The Eastern Mediterranean

Palestine and Modern Israel Zionism was established in the late 1800’s. After World War I Jews moved to Palestine. Today Jews make up 80% of Israel’s population. In 1947 the UN voted to divide Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria invaded Israel.

Palestine and Modern Israel In 1967 Israel gained land west of the Jordan River (West Bank), the Gaza Strip, and a small amount of land on the Mediterranean Coast. Thousands of Jews have moved form the West Bank to the Gaza Strip. Israelis took the Golan Heights from Syria in In Israel, troops guard the Jordan River, a very important water source.

Economic Development: Turkey Turkey is the second most developed industry. Earthquakes interrupt economic growth. Political Conflict is a big problem. It has modern urban factories and small sale industries.

Israel economy is based on agriculture. Israel is the most developed technological country in the Eastern Mediterranean. Polished diamonds are Israel’s leading export. Tourism is high in Bethlehem and Jerusalem for the religious sites. Economic Development: Israel

Palestinians live as refugees in Jordan. Population increase strains its resources It has an undeveloped economy and high unemployment They have a lack of resources, a weak educational system, and undeveloped technology. Economic Development: Jordan and Syria

Urban Environments in Eastern Mediterranean Population –The houses of the eastern Mediterranean are small and cramped because of population –Traffic congestion and smog keep getting worse each year

Damascus, Syria –Damascus, Syria is probably the oldest city in the world Urban Environments in Eastern Mediterranean

Souks –Souks are open air markets in the Arab world –Souks are common in the older cities Urban Environments in Eastern Mediterranean

New an Old Parts of the Cities –Usually, the newer parts of the city surround the older parts –Most service oriented businesses and government offices are in the newer parts Urban Environments in Eastern Mediterranean

Beirut –Beirut has been damaged by war –Lebanon’s government has worked hard to rebuild its center –It was built into a thriving and modern commercial zone Urban Environments in Eastern Mediterranean

The PLO wants Palestine to have control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Kurds say that Turkeys government treats them unfairly. The Turkish government has limited the religious freedom of Muslims. Issues and Challenges

In 1975 the Greeks and Turks started a feud that lasted 15 years. Overgrazing has damaged semiarid grasslands in parts of Jordan and Syria. Issues and Challenges