CH18: The Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, and Iran Vocabulary

Question 1

Arabian Peninsula

Answer 1

region that lies at the intersection of Africa, Asia, and Europe; mostly desert

Question 2

Persian Gulf

Answer 2

body of water around which countries of the Arabian Peninsula are centered

Question 3

Tigris River

Answer 3

a major river that flows across a low, flat plain in Iraq

Question 4

Euphrates River

Answer 4

a major rive that flows across a low, flat plain in Iraq

Question 5

oasis

Answer 5

wet, fertile area in a desert that forms where underground water bubbles to the surface

Question 6

wadis

Answer 6

wells dug into dry streambeds

Question 7

fossil water

Answer 7

water that is not replaced by rainfall

Question 8

Shia

Answer 8

a branch of Islam that believes that the true interpretation of Islam comes from leaders called imams

Question 9

Sunni

Answer 9

a branch of Islam that believes that the majority of the community can interpret Islamic teachings

Question 10

OPEC

Answer 10

an international organization that works to influence the price of oil on world markets by controlling supply Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

Question 11

embargo

Answer 11

limit on trade

Question 12

Baghdad

Answer 12

capital city of Iraq

Question 13

shah

Answer 13

Persian title for king

Question 14

revolution

Answer 14

drastic change in a country’s government and way of life

Question 15

Tehran

Answer 15

capital city of Iran

Question 16

theocracy

Answer 16

a government ruled by religious leaders

Question 17

ayatollah

Answer 17

religious leaders