Physical Landscape and The People The Middle East Physical Landscape and The People

Physical Middle East Also known as “Southwest Asia” Sometimes also includes North Africa Islam Arabic language Oil

Physical Middle East

Physical Middle East A crossroads of civilization Africa, Asia, and Europe are connected through trade routes Migrating people spread ideas, inventions, etc. Culture originating in the Middle East Iron making Alphabet Judaism, Christianity, Islam

Physical Middle East

Physical Middle East The Middle East is also important to the world for economic reasons Control of important sea routes Control of large oil reserves

Major Regions Five major regions Northern Tier Arabian Peninsula Fertile Crescent Nile Valley The Maghreb

Major Regions Northern Tier Turkey to Iran (pg. 552) Mountains and plateaus Diverse: Anatolian Plateau in Turkey: fertile soil, large population Iranian Plateau: dry, small population

Major Regions Arabian Peninsula Large plateau Largest country: Saudi Arabia Small population: Lack of water Oasis: fertile desert area that has enough water to support life Large amounts of oil Birthplace of Islam

Major Regions Fertile Crescent Eastern Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf Rich soil, abundant water Major population center Hotspot for early civilizations Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Major Regions Nile Valley Important historical connections between the people of Egypt and the people of the Fertile Crescent Judaism

Climate and Resources Nearly all of the region is desert Lack of water caused some adaptations Building of irrigation systems Desalination: taking the salt out of sea water to make it drinkable

Climate and Resources Oil Most valuable resource in the Middle East Problem: unevenly distributed

The People Ethnic diversity Arab: anyone whose native language is Arabic Majority of people in Middle East are Arab Turks, Iranians, Kurds

The People Religious Diversity Islam is the majority religion Most Arabs are Muslim Christianity, Judaism Judaism is the most ancient of the three religions from the region

Review The Middle East is a crossroads Five Major Regions: Northern Tier, Arabian Peninsula, Fertile Crescent, Nile Valley, The Maghreb Resources: Oil Vocabulary: Southwest Asia, oasis, desalination, Arab,