1. Middle East Cultural
Characteristics

2. There were intense feelings of
nationalism among the Jewish
people living in Palestine prior to
1948 that helped lead to the creation
of the country Israel.

3. Israel became a country in 1948.
This land was known as Palestine.
There is still conflict over this land.

4. The area known as the West Bank and
The Gaza Strip are where most of the
Arab Palestinians live today. This is
often referred to as the Occupied
Territories.

5. The area known as the Golan
Heights is a disputed area
between Israel and Syria.

6. The Middle East is the birthplace
of three major monotheistic
religions.
Monotheistic = belief in one God
1. Judaism
2. Islam
3. Christianity

7. The way of life differs greatly in urban
areas as opposed to rural areas.
Urban Areas
Rural Areas
Modernization
Traditional Life

8. The population is made up a large
percentage of people 15 years of age
or younger. Therefore, the population
pyramid has a wide base and is shaped
like a triangle or pyramid.

9. Many of the people living in rural
areas live nomadic lifestyles.
YURTS!

10. ARABIC The main ethnic group in the Middle
East is Arab. What is the language
spoken by the Arabs?
ARABIC

11. Non-Arab countries in the Middle
East include Turkey, Iran, and
Israel.
Turkey – Turkish
Iran – Farsi
Israel - Hebrew

12. A political organization of over 20 Arab Nations.
League of Arab States
Serve the common good of all Arab countries.
Ensure better conditions for all Arab countries.
Guarantee the future of all Arab countries.
Fulfill the hopes and expectations of all Arab countries

13. The art of the region reflects the diversity of religions
Stained Glass Geometric Tiles Calligraphy
(Christianity)
(Islam)
(Islam)
Mosaics
Prayer Rug
(Islam)
(Islam)

14. Architectural structures include:
Minaret
Mosque and minarets

15. Church

16. Synagogue

17. Kaaba – Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Statues and Monuments of the region include:
Kaaba – Mecca, Saudi Arabia

18. Hagia Sophia – Istanbul, Turkey

19. Bazaars(suqs or sooks) Oil Rigs

20. Western Wall – Jerusalem, Israel

21. Dome of the Rock – Jerusalem, Israel

22. Church of the Holy Sepulcher – Jerusalem, Israel