Chapter 25 Section 1 - Geography Basics of the MIDDLE EAST Main Idea – There is more geographic diversity in the Middle East than people realize.

Crossroads 3 continents 3 continents Ancient trading routes (land & sea)Ancient trading routes (land & sea) North Africa – part of Middle East North Africa – part of Middle East IslamIslam Arabic languageArabic language Cultural diffusion Cultural diffusion Iron makingIron making AlphabetAlphabet “Arabic numerals”“Arabic numerals” Originally from? Originally from? AFRICA ASIA EUROPE

The Middle East “Strategic” “Strategic” Vital sea routes throughout historyVital sea routes throughout history Huge reserves of oilHuge reserves of oil Major Regions Major Regions Northern Tier = Turkey & IranNorthern Tier = Turkey & Iran Arabian Peninsula = Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, etc.Arabian Peninsula = Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, etc. Fertile Crescent = Iraq, Syria (“Mesopotamia”)Fertile Crescent = Iraq, Syria (“Mesopotamia”) Nile Valley = EgyptNile Valley = Egypt “Maghreb = “western isle” of Islam“Maghreb = “western isle” of Islam

5 Major Regions Maghreb Arabian Peninsula Mesopotamia Nile Valley Northern Tier

Climate & resources Dictates where people live Dictates where people live Nearly all region is desertNearly all region is desert People clustered in well- watered areas along coasts and in river valleysPeople clustered in well- watered areas along coasts and in river valleys Settlements were scatteredSettlements were scattered Many separate nations developed in Middle EastMany separate nations developed in Middle East

Climate and Resources (cont) Less than 10% of the land receives enough rainfall to make farming possible. Less than 10% of the land receives enough rainfall to make farming possible. Oil – unevenly distributed Oil – unevenly distributed

People Many different ethnic groups, languages, religions, traditions Many different ethnic groups, languages, religions, traditions Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew, Kurdish, Persian, Greek, ArmenianArabic, Turkish, Hebrew, Kurdish, Persian, Greek, Armenian Semitic peoples & languagesSemitic peoples & languages “Arabs”“Arabs”