W.Geography Unit.5 K12 "INDIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST"

Identify the average wealth of a person in India in 2000.

1,000

Approximately what percent of the world's population owns half of all global personal wealth?

2%

Explain the purpose of a bilateral trade agreement.

A bilateral trade agreement is a trade agreement between any two countries, usually in order to reduce tariffs or trade quotas.

Define civilization.

A group of people who live together in a single place, and have social, political, economic and religious structure qualifies as a civilization.

Explain why violence against Dalits continue throughout India.

According to a report by Human Rights Watch, "Dalits and indigenous peoples (known as Scheduled Tribes or adivasis) continue to face discrimination, exclusion, and acts of communal violence. Laws and policies adopted by the Indian government provide a strong basis for protection, but are not being faithfully implemented by local authorities."

What are the oil-dry countries in the Middle East.?

Afghanistan, Bahrain, and Israel are all oil-dry countries.

Explain how water and oil both impact the economic and political stability of the Middle East.

Although the Middle East is known for having plentiful oil resources, the region is lacking in many other areas. Although the region has plenty of oil, the lack of water and the corresponding lack of agriculture threatens the stability and prosperity of the entire region.

What is a concern related to the development of "Reclaimed" or artificial islands in the Middle East?

Artificial islands and offshore luxury townships coming up in the Persian Gulf are potentially vulnerable to natural hazards like earthquakes and tsunamis.

Define assets.

Assets are defined as anything of material value or usefulness that is owned by a person or company.

Which group is considered "outside" the caste system - formerly known as "untouchables?" How does the untouchable class differ from the higher varnas?

Dalits, Whereas the first four varnas are free to choose and change their occupation, Dalits (or "untouchables") have generally been confined to the occupational structures into which they are born. Dalits were commonly banned and segregated from full participation in Hindu social life.

What is a current source of tension between India and Pakistan?

Ever since the partition of the sub-continent in 1947, when Britain dismantled its Indian empire, India and Pakistan have been arch rivals. The animosity has its roots in religion and history, and is epitomized by the long-running conflict over the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This has recently escalated into a dangerous nuclear arms race.

Define Fossil Fuels.

Fossil fuels are any carbon-based fuel derived from the decomposed remains of prehistoric plants and animals. Examples of fossil fuels are oil, coal, peat, petroleum, and natural gas.

Identify Mahatma Gandhi and his significance to India's independence movement.

In India, Mahatma Gandhi is known as "Father of the Nation" and his birthday is celebrated as a national holiday. Gandhi followed as well as preached the following principles throughout his life: Truth, Nonviolence, Vegetarianism, Brahmacharya (Celibacy), Simplicity, Faith in God. After India's independence, Gandhi focused on peace and unity of Hindus and Muslims.

In Saudi Arabia, approximately what percent of its exports is oil?

In Saudi Arabia, oil accounts for more than 90 percent of exports and nearly 75 percent of government revenues, facilitating the creation of a system whereby the government provides for all the needs of its people.

Explain the recent migration trend in India.

India has experienced a sharp increase in rural to urban migration with people in search of employment.

Identify a religion is not commonly found in India?

India is home to some of the most ancient civilizations, including four major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.

In 1930, what did Britain levy a tax on as a means of punishing the Indians?

January 26, 1930 was celebrated as the Independence Day of India. Soon, British government levied a tax on salt and Salt Satyagraha was launched in March 1930, as an opposition to this move.

Identify a holy city in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

Jerusalem

Identify the monotheistic religion that was the first to dominate the Middle East region.

Judaism, it was founded around the thirteenth century B.C.E. in the area of Palestine or Canaan, currently known as Israel.

What is the biggest deterrent to establishing sustainable agriculture? Why is the lack of a stable agricultural system a problem?

Lack of water, the significant lack of agriculture threatens the stability and prosperity of the entire region.

Identify Mesopotamia and its major cities.

Mesopotamia forms the eastern half of the region referred to as the Fertile Crescent. Mesopotamia lies between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which provide the life-giving water that helped transform simple villages into complex cities. The most basic unit in any society is the people, and people need to eat. A nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle could not support the needs of a growing society. The development of agriculture was the major key for promoting civilized life. In this great arc of cultivable land, wheat is considered the first domesticated crop in the region. Sumer, Assyria, Babylon and the other cities of Mesopotamia will stand as the groups who gave birth to civilized life.

Which of the following groups called for a separate nation - Pakistan?

Muslims

Identify the main religious text in Islam.

Muslims believe that Allah (the Arabic word for God) sent his revelation, the Quran, to the prophet Muhammad in the seventh century C.E. to proclaim it to mankind. The Quran contains verses (surahs) in Arabic that tell Muslims to worship one god, and explains how they should treat others properly.

Explain the significance of oil to the Middle East region.

