ICT Role in 21st Century Education & its Challenges.pptx
Middle East
1. {{
Regions of the WorldRegions of the World
The Middle EastThe Middle East
2. • The term Middle East applies to the belt of countriesThe term Middle East applies to the belt of countries
in Southwest Asia that lies between Afghanistan andin Southwest Asia that lies between Afghanistan and
Turkey.Turkey.
• The Middle East is characterized byThe Middle East is characterized by
Its arid climate.Its arid climate.
Its petroleum richesIts petroleum riches
Prevalence of IslamPrevalence of Islam
• The Middle East forms a strategic belt between theThe Middle East forms a strategic belt between the
developing industrial countries of Asia and the long-developing industrial countries of Asia and the long-
developed countries of Europe.developed countries of Europe.
3. I.I. Physical FeaturesPhysical Features
A.A. The collision of the Iranian and Arabian tectonic platesThe collision of the Iranian and Arabian tectonic plates
with the Eurasian Plate resulted in the mountain rangeswith the Eurasian Plate resulted in the mountain ranges
that run form Turkey to Iran.that run form Turkey to Iran.
1.1. The belt between Turkey and Iran is characterized byThe belt between Turkey and Iran is characterized by
elongated mountain ranges such as the Zagros and Alborzelongated mountain ranges such as the Zagros and Alborz
ranges in Iran and the Pontic and Taurus Mountains inranges in Iran and the Pontic and Taurus Mountains in
Turkey.Turkey.
a.a. This area is prone to earthquakes, of which there haveThis area is prone to earthquakes, of which there have
been several in recent decades.been several in recent decades.
B.B. In contrast to the geologically active Tertiary mountainIn contrast to the geologically active Tertiary mountain
belt, the Arabian Plateau is part of an ancient andbelt, the Arabian Plateau is part of an ancient and
geologically stable shield.geologically stable shield.
4.
5. II.II. Climate and VegetationClimate and Vegetation
A.A. The Middle East is predominantly arid to semi-The Middle East is predominantly arid to semi-
arid, except for the areas that adjoin thearid, except for the areas that adjoin the
Mediterranean, Aegean, Black and CaspianMediterranean, Aegean, Black and Caspian
Seas.Seas.
1.1. The region is characterized by high temperatures,The region is characterized by high temperatures,
especially in the Arabian, Syrian and Iranianespecially in the Arabian, Syrian and Iranian
deserts.deserts.
2.2. In contrast, winter temperatures close to freezingIn contrast, winter temperatures close to freezing
point occur in the highlands and snow falls in somepoint occur in the highlands and snow falls in some
of the higher mountainous areas.of the higher mountainous areas.
8. B.B. The region receives little annual rainfall,The region receives little annual rainfall,
except for winter rain in the areasexcept for winter rain in the areas
bordering the Mediterranean, and there isbordering the Mediterranean, and there is
a serious shortage of fresh water in thea serious shortage of fresh water in the
Gulf area.Gulf area.
1.1. Vegetation in this region is dominated byVegetation in this region is dominated by
thorny scrubland.thorny scrubland.
B.B. The Euphrates and Tigris are the largestThe Euphrates and Tigris are the largest
rivers in the Middle East.rivers in the Middle East.
1.1. Several short rivers flow into theSeveral short rivers flow into the
Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian Seas.Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian Seas.
10. III.III. PopulationPopulation
A.A. The population of the region is about 306 millionThe population of the region is about 306 million
(2005).(2005).
1.1. Life expectancies have improved in recent years and nowLife expectancies have improved in recent years and now
stand at;stand at;
a.a. 67.5 years for males.67.5 years for males.
b.b. 72 years for females.72 years for females.
c.c. The population growth rate is moderate at, 1.8 percent.The population growth rate is moderate at, 1.8 percent.
2.2. In several countries, particularly in the Gulf States,In several countries, particularly in the Gulf States,
petroleum has indirectly assisted the growth ofpetroleum has indirectly assisted the growth of
urbanization as oil-generated revenues have been investedurbanization as oil-generated revenues have been invested
in urban areas and projects.in urban areas and projects.
11.
12. IV.IV. AgricultureAgriculture
A.A. Because of the arid climate, only a small part of theBecause of the arid climate, only a small part of the
region can support agriculture.region can support agriculture.
1.1. The Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, with their plains andThe Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, with their plains and
extensive irrigation, are significant agricultural areas, butextensive irrigation, are significant agricultural areas, but
their rising salinity levels constitute a major problem.their rising salinity levels constitute a major problem.
2.2. The region has a great need for irrigation.The region has a great need for irrigation.
a.a. Syria, for example, has built the Euphrates Dam toSyria, for example, has built the Euphrates Dam to
irrigate the northeastern part of the country.irrigate the northeastern part of the country.
b.b. Israel has also developed areas of intensive irrigation-Israel has also developed areas of intensive irrigation-
based agriculture.based agriculture.
13. B.B. Wheat, barley, and rice are the major cereals.Wheat, barley, and rice are the major cereals.
1.1. Important cash crops include tobacco, sugarcane, cotton,Important cash crops include tobacco, sugarcane, cotton,
fruits and tea.fruits and tea.
a.a. Date Palms are a common fruit and are cultivated inDate Palms are a common fruit and are cultivated in
oasis areas.oasis areas.
