1. The Middle East
Unit 7

2. The Cultural Geography of the Middle East
ch. 22

3. Cultural Geography of the Middle East
The broad ethnic diversity of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia stems from several early civilizations and three major world religions that evolved in the region.
Later control by outside powers and the nationalistic movements that followed have strengthened this diversity. As a result, the region experiences cultural and political challenges today.

4. What're you lookin at?

5. Many Peoples
This region has been a crossroads for three continents, and the movement and interaction among peoples created great ethnic diversity
Arabs
Most of the region's people are Arabs who follow Islam
They form the majority of the populations of North Africa, Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan
Israelis
About 6.1 million people in the region are Israelis living in Israel (82% Jewish)
The majority Jewish population of Israel and their Arab neighbors have experienced much conflict over land, especially related to Palestinian refugees

6. Turks Iranians & Afghanis Caucasian Peoples
Descendents of ancient Turkic peoples who migrated to Anatolia from Central Asia
Most practice Islam
Culture blend Turkish, Islamic, & western elements
Iranians & Afghanis
Iran is home to 66 million people
Speak Farsi
Afghanistan is made up of many groups that practice Islam
Caucasian Peoples
Caucasus region is home to many ethnic groups
Most are Armenian/Georgian
Christian culture
Independent after the breakup of the Soviet Union
Turkic Peoples
Populate the republics of central Asia
Uzbeks, Kazaks, & Tajiks
Most are Muslim
Speak Turkic language
Kurds
Common language & culture
Live in areas that surround the borders shared by Turkey, Iraq, Syria, & the Caucasian republics

8. Population & Resources
Conflicts over water, rapid population growth, and urbanization all create pressures for governments in the region
Control of Vital Resources
Water has been a major issue in border disputes
Israel & Syria
Population Growth
Population is growing rapidly
Unemployment causes a steady flood of migration to other countries
Urbanization
Population density is greatest in urban areas
Istanbul, Cairo, Tehran, Baghdad
Living standards are low

10. Prehistoric Peoples
Early peoples in the region were among the first to domesticate plants and animals

11. Mesopotamia Egypt The Sumerian civilization arose in Mesopotamia
Between the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers
Sumerians used irrigation for farming & made advances in mathematics & engineering
Kept records, & developed writing system
Egypt
Developed along the Nile Valley
Developed irrigation for farming
Developed a calendar with 365 days
Built pyramids, & invented hieroglyphics for writing

13. Later empires made important inventions and developed trade routes
Empires & Trade
Later empires made important inventions and developed trade routes
Empires
The Phoenicians developed the basis for alphabets
The Persian Empire stretched from Egypt to C. Asia
Irrigated their crops with underground canals
Trade
The Silk Road was an overland trade route from China to the Mediterranean Sea
Invaders
In the 1200s nomadic Mongols led by Genghis Kahn invaded C. Asia
1st caused destruction, but later introduced paper money & safer trade routes

14. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam each originated in the region
Three Major Religions
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam each originated in the region
Judaism
Oldest monotheistic faith
Trace religion to ancient Israelites, Jerusalem is their religious center
Jews settled other areas & took religion with them
Christianity
Developed from Judaism
Based on the teachings of Jesus from Nazareth
Spread throughout the Mediterranean world into Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, & the S. Pacific
Islam
Belief in one God
Mohammed is the last of a series of great prophets
By the 800s had spread to Asia, N. Africa, & Europe

16. The Modern Era Independence Arab-Israeli Conflict
After various empires, invasions, and rule by western European powers, independent states arose in the region during the 1900s.
Most countries are Arab, but Israel is one of the exceptions.
Arab-Israeli Conflict
There has been much conflict between Israel and Arab countries
Arab opposition to Israel led to conflict in the region in the region
By 1967 Israel controlled Palestinian areas

18. Israelis & Palestinians
today conflicts created by the disagreements between Israel and the Palestinians dominates the landscape
Many Palestinians are forced to live as refugees
Want to set up their own state in the West Bank & the Gaza Strip
War in Afghanistan
2001: American & British warplanes bombed targets in Afghanistan to uproot Osama bin Laden’s terrorist network and the Taliban
Afghanistan has become the target of an international fight against terrorism
Border Conflicts
Nationalistic and border conflicts create challenges for the region's governments Afghanistan has become the target of an international fight against terrorism
Today’s Governments
8 countries are democracies
The rest are democratic, but they range from parliamentary to military dictatorships

20. Religion has both united and divided the region's peoples
Unity within their own religions
Divisions between the major religions

21. Languages
Islam and the Arabic language unite the majority, but other religions and languages occur throughout the region
Arabic is the region’s main language
Other languages include:
Hebrew in Israel
Berber in southern Morocco & Algeria
Turkish in Turkey
Farsi in Iran
People in Central Asia speak various Turkic languages

23. The Arts
Art, architecture, and literature reveal the influences of religion as well as nationalism
Impressive palaces & temples
Muslim mosques
geometric floral designs
Poems & Epics
Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam
The Thousand & one Nights
Collection of Arab, Indian, & Persian stories
Modern literature includes novels & poems with themes of nationalism and conflict between tradition and modernism

25. Everyday Life Home & Community Standards of Living
In their daily life, people maintain important cultural traditions
travel, trade, and the Internet are changing lifestyles
Standards of Living
Countries whose economies are based on oil production and trade are prosperous
People in developing countries do not have access to basic necessities
Education & Health Care
Most of the youth attend high school
Some attend universities
Literacy rates in the region vary but are improving
educational opportunities and health care, vary depending on a country's economy.
Celebrations & Leisure Time
Religious holidays and leisure time activities are generally enjoyed with families
In some societies the lives of women are restricted greatly

26. Schools in the Middle East