Middle East

Landforms A. Mountains

Landforms B. Peninsulas

Landforms C. Deserts

Landforms D. Seas

Landforms E. Rivers

Mountains The mountainous region is an area of much seismic activity. Seismic: related to earthquakes

Peninsulas A. Arabian Peninsula B. Sinai Peninsula

Seas A. The Dead Sea sits at the mouth of the Jordan River.

The Dead Sea has four times the salt content of the world’s oceans.

Seas B. The Caspian Sea is the largest inland body of water on Earth.

Seas C. The Aral Sea lies east of the Caspian Sea.

Rivers Over 90% of Egypt’s people live along the Nile delta. Over 90% of Egypt’s people live along the Nile delta. Delta: A Triangular section of land at a river’s mouth containing rich, alluvial deposits of soil.

Rivers The Tigris and Euphrates rivers run mainly through Iraq.

Climate Deserts cover almost 50% of the region. Deserts cover almost 50% of the region.

Climate Desert Desert Small-scale farming is possible in an oasis. Small-scale farming is possible in an oasis. Oasis: A place in the desert where water and vegetation can be found.

Oasis

Climate Wadis are also common throughout deserts of the Middle East. These are streambeds that remain dry until a heavy rain. Wadis are also common throughout deserts of the Middle East. These are streambeds that remain dry until a heavy rain.

Climate Many people of this climate and region are bedouins, nomadic desert people. Many people of this climate and region are bedouins, nomadic desert people.

Climate Steppe Steppe This climate provides enough rainfall to support pasture for sheep, goats, and camels. This climate provides enough rainfall to support pasture for sheep, goats, and camels.

Climate 2. Pastoralism, the raising and grazing of livestock, is a way of life for people who live in this steppe climate.

Climate Coastal and Highland Coastal and Highland Coastal and Highland areas near mountain ranges receive the most rainfall. Coastal and Highland areas near mountain ranges receive the most rainfall.

Climate Farmers in these areas can raise cereals. Farmers in these areas can raise cereals. Cereals: grains that are grown for food, such as wheat, oats, and barley.

Natural Resources A. Oil 1. 60% of the world’s oil comes from this region.

Natural Resources B. Copper C. Coal D. Phosphate Phosphate: A chemical used in fertilizers

Natural Resources E. Many other products like fruits, animals, and crops are bought and sold at a local suq, an enclosed marketplace in the region.

Religion Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Judaism, Christianity, and Islam monotheism: belief in one god. monotheism: belief in one god.

Religion Judaism is the oldest monotheistic faith. Judaism is the oldest monotheistic faith. Judaism teaches obedience to God’s laws, and their history is recorded in the Hebrew Bible. Judaism teaches obedience to God’s laws, and their history is recorded in the Hebrew Bible.

Religion Christianity follows the teaching of Jesus. Christianity follows the teaching of Jesus. Christian scriptures include the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. Christian scriptures include the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.

Religion Islam Islam According to the religion of Islam, Muhammad believed that he was a prophet of God. According to the religion of Islam, Muhammad believed that he was a prophet of God. Prophet: messenger of God. God.

Religion 2. A Muslim house of worship is a mosque.

Religion The Muslim holy book is the Quran.

Early Civilizations Sumerians Mesopotamia lies between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This is where the Sumerian civilization developed.

Early Civilizations Sumerians Sumerians progressed in the study of math and engineering. Sumerians progressed in the study of math and engineering. The Sumerian writing system is called cuneiform. It consists of wedge-shaped symbols written on clay tablets. The Sumerian writing system is called cuneiform. It consists of wedge-shaped symbols written on clay tablets.

Early Civilizations 4. The Phoenicians formed the basis for many modern alphabets.

Early Civilizations 5. One of the Persians’ greatest achievements was the building of qanats, or underground canals. These were necessary because water evaporated running above ground across the desert.

Early Civilizations Egyptians Egyptians This region’s farmers were the first to domesticate plants and animals. This region’s farmers were the first to domesticate plants and animals. Domesticate: Make plants and animals useful to people.

Early Civilizations The Egyptian civilization developed around the Nile River.

Early Civilizations 3. Egyptian Achievements a. 365-day calendar b. Pyramids c. Hieroglyphics: Picture writing system.