Middle East- Section One

Question 1

Why is the Middle East considered the ‘crossroads of the world’?

Answer 1

historicaly linked trade routes
regions connect east asian and north africa
allows for cultural diffusion- judaism, islam and christianity all started here

Question 2

What are the strategic locations for the Middle East?

Answer 2

1. Oil Reserves: economic importance/globally people need
2. Bosporus/Dardanelles: In Turkey, where Asia and Europe meet. Russia uses it as well. Controls trade traffic by sea.
3. Strait of Hormuz: control oil traffic, only canal to the Persian Gulf
4. Suez Canal: connects mediterranean to red sea

Question 3

Why does the Fertile Crescent contain such a high population?

Answer 3

• Like an oasis
• rich soil
• Further south is all desert
• Contains the Tigris/Euphrates Rivers

Question 4

How have the nations in the ME adapted to the lack of water?

Answer 4

1. desalinization
2. irrigation

Question 5

How is oil…
1. distributed
2. allow many ME nations to gain power?

Answer 5

1. unevenly- Saudi Arabia holds most of the oil reserves
2. Those with the oil reserves have so much compared to other countries- commodity to other people