-Quietly, read the 3 articles on the religions of the Middle East in PAIRS, not groups. -Fill in the graphic organizer on religions. -We will take notes over ethnic groups after lunch

Ancient Civilizations of North Africa & Southwest Asia - #6 Directions: Fill in your graphic organizer by writing the key information that is in bold.

The most advanced stage of human social development and organization What is a civilization? The most advanced stage of human social development and organization

What do they have in common?

Civilizations of Mesopotamia Fertile Crescent, “land between the rivers”

Mesopotamia Location: The Sumerians were among the first societies to develop in this area between the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers. Agriculture: They raised crops year-round. They made efforts to improve water distribution to the land in order to create more fertile land.

Mesopotamia Record Keeping (Writing System): They created a form of writing called cuneiform. They would carve wedge-shaped symbols on wet clay tablets; then they would baked the tablets in order to harden them.

Egypt Location: Egyptian civilization grew along the Nile River. Agriculture: Because of the climate and irrigation techniques developed, the Egyptians could have 2-3 harvest per year. Egypt

They built pyramids as tombs for their leaders. Egypt They built pyramids as tombs for their leaders.

Egypt Record Keeping (Writing System): The developed a 365-day calendar. The developed a form of picture writing called hieroglyphics.

Label and color {+ key} the early civilizations on your map:

Ethnic Groups of North Africa & Southwest Asia What is an ethnic group? An ethnicity, or ethnic group, is a group of people sharing a common and distinctive culture, religion and language.

Arabs Arabs are the primary (largest) ethnic group in the entire region Religion - Islam (Muslims) Language - Arabic

Bedouins Bedouins are nomads in the deserts of NA & SWA. They are considered to be “true Arabs”. Speak Arabic Nomads - people who live in different locations, moving from one place to another

Persians Persians are a non-Arab ethnic group Persians primarily live in Iran (and some of Afghanistan) Persians are primarily Shia Muslim Language - Farsi

Kurds Kurds are a non-Arab ethnic group Kurds primarily live in Turkey, Iran, Syria & Iraq They want their own homeland - Kurdistan Their religion is primarily Sunni Muslim Speak Kurdish (related to Farsi)

Turks Turks are a non-Arab ethnic group Turks primarily live in Turkey The religion is primarily Sunni Muslim They speak Turkish

Berbers Berbers are a non-Arab ethnic group Berbers primarily live in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt Their religion is primarily Sunni Muslim Primarily spoken language w/many dialects Disappearing because they are assimilating with Arabs

Jews Jews are a religious group living mostly in Jerusalem (southeast corner), Israel, and part of the Golan Heights. Jews claim Palestine (modern-day Israel) as their rightful homeland Religion – Judaism Jews speak Hebrew

Write your name in Hieroglyphics!