This piece of land is often called the “new breath of Islamic civilization," or the main bridgehead of the modern Arab world. Indeed, these two subregions have a lot in common: South-West Asia and North Africa. EGP, composition, socio-economic and cultural characteristics of the two regions will be considered in our article.
North Africa and Southwest Asia - What is Common?
Although they are located on different continents, they are perceived by many researchers as one large region. By and large, geographically they are separated only by a rather narrow and very salty Red Sea.
Why is North Africa and Southwest Asia so often singled out in one region? There are at least four very good reasons for this. We list them:
- the predominance in all countries of one group of peoples - Arabs;
- common faith (Islam) and language (Arabic);
- EGPs of North Africa and Southwest Asia have many common features;
- mainly commodity economies (not typical for all states).
The region we are considering at the junction of two continents is often also called the Arab or Arab-Muslim world. It covers the territories of more than two dozen countries with a combined population of 350 million people.
Key cultural features of the subregions
At the very beginning, it is worth mentioning that it was these two regions that became the cradle for many of the famous ancient civilizations of our planet (Minoan, Sumerian, Egyptian and others). It was here that centers were formed that for a long time produced ideas that fundamentally changed our world. It will also not be amiss to recall that within the framework of South-West Asia and North Africa, three of the Earth's most important religions arose: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
Separately, it is worth mentioning about the Muslim religion. It was surprisingly able to spread its influence over vast territories, from southern Europe to Southeast Asia. At the same time, Islam brought turmoil and schism into once whole nations, dividing them into warring camps.
Natural wealth of the subregions and their use
What else do North Africa and Southwest Asia have in common? Nature awarded many countries of these regions with the richest deposits of gas and oil. Alas, not all the states of the Arab world have learned to use these resources rationally.
Many countries simply pump black gold, earning super-profits and not thinking at all about their development prospects in the near future. But not everyone does that. A striking example of a successful and progressive country is the United Arab Emirates (abbreviated as UAE).
North Africa and Southwest Asia on the modern political map of the world are 26 independent states. However, it will be a gross mistake to say that the borders of the macro-region under consideration coincide with the borders of these 26 countries. Moreover, its borders are very blurred and unstable.
What is special and unique about North Africa? EGP of the subregion, its natural resources and economic structure will be considered below. Which of the countries of North Africa are the richest?
North Africa: EGP (briefly) and natural resources
The total area of this subregion is about 10 million square meters. km True, most of this territory is occupied by the hot and lifeless Sahara desert. Seven countries are part of North Africa (six of them are sovereign, and one is partially recognized). It:
- Morocco.
- Libya.
- Sudan.
- Tunisia.
- Algeria.
- Egypt.
- Western Sahara (SADR).
EGP of North Africa as a whole can be characterized as beneficial. The subregion has wide access to the Mediterranean and Red Sea, as well as to the Atlantic Ocean, which allows constructive trade relations with the leading states of the planet.
The bowels of North Africa are extremely rich in various types of mineral raw materials. So, deposits of oil, gas, iron and manganese ore, uranium, gold and phosphorites are most actively developed here.
EGP Characterization of North Africa: Pros and Cons
The economic and geographical position of any country or region has both its advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes more pluses, and sometimes minuses.
EGP of North Africa is distinguished by several beneficial aspects. Firstly, the region has wide access to the Mediterranean Sea. Through it, the countries of North Africa border the European Union, which gives them an excellent opportunity to build close trade, economic and other relations with the most developed states of our planet. In addition, the European Union is the largest market in the world for the sale of products.
The second advantageous aspect of the EGP of the region is the presence of powerful mineral resources both within North Africa and in its immediate vicinity.
Their disadvantages in the economic and geographical position of the region are also present. First of all, it is worth noting that the population of North Africa is distributed extremely unevenly (due to climatic conditions). The region does not experience a deficit in its “hot spots”. Military riots, revolutions and terrorist attacks have already become very commonplace in many countries of North Africa.
Conclusion
EGP of North Africa and South-West Asia is quite profitable and promising. The richest mineral and raw material base, a favorable transport position and the presence of a wide exit to two oceans at once - all this lays good preconditions for the intensive economic development of this macro-region.
It was here, at the junction of Africa and Eurasia, that many of the most ancient civilizations of the planet were born. Also, two of the three world religions arose here. Finally, it was in this region that important discoveries were made that changed our world.