People of Southwest Asia7th Grade UBD - Unit 3 - Middle East
Preview
Location and Landforms- The region has several
landforms. Its rivers are a vital resource. Surrounding
seas serve as transportation routes.
Climate and Resources-The region is dry except for
the fertile valleys of Turkey and the Middle East. Oil is a
major resource. Water is scarce.
Society and Culture- Three of the world’s religions-
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have their roots in
Southwest Asia.
Key Ideas- Location and Landforms
Today, as in ancient times, Southwest Asia
is an important region. It is the crossroad of
three continents- Europe, Africa, and Asia.
The region has several landforms. Its rivers
are a vital resource. Surrounding seas serve
as transportation routes.
What is Southwest Asia?
Unlike Africa, Southwest
Asia is not a separate
continent. It is the corner
of the enormous
continent Asia.
There are a wide number
of religions that are
practiced in this region of
the world.
Southwest Asian CrossroadsSouthwest Asia links Europe, Africa, and Asia.
In ancient times, many people migrated
there. Traders crossed the region spreading
goods and ideas.
Modern Southwest Asia is still a crossroads of
world trade. It controls vital sea and land
routes.
Key Term
Strait- A
narrow
waterway
that
connects
two larger
bodies of
water.
Landforms
Many Americans think of Southwest Asia
as one large desert. In fact, the region has
a variety of landforms.
Mountains affect movement and
communication. Traders, invaders, and
modern-road builders had to find a way
around or through the mountains.
Landforms
Mountains also influence
Southwest Asia’s
environment.
The region’s high peaks
affect rainfall.
The area has severe
earthquakes that
sometimes kill thousands
of people.
EarthquakesVideo- Earthquakes
Landforms
Some parts of the region
has a climate suitable
for growing crops.
While other areas are
large deserts. Like
mountains, deserts
discourage the
movement of people
because they have little
or no water.
Questions
1. What three continents cross to give
Southwest Asia its relative location?
2. Why is Southwest Asia considered
to be a crossroads of world trade?
Answers
1. What three continents cross to give
Southwest Asia its relative location? Southwest Asia links Europe, Africa, and
Asia.
2. Why is Southwest Asia considered to
be a crossroads of world trade? It controls vital sea and land routes.
Key Ideas- Climate and Resources
Oil and water are unevenly distributed in
the region.
Much of the world’s supply of oil is from
Southwest Asia.
Even though many people are farmers,
the region has to import food because of
lack of enough fertile land and moisture.
Reach Into Your Background
Water, like oil, is a
valuable commodity.
Which do you think is
more valuable to the
people of Southwest
Asia? Why?
(5 minutes)
Partner Activity
Work with a neighbor and compare your answer with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)
Location
The majority of the
Persian Gulf Oil Fields
are located in the
Persian Gulf Basin.
The top five future oil
fields in the world all
reside in the Middle
East.
Oil Wealth
Much of the world’s supply of oil is
from Southwest Asia.
This one region is thought to have
most of the world’s supply of oil.
Yet only a few nations in Southwest
Asia have large oil reserves.
Global Consumption
Although continents
such as North America
and Europe use the
most oil currently,
countries such as China
and India are rapidly
growing, thus
increasing their need
for oil.
Environmental Issues
The burning of fossil
fuels creates
greenhouse gases.
Water pollution through
oil spills have can very
adverse affects the
animals and plant life
of the surrounding spill.
Alternative to Persian Gulf Oil
Although there are
large reserves of oil in
and around the
Persian Gulf, new
sources of energy are
eventually going to
be required to replace
these oil fields.
Water
Lack of moisture has
made fresh water,
especially from rivers,
enormously important
to the region.
The Fertile Crescent, an
area of green land, is a
key agricultural region
due to the availability
of water.
Key Term
The Fertile
Crescent- Is
located in the
Middle East, a
crescent-shaped
area where
agriculture and
civilizations
evolved first.
Bodies of Water
The Persian Gulf is
important to the
world’s economy.
The Suez Canal is a
key link in world trade
routes running
between Europe and
Asia.
