1. Benchmark Study Guide

2. What is happening to the Aral Sea

3. Formerly one of the four largest lakes in the world with the Aral Sea has been steadily shrinking since the 1960s after the rivers that fed it were diverted by Soviet irrigation projects.

4. What City in Israel is regarded as a holy city by many major religions?

5. Jerusalem is a holy city for many religions such as –Judaism –Islam –Christianity Dome of the rock Islam Western Wall Judaism Calvary Hill Christianity

6. What does OPEC stand for and what is its purpose

7. OPEC stands for Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries OPEC’s job is to control worldwide oil prices OPEC’s headquarters Geneva, Switzerland

8. Where is the Sahara Located?

9. The Sahara desert is located in northern Africa. The Sahara desert is so big it has limted travel and diffusion of culture from Northern to Central and South Africa.

10. Where is Desertification taking Place?

11. Desertification is taking place in the area directly south of the Sahara desert known as the Sahel

12. Describe Siberia why are there no settlements or vey limited industry there

13. Siberia is a area in Russia that has mostly a Tundra Climate. It has very harsh winters with very few vegetation. This has made the settlement of Siberia very difficult.

14. What is a Theocracy What countries in the middle east have it?

15. A theocracy is a government that is ruled by a religious leader. This is usually found in the middle east. Examples of this is Iran and Saudi Arabia.

16. Describe the Conflict in Israel. Who is fighting? What are they fighting over?

17. Israel is a Jewish controlled state. Both Jewish people and Muslims (Palestinians) claim control of the land of Israel and are still fighting over it today.

18. Why is there a abundance of African Culture in Brazil

19. Many African Slaves were transported there from 1650-1860

20. Positives and Negative Effects of constructioning a nuclear power plant

21. Positive more efficient energy production Cheap Power Negative Disposal of nuclear waste is a major problem A major leak or explosion can damage human life and the environment

22. Saudi Arabia is famous around the world for two things. What are they

23. Saudia is famous for their production of oil and being their Religion. Mecca and Medina Islamic holy cities are located there

24. Explain the EU (European Union)

25. The EU is a unique economic and political partnership between 28 European countries The EU promotes economic growth and protection of human rights throughout the continent of Europe. They created one single currency known as the Euro

26. Explain the reason for frequent changes in political organizations in Africa today?

27. The Berlin Conference of 1884 divided up Africa. It grouped ethnic groups together that did not get along. Also all the natural resources went strait back to Europe so this caused Africa to struggled financially and political for many years. This also led to many civil wars.

28. How do people in the middle eastern desserts survive?

29. They are nomadic. They travel from place to place searching for a source of water or food. They also utilize camels as they can go for longer periods of time without water.

30. How are North Africa and the Middle East Similar

31. Northern Africa is Islamic due to the spreading of Islam from the middle east. They also speak Arabic

32. Where are monsoon ss located

33. India

34. Define Stateless Nation

35. A ethnic group without land to legally occupy –Kurds –Palestinians in Israel

36. Factors to a country having a high standard of living Low infant mortality rate Long life expectancy Low death rate High literacy rate

37. Where did Islam Begin and where did it spread

38. It began in Saudi Arabia and spread throughout the middle east and Africa.

39. What happened to Russia from 1960-1990

40. They were communist and the people had no rights or privileges. They were in a cold war with the United States until 1991 with eh fall of the Soviet Union

41. What is the barrier between Europe and Asia

42. Ural Mountains