Read Next
Discover
Barbary
historical region, Africa
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Also known as: Barbary States
Recent News
Aug. 6, 2024, 3:37 AM ET (Live Science)
17th-century pirate 'corsair' shipwreck discovered off Morocco's Barbary Coast
Barbary, former designation for the coastal region of North Africa bounded by Egypt (east), by the Atlantic (west), by the Sahara (south), and by the Mediterranean Sea (north), and now comprising Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. The name originates from that of the Berbers, the oldest known inhabitants of the region, and was for centuries associated with the coastal pirates who preyed upon Mediterranean shipping. The term was in use until occupation of the region by European powers in the 19th century (see Maghreb).