Unit 6 – Chapter 17 The Physical Geography of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia.
Cultural Geography of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia Chapter 18.
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Transcript of Cultural Geography of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia Chapter 18.
Cultural Geography of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia
Chapter 18
1. North AfricaBirthplace of earliest civilizationsRich cultural heritageTraditions and cultures have changed with
modernization and urbanization
Population PatternsIndigenous ethnic groups, migrations, and
the dramatic climate have shaped population patterns in North Africa
Indigenous cultures in North Africa have mixed with those from Arabian Peninsula and Europe
The PeoplePrimary influence on the sub region is a
mix of indigenous and Arab culturesIndigenous people of North Africa called
BerbersMost are farmers todayPreviously they were pastoral nomads,
groups of people who move from place to place grazing their animals
Berbers are most populous in the Atlas Mountains and in the Sahara
The PeopleOther principal ethnic group in North Africa
- ArabsEgyptian civilization, 6000 years agoSpread throughout North Africa in the 600’sBedouin - nomadic, Arabic-speaking people,
migrated from deserts of Southwest Asia, herd animals in deserts
The PeopleNorth African peoples have had continuous
contact with Europe for hundreds of yearsFrench, Spanish Muslims and Romans have
all influenced the culture in this sub region
Density and Distribution Geographic factors, such as availability of water, influenced
settlement in North Africa People settled along seacoasts and in river deltas, or mouths,
such as along Nile River in Egypt Nile Delta region one of world's most densely populated areas Major population centers in North Africa are urban Examples:
Casablanca, Morocco
Algiers, Algeria
Tunis, Tunisia
Tripoli, Libya
Cairo, Egypt Cities in the region have grown rapidly some have not had the infrastructure, basic urban necessities
such as streets and utilities, to support this growth
Early Peoples and CivilizationsHunters and gatherers settled in North Africa
about 10,000 years agoBy 6000 BC, farming communities rise up along
Nile River and Mediterranean SeaRegion’s farmers among the first to domesticate
plants and animalsEgyptian civilization developed along the Nile
River about 6000 years agoEgyptians:1.Created a calendar year with 365 days2.Used sophisticated irrigation systems3.Built pyramids as tombs to for their rules4.Invented form of picture writing called
hieroglyphics
Invasions of North AfricaSeventh century invasions of Arabs from Arabian
Peninsula Arabs have heavily influenced cultures of North
Africa sinceArabs brought Islamic religion and culture to
MoroccoSpanish Muslim and Jewish exiles fleeing Christian
persecution settled in Morocco in 1400sOttoman Empire conquered Algeria in 1500sFrance conquered Algeria in mid 1800sGeometric boundaries, or straight line boundaries
which do not account for natural and cultural features, exist between Libya, Egypt and Algeria
These boundaries were drawn by European colonial powers, often caused conflict
IndependenceDuring 1800’s, well-educated urban middle class
adopts nationalism, or a belief in the right of an ethnic group to have its own independent country
Egypt gained independence from UK in 1922Suez Canal, important shipping lane that connect
the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea across Egypt, has made Egypt a key power
Algeria gained independence from France in mid 1900s
Libya won independence from Italy in 1951Then ruled by strong, Western-friendly monarchyIn 1969, coup led by Colonel Muammar al-
Qaddafi overthrew the monarchyQaddafi has ruled the oil rich country to this day
Religion and Language Arabs brought religion of Islam to North Africa when they
invaded Most were Sunni, which makes up 85% of 1.5 billion Muslims
world wide Sunnis believe that leadership should be in the hands of the
Islamic community at large Most Berbers have adopted Islam Calls to worship occur five times each day in countries with
large Muslim populations Muezzin, or crier, calls the faithful to prayer from a tower of
each local mosque Following the movements of the imam, or prayer leader, they
bow and kneel, touching foreheads to the ground in the direction of the holy city of Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia
Arabic language also spread across North Africa Non-Arab Muslims learned Arabic in order to read the Quran,
the Islamic holy book Arabic became the regions main language
Education and Health CareMost young people in North Africa attend
schoolPrimary education is freeLiteracy rates range widely, from 52
percent in Morocco to 82 percent in LibyaHealth care has also improved recently People often go to government-owned
hospitals for medical treatment, but doctor shortages mean limited care for rural people
The ArtsEgyptians built towering pyramids to serve
as royal tombs for their leadersArts of weaving, embroidery and
metalworking in the region are highly influenced by Islam
2. The Eastern MediterraneanEastern Mediterranean birthplace of three
major world religions; Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Different peoples have laid claim to the lands for religious reasons
Periods of conflict and war have resultedIn Israel today, Jewish and Palestinian
people both claim rights to the same lands
Population PatternsMigrations, claims to ancestral homes,
boundary disputes have influenced pop. patterns in the eastern Mediterranean
Inhabited by millions of Arab and Jewish people
