC. In 3100
  Egyptian inscriptions lead the way for later
  Egypt. It was also the time when the pharaoh,
  King Menes, created Egypt by uniting the two
  parts of Egypt, also known as Upper and Lower
  Egypt, into a single kingdom. He started Memphis
  in the north and Abydos in the south as his
  capital cities. A series of strong and able
  rulers established a well organized government.
  The calendar was introduced during this time and
  the sun-god Re was the most loved god-figure.
  Over time, authority began to disappear and Egypt
  was controlled by foreign princes. These rulers
  introduced the horses and chariots to Egypt.

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Egypt

• Pharaoh simply means "the one who lives in the
  palace". Egyptians addressed their pharaoh as
  though he were a god with several forms. They
  thought he was more than human and addressed him
  with the names of several gods. The pharaoh's
  most godlike names were "son of Re" and "giver of
  life like Re". The Egyptians believed that no
  single name could express the greatness of their
  ruler. They also believed by serving the gods,
  the king helped the sun to rise every morning and
  helped the Nile to flood at the end of each
  summer. They believed that in return for the
  offerings of food and water that only the pharaoh
  could make, the gods would feed the souls of the
  Egyptians after death. The pharaoh's power was
  almighty and unquestioned. As a matter of fact,
  just touching the pharaoh's crown or scepter,
  even accidentally, carried the death penalty. The
  pharaoh's chief duty was to build and maintain
  temples to the gods.

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Egypt

• After many failed dynasties and deaths of great
  rulers, a time span of more than 400 years, power
  moved into the hands of priests and the empire
  declined. The dynasties became so weak, that
  Alexander the Great had no problem taking over
  Egypt. Although he did not spend much time in
  Egypt, his capital city of Alexandria, where he
  is believed to be buried, is to this day very
  successful. His empire was divided among his
  generals and this Greek dynasty ended with the
  reign of Cleopatra VII. She ruled jointly over
  Egypt with her son from their city of Alexandria
  in Lower Egypt, which became a world center of
  Greek culture. For over 300 years Greek-speaking
  pharaohs ruled Egypt, then Egypt became a
  province of Rome. A division of power resulted in
  the abandonment of Egypt. Many foreign countries
  came in and took over Egypt for short times.
  After many years of hard work and wars, Egypt
  finally became its own independent country with a
  President.