The Middle East Called Southwest Asia in your textbook

Middle East refers to the land in the middle, between Europe & the Far East Far East: Far away from where in the Old World? Europe Why is it called the Middle East? This reflects Eurocentrism: a way of looking at the world with a European perspective.

The region has historically been a very strategic location for trade, military, and economic reasons. “Geography” has been a blessing and a curse. Benefits of its Geography

The region has several ‘strategic chokepoints.” These are locations that if closed off, could result in war. Suez Canal Bab-al-Mandab Strait of Hormuz Bosporus and Dardanelles

The importance of the region has been magnified by the need for? OIL!!!!!! Resource of the Region...

There is evidence that the first civilizations began here in the Fertile Crescent (Mesopotamia) area that is now Iraq and in the Nile River Valley. It is thought that the first Agricultural Revolution started here. Fertile Crescent

Some 10,000 years ago, the land of the Middle East was much wetter than it is today. The climate changed and so did the landscape. Ancient city of Ur in Iraq Rub al Khali Syrian Desert Lebanon

The Middle East is home to many unique man made and natural phenomena. The Dead Sea. So much salt you can’t sink. Salt deposits in the Dead Sea Man-made islands built to resemble a map of the world outside of Dubai. Get your own for a merely $7 million!

The Hindu Kush Mtns. in Afghanistan create an almost impenetrable barrier. The Khyber Pass is the major route through the mountains. It was used as a trade route from the Far East & is a strategic military location. This was a view Alexander the Great could have had on his way to India. Hindu Kush & Khyber Pass

The region has three major cultural traits EthnicityReligionsLanguage Cultural Geography

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Tehran, Iran Damascus, Syria Dubai, UAE Modern cities in the Middle East

Secularism Turkey is a prime example of a secular society: one that is not based on religious law. It is actually illegal for women to wear head scarves in government building

Globalization The Middle East is been influenced by the Western culture through globalization

While many want the US out of the Middle East, there is one fact that will keep us in the region, and it benefits the entire Western world. It is?