The Major Regions of the Middle East

Region 1: The Northern Tier (Turkey-Iran)• Mountains area with plateaus

• Has a relatively large population

Region 1: The Northern Tier (Turkey-Iran)The Anatolian Plateau is

found here in the WestSurrounded by

mountainsHas very rich soilRich soil = good

farmingGood farming =

HIGH POPULATION

Found on Asia Minor – home of Ottoman Empire

The Iranian Plateau is found here in the EastSurrounded by

mountainsRegion is very DRYDRY = BAD

FARMINGBAD FARMING =

LOW POPULATIONPersian Empire

was found here

Region 2: Arabian PeninsulaSmaller in population due to lack of water

Remember No Water + No Farming = No PeopleMost people here live in scattered oases

An oasis is fertile dessert that has enough water to sustain life

Contains a large supply of oilArabian peninsula plays huge role in world

economy because of oilSaudi Arabia is found here

Countries like this have become very $$$$ because of oil

Region 2: Arabian Peninsula

Region 2: Arabian Peninsula Birthplace of Islam

The Holy City of Mecca is found hereAttracting Muslims from around the

globe to this part of the Middle East

Region 3: The Fertile CrescentStretched down the Eastern Mediterranean

along the Tigris and Euphrates RiversContains abundant water and rich soil

Rich/Good Soil + A lot of Water = High population

Large center of populationLocation of Mesopotamia

Means “land between the rivers”The regions wealthiest settlements were found

here

Region 3: The Fertile CrescentFertile Crescent has little natural barriers

Provides little protection Mesopotamia was often invaded because of

little protection and wealthy cities/peopleLand of the Fertile Crescent

Because the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are unpredictable land; flooding may occur causing destruction and devastation

Farmers have built dikes and canals to control the flooding

Region 3: The Fertile Crescent

Region 4: The Nile ValleyConsidered to be the Cradle of Civilization

Enjoyed great advantages from it’s location Desserts were found on both the east and the west Flooding of the Nile River was predictable and

dependable

The deserts in the area protect it from invaders

Trade was important Access to the Nile and the Mediterranean

linked people here to the people of the Fertile Crescent

Region 4: The Nile Valley

Region 5: Northern Africa (aka: Maghreb)Includes the Northern African nations of:

Algeria, Tunisia, and MoroccoOther African countries share cultural links

with this region Libya, Chad, Niger, Mali, and Mauritania

Maghreb means “Western Isle” in Arabic Located West of Arabian PeninsulaLocation of the Sahara Desert and Atlas

MountainsLittle/No Water Here = No Population

Region 5: Northern Africa (aka: Maghreb)

Region 5: Northern Africa (aka: Maghreb)Most people in this area live along the

Mediterranean coastFertile soil + Rain = High Population

Major Crossroads – Connecting the Middle East with Africa, Europe, and the WestGateway to the Atlantic

Climate of the Middle EastClimate Dictates where people live

Water = Good SoilGood Soil = A lot of people

People gather in areas where water is plentifulIrrigation systems were built in some areas to

help get water to where it was not foundDesalination is very popular here

Turing salt water into usable fresh water

Resources of the Middle EastOil is the most valuable resource here

Helps to run the world’s economyOil is unevenly distributed across the Middle

East Explains the fact some countries are quite rich

while other countries are very poor

SaltPhosphate – used in fertilizersCopper