1. Human Geography of Southwest Asia Religion, Politics & Oil

2. “Cradle of Civilization” The Fertile Crescent was home to some of the world’s first cities and civilizations. Babylon Sumerians Akkadians Persians Assyrians

4. FounderWhen?Holy BookFollowers Judaism Abraham1800 B.C.E.TorahJews Christianity Jesus2000 years ago BibleChristians Islam Muhammad610 C.E.Qur’anMuslims Birthplace of 3 Major Religions

5. Complete the essay outline comparing and contrasting Islam, Christianity and Judiasm. Read the handout on this regions three major religions.

6. Economics of the Region Arabian Peninsula Nations make almost all of their money from the sale of oil Eastern Mediterranean Struggles with their economy due to political divisions, lack of water & weak infrastructure

7. Economies of the Region The Northeast Are lacking a modern infrastructure such as transportation systems, communication, water & sanitation systems

8. Zionism In the 19 th century, Zionism began to create a Jewish homeland in Palestine Jewish settlers began flocking there and by the time WWI started, 12% of the population was Jewish.

9. The Creation of Israel After WWI, Britain & France divided the Ottoman lands in the Eastern Mediterranean. The land controlled by Britain was known as Palestine. After the war, the British continued to allowed Jewish immigration to Palestine. As the population of Jews increased, tensions grew between Arabs and Jewish. In 1939, the British stopped Jewish immigration to ease tensions.

10. Divisions The area controlled by the British was divided into 2 sections to relieve tensions- Transjordan & Palestine

11. After WWII Thousands of Jewish Holocaust survivors wanted to settle in Palestine because it was considered their homeland. In 1947, the UN developed a plan to divide Palestine in half- one state for the Jews and one for the Arabs Many Arabs opposed this, yet in 1948, Israel became a state

12. Creation of Israel Surrounding Arab nations invaded to prevent the establishment, but by the 1950s, Israel was firmly established. The 1948 war was the beginning of religious hostilities that continue to this day.