homework encyclopedia

FIND OUT MORE. Ancient Egypt 370–371 • Islam 290 • Islamic Civilization 386–387 • Medieval Africa 394–395

People and Places^241

ABU SIMBEL, EGYPT 3

The magnificent temple of Abu

Simbel was built during the reign of

Pharaoh Rameses II more than

3,200 years ago. During the

1960s the rising waters of

Lake Nasser behind the

new Aswân Dam

threatened the

temple, so it was

dismantled and

rebuilt at a

higher and

safer location.

1 DOGON VILLAGE, MALI
Many African people build their
homes from whatever local
materials are at hand. The Dogon
of Mali, for instance, construct
tall, thin houses from local
sandstone topped with conical
reed roofs. This village is
surrounded by stone walls for
defence, and the only entrance
is through a narrow doorway.

WHAT IS UNUSUAL ABOUT THE

MOROCCAN CITY OF FEZ?

Fez has not changed for centuries. Like all medieval

Islamic cities, the old town of Fez was built according

to Islamic principles. The mosque is in the centre, each

religious and ethnic group has its own quarter, and

the streets are narrow enough to give shade and wide

enough for two fully laden camels to pass through.

WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE LIVE NEAR THE COAST?

Most of the people of this region live on the land

alongside the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

The climate here is warm and wet in winter and hot

and dry in summer, which is better for farming than

the desert interior. Many crops can be grown here,

from citrus fruits and dates, to olives and tomatoes.

WHAT CAN YOU BUY IN A SOUK?

The colourful and busy souks (markets) of Morocco

and Tunisia sell anything from traditional goods and

handicrafts such as jewellery, leather, hand-woven

carpets, and embroidered clothes, to fresh meat, fish,

vegetables, and household items. A souk is vital to

the economy of a town, and is also a meeting place

for workers, farmers, and traders coming in from

the countryside.

WHY IS THE NILE SO IMPORTANT?

The Nile, the world’s longest river, is an essential part

of Egyptian life. When it floods in summer, it brings

vital water and rich mud from the highlands of

Ethiopia and Sudan to its deserts, creating a fertile

valley for crops. It also provides drinking water for

those who live alongside it, and money from tourists

who visit the many ancient sites along its banks.

4 FISHING ON THE NILE

The Nile is a rich source of food for

Egyptians. Fishermen use a traditional

single-sail, flat-bottomed boat called a

felucca, which can navigate the sandbanks

and strong currents of this wide river.

4 MARKET LIFE, IVORY COAST

Throughout West Africa, women

grow crops and prepare food,

both to feed their families and

to sell in the local street

markets. This woman from

the Ivory Coast has dried

fish to sell. Others sell

dates, groundnuts, and

palm oil.

CAPE VERDE

Capital city: Praia

Population: 498,700

SENEGAL

Capital city: Dakar

Population: 12.2 milion

GAMBIA

Capital city: Banjul

Population: 1.7 million

GUINEA-BISSAU

Capital city: Bissau

Population: 1.6 million

GUINEA

Capital city: Conakry

Population: 9.8 million

SIERRA LEONE

Capital city: Freetown

Population: 5.6 million

LIBERIA

Capital city: Monrovia

Population: 3.8 million

IVORY COAST

Capital city: Yamoussoukro

Population: 20.6 million

GHANA

Capital city: Accra

Population: 23.3 million

TOGO

Capital city: Lomé

Population: 6.5 million

BENIN

Capital city: Porto-Novo

Population: 8.7 million

BURKINA FASO

Capital city: Ouagadougou

Population: 15.7 million

MALI

Capital city: Bamako

Population: 12.7 million

MAURITANIA

Capital city: Nouakchott

Population: 3.2 million

MOROCCO

Capital city: Rabat

Population: 31.6 million

ALGERIA

Capital city: Algiers

Population: 34.3 million

TUNISIA

Capital city: Tunis

Population: 10.3 million

LIBYA

Capital city: Tripoli

Population: 6.3 million

EGYPT

Capital city: Cairo

Population: 81.5 million

NORTH & WEST AFRICA

west Africa