Why is it called the Middle East?

Middle East The term does not have just one meaning! Europeans invented the term to describe the region that lies between Europe and distant parts of Asia-what was once called “the Far East”. Known as the “crossroads of the world” because it crosses three continents (Africa, Asia, and Europe). The “Middle East” is only “Middle” in relation to Europe.

Middle East often includes North Africa which has strong ties to Middle East. Religion of Islam and the use of the Arabic language make North Africa part of the cultural region known as the Muslim world.

Location: Traders and Invaders Location: Traders and Invaders! Middle East historically a meeting ground for people. Hot bed of cultural diffusion. Center from which ideas have spread around the world. Geographic Factors: Scarcity of Water Middle East Yet bordered by Water! Seas: Mediterranean, Black, Caspian, Red & Arabian also Persian Gulf, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman 5 Major Regions: Northern Tier, Arabian Peninsula, Maghreb (ma-greb) Nile Valley & Fertile Crescent Religion! Birthplace of Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Fertile Crescent Arc-shaped region that stretches from eastern Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf Rich soil and abundant water, especially in the Tigris-Euphrates Valley made it a major population center. Center of Early civilization, region called the “cradle of civilization.” Has few natural barriers from invaders.

Fertile Crescent

Fertile Crescent One of the wealthiest settlements lay in Mesopotamia, Greek name given the region by Alexander the Great, which means the “land between the rivers” Area of the Tigris–Euphrates river system, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey and southwestern Iran.

Northern Tier Fertile Crescent Maghreb Nile Valley Arabian Peninsula

The Maghreb: Arab term meaning “western isle”, or “place where the sun sets” lies along the Med. & Atlantic Ocean. Modern definition of the Maghreb includes nations of: Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.

Geographic Features BIG IDEA Lack of Rainfall and scarcity of water have shaped the cultures of the Middle East (most region is desert such as Maghreb or mountainous such as Northern Tier) People cluster in well-watered areas along coasts, river valleys (Nile Valley, Fertile Crescent) Less than 10% of land receives enough water to make farming possible Arabian Peninsula: Small population due to lack of water, birthplace of Islam, holy city of Mecca.

Fresh Water from Salty Seas Black Gold = Oil White Gold = Water Desalination: to remove the salt from something Constant water shortage plague the nations of the Arabian Peninsula and most of Middle East Desalination plants-pull water from Red Sea and Persian Gulf then convert it!

Oil-most valuable resource in region Oil-most valuable resource in region. Led to formation of OPEC: Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela founding members, 12 countries in all today). Source: OPEC website

OPEC Formed in 1960, countries determined to control their own destinies by controlling the price of oil. Members wanted to end power of western oil companies over oil prices. OPEC members determine how much oil to produce, what price to sell it. World Demand for oil = OPEC power

United States Oil Imports map courtesy: Energy Information Administration January 2006 Chart depicts the sources of American oil imports. The United States gets about 45% of its oil from the Middle East and North Africa. These regions hold over two thirds of the oil reserves worldwide.

Oil What is the Core U.S. Interest in the Middle East? Oil!! How do you get a reliable supply of oil at a predicable price? Political Stability in Countries and the Region that Oil comes from Need Reliable Allies! (Countries that have oil and are friendly)

Top Oil Producing Countries Thousand Barrels per day (2013) Saudi Arabia 12.0 Russia 11.0 United States 8.9 Iran 4.8 China 4.5 Canada 3.45 Iraq 3.75 United Arab Emirates 3.3 Mexico 3.26 Kuwait 2.9

Oil one reason for dislike of U.S. Other reasons… U.S. intervention into Middle East affairs seen as a reason for not liking the U.S. U.S. support of Israel Western culture undermines Islamic values