Chapter 14 and 17

Between which two major lines of latitude does most of the Middle East lie?

16-40 degrees North

Define wadi.

A dry stream that fills up with water after a rainstorm and then dries up again

What is the Sahel?

A three hundred-mile-wide band of grass-covered plains in Africa between the Sahara and the tropical forest

Who are the Berber people?

As the Arabs spread across North Africa, they intermarried with the Berbers. The Arab-Berber ethnic groups now account for over 80% of the population in the Maghreb. Many of the Berber tribes made up this area until the Arabs decided to move there.

Why was Arab arrival such an important event in North Africa?

Because it brought and new religion and language to these tribes (Islamic religion + language)

Why is North Africa important to world agriculture?

Because it has the essential ingredients required for a bountiful harvest. It accounts for one-fifth of the world's phosphate deposits.

What country in the Sahel has the largest Christian population? Why is this the case?

Chad, because Chad is further south, so there is less Islam meaning that Islam does not have as much control, which allows the constitution to allow missionaries and religious freedom.

Who are the Kurds? How are they often treated?

Ethnic groups originally from Iran that has spread to parts of turkey, Iraq, and Syria

What three continents does the Middle East touch?

Europe, Asia, and Africa

How has the Middle East changed over time?

First there was migration after the flood, then ongoing conquest by different empires. Islamic civilization ruled the nation until about WW1, then the nations gained their independence. Since then there has been constant conflict

What are some cultural characteristics and examples of diversity in the Middle East (Give three)?

Food, music, religion, dance, and more

What is a mosque?

Islamic place for worship

What is a synagogue?

Jewish place of worship

What three major religions began in this region?

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Define sharia law.

Law based on the Qur'an and the Hadith

Which is farther north, Upper Egypt or Lower Egypt? Why are the regions given those names?

Lower Egypt; because it has the lowest elevation of the river than upper Egypt

What three beliefs are central to Judaism?

Monotheism, Torah, and the election of the nation of Israel

Why is Western Sahara not an independent nation?

Over time different countries have fought to claim Western Sahara, but have not succeeded. Currently, Morocco is the country trying to fight for Western Sahara.

What resources are abundant in the Middle East?

Petroleum/natural gas

What is the difference between an erg and a reg?

Regs are a flat desert areas covered with pebbles, while an erg is a dune which is a vast hill with few plants to hold it down

What type of government do most of the Eastern Mediterranean countries have?

Representative democracies or republics

What is the largest desert in the world?

Sahara Desert

How does the Middle East's location on the globe affect its climate?

Since it is not near a coastal region it is typically hot and dry in this region. Summer temperatures vary from 85-100, but temperatures up to 124 have been recorded

What is the largest religion in this region?

Sunni Islam

What name is used to describe the main religious practices of Islam?

The Five Pillars of Faith

What were the three empires of the Sahel? What valuable resources did they trade?

The Ghana Empire, the Mali Empire, and Songhai Empire; They traded gold for salt.

What is the longest river in the world?

The Nile River

Why has strife between the Jewish and Palestinian people persisted?

The Palestinians rejected the nation of Israel , therefore trying to push the Jewish out. There has been continued conflict since then.

Why is the Sahara an inhospitable place to live?

The Sahara climate is hot and dry, with summer temperatures averaging 90F in the north and reaching 110F in the south, though the temperatures can frequently exceed 120F.

Define Bedouins

The generic term for the thousands of nomadic tribes who live in the deserts of the Middle East and North Africa

Compare the religious practices of Latin America and North Africa.

They are very religious in Latin America the main religion is Catholic and in North Africa is Islamic, but both of their religions are very syncretistic. A form of syncretism in Latin America is Voodoo and in North Africa an example would be elements of folk religions.

What is one thing you found interesting about the human geography of this region that was not mentioned in a previous question?

They enjoy playing instruments such as Kora, the colophon, and the drums.

Describe the demographics of the Middle East.

They have a large young population and high birth rates. They also have ethnic diversity (Arab and Turkish)

How does the resources of the Middle East affect the world?

They have an abundance of petroleum, which allows us to have gas for transportation and other daily essentials

What conclusions can be made about Sahel nations after evaluating their economic health along with their fertility and urbanization rates?

They have the highest fertility rate in the world, they are also some of the least urbanized places in the world. They are poor.

Why are the Tigris and Euphrates so important to the Middle East?

They provide transportation for the countries surrounding and provide hydropower when building dams in key area

What African capitals lie on the Mediterranean coast? Why do you think they are located here?

Tripoli, Tunis, and Algiers; because they are close to a very important resource (water)

How well do the Middle Eastern governments provide for the education, health, and safety of their citizens? Choose two and contrast them.

Typically well, but it does vary. They provide for the basic needs of their citizens and the wealthier the country the more they will provide.

Define dune.

Vast hill of sand with few plants to hold it down

What do you think it would be like to be a Palestinian Christian?

Worrying due to the constant fear of persecution

Considering that hospitality is a value for this region, how should one behave as a guest in a North African home?

You will probably be treated with the nicest things that they can offer you. You should be grateful, and thankful for what they are giving you whether you like/want it or not.

What type of government do most of the Persian Gulf countries have?

absolute monarchies (king has all the power)

What exports contribute to the economic success of the Middle East?

petroleum /natural gas