Economic Challenges

         North Africa has long been closely linked to the economies of Europe and the Middle East. It is one of the wealthiest regions of Africa, due both to its proximity to European markets and its natural resources. Libya often has the highest GDP per capita of the continent since it produces large amounts of petroleum. There is great diversity of wealth within North African countries even tho the region’s nations (with the exception of Libya, which is slightly higher due to oil revenues) all have GDP per capita of $1000-$2000. This disparity of wealth and significant poverty, both in urban slums and in rural areas, are some of the factors that have led to increasing anti-government movements, including fundamentalism.