World Studies

The term “Middle East” was based on the location of Europe (Eurocentric) The Middle East was in between Europe and the Far East (China, Japan) Southwest Asia puts Asia at the center and not Europe.

Europe Far East Middle East

Southwest Asia Saudi Arabia Iraq Iran Turkey Jordan Syria Lebanon Kuwait/ UAE/ Qatar/Bahrain Yemen/ Oman Israel Palestinian Territories

This region connects 3 continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. Many major bodies of water also surround the region, making it important for transport and trade.

The dominant language throughout the region (both SW Asia and Northern Africa) is Arabic. 280 million native speakers Exception 1: Farsi in Iran. Exception 2: Hebrew in Israel

Review: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all began in SW Asia. Today, the dominant religion in the region is Islam. Two major branches of Islam: Sunni (80-90%) Dominant in most countries Shi’ite (10-20%) Dominant in Iran/ Iraq Exception: Judaism in Israel/ Christianity throughout the region.

Arabs (Air-Rub not A-Rab) Who is an Arab? 1.) Native Arabic speaker 2.)Comes from an Arab speaking country Turks (Turkey) Kurds (Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey) Iranians (Iran) Jews (Israel)

Burj Khalifa in DubaiMecca in Saudi Arabia

The City of JerusalemOil in Saudi Arabia

1. Background info on SW Asia (Week 21) 2. Religious stereotypes, focusing on Islam (Weeks 22/23) 3. The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict (Weeks 23/24)

Modern day Turkey and Iran Mountains and plateaus Anatolian Plateau (Turkey): Fertile soil, adequate precipitation allows for large population Iranian Plateau (Iran): Dry, small population

Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Qatar, U.A.E. Covered in desert (Rub Al- Khali) Surrounded by important bodies of water. Small population Large amounts of oil lay beneath the surface= $$$

Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel. Tigris and Euphrates rivers create rich soils that sustain large populations Home of the earliest civilizations

Egypt People live along the Nile due to abundance of fresh water and fertile soil. The rest of Egypt is desert and sparsely inhabited. Sinai Pen. Med. Sea Red Sea

Northern Africa, inc. Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco. Sahara desert, Atlas mts. Major cities on the Mediterranean coast.