Post on 23-Feb-2016
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Intro to the Middle East
What to look for in the unit:• Geographic factors including
scarcity of water have influenced cultures of Middle East.
• Location has made the Middle East a meeting ground for people and ideas.
• Ancient civilizations developed in the Tigris-Euphrates and Nile Valley.
• The Middle East is the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
What is the Middle East?• Europeans invented the term to describe the
area between Europe and Asia• It is actually in the Southwestern part of Asia but
called the “Middle East”• The Middle East often includes North Africa as
well– Uses the Arabic language and the Islamic religion as
well• Grouped together this area is called the
“Muslim World”
Crossroads of the World • Middle East is the
connecting point for three different continents:– Africa– Asia– Europe
• Connection of major trade routes both by both land and sea
• Caravans from India and China bring goods to markets in the Middle East
Trade Routes
1.) Look at pg 549 at the map .2.) Look at pg 552 at the map.
Cultural Diffusion in the Area • Thousands of years have seen people, traders
and conquerors cross through the Middle East– Brought ideas, inventions and achievements
• Examples:– Iron making – The alphabet– Judaism, Christianity and Islam– Arabic numerals from India (traveled through the
Middle East)– Lateen sail from Southeast Asia (traveled through
the Middle East)
Strategic Location on the Earth’s Surface• Important in the world today for military and
economic reasons (strategic value)• Command vital (important) sea routes• Controls large amounts of petroleum (oil)• Question to Ponder:– Why is it important to control sea routes, both in
the past and today?I have no idea!
Egypt and the Suez Canal • Links the Mediterranean
Sea and the Red Sea – Allows travel to the Indian
Ocean• Major route for shipping
and trade • Built by the French and
controlled by Egypt • One of the most
important canals in history
Turkey and the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits
• Two important straits controlled by the country of Turkey
• Strait- a narrow passage of water connecting two large bodies of water.
• Links the Black and Aegean Seas to one another • Called the “Turkish Straits”• Strait of Hormuz- at the mouth of the Persian
Gulf – Major route for the shipping and trade of oil all over
the world
Bosporus Strait Dardanelles Strait
Major Regions of the Middle East • Northern Tier• Goes across Turkey and Iran• See map on page 552• Mountains and Plateaus• Anatolian Plateau- West– Fertile soil and bigger
population– Site of the Ottoman
Empire• Iranian Plateau- East– Drier area with mountains
and a small population– Site of the Persian Empire
• Arabian Peninsula • Large Plateau about 1/3
the size of the US• The peninsula is mostly
desert area• Some fertile areas on the
southern coast• People live near Oasis-
fertile desert area that has enough water to support life
• Large oil reserves• Birthplace of Islam and the
holy city of Mecca
Major Regions of the Middle East • Fertile Crescent • Runs along the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers • Rich soil and lots of water
allow for agriculture• Site of one of the earliest
civilizations• Mesopotamia – “land
between the rivers”• Few natural barriers and
therefore many invaders
• Nile Valley• Located in the
Northern Part of Africa• More protected than
Mesopotamia– Deserts protect the East
and West of the Nile Valley
– The Nile River floods on a predictable schedule
– Tigris and Euphrates River flood irregularly
Major Regions of the Middle East • The Maghreb• Includes- Algeria,
Tunisia and Morocco• Means- “Western Isle”
in Arabic • Sahara Desert and Atlas
Mountains are here• Major crossroads area
for trade between West Africa, Europe and the Middle East
Climate and Resources • Climate controls where the people live in the
Middle East • People live along the coasts and in the river valleys• Less than 10% of the land gets enough water to
farm with• Need for irrigation systems:– Ancient Egyptians used a Shaduf- water hoist to move
water from ditches and canals to fields• Utilizing desalination plants– Turn water from the oceans and seas into fresh water
(Look at page 613 and answer the questions)
Peoples• Home to many different peoples with many
languages, religions and traditions• Major Languages:– Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew, Kurdish, Persian, Greek &
Armenian• Religions:– Islam, Christianity, Judaism
• 19 Different Countries • 350 million people in the Middle East
Peoples• Ethnic Diversity– Arabs are the majority
group in the area– Conquered peoples
became Arabs – Arab- defined as anyone
whose native language is Arabic
• Other Groups:– Turks, Iranians and Kurds
• All groups have their own languages and traditions
• Religious Diversity – Islam is the major
religion in the area– Muslim- one who
practices Islam• Christians – Coptic, Greek Orthodox
and Maronite • Judaism– Most ancient of the
religions in the area– Israel- the majority of
the people are Jewish