When the super continent Gandwana began to break up into the modern day continents, Africa separated from Europe forming the Tethys Ocean. But Africa changed it's mind. It is now traveling north to rejoin Euope reducing the Tethys ocean to what is now the Mediterranean Sea leaving behind many curious anomalies such as whales and other marine fossil in the African desserts. But of most interest to most humans, oil formed from the Tethys Ocean's wildlife is found in North Africa and Arbian peninsula. Meanwhile, Africa is breaking apart as parts of east Africa follow Madacascar to drift into the Indian Ocean.
—David Foss