1. Geography of the Middle East

2. Where is it? Southwest Asia North Africa Europe - (a bit of Turkey)

3. North Africa 1. Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya 2. Mostly Desert

4. Nile Valley 1.Egypt 2.Home to one of the earliest civilizations

5. Arabian Peninsula 1.Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait 2.Mostly Desert

6. Fertile Crescent: From Eastern Mediterranean to Tigris and Euphrates 1.Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria 2.Home to early civilization – Mesopotamia “Land Between the Rivers” 3.Rain in the east from rivers; Rain in the west from the Mediterranean

7. Northern Tier and Cyprus 1.Turkey, Iran and Cyprus 2.Mostly Mountains

8. Names of the Middle East 1. Middle East – Crossroads of 3 continents Asia, Africa and Europe 2. Near East – Near Europe 3. Arab World – Mostly Arab 4. Muslim World – Mostly Muslim

9. Oil A.60% of the world’s oil B.Saudi Arabia largest producer C.Iran, Iraq and Kuwait are also heavy producers

10. Three Monotheistic Religions 1.Judaism : 2.Christianity : 3.Islam :

11. Religions Islam 1.Most people follow this religion 2.Followers are called Muslims or Moslems 3.Holy City is Mecca

12. Judaism 1.Most followers are in the Nation of Israel 2.Followers are called Jews

13. Christianity 1.Most followers are in Egypt and Lebanon 2.Followers are called Christians

14. Cultural Diffusion -Three monotheistic religions went from the Middle East to the rest of the world -Arabic Numerals came from India to the Middle East

15. Four Strategic Highways 1. Strait of Gibraltar – connects Atlantic to Mediterranean

16. 2. Black Sea Straits – connects Black Sea with Mediterranean

17. 3. Suez Canal – connect Mediterranean Sea with Arabian Sea

18. 4. Strait of Hormuz – connects Persian Gulf with Arabian Sea

19. Climate A.Mostly Arid B.40% of the people farm 10% of the land C.Farmland in River Valleys and Coastal Plains

20. Ethnic Groups -Arab: largest -Kurd -Iranian