Maghreb
, an Arabic name for western North Africa, meaning “place where the sun sets.” It usually refers to Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. The people of the Maghreb are predominantly Arab and are of the Islamic faith.
The original inhabitants of the Maghreb were mainly Berbers. Muslim states developed in the region during the seventh century. The area was colonized by France in the 19th century. The French withdrew from the Maghreb during the 1950's and 1960's.