North Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent. The largest ethnic groups in North Africa are the Egyptians, Arabs and the Berber tribes. North Africa is predominantly Muslim. Desert has been the dominant factor in the North African environment.
Here is a brief introduction to the seven North African Countries.
Algeria
Algeria covers 2,381,741 sq km. Around 90 percent of the nation is desert. Algeria is an authoritarian regime. Its economy is largely based on hydrocarbons. It has the second largest reserves of oil in the African continent. Algeria has the largest defense budget in Africa.
Egypt
Egypt is an Afro-Asiatic transcontinental country. It covers 1,010,000 sq km. Most of the country’s territory lies within the Nile Valley. More than 87 million people live in Egypt. It is the largest country in North Africa and the Arab World. Egypt’s legal system is basLibya
Libya covers almost 1.8 million sq km. Currently the nation is affected by civil war. Libya’s economy depends up on revenue from the oil sector, which accounts for 80 percent of GDP and 97 percent of exports. The nation holds the largest proven oil reserves in Africa.
Morocco
Morocco is the only nation in Africa to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. More than 33 million people live in Morocco, which covers an area of 446,550 sq km. Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, with an elected parliament. The nation’s predominant religion is Islam. The nation has a relatively liberal economy.
Sudan
Sudan covers 1,886,068 sq km. Today, the country is widely recognized as an authoritarian state, whose legal system is based on Islamic Sharia law. Stoning is still a legal form of judicial punishment in Sudan. It is one of the fast growing economies in the world.
Tunisia
Tunisia is located on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa. The nation is a constitutional republic. The president is the head of state and the prime minister is the head of government. The nation’s legal system is influenced by French civil law. Tunisia is an export-oriented country.
Western Sahara
Western Sahara is a disputed territory, which covers around 266,000 sq km. It is one of the most sparsely populated territories in the world. The population is just over 500,000. Its economy is based on fishing and phosphate mining.