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Intro to the Middle East

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.

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Intro to the Middle East

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  1. Intro to the Middle East

  2. 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.

  3. 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”

  4. 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

  5. Trade Routes 1.) Look at pg 549 at the map . 2.) Look at pg 552 at the map.

  6. 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)

  7. 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!

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. Dardanelles Strait Bosporus Strait

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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)

  15. 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

  16. 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

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