6 THEMES OF THE MIDDLE EAST

THEME 1: OIL The Middle East contains about 66% of the world’s oil reserves. Saudi Arabia is the #1 oil country in the world.

Saudi Arabian Oil Port

THEME 2: ARID Most of the Middle East has a very arid climate. Saudi Arabia contains the Rub-Al-Khali, the largest continuous sand desert in the world. Many Middle Eastern countries have to trade profits from oil for increased water supplies.

Desert oasis in Libya

THEME 3: ARAB WORLD Most Middle Easterners are Arabs. Others, however, are Persians, Turks, Hebrews, etc. Most people in the Middle East speak Arabic. Most architectural styles in the Middle East are Arabic styles.

Arab architecture

THEME 4: 3 WORLD RELIGIONS The Middle East is the birthplace of three major monotheistic world religions. Judaism Christianity Islam

3 Monotheistic religions

THEME 5: ISLAM Most people in the Middle East are Muslims. Many governments in the Middle East follow Islamic principles.

THEME 6: CONFLICT The Middle East has seen many times of conflict. The Jewish State of Israel has had conflict for the last 50 years (Israeli-Palestinian Conflict). The Bible has reference to the future Battle of Armageddon.

Arab israeli conflict