Economy of the middle east

Trade has been important in the region since ancient times. videoclip

Sea lanes are the most important trade routes in the region. videoclip

Countries as ranked by GDP #4 Israel #1 Kuwait #3 Qatar Qatar #2 United Arab Emirates

Economic Characteristics Heavy reliance on primary economic activity Oil drilling Agriculture: nomadic herding (pastoralism) Bedouin shepherd with sheep.

The Bedouin are a nomadic tribe that live and herd in the Arabian Desert and North Africa. pastoralism Def. -- of or pertaining to shepherds or herders.

The Bedouin are a nomadic tribe that live and herd in the Arabian Desert and North Africa. pastoralism

Economic Characteristics The Nile delta has fertile farmland.

Economic Characteristics Cotton is an important product in the Nile River Valley in Egypt.

Economic Characteristics Egyptian cotton is known for high quality.

Economic Characteristics Oil revenues: positive and negative effects Positive: High revenues Negative: Over reliance on one product.

OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries An international organization made up of Iraq, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Angola, Algeria, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

OPEC An international organization made up of Iraq, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Angola, Algeria, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

OPEC OPEC is a cartel, a group of producers of the same product that act together to control the market by regulating production.

OPEC Since OPEC countries produce so much oil, they can control the world market and price.

OPEC If the price of oil begins to decrease, what do OPEC nations do in response?

Water: the region’s most precious resource. Why?

Water: the region’s most precious resource. The Ashkelon Desalination Plant in Israel provides for 13% of the country’s domestic water demand. 19

Water: the region’s most precious resource. The Jebel Ali plant in Dubai is the largest desalination facility in the world. 20

Great variation in quality of life: ranging from relatively high to poverty stricken.

Regional conflicts, political unrest that affects the tourism industry.

3. 5 million people visit Israel every year. 2 3.5 million people visit Israel every year. 2.4 million travel there for “Christian tourism.”

Regional conflicts, political unrest that affects the tourism industry. A Palestinian boy holds a toy gun and wears a mask while pretending to shoot at U.S. tourists on a street in Jerusalem’s old town. August 18, 2006. (REUTERS NEWS SERVICE)

Guest workers There are more jobs than workers in some areas of the Middle East. Guest workers from other parts of the world (mainly India and Pakistan) are hired to do many jobs.

Guest workers Guest workers often live in poor conditions in the midst of wealth.

Guest workers Guest workers in Dubai.

Interpret this cartoon. Guest workers Interpret this cartoon.

The Nile River

Egypt Population Density

Egypt Major roads

The Nile River videoclip

Aswan High Dam on the Nile River

Aswan High Dam

Aswan Power Station

Aswan Power Station “That’s one high dam!”

Aswan Dam on the Nile River Benefits Flood control Water for irrigation Fishing industry Generating electricity Negative Effects 90,000 people displaced by Lake Nasser. Silt is building up behind dam and not deposited in river plain. Poor irrigation practices are ruining soil fertility. Nutrients for Mediterranean fish are not reaching the sea. Damage to river delta. Antiquities covered by water.

Economy of the middle east Summary Trade Pastoralism Agriculture Importance of oil Water OPEC Quality of life Tourism industry Guest workers Aswan High Dam