What part of the planet is Maghrib located in? What kind of region is this and what states does it consist of? In our article we will answer all these questions.
Maghreb countries and their characteristics
El Maghrib - in Arabic it means “west” (literal translation: “where the sun sets”). With this word, medieval sailors called the territories located to the west of Egypt. The term has survived to the present day. In particular, this is exactly what the Arabic name of the state of Morocco sounds like.
Geographically, Maghrib is the space between the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts in the north and the Sahara Atlas mountain range system in the west. The political significance of this concept is broader. So, traditionally, five independent states are reckoned to Magrib. In addition, the region also includes one partially recognized republic - Western Sahara.
In modern political geography, Maghreb is a region in North Africa consisting of six countries. It:
- Libya;
- Tunisia;
- Morocco;
- Algeria;
- Mauritania;
- West Sahara.
The climate in this region is extremely arid. Therefore, all the capitals and large cities here are located exclusively on the coast.
Arab Maghreb Union - what is it? Briefly about the organization
The five Maghreb countries signed an agreement in 1989 on the creation of an intergovernmental organization. True, the idea of such a union first arose in the 1950s. The activities of the so-called Union of the Arab Maghreb (abbreviated as SAM) are declaratively aimed at creating a single political and economic bloc of states in North Africa. The headquarters of the organization is located in the city of Rabat.
Among the members of the Arab Maghreb Union are Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya and Mauritania. Each of these countries presides alternately in the council. The organization has its own flag and emblem. The latter shows a schematic map of the region framed by an ear of wheat and reed.
It should be noted that the organization’s work is significantly complicated by the numerous political differences between the participating countries. In particular, between Libya and Mauritania, Morocco and Algeria. Unresolved is the recognition of the sovereignty of Western Sahara.
Initially, the agreement on the establishment of the CAM also envisaged the creation of a free trade zone in this region. But today, the share of mutual trade between the member countries of this organization does not exceed 10%.
Libya
Libya is the easternmost country of the Maghreb. And the richest (in terms of GDP per capita). 90% of its area is occupied by deserts. The main economic trump cards of this state are gas and oil. The manufacturing and military industries are also very developed here.
5 most interesting facts about Libya:
- Libya has the longest coastline among the Maghreb countries - 1770 km.
- In the period from 1977 to 2011, the country had a unique flag, which is a plain green flag.
- About 90% of Libyan residents live in only two cities - Tripoli and Benghazi.
- On the territory of this country is the hottest place on the planet.
- Water in Libya is more expensive than gasoline.
Among the main problems of modern Libya are the dominance of refugee migrants, a large contrast in population density, and water and food shortages.
Tunisia
Among all the countries of the Maghreb, Tunisia has the highest human development index (HDI): 94th place. This is the smallest state in the region. Tunisia is a dynamically developing industrial-agrarian country. The main sectors of its economy are agriculture, textiles and tourism.
5 most interesting facts about Tunisia:
- Tunisia is among the top five countries in terms of olive oil exports.
- Doctor and teacher are the two most prestigious professions in this African state.
- In the summer, the working day in Tunisia ends at 14:00 (this is due to unbearable heat).
- Tunisia is often called the "country of flat roofs", since it is such a roof structure that is least heated in the sun.
- It is here that the ruins of one of the largest cities of antiquity - the famous Carthage, are located.
Morocco
“The Pearl of the Maghreb” - this is what Morocco is often called. This country is located in the far west of the region and has wide access to the Atlantic. It also controls part of the territories of a partially recognized country (Western Sahara). The basis of the state’s economy is mining (phosphate mining) and agriculture. In recent years, tourism has been actively developing.
5 most interesting facts about Morocco:
- Moroccan Dirham is one of the most stable world currencies.
- Morocco is a deeply religious country; They begin to study the Koran from the age of five.
- Moroccan women are very afraid and do not like to be photographed.
- In this sultry tropical country there are quite good ski resorts.
- Laziness and parasitism are mental traits of Moroccans. Groups of men idly sitting on the street idle are a common sight in this African country.
Algeria
Algeria is the largest state not only of the Maghreb, but of the whole of Africa. Moreover, more than 80% of its territories are occupied by deserts. Algeria’s bowels are very rich in various minerals: oil, gas, phosphorites. The extraction of these mineral resources provides 95% of the country's total export revenue.
5 most interesting facts about Algeria:
- “Maghrib is a bird, and Algeria is its torso” is a popular Arabic proverb.
- In the Middle Ages, this country supplied wax throughout France.
- In Algeria, as in France, baguettes are very popular.
- Algerian houses are rarely equipped with elevators (the reason for this is frequent and strong earthquakes).
- Algerians are incredible football fans.
Mauritania
What do we know about Mauritania? This is a poor and underdeveloped Islamic republic located in the western part of the Maghreb. A third of its inhabitants are unemployed, about half of the population live below the poverty line. The basis of the Mauritanian economy is agriculture (cattle breeding, growing dates, rice and corn). Industry is limited to the extraction of iron ore, copper and gold.
5 most interesting facts about Mauritania:
- Every second resident of the country is illiterate.
- In Mauritania, only one river does not dry in the summer - it is Senegal.
- On the territory of this state is the oldest mosque in Africa.
- Meat and beans are the basis of Moorish national cuisine.
- In Mauritania there is a unique geological formation - the “Eye of the Sahara”, whose diameter reaches 50 km.
One of the main problems of modern Mauritania is slavery. Officially, slaveholders here are illegal. However, in fact, the authorities completely turn a blind eye to this important problem. According to statistics, about 20% of Mauritanians are slaves.