Hartanto, S.I.P, M.A.

Countries in the Middle East Overview

Lies on peninsula known as Asia MinorLies on the continent of Europe & AsiaSevere earthquakes occur in northern TurkeyAnatolia – plateau region rimmed by

mountains in central Turkey. Most people live in the northern part of

Anatolia, on coastal plains, or in valleys.About 100% are MulsimsTurkish is the official language

Turkey

Istanbul – largest city and only city in world located on 2 continents

Once part of the Ottoman Empire, Byzantine Empire, and Roman Empire

Woven rugshttp://www.travelerswonder.com/turkey/turke

y-travel-information.html

Turkey

Hagia Sophia

Dead Sea located between Israel and JordanDesert in southMediterranean climateMajor agricultural export = citrus fruitsMost industrialized country in SW AsiaMining is important to Israel’s economyAbout 80% of people in Israel are Jewish. The other

20% belong to an Arab people called Palestinians. Most are Muslims but there are a few Christians.

West Bank and Gaza Strip – two areas given to the Palestinians

Diplomatic Republic

Israel

Deserts cover the regionWater comes from wadis – dry riverbeds filled by

rainwater from rare downpoursHolds major share of the world’s oilOil helped improve standard of living. $ helps build

schools, hospitals, roads, and airports.Islamic holy city of Mecca (Makkah) is located in

Saudi ArabiaIslam influences life. Gov’t, business, school, and

home schedules are timed to Islam’s five daily prayers and 2 yearly celebrations.

Strict rules for women

Saudi Arabia

Once known as PersiaAn oil-rich nationWorld’s largest producer of pistachiosMore than ½ are Persians not Arabs or TurksOfficial language is Farsi, or Persian.Tehran – largest city and capital98% are MuslimMany refugees from Iraq and Afghanistan have

fled to IranIslamic Republic – gov’t run by religious leaders

Iran

Landlocked & covered by Hindu Kush mountain range.Khyber Pass – major trade route20 different ethnic groups. 2 largest are Pashtuns and

Tajiks.70% of people farm and herd sheep & goatsFought Soviet in the 1980s. Then faced poverty, food

shortages, and crime so turned to Taliban for leadership.

Taliban – group of fighters educated at Islamic schools. Enforced strict lawsMen had to grow beardsWomen had to completely cover themselves in publicWomen couldn’t hold a job or go to school

Afghanistan

Economic Systems of the Middle East

There are many different types of economic systems in Southwest Asia.

Many countries have mixed economies with different levels of government control.

Some countries are less developed than others in the region.

Southwest Asian countries have thrived on producing exports to other countries.

Cash crops have included grain, silk, and cotton.

For the last sixty years, the region’s main export has been oil.

The region imports much of its food and other essential products.

Israel’s Economic SystemIsrael has a mixed economy that is also

technologically advanced. The Israeli government and private Israeli

companies own and control the economy. Israel does not have many natural resources. Israel has to import grain, oil, military

technologies, and many other goods.

Israel’s Economic SystemThe country is a producer of high-tech

equipment, some crops, and cut diamonds. The service industry accounts for much of

Israel’s economy—areas such as insurance, banking, retail, and tourism account for over half of it.

Israel relies heavily on U.S. economic and military aid.

Saudi Arabia’s Economic SystemSaudi Arabia also has a mixed economy. The

government largely controls the economy.Saudi Arabia’s main export is oil. The oil industry has made the Saudi royal

family quite wealthy.

Saudi Arabia’s Economic SystemIn fact, several members of the royal family

are among the wealthiest people in the world. Oil accounts for well over half of the

country’s economy. Oil funds the country’s education, defense,

transportation, health, and housing.

Turkey’s Economic SystemThe government of Turkey controls the

country’s economy. Turkey’s economy, however, is not entirely

a command economy. A large part of the country’s economy is

based on farming. The Turkish government has had many

disputes with other countries over its use of natural resources, such as the Euphrates River.

Turkey’s Economic SystemClothing and textiles are the country’s

major industries. The service industry makes up about half

of Turkey’s economy, as it does Israel’s economy.

The entrepreneur Aydin Dogan controls the largest oil and gas company in Turkey, as well as two television networks and two newspapers.

Such entrepreneurs are new to Turkey.

Israel’s Economic GrowthEconomic growth has been difficult to

achieve for many Middle Eastern countries.

War is a major threat to the region’s economies.

For example, both war and a large number of immigrants present challenges to the Israeli economy.

The Israeli government has taken control of certain economic activities in order to address these problems.

The Israeli government controls most activities related to agriculture.

Turkey’s Economic GrowthIn the last century, the Turkish government

has played a major role in helping its economy to grow.

After World War I, the Turkish government invested large amounts of money in Turkey’s weapons and steel industries.

Turkey’s Economic GrowthAfter World War II, many people objected to

the Turkish government having so much control over the economy.

By the 1980s, the government had begun to allow private businesses more control.

Today, entrepreneurs play an important role in Turkey.

Saudi Arabia’s Economic GrowthSome gulf countries invest money to make

their economies more diverse. In the last few decades, Saudi Arabia has

begun encouraging the development of industries other than oil in order to make its economy stronger.

In 1976, the Saudi government created the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation.

Saudi Arabia’s Economic GrowthThe Saudi Basic Industries Corporation

invests in capital goods. These capital goods have made the country a

steady producer of steel, industrial gases, plastics, and petrochemicals.

Natural ResourcesThe natural resources of a country can

affect economic growth. Most Southwest Asian economies were

once based on farming. When oil was discovered, it became the

main source of money for many countries in the region.

Governments with large oil reserves stopped investing in other parts of their economies.

Natural ResourcesCountries in the Southwest Asia that do

not have oil are often poorer than countries that do.

The region has many deserts and mountains and few rivers.

This physical makeup causes it to be more difficult to produce and transport goods.

Countries often spend money made from exporting oil on imports of items that are not available in the region.

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