Comparing and Contrasting Northern Africa and sub-Saharan Africa
The two regions that will be compared and contrasted are the two regions that make up the continent of Africa, The Middle East & Northern Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Northern Africa is discussed as a part of the Middle East region because of shared ethnicity, culture, religion, and politics. Although the two regions are nearly in the same location of the world and have plenty of similarities between the two, there are significant differences between these regions as well. The Middle East and Northern Africa may be known for its issues in countries such as Syria and Iraq, however, this region is diverse and much more than that. The region stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean, and is surrounded by important waterways such as the Mediterranean, Arabian and Red Sea. Sub-Saharan Africa is located south of Northern Africa & the Middle East. This region is large and is still developing in some areas. The region is so large and diverse that it is difficult to view it as one region. Some defined regions within sub-Saharan Africa include East Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa, and Central Africa.
Environment, Society, and Sustainability
In both sub-Saharan Africa and the Northern Africa & Middle East region, there is a diverse environment. Both regions feature a variety of different environments that include grasslands, forests, and deserts that can all be found within a close range of each. The climate of the Middle East region could be described as arid, although there is variability within the climate in this region. Aridity, which is the dominant characteristic of the climate in the Northern Africa & Middle East region can be described as a dry and hot climate. The lowland areas of the region experience the arid climate, while the highland and coastal areas experience more moderate temperatures. In sub-Saharan Africa, the climate can be similar to Northern Africa in some areas, but varies among the large region. The climate in sub-Saharan Africa is primarily tropical. The Middle East region for the most part does not receive much precipitation at all, except for in the coastal mountain ranges. The precipitation mostly falls in mountainous areas where the peaks are the highest which is caused by a rain shadow effect. A rain shadow effect means that the mountains in this region cause moisture to condense and fall as it passes before reaching the regions desert areas. In sub-Saharan Africa, precipitation ranges from heavy rainfall throughout the entirety of the year to dry deserts. There are two main features that control this regions precipitation which are called the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and the subtropical high. The ITCZ is responsible for producing over 60 inches a year in the Congo. Both regions are vulnerable to climate change due to increasing temperatures and unpredictable weather, but the main reason these regions are so vulnerable to climate change is poverty which is a major issue throughout both regions. In both of these regions, water is a precious commodity. Both of them demand more fresh water than can be supplied due to not enough fresh water resources. The North Africa & Middle East region is overall more developed than sub-Saharan Africa. An example of this is that two-thirds of sub-Saharan Africa lacks electricity.
History, Economy, and Territory
In the Middle East & North Africa region, sophisticated empires have formed throughout the history of this region. The geographical center of these empires was called the Fertile Crescent, which was an important part in this history of this region. The Fertile Crescent was one of the first regions in the world that plants and animals were domesticated. This region was also the center for spreading agricultural technologies, writing, and mathematics. Regional empires were able to develop because of the domestication of plants and animals. The agricultural needs that faced this region led to the development of new tools such as the plough which was used to build systems of irrigation known as wet farming. The Middle East & North Africa region developed world religions. Three of the world’s major religions were developed in this region which are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
In the North Africa & Middle East region, a number of countries gain wealth from oil, however, there are countries that do not have access to oil that are not fairing as well. In the sub-Saharan region, the population is not doing as well economically. They score extremely low on many economic development measures. As bad as the sub-Saharan region has been doing economically, it has gotten significantly better within the last ten years.
In both regions, there have been major internal conflicts within them. In sub-Saharan Africa, there has been internal conflicts such as the Rwandan Genocide and between Liberia & Sierra Leon. In the North Africa & Middle East, the internal conflicts are what this region is generally known for. Conflicts between Iraq & Iran and in Kurdistan are known about around the globe.
Cultures and Populations
In the Northern Africa & Middle East region, 96% of the population practices some form of Islam while the rest of the population practices other religions such as Christianity or Judaism. In sub-Saharan Africa, the population generally practices Islam or Christianity. In both regions, the population distribution is heavily influenced by the availability of water.
Current Events
My first article discusses the major issue of Malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa. The article states that although this disease can be found in several regions and different countries globally, that 90% of all Malaria cases are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria, is more potent in the daily lives of this particular region more than everywhere else for a variety of reasons. One reason being that the environment and climate of this region allows the ideal place for the mosquitoes that transmit this disease. Another reason why Malaria is an epidemic in this region is due to poor living.
My second article discusses the major issue of lack of water in the Middle East. The article says that in this area of being one of the hottest and driest places on Earth, ocean water is filtered for use because of the scarcity of water. North Africa and the Middle East is the most water-scarce region in the world. The article states that this area which is home to 6% of the world’s human population only has access to 1% of the world’s fresh water, which leads to more water being consumed than produced. Another factor of the water problem in this region is the effects of global warming, which leads to frequent droughts, declining rainfall and high evaporation rates. The article then goes on to discuss the correlation between wealth and water. It is difficult to solve a problem such as this without the money or resources.
The common theme throughout both of my articles is that the regions cannot address some of the major problems that face them due to limitations on money and poor living conditions. This article talks about how Africa’s high birth rate is contributing to keeping the continent poor, and both of my regions are within this continent. The article says that in these regions which are some of the poorest of the world, having these high birthrates make poverty and illness much harder to eradicate. Another factor of this is that Africans marry at a young age, which leads to generations turning over at a quicker pace. Overall, this can be looked at as a route to most problems that overtake both my regions of interest. The high birthrates in these poor regions, leads to these countries to stay poor, which doesn’t allow the countries to address some of their biggest issues.
Future Geographies
The future of the Middle East & Norther Africa region and the sub-Saharan Africa region both depend on numerous key issues. In the Middle East & Africa region some key issues that need to be resolved are the ability to manage the oil economy, access to clean water, and peace & stability. In the sub-Saharan Africa region, some key issues that need to be resolved are sustaining representative and effective governments, poverty in many parts of this region, and access too food, water, and energy.
Conclusion
Both regions that I compared have many similarities and differences in their regions and other aspects within them. Although classified as just two regions, the continent of Africa is diverse and can be much different in some parts than others.