Travels in North Africa

by Nahum Slouschz

Distribution and variability of deformed wing virus of honeybees (Apis mellifera) in the Middle East and North Africa.

Three hundred eleven honeybee samples from twelve countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Yemen, Palestine and Sudan) were analyzed for the presence of deformed wing virus (DWV). The prevalence of DWV throughout the MENA region was pervasive, but variable. The highest prevalence was found in Lebanon and Syria, with prevalence dropping in Palestine, Jordan and Egypt before increasing slightly moving westwards to Algeria and Morocco Phylogenetic analysis of a 194 nucleotide section of the DWV Lp gene did not identify any significant phylogenetic resolution among the samples, although the sequences did show consistent regional clustering, including an interesting geographic gradient from Morocco through North Africa to Jordan and Syria. The sequences revealed several clear variability hotspots in the deduced amino acid sequence, that furthermore showed some patterns of regional identity. Furthermore, the sequence variants from the Middle East and North Africa appear more numerous and diverse than those from Europe. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Feminism, gender equity and sexual/reproductive health in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

Sexual/reproductive/health and rights are crucial public health concerns that have been specifically integrated into the Millennium Development Goals to be accomplished by 2015. These issues are related to several health outcomes, including HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence (GBV) among women. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region comprises Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), West Bank and Gaza (WBG), and Yemen. This region is primarily Arabic speaking (except for Israel and Iran), and primarily Muslim (except for Israel). Some traditional and cultural views and practices in this region engender gender inequalities, which manifest themselves in the economic, political and social spheres. HIV and gender-based violence in the region may be interlinked with gender inequalities which breed justification for partner violence and honour killings, and increase the chance that HIV will transform into an epidemic in the region if not addressed. A feminist framework, focused on economic, political and social empowerment for women would be useful to consider applying to sexual/reproductive health in the region.^

Stratigraphic update of the Cenozoic Sub-Numidian formations of the Tunisian Tell (North Africa): Tectonic/sedimentary evolution and correlations along the Maghrebian Chain

The Sub-Numidian Tertiary stratigraphic record of the Tunisian Tell has been updated by means of 11 stratigraphic successions belonging to the Maghrebian Flysch Basin (N-African Margin) reconstructed in the Tunisian Numidian Zone and the Triassic Dome Zone. The Sub-Numidian successions studied range from the Paleocene to the Priabonian, representing a major change in the sedimentation from the latest Cretaceous onwards. The Sub-Numidian succession and the Numidian Formation are separated by an Intermediate interval located between two erosive surfaces (local paraconformities). The stratigraphic analysis has revealed diachronous contacts between distal slope to basinal sedimentary formation, allowing the identification of an Early Eocene Chouabine marker bed. The integrated biostratigraphic analysis made by means of planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton updates the ages of the formations studied, proving younger than previously thought. The new definition of the Sub-Numidian stratigraphy enables a better correlation with equivalent successions widely outcropping along the Maghrebian, Betic, and southern Apennine Chains. The study proposes a new evolutionary tectonic/sedimentary model for this Tunisian sector of the Maghrebian Chain during the Paleogene after the Triassic–Cretaceous extensional regime. This paleogeographic reorganization is considered a consequence of the beginning of the tectonic inversion (from extensional to compressional), leading to the end of the preorogenic sedimentation. Our results suggest a non-tabular stratigraphy (marked by lateral changes of lithofacies, variable thicknesses, and the presence of diachronous boundaries) providing significant elements for a re-evaluation of active petroleum systems on the quality, volume, distribution, timing of oil generation, and on the migration and accumulation of the oil.

La Galite Archipelago (Tunisia, North Africa): stratigraphic and petrographic revision and insights for geodynamic evolution of the Maghrebian Chain

The location of the La Galite Archipelago on the Internal/External Zones of the Maghrebian Chain holds strong interest for the reconstruction of the geodynamic evolution of the Mesomediterranean Microplate-Africa Plate Boundary Zone. New stratigraphic and petrographic data on sedimentary successions intruded upon by plutonic rocks enabled a better definition of the palaeogeographic and palaeotectonic evolutionary model of the area during the early-middle Miocene. The lower Miocene sedimentary units (La Galite Flysch and Numidian-like Flysch) belong to the Mauritanian (internal) and Massylian (external) sub-Domains of the Maghrebian Chain, respectively. These deposits are related to a typical syn-orogenic deposition in the Maghrebian Flysch Basin Domain, successively backthrusted above the internal units. The backthrusting age is post-Burdigalian (probably Langhian-Serravallian) and the compressional phase represents the last stage in the building of the accretionary wedge of the Maghrebian orogen. These flysch units may be co-relatable to the similar well-known formations along the Maghrebian and Betic Chains. The emplacement of potassic peraluminous magmatism, caused local metamorphism in the Late Serravallian-Early Tortonian (14–10 Ma), after the last compressional phase (backthrusting), during an extensional tectonic event. This extensional phase is probably due to the opening of a slab break-off in the deep subduction system. La Galite Archipelago represents a portion of the Maghrebian Flysch Basin tectonically emplaced above the southern margin of the “Mesomediterranean Microplate” which separated the Piemontese-Ligurian Ocean from a southern oceanic branch of the Tethys (i.e. the Maghrebian Flysch Basin). The possible presence of an imbricate thrust system between La Galite Archipelago and northern Tunisia may be useful to exclude the petroleum exploration from the deformed sectors of the offshore area considered.

