Africa, North

North Africa includes Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, and western Sahara. The geopolitical distinction between these countries and the rest of Africa (sub-Saharan Africa) is due to the barrier of the vast Sahara Desert and the proximity of the northern region of the continent to the trade routes and colonizing activities of Mediterranean civilizations like the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Vandals. Since the 7th century, north Africa has been a significant part of the Arab and Islamic world. Arabic continues to be one of the official languages of every country in the region, and North Africa has a strong Muslim presence. The entire region was at one point under the control of the Ottoman Empire (with the exception of Morocco), and during the height of European imperialism, various parts of the region were under the control of the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, or France. The cultural, political, and economic influences on north Africa's history have thus been complex and varied, but have served to increase the commonalities among the nations of the region and the differences between it and sub-Saharan Africa.

In the 21st century, Algeria, Libya, and Sudan are dependent on their oil and natural gas reserves; Tunisia on tourism; Egypt on tourism and the strongest industrial sector in the region; and Morocco on phosphate mines and farming. North Africa has been one of the regions noticeably affected by global climate change, with record heat reported. Western Sahara is a disputed territory, claimed by both Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), the government of which operates in exile from Algeria, with that host country's support. SADR is recognized by the African Union, while Morocco's claim is recognized by most of the Arab world, again highlighting the transcontinental influences of the region.

Water Crisis

Sudan and Tunisia are among the countries most impacted by the worldwide freshwater crisis, with 12.3 million and 2.1 million people, respectively, whose sole water source is contaminated. Algeria and Egypt are among the countries with the most significant water deficits in the world, leading to overpumping and a lowering of the water table. Subsequent grain shortages require the importation of wheat and other basic staples. Morocco's water problems are exacerbated by a denser population, considerable population growth, and the seasonal influx of tourists in the summer months. The treatment of water and wastewater in north Africa is thus a critical issue germane not only to environmental concerns and long-term safety and welfare, but also to current ongoing crises of human survival.

Wastewater treatment removes contaminants from wastewater originating both from households and from effluents (sewers and other runoff). The by-products are environmentally safe fluids [Page 8]and solids; the solids can be disposed of or turned into fertilizer, while the fluids are returned to the environment. Technological advances now permit treated wastewater to be purified back into drinking water. Wastewater treatment of any sort, however, is expensive to set up, with newer technologies even more so.

People living along the canals in El-Gededa om El-Resh and El-Seds in Egypt's eastern El-Sharkia province used to throw their garbage and sewage into open canals. After USAID worked with Egypt's government to address environmental issues related to agricultural irrigation, canals passing through residential areas were covered and protected from this garbage and sewage problem. Municipal solid waste collection is problematic throughout north Africa, where urbanization is increasing and collection efficiency is poor.

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