Middle East Why is it important to study the Middle East? Does anything surprise you?

Middle East? or Near East? or Southwest Asia? “Middle East” – term given to region by Europeans for its location between Europe and what they considered the “Far East” (East Asia) The Middle East is the only region in the world that encompasses 3 continents Things to Keep in Mind: – Religion plays a big role in the region. – The geography, climate and resources dictate where people can grow crops and live.

Geography Middle East = 3 million sq. miles Population = 200+ million Total area is slightly smaller than the U.S. 90% of the land is NOT suitable for farming Striking features: Lack of water Poor soil quality Extreme temps Most people live along the coasts, mountain valleys, river valleys, and oases (fertile areas)

Fresh Groundwater Sources

The Middle East vs. the U. S. Latitude Lines

Geography Continued The region is made up of diverse countries with different laws, government systems, resources and people. Bahrain Cyprus Egypt Iran Iraq Israel Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Palestinian territories Qatar Saudi Arabia Syria Turkey United Arab Emirates Yemen

Mountain Ranges in Mid-East Elburz Mts., Iran Zagros Mts., Iran Lebanese Mts. Taurus Mts., Turkey

Languages 5 Most Common Languages – Arabic – Persian – Turkish – Berber – Kurdish

THE MIDDLE EAST?

Dubai

Palm Island

Burj Al Arab Built on an artificial island. Cost: USD $ 650 million Considered by some to be the world’s only 7 star hotel. A look at Dubai Another look at Dubai

Important Sites

Mesopotamia: ”Land Between the Two Rivers” Marsh Arabs, So. Iraq The Tigris & Euphrates River System

Dead Sea VIDEO: ABC Can the Dead Sea be Saved? Lowest point on the Earth. 1388’ below sea level Very high salt content.

Rub al-Khali: “The Empty Quarter” 400,000 sq. miles  one of the driest places on earth Less than 4 inches of rain yearly VIDEO: The Empty Quarter

The Fertile Crescent Named for semicircular shape and heavier rainfall Historic region  place where many ancient civilizations began.

Kuwait: An Island Floating on a Sea of Oil Kuwait City

Religions Main Religions: – Islam – Judaism – Christianity Minority Religions: – Baha'i – Zoroastrian

Clothing

Cuisine Hummus Falafel (deep-fried chickpea dough.) Pita Bread Dishes use a lot of mint, olive oil, honey, chickpeas, parsley, wheat and rice.

Things You Can’t Do in Some Places in the Middle East Kiss the opposite gender in public. Smile at women you don’t know. Show skin above the knees or show shoulders. Sit in the passenger seat (if you are a woman.) Make extended eye contact with people of the opposite gender. Drive (if you are a woman.) Eating in public during Ramadan.

Things You Should Do that Might Seem Weird Kiss your friends of the same gender on the cheek when greeting. Haggle for the best price. Shake an elbow. (Older men may offer an elbow to shake to a woman they don’t know well.) Call your friend’s parents “Mother/Father of ________.” Greet elders first. Never refuse any kind of hospitality.

Entertainment Night Clubs Soccer Shopping Malls Music

The Natural Resources of the Middle East

Religion, Oil, Conflict 3 key facts are at the crux of current turmoil: This region is the birthplace of the three major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam All claim spirit or actual descent from Abraham and regard Jerusalem as a Holy city Muslims are divided into Sunni and Shiite “branches” which do not agree Corrupt Governments in many countries deny their citizens of freedoms and prosperity OIL - First discovered in Persia in 1908  the Middle East contains 3/5 of the world’s known oil reserves **Since the dawn of civilization the area has been conquered and lost countless times.

Saudi Oil Fields & Refineries

Questions: Why is it important to study the Middle East? Does anything surprise you?