AFRICAN NATURAL RESOURCES – Northern Africa

Natural Resources in Northern Africa

Natural resources are things we get from the earth like oil, metals, trees, and precious stones. They help us make food, buildings, tools, jewelry and more. Here are some of the resources found in the Northern African countries, what they are used to make, and why they’re important.

    Egypt  

Resources found in egypt include;

1. Oil: used to make fuel ( petrol & diesel) 
2. Gas(Methane) : used to produce heat which can cook food and make electricity.
3. Gold : used to make jewelry, coins, 
4. Cotton – used to make clothes and  bedsheets.

Egypt is a leading cotton producer in Africa, with a long history of cotton cultivation and textiles.

     Libya

Resources found in Libya include;

1. Oil – used for fuel.
2. Gas – used for cooking and lighting at home
3. Salt – used to add flavor to food and essential for preserving food.

Oil reserves in Libya are the largest in Africa and among the ten largest globally.

    Algeria

Resources found in Algeria include;

1. Natural Gas – used for cooking and lighting at home.  
2. Oil – used for fuel.
3. Iron Ore – used to make steel for cars and buildings.
4. Dates – eaten as healthy snacks. 

Algeria is a major producer of dates, particularly the renowned Deglet Nour, which is considered the “Queen of all dates.

    Morocco

Resources found in Morocco  include;

1. Phosphate – used to make fertilizer for farming.
2. Salt – used in food and chemical factories.
3. Fish – for food and trade.

    Tunisia

Resources found in Tunisia  include;

1. Phosphate – used to make fertilizer for farming.
2. Olives & Olive Oil – used in cooking and skincare.
3. Dates – sweet and healthy snacks.

    Sudan

Resources found in Sudan  include;

1. Gold – used in making jewelry.
2. Oil – used for fueling cars.
3. Gum Arabic – used in candies, glue,and medicine.
4. Cotton – used to make clothes.

Sudan is a leading producer of gum arabic, a water-soluble gum obtained from acacia trees.

    Mauritania

Resources found in Mauritania include;

1. Iron Ore – used to make steel that is used in building materials and other items.
2. Fish – exported (sold) to other countries 
3. Salt – used in food and factories.

    All these Natural Resources are important because:

• They are used to make things that we use every day such as fuel, building materials, Jewelry, medicine, electricity and clothes.
• The foods provide nutrition for our bodies for example dates, salt and fish.
• Natural resources are a source of employment for people living in these countries. The jobs are available in mining, factories, farming and  fishing. 
• Natural resources are used to earn money for a country when they trade with other countries. This is called foreign trade.