Over half the world's oil reserves can be found in the Middle East. Many countries located around the Persian Gulf have large quantities of crude oil. Saudi Arabia possesses nearly one-fourth of the world's total oil reserves.

What is the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula?

Saudi Arabia

Explain the theory of the "Cradle of Civilization" being the Fertile Crescent.

The "Fertile Crescent" refers to an ancient area of fertile soil and important rivers stretching in an arc from the Nile to the Tigris and Euphrates across the northern part of the Syrian Desert. A traditional theory of the spread of civilization is that it began in the Fertile Crescent and spread out from there. This consistent "Cradle of Civilization" concept is not necessarily supported by archaeological evidence that has revealed similar features of civilization in both hemispheres at comparable times. However, Sumer, Assyria, Babylon and the other cities of Mesopotamia, for most intents and purposes, continue to stand as the groups who gave birth to civilized life. The present day countries of Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq are all located in this region of the Fertile Crescent.

Describe the phenomenon known as the "resource curse."

The "resource curse" - the idea that natural resource wealth (especially petroleum and hard-rock minerals) functions as a constraint, rather than an asset, for development.

Describe the most aggressive revolt of the Indian National Congress.

The 'Quit India Movement' or the 'Bharat Chhodo Andolan' was the most aggressive revolt of the INC, with the aim of gaining complete exit of the British from India.

Why do some people say The Middle East is the birthplace of which religions?

The Middle East is the birthplace and spiritual center of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

What is the significance of the camel.

The camel is used for several purposes for which its role is essential. It is used as a beast of burden for transporting goods and people as well as for providing milk. Milk is often the only regular food source for its owners. The camel's meat, wool and leather are also widely utilized. The camel has an ability to adapt to extremely harsh conditions. It can flourish where no other domestic animal can survive. This exceptional ability is the result of several anatomical and physiological characteristics. Where green forage is available in mild climates, the camel may go several months without drinking. Under very hot conditions, it may drink only every eight to ten days and lose up to 30 percent of its body weight through dehydration.

Describe reasons for the cause of nationalism in India in the late 1800's.

The feeling of nationalism had started growing in the minds of Indians as early as the middle of the nineteenth century but it grew more with the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885.

What are the the main languages spoken throughout the Middle East?

The main language groups include: Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Hebrew, Kurdish, and Aramaic.

Explain why the caste system in India continues to impact society.

There are five different levels of the system: Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, and Harijans. Within each of these categories are the actual "castes" or jatis within which people are born, marry, and die. They all have their own place among each other and accept that it is the way to keep society from disintegrating to chaos. Although the caste system was formally abolished in the 1960s, the legacy continues and it is indeed a part of the social structure of India.

Which of the following must be addressed to improve agriculture in the Middle East?

There is a need for attracting larger numbers of skilled workers to the agricultural sector, as well as the need for dealing with the irregular yearly rainfall in semi-arid zones, upgrading the use of fertilizers and herbicides and for improving the use of farm machinery.

Following a decrease in the world camel population between 1950 and 1980, why has there been a recent resurgence of camels in the past decade?

This is the result of several factors, mainly an increasing demand for milk and meat as a consequence of large human population increases in the areas involved. Other factors are associated with the extension of the desert in the Sahel region and increased utilization of camels as pack and work animals in countries where the cost of fuel is high.

What was a tactic used by the British to stall the Indian National Congress?

To divide the National movement, the British even played the divide and rule card, which led to the rise of the Muslim League. With the Muslim League on their side, the British always tried to stall all the demands of the Indian National Congress.

Why do some people think that the term Middle East is Eurocentric?

To the people of India, the Middle East is west; to the people of Russia, the Middle East is south.

What crop is considered the first domesticated crop in the Fertile Crescent?

Wheat

Describe agriculture in the Middle East.

With the exception of Israel, agriculture in the region remains undeveloped. Most Middle Eastern countries are highly dependent on food from abroad.

Describe the predominant religion in the Middle East for the past 14 centuries?

With the exception of the Crusades, the Middle East has been dominated by Muslims for almost fourteen centuries. While Europe was in a period of declining growth during the seventh century, the Middle East region was flourishing under the influence of Islam. The Prophet Mohammed, born in 570 C.E., united the inhabitants of the area into a common belief that "there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His prophet." Although Mohammed encouraged the conversion of existing Christians and Jews in the area, he also promoted tolerance. Gradually, more and more people converted to the new religion and by the ninth century, Arabic had become the universal language in the Middle East.

What was the most common language spoken in the Middle East after about the 6th century?

arabic

What group is the highest level of the Caste System?

brahman

Define Interdependence.

interdependence is simply the fact that very few countries can be completely self-sufficient. Countries depend on imports from other countries to provide basic needs for their citizens.

Define cultural diffusion.

the spreading of ideas or products from one culture to another.