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Introduction to the
Middle East
North Africa and
Southwest Asia
Introduction
The Middle East is the area of the
world where the continents of Asia,
Africa and Europe meet. In this region
of Southwest Asia and North Africa,
you will find the world’s largest desert,
the Sahara, and world’s longest river,
the Nile. This region is one of the
world’s major suppliers of oil.
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I. Region
A. Land
1. Deserts
2. Water
3. Natural Resources
B. Climate
II. Human/Environment Interaction
A. Economy
B. Agriculture
C. Transportation and Communication
III. Place
A. People
1. Arabs
2. Jews
B. History and Culture
C. Religion
1. Judaism
2. Christianity
3. Islam
D. Population
Region: The Land
 The region of Southwest Asia and
North Africa covers about 5.5 million
square miles, about 10% of the earth’s
total land area.
 Mountains: The Taurus Mountains are
in Turkey; the Zagros stretch
between Iraq and Iran. In North
Africa are the Atlas Mountains,
Africa’s longest mountain range.
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Deserts: The Middle East is one of the
driest regions in the world and deserts cover
more than half the region. The Sahara, the
largest desert in the world, covers most of
North Africa. The Rubal Khali, or Empty
Quarter, is made up of shifting sand dunes
and covers the Arabian Peninsula.
Water
 Important bodies of water are the
Mediterranean Sea above North Africa, the
Red Sea which separates Africa from the
Arabian Peninsula, the Persian Gulf , the
Arabian Sea, the Black Sea north of Turkey,
and the Caspian Sea north of Iran.
Freshwater, however, is scarce. There are
underground rivers and springs. Irrigation is
needed to grow crops.
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Natural Resources
 Oil and natural gas are the most
important natural resources.
 SW Asia and North Africa are also rich in
iron ore, copper, lead, manganese, zinc,
and phosphate. Phosphate is used for
making fertilizers.
Climate
 Desert and steppe climates cover much of the
area with hot days with possible temperatures
of above 100°.
 Steppe areas have enough rain for grasses to
grow and to raise livestock.
 The coastal plains have a Mediterranean climate
of hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters.
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Human/Environment Interaction:
Economy
 People that live in countries that have oil,
manufacturing and trade generally enjoy a high
standard of living.
 People living in countries where the economies
are based on farming have a low standard of
living.
Agriculture
 Most people in Southwest Asia and North
Africa are farmers or herders.
 Cereals, citrus fruits, grapes, and dates are
grown in river valleys and coastal areas.
 Cattle and sheep are also raised for food.
 Farmers in river valleys or irrigated areas grow
cotton, a major export.
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Transportation and Communication
 Mountains and deserts have been barriers to
transportation and trade.
 Roads and railroads link cities, oil fields, and
seaports.
 Inland waterways like the Nile River and the
Suez Canal also move people and goods.
Place:
People
 Southwest Asia and North Africa is known as a
“crossroads” because it’s a meeting place for
the peoples of Africa, Asia, and Europe.
 The region has people of many different ethnic
backgrounds.
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History and Culture
 Some of the world’s oldest civilizations
developed in the Middle East in the Nile and
Tigris/Euphrates River valleys.
 The ancient Egyptians built huge pyramids and
temples that can still be seen today.
Religion
 Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all began in Southwest
Asia.
 These religions all share a belief in one God called
monotheism.
 90% of the people in this area are Arabs and practice
Islam.
 Most people living in Israel are Jews. Israel was founded
as a Jewish nation in 1948.
 There are many conflicts between Jews and Arabs.
 The Holy book of the Jews is the Torah. For the Muslims,
it’s the Koran; for Christians it’s the Bible.
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Population
 About 400 million people live in this region.
 Because of deserts, most people live in rural areas along
seacoasts, rivers, or near highlands.
 The environment in these areas allows people to raise
animals and to grow crops.
 Today many people are moving to large cities like Cairo,
Egypt and Tehran, Iran.
 These urban areas now have concerns about food and
housing shortages, as well as air and water pollution.
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