Jewish people speak Hebrew, and if they are religious, practice Judaism
Arabs speak Arabic, and primarily practice Islam
The People7.1 million people living in E. Mediterranean
are Israelis living in Israel80% are JewishJews trace heritage to IsraelitesIsraelites in ancient times settled in Canaan,
land shared today by Israel and LebanonIsraelites believed that God had given them
this area as a homelandOver time, many Jews moved to other
countries
The PeopleIn 1948, Israel founded as a Jewish stateArabs in the region did not want Jewish
stateTensions between Arabs and Jews have
led to many warsPalestinians – Arabs displaced from their
homes during wars with Israel, forced to live as refugees in neighboring countries such as Syria, Lebanon and Jordan
Density and DistributionDry climate causes majority in Eastern Mediterranean to live
along Euphrates RiverSome of the highest population densities in Southwest AsiaLebanon - population density of 941 people per square mileRegion is primarily urbanMore than 75% of people in Israel, Jordan and Lebanon live
in citiesOver 50% in Syria and Palestine live in citiesIsrael has experienced intense immigration since founding in
19481 million Jews have migrated from former Soviet Union since
1989People of Israel have migrated from more than 100
countries, making it ethnically diverse
History and GovernmentEastern Mediterranean home to three of
the world's major religionsHas shaped politics and culture here for
centuriesDue to proximity to Europe, Africa and
Asia, Eastern Mediterranean has been occupied throughout history
Early CivilizationsRegion has been occupied by important
cultures and empiresEbla, Syria was an important commercial
trade center by 3000 BCpopulated by hundreds of thousands of
people by around 2400 BCDamascus, Syria, one of the oldest cities in
the world, continuously settled
Religion as HistoryThree major religions began here: Judaism,
Christianity, and IslamAll share many beliefs, particularly
monotheism, or belief in one godJerusalem is of special importance to all
three religions
JudaismOne of the oldest of the monotheistic faithsTrace origin to the ancient Israelites, who
created kingdom of Israel along the eastern Mediterranean coast
Jerusalem was their capital and religious center
Jews recorded their history in the Hebrew Bible, consisting of the Torah, the prophets and the sacred writings
ChristianityIn 30 AD, Jewish teacher named Jesus
began preaching and gathering followersFollowers believed they would go to heaven
after deathBecame basis for ChristianityChristian Scriptures included the Hebrew
Bible (Old Testament), the New Testament (writings and teachings of Jesus and early Christian communities)
IslamStates that AD 610, revelations from God
came to MuhammadMuhammad a merchant in the city of Mecca
in the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia)Followers claimed he was last in line of
prophets, or messengers, that included Abraham and Jesus
By AD 700, Islam spread through the region and into Europe
Muslims built mosques, or houses of worship
SHAHADAH. This Pillar is believing and saying the words. “There is no god except Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”.
SALAH. This Pillar is praying five times a day. There are set prayers which Muslims should say, and all Muslims should face Mecca in Arabia when praying, and should pray on a prayer mat. People should wash before they pray. There are fixed movements, which include kneeling with the forehead placed on the ground in front. This expresses the servant status of the human being in relation to Allah.
ZAKAH. Each year, Muslims are supposed to give a fixed proportion of their savings for endeavours such as helping the poor. In this way, they believe that their wealth is “made pure”
SAWM. Refraining from food and drink during the month of Ramadan during daylight hours.
HAJJ. This is making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your life, if it can be afforded.
Independence and ConflictOver time, Islamic empires in region rose
and fellPhysical geography limited sub regions
economic developmentLacked resources such as minerals, wood
and coal to fuel industrial revolution like Europe
By late 1800s, European powers controlled large areas in the eastern Mediterranean
Arab-Israeli ConflictJews expelled from their homeland by the RomansJews settled in communities all over the world, often
experiencing persecutionMany Jews, called Zionists, began to call for a return to
PalestineAfter WWII, wars broke out among Jews, Arabs and British
forces in the regionUN decided in 1947 to divide Palestine into a Jewish state
and an Arab stateWhen British withdrew form the area, the Jews proclaimed
the Independent state of Israel in 1948Arabs and Israelis fought 6 wars in next 25yearsIn 1948 and 1967 conflicts, victorious Israeli forces
occupied Arab lands
Religion and LanguageMajority who practice Islam follow Sunni branchArabs in Syria and Lebanon follow the Shia branch Jews and Christians make up only a small
percentage of the populationMost Jews live in IsraelChristians live in Lebanon and SyriaDuring Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, Muslims
fast during daylight hoursMany Muslims dress modestlySome Muslim women wear a veil over their face
and completely cover their hands and feetPrimary language is Arabic
Education and Health CareCompulsory and freeLiteracy rates vary from 76 percent in Syria
to 96 percent in IsraelHospitals are often government owned
3. The NortheastPrimarily Turkey, Iraq and IranRegion where cultures are fundamentally
tied to religionsIslam is the most practiced of them all.Islam now the fastest growing religion in
the world.
