Barbary Coast

The Barbary Coast refers to the coastal regions of North Africa, primarily present-day Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, which were historically known for piracy and as bases for corsairs from the 16th to 19th centuries. These pirates, often called Barbary pirates or corsairs, attacked ships in the Mediterranean, capturing crews for ransom or sale as slaves. The term also describes the area’s reputation for lawlessness and piracy, which prompted European and American naval efforts to suppress these activities. Today, "Barbary Coast" is sometimes used metaphorically to describe regions notorious for lawlessness or illicit activities.