Geographical division:
The Sahara divides Africa into two main regions: North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
1. North Africa:
Comprises countries like Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.
- They are largely defined by their proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and strong links to the Arab World and Europe.
- Desert and semi-desert regions dominate their landscapes.
- The Sahara is a significant feature in these countries, influencing climate patterns, economic activities, and ecosystems.
2. Sub-Saharan Africa:
encompasses all of Africa south of the Sahara.
- Includes more than 45 countries and diverse biomes, from rainforest to savannas and plateaus.
- Historically, Sub-Saharan Africa has had stronger cultural, linguistic, and trade connections within its region.
Cultural division:
1. Culture and Ethnicity:
- The Sahara has influenced cultural boundaries. While there is cultural diversity within each region, the Sahara acts as a divider between broad ethnic groups.
- North African countries are mainly Arab and Berber in culture, while Sub-Saharan Africa is extremely diverse with hundreds of ethnic groups with their own languages and customs.
2. Language:
- North African countries primarily speak Afro-Asiatic languages, including Arabic and Berber.
- Sub-Saharan Africa has a multitude of language families, most notably Niger-Congo, Nilo-Saharan, Afro-Asiatic, and Khoisan.
3. Religion:
- North African countries are predominantly Muslim, influenced by the spread of Islam across the region.
- Sub-Saharan Africa has a wider religious spectrum, with Christianity and Islam being the most prevalent religions, along with traditional African beliefs and practices.
Despite the divisions caused by the Sahara, there also exists interactions and shared histories across the region. Trade routes, such as the trans-Saharan trade, have connected different parts of Africa for centuries. Additionally, in recent times, there have been efforts to promote cross-continental unity, such as the African Union, that aim to bridge the gaps created by geographical and cultural disparities.
