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Published byTerence Shaw Modified over 8 years ago
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The Middle East
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What is the Middle East? Term invented by Europeans Includes Southwest Asia and often North Africa (because of Islam and use of Arabic language)
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Crossroads of the World Connects 3 continents Asia, Europe, Africa Trade, ideas, inventions of many civilizations spread (i.e. alphabet, religion) Silk Road
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Today Strategic importance for military Vital sea routes Economy Oil
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1.Northern Tier 2.Arabian Peninsula 3.Fertile Crescent 4.Nile Valley 5.The Maghreb 5 Major Regions
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Northern Tier Turkey to Iran Mountains and plateaus Anatolian Plateau in Turkey: fertile soil, large population Iranian Plateau: dry, small population
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Arabian Peninsula Large Plateau Small Population: Lack of water Live around oasis (fertile desert area) Large amounts of oil Birthplace of Islam
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Fertile Crescent Between Mediterranean Sea and Persia Gulf Large pop. – Rich soil, abundant water Early civilizations Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
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Nile Valley Northeastern Africa Flooding of Nile predictable and dependable, unlike Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
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The Maghreb Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia “Western isle” Sahara Desert, Atlas Mountains Most live along coast where there is more rain
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Climate and Resources Nearly all the region is desert Adapt due to lack of water Building irrigation systems Desalination Animal-powered irrigation, Upper Egypt, circa 1840
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Climate and Resources Oil is the most valuable resource Unevenly distributed across Middle East Economic differences between oil-rich countries and those that lack oil
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Where The World’s Oil is Coming From
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What is an Arab? Anyone whose native language is Arabic Majority ethnic group Originally from Arabian Peninsula May Ziade (1886-1941) – writer for the Arabic newspapers, poet, author
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Major languages: Arabic Turkish Hebrew Kurdish Farsi Greek Armenian Languages
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Religions Islam Judaism Christianity
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Majority are Muslim (practice Islam) Most Arabs are Muslim There are non-Arabs who are also Muslim Large numbers of Christians in Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria Religious Diversity
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Other Ethnic Groups Turks, Iranians, Kurds Migrated to the Middle East from other parts of Asia Own language and traditions Azra Akın – Turkish model, Miss World 2002
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