Africa Project/Region 1

By Laura, Josh, Connor, Caycee

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.

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.

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.

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 council’s 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.

Morocco

~Government type- constitutional monarchy

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

Morocco• Recipe-Peasant Pancakes

4 bananas1/2 cup apricot liqueur1 cup pancake mix1/4 inch cooking oil1/2 cup soft bread crumbs3 Tbsp melted butter4 Tbsp sugar1 tsp. ground ginger

In 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 < 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.

Algeria

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.

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

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.

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%

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.

Niger

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.

Niger

• Government type: republic

• National holiday: Republic Day, 18 December (1958)

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

Niger

• Tourist attractionsAgadez: 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.

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

Mauritania

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.

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%

Mauritania

• Government type: republic

• Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France)

• Legal system: a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law

Tunisia

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

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.

Egypt

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

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.

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.

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.