NORTHERN AFRICA, as a region, is very different from the countries to its South. The people and culture are primarily Berber and Arabic, the cuisine is tastebud-tinglingly different, and Islam is the dominant religion. Many organizations now group North Africa and the Middle East together as MENA (Middle East North Africa) because North Africa has much more in common with countries like Syria or Jordan than countries like Mali or Ivory Coast.

The region has seen many empires come and go, each bringing contributions to local culture. Ancient Egypt was one of the world’s longest-living, urban civilizations; and Phoenicia, ancient Greece, and (later) the Roman Empire came to dominate the Mediterranean Sea. The Arabs and Islam arrived in the 7th century and were displaced by the Ottoman Empire. The French colonial empire came to include Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, and the Suez Canal was completed in 1869.

During Morocco’s Marrakech Popular Arts Festival, the streets are swarmed with singers, dancers, folk musicians, theatre performances, and great food. There are many exhibitions, concerts, and performances that are a treasure to behold.