North Africa and Southwest Asia (Middle East)

Leading countries according to GDP Kuwait Kuwait United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Qatar Qatar Israel Israel

Leading countries according to Land size Algeria Algeria Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Libya Libya

Leading countries according to population Iran Iran Turkey Turkey Egypt Egypt

Physical Characteristics Area is the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia Area is the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia It has a primarily desert or semi-arid climate It has a primarily desert or semi-arid climate Sahara, Sahel, and steppes are the primary vegetation region Sahara, Sahel, and steppes are the primary vegetation region

Sahara--world’s largest desert, it stretches over most of North Africa and is growing Sahara--world’s largest desert, it stretches over most of North Africa and is growing Sahel--area separating the Sahara from the tropical rainforest of Africa. Sahel--area separating the Sahara from the tropical rainforest of Africa.

The Sahel is an area of temperate grassland (steppe) moving into sparse desert scrub-like vegetation The Sahel is an area of temperate grassland (steppe) moving into sparse desert scrub-like vegetation

Three main mountain ranges Three main mountain ranges 1. Atlas Mountains in northern Algeria and Morocco 1. Atlas Mountains in northern Algeria and Morocco 2. Taurus Mountains in southern Turkey 2. Taurus Mountains in southern Turkey 3. Zagros Mountains in western Iran 3. Zagros Mountains in western Iran

Even though this is a dry area, water plays a very large role Even though this is a dry area, water plays a very large role There are several large bodies of water which play a major role in world politics There are several large bodies of water which play a major role in world politics

Examples : Examples : Persian Gulf/Arabian Gulf Persian Gulf/Arabian Gulf Strait of Hormuz Strait of Hormuz Arabian Sea Arabian Sea Red Sea Red Sea

Other important bodies of water Other important bodies of water Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Nile River (longest in the world), Tigris and Euphrates (home to the world’s first civilization) and the Jordan River Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Nile River (longest in the world), Tigris and Euphrates (home to the world’s first civilization) and the Jordan River

Seasonal flooding--several of the rivers flood regularly (Nile) which deposit rich alluvial soil for farming Seasonal flooding--several of the rivers flood regularly (Nile) which deposit rich alluvial soil for farming

The desert regions are home to many oases (a place where fresh water makes it possible for life to exist in a dry area) The desert regions are home to many oases (a place where fresh water makes it possible for life to exist in a dry area)

Economic Characteristics The area has a heavy reliance on primary economic activities such as oil drilling, agriculture and herding/grazing The area has a heavy reliance on primary economic activities such as oil drilling, agriculture and herding/grazing

The area is the home of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries The area is the home of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Major producers of the world’s oil Major producers of the world’s oil Provide large oil revenues Provide large oil revenues

Positive effects--jobs, revenue, position of power Positive effects--jobs, revenue, position of power Negative effects--reliance on one industry, pollution, unequal distribution of wealth Negative effects--reliance on one industry, pollution, unequal distribution of wealth

Water is the region’s MOST PRECIOUS resource Water is the region’s MOST PRECIOUS resource Aswan High Dam has had positive and negative effects on the region. Aswan High Dam has had positive and negative effects on the region. Suez Canal enhanced shipping routes in the region Suez Canal enhanced shipping routes in the region

Positive effects of the Aswan High dam Positive effects of the Aswan High dam Controls flooding, recreation areas, power Controls flooding, recreation areas, power Negative effects of the Aswan high Dam Negative effects of the Aswan high Dam land losing fertility, lost homes when dam built, land losing fertility, lost homes when dam built,

There is a great variation in the standard of living in the region. There is a great variation in the standard of living in the region. It ranges from the relatively high to the poverty stricken. It ranges from the relatively high to the poverty stricken.

Trade has been important to the region from the earliest time. Trade has been important to the region from the earliest time. Today regional conflicts and political unrest have affected trade and tourism Today regional conflicts and political unrest have affected trade and tourism

Cultural Characteristics The area has experienced rapid urbanization The area has experienced rapid urbanization Most modernization has centered around urban areas and more traditional life has continued in the rural areas Most modernization has centered around urban areas and more traditional life has continued in the rural areas

Large percentage of the population is under the age of 15 due to conflict, disease, and the hardships associated with the region. Large percentage of the population is under the age of 15 due to conflict, disease, and the hardships associated with the region. The population is generally unevenly distributed due to the environment and resources The population is generally unevenly distributed due to the environment and resources

All but three of the countries are Arab nations and they use the Arabic language. All but three of the countries are Arab nations and they use the Arabic language. Turkey, Iran and Israel are the non-Arab countries Turkey, Iran and Israel are the non-Arab countries

North Africa and Southwest Asia are the birthplace to three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. North Africa and Southwest Asia are the birthplace to three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. All three claim similar holy places and the dominant group has changed over the years. All three claim similar holy places and the dominant group has changed over the years.

Since 1949, the region has been in conflict over the area known as PALESTINE. This area is present day Israel. Since 1949, the region has been in conflict over the area known as PALESTINE. This area is present day Israel.

Much of the region has a nomadic lifestyle Much of the region has a nomadic lifestyle NOMADIC-to wander from place to place behind a food source or for other reasons NOMADIC-to wander from place to place behind a food source or for other reasons

The art of the region reflects the diversity of the religions; The art of the region reflects the diversity of the religions; stained glass, geometric tiles, calligraphy, mosaics, and prayer rugs stained glass, geometric tiles, calligraphy, mosaics, and prayer rugs

Cities as centers of trade and culture Baghdad, Iraq Baghdad, Iraq Cairo, Egypt Cairo, Egypt Istanbul, Turkey Istanbul, Turkey Jerusalem, Israel Jerusalem, Israel Mecca, Saudi Arabia Mecca, Saudi Arabia Tehran, Iran Tehran, Iran

Cultural Landscape Mosques, minarets Mosques, minarets Church of the Holy Sepulcher Church of the Holy Sepulcher bazaars bazaars Western Wall (of Jerusalem) Western Wall (of Jerusalem)

Dome of the Rock Dome of the Rock Kaaba Kaaba Pyramids Pyramids Oil rigs Oil rigs walled cities walled cities

Sahara desert

Oasis

Stained Glass/Mosaics

Prayer Rugs

Oil Rigs

Kaaba

Dome of the Rock

Hagia Sophia

Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Pyramids

Western Wall