18.4 and 18.5 Reading for Meaning The Arabian Peninsula and Central Asia Sub-regions 18.4 and 18.5 Reading for Meaning

Arabian Peninsula

18.4 Population Patterns- Arabian Peninsula Deserts make up a large majority of the region, so there is a high population density near water Population densities are deceiving; cities are crowded but few people live inland, therefore the population densities for whole countries are low Most of the people are Arabs Most of the people are Muslims (Islam is the religion, Muslims are the people) The discovery of oil brought wealth, modernization, and immigration.

Modern Saudi Arabia

18.4 History and Government Yemen was home to one of the oldest civilizations between 1100BCE-500CE Great Britain was a long-term protectorate of many countries, helping ward off the Ottoman Turks Eventually, those countries gained independence, including Kuwait in the 1900’s

18.4 History and Government Sheikdom: territory ruled by an Islamic religious leader. Saudi Arabia practices Shari’ah Law, meaning the government follows the religious laws placed by the Qur’an Kuwait and Qatar have Constitutional Emirates, which are similar to Constitutional monarchies

18.4 Culture In addition to Sunni and Shia, Ibadhism and Wahhabi are also Islam sects. Ibadhism practices moderate conservatism b/c they choose their ruler by communal consensus and consent Wahhabi practices liberal teachings of the Qur’an The countries that support education have a very high literacy rate (Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman)

18.4 Culture Islamic Culture in the region Islam discourages living figures in religious art as well depicting Muhammad Mosques and palaces are best known places to find Islamic art Celebrations Id al Adha- feast of sacrifice Pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) Ramadan- holy month of fasting from dawn to dusk

18.4 Main Idea/Critical Thinking Oil revenues fuel modernization More infrastructure (roads, bridges, schools, etc.) More social programs (health, education, etc.) More technology (computers, phones, etc.) Oil brings an influx of immigrant workers Those workers bring and spread their own culture (think pop/soda in the U.S.- even slight changes are changes!) Foreign influence begins and starts to westernize some countries

18.5 Population Patterns of Central Asia The many different ethnic groups is a reflection of the centuries of migration and invasions by outsiders Georgia and Armenia were both under Soviet control but became independent after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 (remember Yugoslavia?) Conflict has shaped much of this sub-region Armenians massacred in Turkey, others were deported, or simply died

18.5 History and Government The Silk Road was the trade route between China and the Mediterranean Sea. Central Asia as a whole has a very accessible location along the trade route. People and Empires wanted access to the trade route and therefore raised conflict and conquered people. People/Empires that at one time controlled this region Genghis Khan and the Mongols Alexander the Great Arabs Ottoman Turks

18.5 History and Government Review Enclave: territory that’s within another territory. They are usually ethnically different Armenia is majority Christian and is an enclave of the larger region dominated by Muslims Exclave: Group isolated from the main or larger part of the country Soviet Union and Afghanistan invasion 1979 Military reaction from the Afghan Freedom Fighters (Mujahedeen) Rise of the Taliban Instability in the region

18.5 History and Government Taliban Fundamentalist Islamic Group that took control after the Soviets were gone People followed them partly out of desperation (think Hitler in post WWI Germany) Imposed extreme interpretation of Islam Afghanistan today Unstable First elections held in 2004 Legitimate government still has problems ruling and providing basic services

18.5 Culture Central Asians mostly speak Turkic languages (except Georgia, which has its own language and alphabet) Iranians speak… Arabs speak… Islam and Christianity are the main Central Asian religions Most people in Central Asia lack basic needs such as healthcare b/c of Fall of USSR (Why?) Internal and external conflicts

18.5 Main Ideas and Critical Thinking This centrally located Middle Eastern sub-region has been a major stop in trade routes throughout history, making it a center for cultural exchanges. The mountainous terrain and dry climate make it suitable for livestock and herding animals Afghanistan has a large number of ethnic groups living in one country. It is difficult to accommodate all the needs and wants of each group.