The People Ethnic populations in Northeast migrated
from Central Asia and Arabian PeninsulaReligion of Islam has become a dominant
aspect of these cultures
TurksPresent day Turkey (formerly Anatolia) has been
occupied by many different peoples in past 8000 years
Turks migrated to the peninsula around AD 1000 from Central Asia
One group, known as Ottoman Turks, built the Ottoman Empire
OT ruled much of the eastern Mediterranean for more than 600 years
Spanned an area that covered northern Africa, western Asia and southeastern Europe
Most Turks practice Islam, speak Turkish
IraniansAppr. 67 million people live in Iran
(formerly Persia)Iran means “land of the Aryans”, or Indo-
Europeans who came from Southern RussiaIranians speak Farsi, or PersianApproximately 90 percent practice Shia
Islam
ArabsMajority of people living in Iraq are Arabs
(migrated from Arabian peninsula)Most Arabs in Iraq are Shia MusliamsOnly about 35 percent are SunniIraqi’s mostly speak Arabic
KurdsHave lived for more than 2000 years in the
mountainous border areas of Turkey, Iraq and Iran
Most are Sunni MuslimsMost speak Kurdish, language related to
FarsiKurds call their territory KurdistanKurds have not gained independence,
despite several tries
Density and DistributionMost populous countries in Northeast are
Turkey and Iran (around 70 million each)Large cities and towns are commonLarge cities:Istanbul, TurkeyBaghdad, Iraq Tehran, Iran These cities dominate social and cultural
life in their respective countries
Civilizations and EmpiresMany civilizations arose in Mesopotamia, the area
between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (present day Iraq)
This area became one of the worlds first culture hearths, or centers where cultures developed and spread outward
Mesopotamia part of a large agricultural region known as the Fertile Crescent
Mesopotamia was home to the Sumerian civilizationSumerians mastered farming by using irrigationMade great progress in mathematics and engineering,
and created a code of lawDeveloped a writing system call cuneiform, using wedge
shaped symbols written on clay tablets
Civilizations and EmpiresPhoenician civilization, began along eastern
Mediterranean coast, around 3000 BCDeveloped a new alphabet in which letters
stood for sounds, formed the basis for modern alphabets
500 BC, Persian Empire extended across the region
Persians built ganats ,or underground canals, meant to prevent water from evaporating in surface canals
Civilizations and EmpiresOttoman Empire, 1000 – 1600, present day
TurkeySpanned an area that covered northern
Africa, western Asia and southeastern Europe
The Modern EraEuropeans controlled much of Northeast by
late 1800sBritain controlled Iraq until 1932Since Iraq has experienced turmoilOttoman Empire ended during WWITurkey established in 1923In Iran, their secular (non – religious)
government was overthrown during the Islamic Revolution of 1979
Clerics, or mullahs, came to power, continue to rule today
The Era of OilOil discovered in Persian Gulf in early
1900sIn late 1950’s, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi
Arabia, and Venezuela formed OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)
In 1973, OPEC placed an embargo, or ban on trade, to the US after becoming angry at US support of Israel in Arab-Israeli War
Language and ReligionMost people who live in this region speak
ArabicThis is not the case in Iran and Turkey,
howeverIn Turkey, Turkic peoples speak TurkishIn Iran, Persians speak Persian or FarsiShia Muslims are the most populous
religious group in both Iraq and IranIn Turkey, majority of Muslims are Sunni,
but Turkey is more secular
Education and Health CareRequired through grade 6 in Iraq and grade
8 in TurkeyLiteracy rate 80 percent in Iran and 86
percent in TurkeySince the 1979 Islamic Revolution,
education in Iran has become more religious in focus
Hospitals are government owned and often suffer from doctor shortages
4. The Arabian PeninsulaA mix of tradition and modernity, religion
and growing commercePeople of the peninsula have adapted to
this climate, especially the nomadic peoples
Population PatternsHarsh desert climate of Arabian Desert has
led most people to live along the coasts.
