Geography of the Middle East

Where is it? Southwest Asia North Africa Europe - (a bit of Turkey)

North Africa 1. Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya 2. Mostly Desert

Nile Valley 1.Egypt 2.Home to one of the earliest civilizations

Arabian Peninsula 1.Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait 2.Mostly Desert

Fertile Crescent: From Eastern Mediterranean to Tigris and Euphrates 1.Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria 2.Home to early civilization – Mesopotamia “Land Between the Rivers” 3.Rain in the east from rivers; Rain in the west from the Mediterranean

Northern Tier and Cyprus 1.Turkey, Iran and Cyprus 2.Mostly Mountains

Names of the Middle East 1. Middle East – Crossroads of 3 continents Asia, Africa and Europe 2. Near East – Near Europe 3. Arab World – Mostly Arab 4. Muslim World – Mostly Muslim

Oil A.60% of the world’s oil B.Saudi Arabia largest producer C.Iran, Iraq and Kuwait are also heavy producers

Three Monotheistic Religions 1.Judaism : 2.Christianity : 3.Islam :

Religions Islam 1.Most people follow this religion 2.Followers are called Muslims or Moslems 3.Holy City is Mecca

Judaism 1.Most followers are in the Nation of Israel 2.Followers are called Jews

Christianity 1.Most followers are in Egypt and Lebanon 2.Followers are called Christians

Cultural Diffusion -Three monotheistic religions went from the Middle East to the rest of the world -Arabic Numerals came from India to the Middle East

Four Strategic Highways 1. Strait of Gibraltar – connects Atlantic to Mediterranean

2. Black Sea Straits – connects Black Sea with Mediterranean

3. Suez Canal – connect Mediterranean Sea with Arabian Sea

4. Strait of Hormuz – connects Persian Gulf with Arabian Sea

Climate A.Mostly Arid B.40% of the people farm 10% of the land C.Farmland in River Valleys and Coastal Plains

Ethnic Groups -Arab: largest -Kurd -Iranian