1. North Africa, Southwest, and Central Asia

2. North Africa, SW and Central Asia

3. Physical Geography Lots of peninsulas and seas
Rivers provide irrigation to crop land
Movement of tectonic plates has caused mountains to form, and earthquakes to take place
Lots of oil and natural gas
4 climate regions: desert, steppe, Mediterranean, highlands
Rainfall and natural vegetation varies widely

4. Population Patterns Very diverse ethnicities
Most people live on coast or river valleys
Overcrowding in cities has increased pollution

5. History and Government
2 of the earliest civilizations arose in Mesopotamia and the Nile River Valley
3 of the world’s religions trace their origins t o Southwest Asia: Judaism, Christianity, Islam

6. Culture and Lifestyles
Islam and Arabic languages have been unifying forces in the area
Other major languages: Hebrew, Berber, Greek, and various Turkic languages
History of culture can be seen through the art and architecture of the area
Tradition especially religious observance plays an important role in everyday life

7. Living in the Region today
A lot of people work in agriculture
Oil-producing countries have experienced greater economic growth than other countries
Advanced transportation and communication have helped connect the region with one another and the world
Interdependence is increasing among the countries

8. The Environment
People have had to modify the environment to meet their needs
New technology and destructive wars have subjected the regions environment to stress
People are working to revive areas damaged by past events