The People Most people in the subregion are ArabsMost Arabs are MuslimsDescent from ancient groups such as
Egyptians, Phoenicians, Saharan BerbersToday, many immigrants have come to the
Arabian Peninsula from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Iran in search of good jobs
Density and DistributionHarsh desert, lush coastal climates dictate where
the majority of people live on the APIn Bahrain, 89 percent of the population live in
Manama and Al Muharraq, its two main citiesDiscovery of oil in the early 1900s led to increased
wealth, modernization and immigration in many Arab countries
In the United Arab Emirates, immigrants make up a majority of the population (only 15-20 % of pop. are citizens)
Foreign workers make up greater than 50 percent of Qatar’s population and more than 60 percent in Kuwait
History and GovernmentConquering empires have imposed cultures
on peoples of the Arabian Peninsula that remain influential to this day
People of the region sought protection from Great Britain in fighting off rule by other outsiders, such as the Ottoman Empire
Early Cultures and ConquestsVibrant cultures have existed on the AP for 5000 yearsLarge settlements have existed primarily along the
coastPowerful family ruled Arabian Peninsula beginning
around 1750 Arabs struggled against invasion by Ottoman EmpireThreatened by the Ottoman Empire, Arabs signed
treaties with GB for protection in the 1800-early 1900s Kuwait, Bahrain and Quatar signed treaties with GB
as wellSaudi Arabia was established in 1932
IndependenceKuwait gains independence from GB - mid 1900sUnited Arab Emirates - established in 1971UAE formed from a group of tribal sheikhdoms, or
territories ruled by an Islamic religious leaderKuwait and Qatar are ruled by emirs, or princesSaudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman are monarchiesSaudi Arabia follows sharia’ah, or Islamic law, based on
the QuranStandards of living vary widely across APUrban countries with oil wealth have relatively high
standards of livingQatar’s oil and gas reserves have given its people one of
the highest per capita incomes in the world
CultureForeign workers are bringing their own
cultures to the areaLarge cities are growing in need for more
foreign workers to support growing industries
ReligionSunni and Shia Muslims dominant on the peninsulaMany believe in making a pilgrimage, or haji, to
Mecca at least once in their lifeIbadhism, found in Oman, differs form Shia and
Sunni sectsIbadhists practice a moderate conservatism,
choose ruler by communal consensus and consentOman is the only Islamic country to have a
majority Ibadhi populationWahhabi sect of Sunni branch, advocates the literal
teachings of the Quran
Education and Health CareMost children and young people attend schoolKuwait, 83 % literacyQatar, 89% literacyBarain, 89% literacyHealth care varies widely from country to
country, and even more widely from urban to rural
Government owned hospitals are not always fully staffed
Private health care available, but often associated with a particular social or religious group
5. Central AsiaA crossroads of cultures and empiresA destination for people emigrating from
their homelands to escape harsh political or economic situations
Population PatternsChallenges for Central Asia:InvasionsDomination by numerous empires Rugged landscape
The PeopleAfghanistan, located at southern tip of
Central AsiaMountainous countryHome to many ethnic groups due to
migrations and invasionsPashtun is the predominant ethnic group
Density and DistributionAfghanistan – 30 million people, most
populous country in Central AsiaPopulation has been shaped by conflict1915, 1 million Armenians in Turkey killed,
deported or died of illness at hands of Ottoman Turks
20 percent of Armenia's people left looking for better life
Georgia, 300,000 have left or been displacedMajority of Tajikistan’s people live and work in
river valleys
History and GovernmentLocation of C.A. has left people vulnerable
to centuries of invasion After centuries of foreign domination,
countries of C.A. working to find economic and political stability
Cultures and ConquestCultural roots go back 2500 yearsKingdom of Urartu dates back to 800 BCRuled the entire Caucasus regionBeginning in 100BC, parts of CA prospered
from the Silk Road, trade route connecting China with the Mediterranean Sea
Many cities along this route thrived as trading centers
Cultures and ConquestIn 1200s AD, Genghis Khan and Mongol forces invade
area and establish empireNegatives: killed manyPositives: Brought paper money and safer trade routesArmenia resistedToday, Armenia is an enclave - territory that is culturally
or ethnically different from surrounding larger culturesOver 90 percent of Armenians practice ChristianityPeople of Azerbaijan, Islamic, surrounded by Christian
Caucasus, form an exclave, or a distinct group of people who are isolated from the main or larger part of the country
During 1900’s, Central Asia dominated by Soviet Union
IndependenceNumerous CA countries declared independence
when Soviet Union dissolved in 1991Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 prompted
fighting by the mujahedeen, or freedom fightersAfter Soviets left, the fundamentalist Islamic
Taliban took control of most of countryPoverty and unemployment widespread across
CA2001, US overthrows Taliban in Afghanistan in
retaliation for 9/11New Afghan government still faces many
challenges, corruption, resurgent Taliban
Language and ReligionMajority speak Turkic languagesRussia remains official language in
KazakhstanIslam dominant religion, with most
practicing Sunni branchChristianity majority in two countries,
Armenia and Georgia
Education and Health CarePublic education, mandatory through
secondary school in a few countriesTajikistan – 88 % literacyArmenia and Georgia – 99% literacyHealth care weakened by breakup of Soviet
Union