Human Geography of Southwest Asia Religion, Politics, & Oil

The Arabian Peninsula Islam- based on the teachings of Muhammad. Monotheistic Mosque- place of worship All Muslims (followers of Islam) perform the 5 pillars.

5 Pillars 1. Faith (Iman or Shahadah)- no God but Allah, & Muhammad is messenger of Allah 2. Prayer (Salah)- praying 5x’s per day towards Mecca 3. Charity (Zakah)- giving money to the poor. 4. Fasting (Saum)- during month of Ramadan, do not eat or drink anything between sunrise & sunset. 5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)- make pilgrimage to Mecca once during life.

The Arabian Peninsula Theocratic- religious leaders control the government. many of the governments in the region are this Ayatollah- Muslim religious leader

The Arabian Peninsula OPEC- Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries- Members set worldwide oil prices & production quotas DON’T WRITE- Members include Algeria, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

Which countries have the largest reserves of crude oil? Country Crude oil reserves (million barrels) Saudi Arabia262,697 Iraq112,500 Iran99,080 United Arab Emirates97,800 Kuwait96,500

The Arabian Peninsula Arabic Women- Most cover themselves from head to toe in a burqa (Arabic covering) Modesty & being covered is believed to be pleasing to god.

The Eastern Mediterranean 3 major religions were all started in Southwest Asia Judaism, Christianity, & Islam All 3 claim Jerusalem as a holy city.

Eastern Mediterranean Jews- Jerusalem is holiest city Holiest site- Western Wall (Wailing Wall) Whole area is known as the Temple Mount First Temple built by King Solomon then destroyed Temple rebuilt Second Temple destroyed by the Romans Only piece left standing is known as the Western Wall No Jewish temple on site since 70 A.D.

The Eastern Mediterranean Christians cherish the land as the area where Jesus Christ was crucified & for the holy areas of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (where crucified) & Mount of the Olives.

The Eastern Mediterranean Islam claims Jerusalem as 3 rd holiest city behind Mecca & Medina Dome of the Rock- spot where Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad rose into heaven AKA- Haram Ash-Sharif (Temple Mount) Next to Western Wall Site of frequent clashes between Muslims & Jews

The Eastern Mediterranean Ottoman Empire- Muslim based government, started in Turkey Lasted from (‘til end of WW1)

The Northeast The Kurds- ethnic group in Southwestern Asia Stateless nation 5,000+ were gassed to death by Saddam Hussein’s army. Saddam was executed for this

The Northeast Mesopotamia- many civilizations were started here in the “land between the rivers” (AKA The Fertile Crescent) Sumer Babylonia Assyria Chaldea Hittites Persia

The Northeast Two main branches of Islam Sunni Muslim- 83% of all Muslims Shi’ite Muslim Taliban- fundamentalist Muslim political group in Afghanistan

Men No television, music or movies No whistling or clapping No dancing No shorts No photography No smoking Men must have a beard and wear a head covering

Women: No jobs, must stay at home Must wear the burqa and be with a male relative outside the house No schooling/education No revealing ankles/ no white socks No treatment by male doctors No make-up or brightly colored clothes No associating with male shopkeepers No laughing loudly No high heels No driving No riding bicycles No washing clothes next to a river unless a male relative is present Windows must be painted or covered