Unit 5: N Africa & SW Asia

What is the main ethnic group found throughout North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula?

Arab

If you were to look at a physical map of North Africa & Southwest Asia, what areas would you identify as being the most densely populated?

Areas along bodies of water (rivers)

Explain what type of primary economic activities one can find in the Middle Eastern region.

Drilling for oil

What is a wadi?

Dry riverbed that will fill during rain season

Who controls the Suez Canal?

Egypt

What is the name of the pilgrimage, to Mecca, expected to be taken by followers of Islam at least once in their lives?

Haj

What is the main religion found in North Africa and Southwest Asia?

Islam

List three main religions in Southwest Asia?

Islam, Judaism, Christianity

What is the Jewish country in Southwest Asia?

Israel

What river flows into the Dead Sea?

Jordan River

What is the name of the holy city of Islam?

Mecca

What is the name of the organization that regulates the cost of production of oil?

OPEC

What is the main economic money maker for the majority of the middle east?

Oil

What are two names for the body of water located between Saudi Arabia and Iran?

Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea

What are the 5 pillars of Islam?

Prayer, statement of faith, charity, fasting, pilgrimage to Mecca

Why is desalination?

Removal of salt from water

What is the name of the largest desert in the world located in north Africa.

Sahara

What is unique about the Dead Sea?

Saltiest body of water on earth

What country is king of the oil industry?

Saudi Arabia

What is a nomadic herder?

Shepherd, nomad

What is desertification?

Spreading of desert through physical and man-made processes

Briefly explain why the Arab Palestinians are so angry towards the Israeli Jews

The deal to establish the country of Israel for the Jews was rejected by the Arabs because it divided up previously Arab controlled territories including the Holy city of Jerusalem.

Between what two physical features can you find the area known as the Fertile Crescent?

Tigris and Euphrates rivers

What was the Silk Road?

Trade route that connected Asia to Europe

What are the Bosporus and Dardanelles? Why are they important?

Trade routes that connect Black Sea to Mediterranean Sea.

The holy Jewish ruin in Jerusalem are known as the

Western wall

What is Mesopotamia?

Worlds first cultural hearth located between Tigris and Euphrates

What is the Fertile Crescent?

crescent-shaped region in the Middle East where agriculture and early human civilization such as Sumer flourished.