Economies of the ME & NA Introduction. Why the Middle East?
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Transcript of Economies of the ME & NA Introduction. Why the Middle East?
Economies of the ME & NA
Introduction
Why the Middle East?
Geography
The Middle or Near East:
Arab countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
Non-Arab countries: Cyprus, Iran, Israel, Turkey
Geography
North Africa:
Arab countries: Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia
Geography
Regions:
Arabian Peninsula Iranian PlateauAnatolian PlateauFertile Crescent & Mesopotamia
Geography
Waters:
Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian GulfRead Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Black
Sea, Caspian SeaNile River, Jordan River, Tigris &
Euphrates Rivers
History
5500 B.C. to 2004 A.D.Sumerian & AkkadianBabylonian & Neo-BabylonianPersian, Greek & RomanArabian & Mongolian Saavid & Ottoman Independent nation states
Regional Characteristics
The Crossroad
The world’s islandThe tri-continental hub of Asia,
Africa, and EuropeThe Silk Road
Regional Characteristics
The Cradle of Civilization
Beginning of human civilization with major development in agriculture, science, literature, and urbanization
Regional Characteristics
The Birthplace Judaism (5700+ years) Mithraism & Zoroastrianism (5000 & 3500 years) Christianity (2000+ years) Islam (1400+ years) The Bahai Faith (100 years)
Regional Characteristics
The Arc of Crisis
Military conflict from the pre-historic to the present time
Regional Characteristics
Large Population
Over 300 million people living in 22 countries and millions of immigrants living outside the region
Rich Natural Resources
Over 60% of the world’s oil reserves
About 50% of the world’s oil supply
Reserves of natural gas, copper, iron ore, zinc, lead, etc.
Regional Characteristics
Trade & Commerce
Exporting natural resources and human resources
Importing capital and consumer goods and military equipment & services
Regional Similarities
Common History
The Persian Empire The Arab Empire The Ottoman Empire
Regional Similarities
Common Culture
Language: Arabic, Farsi, TurkishReligion: Islam, Christianity, Judaism
Regional Similarities
Third World NationsEconomic problems: poverty, income
inequality, dependence on exports
Social problems: gender and ethnic discrimination, inefficient governments
Regional Similarities
Military ConflictArab-Israeli conflict (1948, 1956, 1967,
1973, 1982, on-going) Iran-Iraq War (1980-88)Persian Gulf War (1991) Iraq Invasion (2003-present)
Regional Differences
Country Size in Area
Large: Sudan, Saudi ArabiaSmall: Lebanon, Kuwait
Regional Differences
Population
Large: Egypt, Iran, TurkeySmall: Qatar, Kuwait, UAEMedium: Algeria, Morocco, Iraq
Regional Differences
Urbanization
Rural: Sudan, Yemen, LibyaUrban: Kuwait, UAE, Qatar
Regional Differences
Economic Size
Affluent: UAE, Saudi ArabiaLess fortunate: Sudan, Yemen
Regional Differences
Government
Democratic & Non-secular: Tunisia, Turkey
Autocratic & Secular: Saudi Arabia, Iran