2.2. Livestock mostly consists of camels, sheep , and goats;Livestock mostly consists of camels, sheep , and goats;
a.a. Herds of goats have been blamed for stripping theHerds of goats have been blamed for stripping the
ground bard of vegetation, which has resulted in soilground bard of vegetation, which has resulted in soil
erosion and the acceleration of desertification in someerosion and the acceleration of desertification in some
areas.areas.
B.B. Agriculture based on growing olives, grapes, citrusAgriculture based on growing olives, grapes, citrus
fruits and apples is found in the Mediterraneanfruits and apples is found in the Mediterranean
coastal areas.coastal areas.
C.C. Fishing is important in several places, including theFishing is important in several places, including the
Black and Caspian Seas.Black and Caspian Seas.
14. V.V. IndustrializationIndustrialization
A.A. Petroleum reserves are the region’s most abundantPetroleum reserves are the region’s most abundant
resources.resources.
1.1. Oil-rich Saudi Arabia, Iran , Iraq, Kuwait, and the UnitedOil-rich Saudi Arabia, Iran , Iraq, Kuwait, and the United
Arab Emirates have economies predominantly based onArab Emirates have economies predominantly based on
petroleum exports, which makes them vulnerable topetroleum exports, which makes them vulnerable to
fluctuations in the price of petroleum.fluctuations in the price of petroleum.
a.a. Petroleum prices escalated during the mid to latePetroleum prices escalated during the mid to late
1970s, but since then prices have fallen considerable.1970s, but since then prices have fallen considerable.
2.2. Oil wealth has facilitated the import of foodstuffs,Oil wealth has facilitated the import of foodstuffs,
manufactured goods, and luxury items, and have been alsomanufactured goods, and luxury items, and have been also
used for military purchases and development.used for military purchases and development.
17. B.B. The hot, arid areas of the region are largelyThe hot, arid areas of the region are largely
unsuited to the establishment of industries.unsuited to the establishment of industries.
1.1. The lack of fresh water is so severe in the GulfThe lack of fresh water is so severe in the Gulf
region that desalinization plants have been set upregion that desalinization plants have been set up
to produce potable water.to produce potable water.
2.2. Oil-based electricity is generated in the oil-richOil-based electricity is generated in the oil-rich
countries, and coal-based electricity is widelycountries, and coal-based electricity is widely
used in Turkey.used in Turkey.
a.a. Hydroelectric power is produced in Syria andHydroelectric power is produced in Syria and
Turkey.Turkey.
18. C.C. Industries that use local materials, such asIndustries that use local materials, such as
food processing, petroleum refining, andfood processing, petroleum refining, and
petrochemical industries, have been developedpetrochemical industries, have been developed
in some places.in some places.
1.1. Some light consumer based industries, includingSome light consumer based industries, including
textiles, footwear, cigarettes, and paper, have alsotextiles, footwear, cigarettes, and paper, have also
been established.been established.
2.2. The countries of the eastern Mediterranean areThe countries of the eastern Mediterranean are
comparatively more industrialized than the rest ofcomparatively more industrialized than the rest of
the region, but frequent conflicts with neighboringthe region, but frequent conflicts with neighboring
countries in the area have hampered their ability tocountries in the area have hampered their ability to
maintain production.maintain production.
19. VI.VI. LanguagesLanguages
A.A. Three language familiesThree language families
1.1. The Indo-European, Turkic, and Semitic – are found in the Middle East.The Indo-European, Turkic, and Semitic – are found in the Middle East.
a.a. The Indo-European languages represented include Persian, Pashto,The Indo-European languages represented include Persian, Pashto,
Kurdish, Armenian, and Baluchi. Turkish and Azerbaijani are TurkicKurdish, Armenian, and Baluchi. Turkish and Azerbaijani are Turkic
languages, and Arabic and Hebrew are Semitic.languages, and Arabic and Hebrew are Semitic.
20. VII.VII. Boundary disputes and WarsBoundary disputes and Wars
A.A. The region has experienced several conflicts and warsThe region has experienced several conflicts and wars
within the last fifty years.within the last fifty years.
1.1. The Israeli-Arab conflict has been the most prominent andThe Israeli-Arab conflict has been the most prominent and
is yet to be resolved.is yet to be resolved.
a.a. Lebanon was drawn into the conflict, which adverselyLebanon was drawn into the conflict, which adversely
affected its economy.affected its economy.
B.B. Iraq’s attempt to conquer the Arab-speaking region ofIraq’s attempt to conquer the Arab-speaking region of
southwestern Iran lasted for years, and drained bothsouthwestern Iran lasted for years, and drained both
Iraq and Iran of resources.Iraq and Iran of resources.
1.1. Iraq’s conquest of Kuwait, the subsequent Gulf War, theIraq’s conquest of Kuwait, the subsequent Gulf War, the
ousting of Saddam Hussein and the attempt to install aousting of Saddam Hussein and the attempt to install a
democratic regime in 2003-2004 mainly by the U.S. anddemocratic regime in 2003-2004 mainly by the U.S. and
Great Britain have seriously affected Iraq’s economy.Great Britain have seriously affected Iraq’s economy.
21. C.C. The Kurdish-speaking area, shared byThe Kurdish-speaking area, shared by
Turkey, Iraq and Iran, has also beenTurkey, Iraq and Iran, has also been
involved in armed conflict, in its attemptinvolved in armed conflict, in its attempt
to secure independence.to secure independence.
D.D. The Turkish conquest of the northern,The Turkish conquest of the northern,
Turkish-speaking part of Cyprus hasTurkish-speaking part of Cyprus has
strained relations between Greece andstrained relations between Greece and
Turkey.Turkey.