Coast, North Africa, Tunisia and Algeria, 1829 (Image 1 of 2) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Carte comparée des régences d'Alger et de Tunis, dressée par le Chev. Lapie, Géographe du Roi ; les noms anciens ont été revus par ... Hase ; les noms arabes par ... Taubert ; gravé par Flahaut ; écrit par Lallemand. It was published by Chez Ch. Picquet, Quai Conti, no. 17 in 1829. Scale [ca. 1:1,632,653], 16 km=9.8 cm. This layer is image 1 of 2 total images of the two sheet source map, representing the western portion of the map. Covers the coast of North Africa including Tunisia, Algeria, and portions of Morocco and Libya. Map in French. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Europe Lambert Conformal Conic coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, roads, cities and other human settlements, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown by hachures. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Coast, North Africa, Tunisia and Algeria, 1829 (Image 2 of 2) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Carte comparée des régences d'Alger et de Tunis, dressée par le Chev. Lapie, Géographe du Roi ; les noms anciens ont été revus par ... Hase ; les noms arabes par ... Taubert ; gravé par Flahaut ; écrit par Lallemand. It was published by Chez Ch. Picquet, Quai Conti, no. 17 in 1829. Scale [ca. 1:1,632,653], 16 km=9.8 cm. This layer is image 2 of 2 total images of the two sheet source map, representing the eastern portion of the map. Covers the coast of North Africa including Tunisia, Algeria and portions of Morocco and Libya. Map in French. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Europe Lambert Conformal Conic coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, roads, cities and other human settlements, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown by hachures.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Red Sea Region, North Africa, ca. 1730 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Carte de l'Egypte, de la Nubie, de l'Abyssinie &c., par Guillaume de l'Isle, de l'Academie Royal a Paris. It was published by Chez Henri de Leth, a l'enseigne du Pecheur ca. 1730. Scale [ca. 1:9,250,000]. Covers the Red Sea region, North Africa including portions of the Middle East and Europe. Map in French.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Africa Sinusoidal projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, major roads, cities and other human settlements, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown pictorially. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

North Africa, 1670 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Barbaria Biledulgerid o : Libye et pars Nigritarum terra. It was published by J. von Meurs in 1670. Scale [ca. 1:12,250,000]. Covers North Africa and parts of Europe. Map in Latin.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Africa Lambert Conformal Conic projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, roads and routes, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown pictorially. Includes illustrations.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

West & North Africa, ca. 1710 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Carte de la Barbarie, le [sic] la Nigritie et del la Guinée, par Guillaume de l'Isle de l'Academie Royale des Sciences. It was published by ex officina Nicolai Visscher, ca. 1710. Scale [ca.1:9,000,000]. Covers West and North Africa. Map in French.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Africa Sinusoidal projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, routes and roads, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown pictorially. Includes notes.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

West & North Africa, ca. 1730 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Carte de la Barbarie, le la Nigritie et de la Guinée, par Guill[au]me Del'Isle, de l'Academie Royale des Sciences. It was published by Chez Jean Cóvens et Corneille Mortier, Geographes ca. 1730. Scale [ca.1:9,250,000]. Covers West and North Africa. Map in French.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Africa Sinusoidal projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, roads and routes, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown pictorially. Includes notes.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

North Africa & Mediterranean Sea Region, ca. 1744 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Africae magna pars ad illustrationem historiae ecclesiasticae, imprimis faciens, magno studio et labore ex antiquis auctoribus concinnata aerique incisa manu et sumtibensus Matth. Seutteri, Chalcogr. Augustae Vindelicorum. It was published by Reiner Ottens, ca. 1744. Scale [ca. 1:4,600,000]. Covers North Africa and the Mediterranean coast of Europe. Map in Latin.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Africa Sinusoidal projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, roads and routes, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown pictorially. Includes also text.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

North Africa & Mediterranean Sea Region, 1775 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Carte de la Barbarie : contenant les royaumes de Maroc, de Fez, d'Alger, de Tunis et de Tripoli, avec les déserts limitrophes de l'intérieur de l'Afrique, dressée sur les cartes des Ssrs. d'Anville et Robert de Vaugondy ; par P. Santini, 1775. It was published by P. Santini in 1775. Scale [ca. 1:4,900,000]. Covers North Africa and a portion of the Mediterranean coast of Europe. Map in French.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Europe Lambert Conformal Conic coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, roads and routes, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown pictorially. Includes notes.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.