Influence of Geography in the Middle East

Deserts: Water scarcity- population settlement imbalance Less than 10% of land is arable

Other than nomads, most people live along the coast and in the river valleys

Natural Resources: Oil- 70% of the worlds oil reserves – Produce ½ of the worlds current supply – Importance of oil allows many Middle East countries to play “oil politics” (OPEC)

Lack of key natural resources and food shortages makes the Middle East interdependent

The Rise of Islam The Islamic faith quickly spread across the Arabian Peninsula under Muhammad, and his successors.

By the 800s the Islamic Faith and rule had been established throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Spain

Reasons for the rapid success: Islam brought a sense of unity and communality to believers. – Through this unity they had a common cause to spread the Islamic faith Muslims saw victories as a sign of Allah’s support

Jihad- – those who fought and were willing to die in the name of Allah were guaranteed a place in heaven

Tolerance towards other faiths-Jews as Christians viewed as “people of the book” Weakness of the Byzantine and Persian Empires Superior military tactics and leaders