© 2008, TESCCC Southwest Asia and North Africa Physical Physical Aridity Aridity Oil OilCultural Culture Hearths Culture Hearths World Religions World Religions Conflict Conflict

© 2008, TESCCC Characteristics Population Population Scattered clusters around scarce water sources Scattered clusters around scarce water sources Regional Differences Regional Differences Oil and Non-oil states Oil and Non-oil states Political Geography Political Geography Fragmented Fragmented

© 2008, TESCCC Also Known As… Popular Labels Popular Labels Dry World Dry World Arab World Arab World Islamic World Islamic World Middle East Middle East

© 2008, TESCCC THE DRY WORLD ? Dry/arid climate prevails throughout the realm Dry/arid climate prevails throughout the realm Exceptions: Exceptions: Regions of Turkey Regions of Turkey Northwestern section of Iran Northwestern section of Iran Oases Oases Several great river valleys Several great river valleys

© 2008, TESCCC WATER - A RENEWABLE OR FINITE RESOURCE? 9 out of 14 Southwest Asian states face water-shortage conditions (the most concentrated region of water scarcity in the world). 9 out of 14 Southwest Asian states face water-shortage conditions (the most concentrated region of water scarcity in the world). The North African states all have rates of natural increase above 2.0%, increasing the stress on water sources. The North African states all have rates of natural increase above 2.0%, increasing the stress on water sources.

© 2008, TESCCC AN ARAB REALM ? Relates to language as a cultural feature of this realm Relates to language as a cultural feature of this realm Arabic is the dominant language in 16 States of the region. Arabic is the dominant language in 16 States of the region. In Non-Arab States, indigenous languages dominate. In Non-Arab States, indigenous languages dominate. - Turkey - Turkish - Iran – Farsi (Persian) - Israel - Hebrew

© 2008, TESCCC ISLAMIC REALM? Muhammed ( Ad) Muhammed ( Ad) Five Pillars Of Faith Five Pillars Of Faith Repeated Expressions Of Creed Repeated Expressions Of Creed Frequent Prayer Frequent Prayer Month Of Daytime Fasting (Ramadan) Month Of Daytime Fasting (Ramadan) Alms-giving Alms-giving Pilgrimage To Mecca Pilgrimage To Mecca Sunnis vs Shi’ites Sunnis vs Shi’ites Sunnis make up 85% of Muslims. Most Shi’ites live in Iran. Sunnis make up 85% of Muslims. Most Shi’ites live in Iran.

© 2008, TESCCC POPULATION DISTRIBUTION The majority of the population in this realm lives around water resources. The majority of the population in this realm lives around water resources. - The Nile - Mediterranean Sea - Euphrates and Tigris Basin - Lower mountain slopes of Iran, south of the Caspian Sea

© 2008, TESCCC THE MIDDLE EAST “Middle” of the Eastern realm- between the Far East (China) and the Near East (Turkey) “Middle” of the Eastern realm- between the Far East (China) and the Near East (Turkey) Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon Center of conflict between Christians, Jews, and Muslims Center of conflict between Christians, Jews, and Muslims Sunni – Shi’a conflict (within Iraq and throughout the region) Sunni – Shi’a conflict (within Iraq and throughout the region)

© 2008, TESCCC Fertile Crescent An area located in a crescent-shaped region between the Persian Gulf in the south and Israel in the west. An area located in a crescent-shaped region between the Persian Gulf in the south and Israel in the west. Center of human civilization and was the site of the ancient Mesopotamian Empire that developed along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Center of human civilization and was the site of the ancient Mesopotamian Empire that developed along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.