North Africa and South-West Asia: the commonality of the two regions. EGP North Africa

This area of land is often referred to as the "new breath of Islamic civilization", or the main springboard of the modern Arab world. Indeed, the two sub-regions have very much 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 South-West Asia - what is common?

Although they are on different continents, they are perceived by many researchers as one big region. By and large, geographically they are separated only by a rather narrow and very salty Red Sea.

Why is North Africa and South-West Asia so often allocated to one region? There are at least four very good reasons for this. We list them:

• Prevalence in all countries of one group of peoples - Arabs;
• Common faith (Islam) and language (Arabic);
• The EGP of North Africa and South-West Asia have many similarities;
• Mainly raw materials 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 territory 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 known ancient civilizations of our planet (Minoan, Sumerian, Egyptian and others). It was here that the centers were formed, which for a long time produced ideas that fundamentally changed our world. Also, it will not be superfluous to recall that within the framework of South-West Asia and North Africa the three most important religions of the Earth were born: Islam, Christianity and Judaism.

It is also worth mentioning about the Muslim religion. It miraculously managed to spread its influence over vast territories, from Southern Europe to Southeast Asia. At the same time, Islam introduced a turmoil and split into once-integral nations, dividing them into warring camps.

The natural wealth of the subregions and their use

What else do North Africa and South-West Asia have in common? Many countries in these regions of nature awarded 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", receiving superprofits and not even thinking about their prospects for development in the near future. But this is not done by everyone. A vivid example of a successful and progressive country is the United Arab Emirates (abbreviated to the United Arab Emirates).

North Africa and South-West Asia on the modern political map of the world are 26 independent states. However, it would be a gross mistake to say that the boundaries of the macroregion under consideration coincide with the borders of these 26 countries. Moreover, its boundaries are very fuzzy and fickle.

What is special and unique about North Africa? The EGP of the subregion, its natural resources and economic structure will be examined further. Which of the North African countries 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. North Africa includes seven countries (six of them are sovereign, and one is partially recognized). It:

1. Morocco.
2. Libya.
3. Sudan.
4. Tunisia.
5. Algeria.
6. Egypt.
7. Western Sahara (SADR).

EGP North Africa as a whole can be described as beneficial. The subregion has a wide access to the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, as well as to the Atlantic Ocean, which allows constructive trade relations with the world's leading states.

The bowels of North Africa are extremely rich in various types of minerals. Thus, oil, gas, iron and manganese ore, uranium, gold and phosphorite deposits are most actively developed here.

Characteristics of EGP North Africa: the pros and cons

The economic and geographical situation of any country or region has both advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes more pluses, and sometimes - minuses.

EGP North Africa is characterized by several favorable aspects. First, the region has a wide access to the Mediterranean. Through him the countries of North Africa border on the European Union, which gives them an excellent opportunity to build close trade, economic and other relations with the most developed countries of our planet. In addition, the European Union is the world's largest market for the sale of products.

The second advantageous aspect of the EGP region is the availability of powerful mineral and raw materials bases both within North Africa and in its immediate vicinity.

Their shortcomings in the economic and geographic position of the region are also present. First of all, it is worth noting that the population of North Africa is extremely unevenly distributed (due to natural and climatic conditions). It does not experience a region and a deficit in its "hot spots". Military mutinies, revolutions and terrorist attacks have already become quite common for many countries in North Africa.

Conclusion

EGP North Africa and South-West Asia is quite profitable and promising. The richest mineral and raw materials base, a successful transport situation and the availability of a wide outlet to both oceans at once - all this creates good preconditions for the intensive economic development of this macroregion.

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 emerged here. Finally, it was in this region that important discoveries were made that changed our world.