Key Term
Aquifers-An
underground
reservoir of
water which
can be
extracted for
use.
The Key Resource
Because of the arid
climate, water is a scarce
and valuable resource in
Southwest Asia.
As population grows so
does the demand for
water.
Today there are often
tensions among nations
that share water supplies.
Key Term
Wadis-Are
dry
streambeds
found
throughout
the desert
region.
Key Term
Depleted-
Is when
natural
resources
become
exhausted
over
centuries of
use.
Adapting the Land
Modern scientists
have invented
methods to help
people adapt to the
arid climate. Two
ways are
desalination and
fertigation.
Key Term
Fertigation-
Is feeding
water and
fertilizer
directly to the
roots of crops.
Key Term
Desalination-
Involves
changing salty
water into
fresh water
that can be
used for
drinking and
irrigation.
DesalinationVideo- Desalination Myths and Misconceptions
Key Ideas- Society and Culture
Three of the world’s religions-
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have
their roots in Southwest Asia.
Islam is viewed by many Muslims not
simply as a religion, but also as a
cultural identity and heritage.
Customs
Arabs serve
coffee or tea to
honor guests.
Refusing it is a
refusal of
generosity.
Men and Women
The public display of
intimacy between men
and women is
considered offensive.
This code also applies to
husbands and wives .
The maintenance of
family honor is one of
the highest values.
Men and Women
In Middle Eastern
cultures, promiscuous
behavior can be more
damaging to family
honor.
Most Middle Easterners
still prefer an arranged
marriage.
Men and Women
Women’s status vary
depending on the
country involved.
In the Persian Gulf
States, most women do
not work. Those who do,
work only in all-female
environments such as
schools for women.
Key Term
Hijab- A
head
covering
worn in
public by
some
Muslim
women.
IslamVideo- Islam History and Teachings
Religion
Arabs are people in
different countries who
share a common culture
and language.
About 90 percent of the
people in Southwest Asia
are Muslim.
They are divided into two
main groups the Sunni
and Shiite.
The Influence of Islam
Religion is an important
part of culture.
Like Jews and Christians,
Muslims believe in one
God.
Monotheism is the belief
that there is one God
Allah is the Arabic word
for God.
The Quran
The sacred book of Islam is
the Quran. Besides teaching
about God, the Quran
provides a guide to life.
Like the Bible, the Quran
forbids lying, stealing, and
murder. It also prohibits
gambling, eating pork, and
drinking alcohol.
Five Pillars of Islam
Islam unifies the people
of Southwest Asia.
Islamic law governs all
aspects of life,
including family life,
business practices,
banking and
government.
Key Term
Allah-
The
Arabic
word for
God.
Key Term
Mosque
- A
Muslim
place of
worship.
The Five Pillars of Islam
1. Faith: Belief in one god and that Muhammad is his
prophet.
2. Prayer: Five times a day – facing Mecca.
3. Alms: Giving money to the poor is REQUIRED, not
optional.
4. Fasting: During the month of Ramadan, Muslims
cannot eat or drink anything during the daylight hours.
5. Pilgrimage: Once in their lives – if they can afford it,
Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Conclusion
Islam is an important religion, which
shares many beliefs and practices with
Christianity and Judaism.
Muslims live in many different countries.
Islam is especially widespread in Africa,
Asia, and southeastern Europe (the
Balkans).
Questions
1. What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
2. The two main sects or groups of
Muslims are what?
3. What three religions have their roots in
Southwest Asia?
Answers
1. What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
Faith, Prayer, Alms, Fasting, and Pilgrimage are the
Five Pillars of Islam.
2. The two main sects or groups of Muslims are what?
The two main groups the Sunni and Shiite.
3. What three religions have their roots in Southwest
Asia?
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have their roots in
Southwest Asia.
Critical Thinking
Do you think it is
easy for three
religions to share
a holy city? Why
or why not?
(10 minutes)
Independent Activity
What has been the
“muddiest” point so
far in this lesson? That
is, what topic remains
the least clear to you?
(4 minutes)
Partner Activity
Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)