Economic & Political Characteristics of North Africa & the Middle East FrancisciWG.4

North Africa and the Middle East have great variation in standards of living. – Some countries are poverty- stricken countries (low per capita incomes and poor infrastructures). – Heavy reliance on primary economic activities such as agriculture or pastoralism. – Pastoralism: A way of life that depends on raising livestock and living of its milk and meat. – Some countries with oil reserves have high standards of living even though oil drilling is still a primary economic activity (Ex. United Arab Emirates).

The region is a major producer of the world’s oil. – Positive Effects: Brings income to the region. – Negative Effects: Great conflict over resources (ex. Iraq invading Kuwait).

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC): Economic alliance created in 1960 dedicated to the policy of controlling the production and sale of petroleum among member nations. – Majority of the members are located in the Middle East.

Oil is NOT the most precious resource in the Middle East. – WATER is the most precious resource. – Water is vital for socioeconomic growth, sustainability of the environment, and survival. – Populations in the Middle East are increasing along with water usage.

The region is the prime location for trade. – Suez Canal: Trade route that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea (important sea lanes). – The Suez Canal has enhanced shipping in the region.

Aswan Dam: One of the world’s largest dams on the Nile River in southern Egypt that controls the annual seasonal flooding of the Nile River. – Positive Effects: People along the river are no longer in danger of being killed by the floods. – Negative Effects: The river no longer floods the banks and therefore does not deposit alluvial soils along the banks – This has decreased crops due to a decrease in soil fertility.

People from outside the region come to the Middle East to work as guest workers. The region depends on tourism which is a service industry. – Because of political unrest and regional conflicts in this region, there is a decline in tourism.

Examples of Sites (actual location of a city): – Harbor Sites: Alexandria, Egypt; Istanbul, Turkey. – Hilltop Sites: Jerusalem, Israel. – Oasis Sites: Damascus, Syria.

Examples of Situation (relative location of a city): – Baghdad, Iraq: command of land between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. – Istanbul, Turkey: command of Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits and land bridge to Europe. – Mecca, Saudi Arabia: Pilgrimage point for Islam.