1. Southwest Asia
Introduction

2. How much smaller is Southwest Asia than the U.S.?
About 500,000 square miles

3. How do the populations compare?
Nearly the same

4. Therefore what can you say about the population density of SW Asia and the U.S.?
Nearly the same

5. What sea is north of Turkey?
What gulfs separate Saudi Arabia and Iran?

6. Middle East
You may have heard SW Asia referred to a the Middle East. This term began in Britain and shows a Western European bias or view.
It is used to distinguish the regions of Asia. The Far East being China, Japan and Indochina.
These regions are only east in that they are east of Western Europe

7. After World War II, the nation of Israel was created in 1948
After World War II, the nation of Israel was created in The Jewish people had been asking for a nation of their own long before this time. Why do you think they received their own nation in 1948?

8. This region has been in conflict ever since Israel was created
This region has been in conflict ever since Israel was created. On the map of 1948, who occupied the land that is color coded orange? Red?

9. What new areas did Israel occupy in 1967?

10. Israel today is smaller than in 1967 but larger than in 1948
Israel today is smaller than in 1967 but larger than in What nation is in possession of the Sinai Peninsula today? Why is this territory important?

11. How do you think Israel has survived among powerful Arab states?

12. What is the largest country in SW Asia?

13. What is the major ethnic group?

14. What area has holy places for three major religions
What area has holy places for three major religions? Why might the location of these places be a problem?

15. What is the main economic activity?
Nomadic herding

16. What does that suggest about the land and the people on it?
A lot of open areas with little population