Economies of the ME & NA

Introduction

Why the Middle East?

Geography

The Middle or Near East:

Arab countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

Non-Arab countries: Cyprus, Iran, Israel, Turkey

Geography

North Africa:

Arab countries: Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia

Geography

Regions:

Arabian Peninsula Iranian PlateauAnatolian PlateauFertile Crescent & Mesopotamia

Geography

Waters:

Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian GulfRead Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Black

Sea, Caspian SeaNile River, Jordan River, Tigris &

Euphrates Rivers

History

5500 B.C. to 2004 A.D.Sumerian & AkkadianBabylonian & Neo-BabylonianPersian, Greek & RomanArabian & Mongolian Saavid & Ottoman Independent nation states

Regional Characteristics

The Crossroad

The world’s islandThe tri-continental hub of Asia,

Africa, and EuropeThe Silk Road

Regional Characteristics

The Cradle of Civilization

Beginning of human civilization with major development in agriculture, science, literature, and urbanization

Regional Characteristics

The Birthplace Judaism (5700+ years) Mithraism & Zoroastrianism (5000 & 3500 years) Christianity (2000+ years) Islam (1400+ years) The Bahai Faith (100 years)

Regional Characteristics

The Arc of Crisis

Military conflict from the pre-historic to the present time

Regional Characteristics

Large Population

Over 300 million people living in 22 countries and millions of immigrants living outside the region

Rich Natural Resources

Over 60% of the world’s oil reserves

About 50% of the world’s oil supply

Reserves of natural gas, copper, iron ore, zinc, lead, etc.

Regional Characteristics

Trade & Commerce

Exporting natural resources and human resources

Importing capital and consumer goods and military equipment & services

Regional Similarities

Common History

The Persian Empire The Arab Empire The Ottoman Empire

Regional Similarities

Common Culture

Language: Arabic, Farsi, TurkishReligion: Islam, Christianity, Judaism

Regional Similarities

Third World NationsEconomic problems: poverty, income

inequality, dependence on exports

Social problems: gender and ethnic discrimination, inefficient governments

Regional Similarities

Military ConflictArab-Israeli conflict (1948, 1956, 1967,

1973, 1982, on-going) Iran-Iraq War (1980-88)Persian Gulf War (1991) Iraq Invasion (2003-present)

Regional Differences

Country Size in Area

Large: Sudan, Saudi ArabiaSmall: Lebanon, Kuwait

Regional Differences

Population

Large: Egypt, Iran, TurkeySmall: Qatar, Kuwait, UAEMedium: Algeria, Morocco, Iraq

Regional Differences

Urbanization

Rural: Sudan, Yemen, LibyaUrban: Kuwait, UAE, Qatar

Regional Differences

Economic Size

Affluent: UAE, Saudi ArabiaLess fortunate: Sudan, Yemen

Regional Differences

Government

Democratic & Non-secular: Tunisia, Turkey

Autocratic & Secular: Saudi Arabia, Iran