 The Middle East ◦ known as the crossroads of civilization

 Connects three major continents ◦ Africa, Asia and Europe  Central location ◦ Economic and cultural crossroads  Lack of natural barriers ◦ Encouraged cultural diffusion  Only a small strip of fertile land ◦ Between Saudi Arabia and Oman

 West to East: Countries of Morocco to Afghanistan  North to South: country of Turkey to the Arabian Peninsula

 Deserts cover 90% of the region

 Sahara Desert ◦ Land to sea winds (very dry) ◦ Coastal mountains- Atlas Mountains ◦ Near the equator-warm to hot temperature  Nile River Basin ◦ Includes Egypt and the Sudan

 Plateau that measures about 1/3 of the US  Surrounded by water on all three sides ◦ West: Red Sea ◦ South: Arabian Sea ◦ East: Persian Gulf

 Largest nation in the region is Saudi Arabia  Mostly desert- Arabian desert

 Source of area’s rivers  Iranian Plateau- covers most of Iran  Anatolian Plateau- covers most of Turkey

 Stretches from the Mediterranean Sea through the Tigris- Euphrates River Valley to the Persian Gulf

 Two main areas include: ◦ Mediterranean Area: Palestine, Syria ◦ Mesopotamia: Tigris and Euphrates River valley  Melting snow from nearby mountains ◦ causes flooding (destructive) ◦ deposits of silt (good for farming)