Geography Terms: Chapter 22: Section 2

Rites of Passage

-School age: 5-15 -At age 14, you would choose between technical or academic school -You could begin working at 15 -You could drive at 17 -You could marry at 17 -You would enter the armed forces at age 18; men until age 21, women until age 20. Women are not permitted to engage in physical combat

Temple Mount

Respectively has a Jewish and Muslim holy place; on September 28, 2000, a riot broke out between the two groups. Hundreds of people died because the civil unrest that it caused.

Palestine Liberation Organization

PLO; formed during the 1948 war to regain Palestinian Arab control of Israel.

The Ottoman Empire

A Muslim government that is in Turkey. It ruled the eastern Mediterranean in 1520-1922. It sided with Germany during WW1, and at the end of the war it fell apart. Britain and France divided the lands, France taking the northerly portion and Britain taking the southerly portion. The France were instigators toward different religions and this plays a part in modern day tensions. Syria rebelled in the 1920s and '30s. Lebanon gained its independence in 1943, Syria in 1946.

Civil Wars and Refugees

Almost 3,600,000 Palestinian refugees live in Southwest Asia, most in Jordan, some still in UN refugee camps. Some struggle to find employment and adequate means of living. Countries like Jordan (the poorest country in the region) have trouble providing education and other services for them. Civil wars in Cyprus (Northern part has been controlled by Turkey Cypriots, who have declared independence) and Lebanon (civil war was from 1975-1976 and then started to include other countries) have had large negative effects on economies.

Restaurants

Eating out is not as common as in America. Some restaurants divide men and women. Cafes for coffee and tea are usually only for men. Most meals are eaten at home. The last meal of the day is served between 8 and 11 PM. A meal usually starts with small portions of hummus, baba ganouzh, or tabbouleh (salad). A main course of chicken or lamb is more common than a main course of beef. Dessert may consist of kolaicha (a sweet cake) or thick coffee/tea. The host may not eat with their guests so that they can attend to the needs of their guests.

Jerusalem to Jews

Jerusalem is the center of ancient and modern Judaism. It housed some of the earliest temples. King Solomon built the first temple on the Temple Mount. The Second Temple was constructed after the Jews went back to their homeland in 538 BC.

Jerusalem to Christians

Jerusalem is the location of Jesus's crucifixion and final days. Annually, Christians visit places like Mount of Olives and the Church of Holy Sepulchre. While Jerusalem was under the control of Muslims, Christians launched Crusades for the control of the land. Israel became a nation in 1948.

Jerusalem to Muslims

Jerusalem is the third most holy city to Muslims. It is the location of Dome of the Rock.

Different Cultures

Muslim Arabs make up the majority of the region. Lebanon is a refuge for Christians and Muslims (mainly Shi'ites. Sunnis are the majority in most other nations. A small group of Druze people live in Lebanon as well; these people are very secretive about their religious practices. Christians of the Maronite traditions and Eastern Orthodox make a large minority of Lebanon. Israel has a lot of immigration, and its majority of immigrants are Jewish. Bedouins live in the Negev Desert. Druze Sunni, and Circassians live in the Caucasus Mountains area.

Development

The Eastern Mediterranean countries have a large potential for development. They have a good climate for crops and lots of tourist sites. They have the ability to transport goods. However, many of them need the infrastructure to support a growing economy. They lack things like good roads, irrigation systems, and communication systems.

Palestine

The land controlled by Britain. In the 19th century, Zionism began. Jews began settling in Palestine, and in 1914 (just before WW1), 12% of Palestine was Jewish. The British continued allowance of antebellum Jewish immigration. In the earlier years of British control, Jews and Arabs were cooperative, but as more Jews came to Palestine to escape Germany, the Arabs refused the idea of a Jewish state. In an effort to reduce tension, Britain stopped Zionism in 1939. Palestine was split into Transjordan and Palestine. Transjordan was ruled by Arabs and by Britain. When Jewish survivors of WW2 wanted to settle in Palestine, world opinion supported it, Palestine being considered the Jewish homeland. United Nations planned to split Palestine into two states in 1947 (one for Arabs and Jews respectively). The nation of Israel was established in 1948 instead. The surrounding Arab nations invaded Israel to prevent the establishment of the nation. The tensions emphasized by the war in 1948 still remain today. During the war, Palestinian Arabs and Christians fled their homes or were put into refugee camps.

Jerusalem

a holy city for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; third most holy city to Muslims; the capital of Israel; covers 42 square miles and has Christian, Jewish, Armenian Christian, and Muslim sections.

Western Wall

a part of the Second Temple where Jews come to pray. It is also called the Wailing Wall. It is the only remaining part of the Second Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.

Dome of the Rock

a shrine in Jerusalem; the place where Muslims believe Muhammad rose into heaven; a place where Jews believe where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac; near Al-Aqsa (a mosque); site of clashes between religions

Zionism

the goal to create and support a Jewish homeland in the British controlled lands of Southwest Asia