1. Geographic Understandings SS7G5 The student will locate selected features in Southwestern Asia (Middle East). a. Locate on a world and regional political- physical map: Euphrates River, Jordan River, Tigris River, Suez Canal, Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Gaza Strip.

2. Geography

3.  The Middle East is not a geographical region, like Africa, Asia, or Europe.  Geographically, it denotes an area in which Africa, Asia, and Europe interconnect.

6.  The 2 largest rivers in the Middle East.  What country do both run through?

14. b. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map the nations of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

15.  Largest country in the Arabian Peninsula  Bordered on two sides by bodies of water

16.  Iran is mountainous  One of the larger countries in the Middle East  Has access to the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea

17.  Iraq - has both the regions 2 largest rivers flowing through it.  What are those rivers?

18.  Landlocked Nation  Very mountainous  Numerous ethnic groups

19.  Borders Syria, Iran, and Iraq  Origin point of both the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

20.  Created by the UN in 1948 as a Jewish homeland  Bound by the Gaza Strip and West Bank  Separated from Jordan by the Jordan River

22. __ __ __ __ __ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RZu4tTp_0U&fea ture=player_detailpage

24. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZNxPRfZJnc&feature=player_d etailpage Building of Dams have caused major conflict between ME countries Why Build Dams, and why might this cause trouble?

25.  What is irrigation?  -The Process of ___________

27.  Qanats

30. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip3Q2VZv_Ks&feature=playe r_detailpage

33.  One of the most abundant natural resources in the ME is Oil!!!!!!  Explain the picture  Also have large Deposits of natural gas

34.  Although the Middle East is known for oil production, not all ME countries have abundant oil reserves

37.  OPEC – Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries  -they basically control the world’s oil prices

38.  …………… The difference in wealth has caused conflict amongst nations

40. SS7G7 The student will explain the impact of location, climate, physical characteristics, Distribution of natural resources and population distribution on Southwest Asia (Middle East). b. Describe how the deserts and rivers of Southwest Asia (Middle East) have affected the population in terms of where people live, the type of work they do, and how they travel.

42.  Climate – the type of weather a region has over a long period of time.  What type of climate does the Middle East have?

45.  Three major rivers:  Tigris  Euphrates  Jordan  Used for drinking water  Irrigation  Transportation  Serve as boundaries between countries

46.  Most of the people live in or around cities which are typically built along or around _____________  Some groups do live in the desert  Bedouins

47.  Desert Nomads

49.  Desert caravans used to be used. Today, there is not such a need because of the Suez Canal

50.  Subsistence Farming – growing small amounts of crops to take care of local needs  Why just small amounts?

53.  A group of people who share cultural ideas and beliefs that have been a part of their community for generations -language-physical appearance -religion -shared history -food -traditional stories

54.  A group of people who share a belief system in God or Gods, with a specific set of rituals and literature.  Example: Jews, Christians, Muslims  Very Important: Religious groups can be composed of more than 1 ethnic group!

56.  SW Asia/ Middle East is home to many different ethnic groups who share similar religions  The three most numerous ethnic groups in SW Asia are Arabs, Persians, and Kurds

58.  Arabs believe they are descendants of Abraham via Ishmael  Most Arabs practice Islam, therefore are Muslims  Speak Arabic

60.  Majority of Persians live in what is today Iran, but can be found scattered in other parts of the ME  Descended from Indo-Europeans from Central Europe and Southern Russia  Speak Farsi  Many practice Islam (Shia-about 15% of Muslims), some are Christian

62.  World’s largest ethnic group without a homeland  Live in the mountainous areas where Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq come together  Speak Kurdish  Most Kurds are Sunni Muslim(a small minority of Shia)  Have a distinct history, Lit., Music, traditions