North Africa
A region of diverse definitions, ancient civilizations, and deep cultural ties to the Arab world and the Mediterranean.
North Africa, also known as Northern Africa, is a region encompassing the northern portion of the African continent. There is no singularly accepted scope for the region. It is sometimes defined as stretching from the Atlantic shores of the Western Sahara in the west, to Egypt and Sudan's Red Sea coast in the east. The most common definition includes Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Western Sahara. The United Nations’ definition includes all these countries as well as Sudan. The African Union defines the region similarly, only differing from the UN in excluding Sudan and including Mauritania. The Sahel can be considered the southern boundary. North Africa includes the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla, and the plazas de soberanía. It can also be considered to include Malta, as well as other Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish regions such as Lampedusa and Lampione, Madeira, and the Canary Islands.
- Region
- North Africa
- Major countries
- Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Western Sahara
Lore & Background
Northwest Africa has been inhabited by Berbers since the beginning of recorded history, while the eastern part has been home to the Ancient Egyptians and Nubians. In the seventh and eighth centuries, Arabs from the Arabian Peninsula swept across the region during the early Muslim conquests. The Arab migrations to the Maghreb began immediately after, starting a long process of Islamization and Arabization. Many, but not all, Berbers, Egyptians, and Nubians gradually converted to Islam and merged into Arab-Islamic culture; today, Arabs constitute the majority of the population in all North African countries. The countries and people of North Africa share a large amount of their genetic, ethnic, cultural and linguistic identity and influence with the Middle East/West Asia, East Africa and the Sahara, a process that began with the Neolithic Revolution and pre-dynastic Egypt. North Africa is associated with the Middle East in geopolitics to form the Middle East-North Africa region.
Reader's Guide
The history of Prehistoric North Africa is important to understanding pre-hominid and early modern human history in Africa. Some researchers have postulated that North Africa rather than East Africa served as the exit point for modern humans in the Out of Africa migration. Early remnants of hominid occupation were found in Ain-Hnech in Setif dating back 2.6 million years, near Saïda; more recent investigations have found signs of Oldowan technology there, indicating a date of up to 1.8 million BCE. Recent finds in Jebel Irhoud in Morocco contain some of the oldest Homo sapiens remains, suggesting early Homo sapiens may have been present across Africa 100,000 years earlier than previously thought. Cave paintings at Tassili n'Ajjer, Algeria, depict scenes from the Neolithic Subpluvial period (about 8000 to 4000 BCE). Some parts of North Africa began the Neolithic revolution in the 6th millennium BCE, before the rapid desertification of the Sahara around 3500 BCE. Notable ancient nations include Carthage, Numidia and Mauretania. The Carthaginians were of Phoenician origin. All Carthaginian territory was eventually conquered by the Romans, becoming the Roman province of Africa in 146 B.C. Kingdom of Mauretania remained independent until annexed by Emperor Claudius in 42 AD.
Did You Know?
- The most common definition of North Africa includes Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Western Sahara.
- The United Nations’ definition of North Africa includes Sudan, while the African Union excludes Sudan and includes Mauritania.
- North Africa can also be considered to include Malta, Lampedusa, Lampione, Madeira, and the Canary Islands.
- Some of the oldest Homo sapiens remains were found in Jebel Irhoud, Morocco.
- The Carthaginian Empire was a commercial power with a strong navy, relying on mercenaries for land soldiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is North Africa?
North Africa is a geographic region covering the northern part of the African continent, generally stretching from the Atlantic coast of Western Sahara eastward to the Red Sea shores of Egypt and Sudan. There is no single universally agreed-upon boundary, so different sources draw the region's edges slightly differently.
Which countries make up North Africa?
The region is most commonly associated with Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Western Sahara. These nations share a stretch of coastline along the Mediterranean Sea with the Sahara Desert lying to their south.
Who were the earliest people in North Africa?
The area has been home to human ancestors for millions of years, with some of the oldest hominid remains on the continent found there. Later, Berber peoples, Ancient Egyptians, and Nubians developed distinct civilizations before waves of Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Arab influence arrived.
What major historical periods shaped North Africa?
The region saw the Neolithic Revolution around 10,000 BC, followed by Phoenician and Greek colonization in the 7th century BCE and Roman conquest beginning in 146 BC. The Arab conquests of the 7th and 8th centuries then brought lasting Islamic and Arab cultural influence that persists to this day.
What is North Africa's modern cultural identity?
Today the region is broadly considered part of both the Arab world and the Muslim world, reflecting centuries of Arab-Islamic heritage layered over older indigenous traditions. This dual identity shapes the region's languages, religions, and cultural practices across its modern nations.
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