The Middle East Unit 7

The Cultural Geography of the Middle East ch. 22

Cultural Geography of the Middle East The broad ethnic diversity of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia stems from several early civilizations and three major world religions that evolved in the region. Later control by outside powers and the nationalistic movements that followed have strengthened this diversity. As a result, the region experiences cultural and political challenges today.

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Many Peoples This region has been a crossroads for three continents, and the movement and interaction among peoples created great ethnic diversity Arabs Most of the region's people are Arabs who follow Islam They form the majority of the populations of North Africa, Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan Israelis About 6.1 million people in the region are Israelis living in Israel (82% Jewish) The majority Jewish population of Israel and their Arab neighbors have experienced much conflict over land, especially related to Palestinian refugees

Turks Iranians & Afghanis Caucasian Peoples Descendents of ancient Turkic peoples who migrated to Anatolia from Central Asia Most practice Islam Culture blend Turkish, Islamic, & western elements Iranians & Afghanis Iran is home to 66 million people Speak Farsi Afghanistan is made up of many groups that practice Islam Caucasian Peoples Caucasus region is home to many ethnic groups Most are Armenian/Georgian Christian culture Independent after the breakup of the Soviet Union Turkic Peoples Populate the republics of central Asia Uzbeks, Kazaks, & Tajiks Most are Muslim Speak Turkic language Kurds Common language & culture Live in areas that surround the borders shared by Turkey, Iraq, Syria, & the Caucasian republics

Population & Resources Conflicts over water, rapid population growth, and urbanization all create pressures for governments in the region Control of Vital Resources Water has been a major issue in border disputes Israel & Syria Population Growth Population is growing rapidly Unemployment causes a steady flood of migration to other countries Urbanization Population density is greatest in urban areas Istanbul, Cairo, Tehran, Baghdad Living standards are low

Prehistoric Peoples Early peoples in the region were among the first to domesticate plants and animals

Mesopotamia Egypt The Sumerian civilization arose in Mesopotamia Between the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers Sumerians used irrigation for farming & made advances in mathematics & engineering Kept records, & developed writing system Egypt Developed along the Nile Valley Developed irrigation for farming Developed a calendar with 365 days Built pyramids, & invented hieroglyphics for writing

Later empires made important inventions and developed trade routes Empires & Trade Later empires made important inventions and developed trade routes Empires The Phoenicians developed the basis for alphabets The Persian Empire stretched from Egypt to C. Asia Irrigated their crops with underground canals Trade The Silk Road was an overland trade route from China to the Mediterranean Sea Invaders In the 1200s nomadic Mongols led by Genghis Kahn invaded C. Asia 1st caused destruction, but later introduced paper money & safer trade routes

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam each originated in the region Three Major Religions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam each originated in the region Judaism Oldest monotheistic faith Trace religion to ancient Israelites, Jerusalem is their religious center Jews settled other areas & took religion with them Christianity Developed from Judaism Based on the teachings of Jesus from Nazareth Spread throughout the Mediterranean world into Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, & the S. Pacific Islam Belief in one God Mohammed is the last of a series of great prophets By the 800s had spread to Asia, N. Africa, & Europe

The Modern Era Independence Arab-Israeli Conflict After various empires, invasions, and rule by western European powers, independent states arose in the region during the 1900s. Most countries are Arab, but Israel is one of the exceptions. Arab-Israeli Conflict There has been much conflict between Israel and Arab countries Arab opposition to Israel led to conflict in the region in the region By 1967 Israel controlled Palestinian areas

Israelis & Palestinians today conflicts created by the disagreements between Israel and the Palestinians dominates the landscape Many Palestinians are forced to live as refugees Want to set up their own state in the West Bank & the Gaza Strip War in Afghanistan 2001: American & British warplanes bombed targets in Afghanistan to uproot Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network and the Taliban Afghanistan has become the target of an international fight against terrorism Border Conflicts Nationalistic and border conflicts create challenges for the region's governments Afghanistan has become the target of an international fight against terrorism Today’s Governments 8 countries are democracies The rest are democratic, but they range from parliamentary to military dictatorships

Religion has both united and divided the region's peoples Unity within their own religions Divisions between the major religions

Languages Islam and the Arabic language unite the majority, but other religions and languages occur throughout the region Arabic is the region’s main language Other languages include: Hebrew in Israel Berber in southern Morocco & Algeria Turkish in Turkey Farsi in Iran People in Central Asia speak various Turkic languages

The Arts Art, architecture, and literature reveal the influences of religion as well as nationalism Impressive palaces & temples Muslim mosques geometric floral designs Poems & Epics Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam The Thousand & one Nights Collection of Arab, Indian, & Persian stories Modern literature includes novels & poems with themes of nationalism and conflict between tradition and modernism

Everyday Life Home & Community Standards of Living In their daily life, people maintain important cultural traditions travel, trade, and the Internet are changing lifestyles Standards of Living Countries whose economies are based on oil production and trade are prosperous People in developing countries do not have access to basic necessities Education & Health Care Most of the youth attend high school Some attend universities Literacy rates in the region vary but are improving educational opportunities and health care, vary depending on a country's economy. Celebrations & Leisure Time Religious holidays and leisure time activities are generally enjoyed with families In some societies the lives of women are restricted greatly

Schools in the Middle East