Notes for lesson on the Middle East.

1. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON1
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
The Arabian Peninsula,The Arabian Peninsula,
Iraq, Iran, and AfghanistanIraq, Iran, and Afghanistan
Section 1:Section 1: Physical GeographyPhysical Geography
Section 2:Section 2: The Arabian PeninsulaThe Arabian Peninsula
Section 3:Section 3: IraqIraq
Section 4:Section 4: Iran and AfghanistanIran and Afghanistan
CHAPTER 20CHAPTER 20

2. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON2
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Objectives:Objectives:
 What are the major physical features of the region?What are the major physical features of the region?
 What climates are found in this region?What climates are found in this region?
 What are the region’s important resources?What are the region’s important resources?
Section 1Section 1
Physical GeographyPhysical Geography

3. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON3
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Major physical features of the ArabianMajor physical features of the Arabian
Peninsula, Iraq, Iran, and AfghanistanPeninsula, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan
 The Arabian Peninsula—bordered by the Red Sea,The Arabian Peninsula—bordered by the Red Sea,
Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and the Persian GulfGulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and the Persian Gulf
 The plain of the Tigris and Euphrates RiversThe plain of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
(Mesopotamia) lies between the exotic rivers.(Mesopotamia) lies between the exotic rivers.
 Region of mountains and plateaus—ElburzRegion of mountains and plateaus—Elburz
Mountains, Kopet-Dag range, Hindu Kush, and theMountains, Kopet-Dag range, Hindu Kush, and the
Zagros MountainsZagros Mountains
Section 1Section 1
Physical GeographyPhysical Geography

4. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON4
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Climates of the Arabian Peninsula,Climates of the Arabian Peninsula,
Iraq, Iran, and AfghanistanIraq, Iran, and Afghanistan
 Most of the region has a desert climate.Most of the region has a desert climate.
 There are parts of the region with steppe climates.There are parts of the region with steppe climates.
Section 1Section 1
Physical GeographyPhysical Geography

5. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON5
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Important resources of the ArabianImportant resources of the Arabian
Peninsula, Iraq, Iran, and AfghanistanPeninsula, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan
 Water resources includeWater resources include wadiswadis andand fossil waterfossil water..
 Oil is the key mineral resource.Oil is the key mineral resource.
 Iran has other metal deposits.Iran has other metal deposits.
Section 1Section 1
Physical GeographyPhysical Geography

6. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON6
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Objectives:Objectives:
 What are Saudi Arabia’s history, government, andWhat are Saudi Arabia’s history, government, and
people like?people like?
 What kinds of government and economy do the otherWhat kinds of government and economy do the other
countries of the Arabian Peninsula have?countries of the Arabian Peninsula have?
Section 2Section 2
The Arabian PeninsulaThe Arabian Peninsula

7. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON7
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia
 History—created in 1932 by the Saud family; closelyHistory—created in 1932 by the Saud family; closely
linked to Islamlinked to Islam
 Government—a monarchy still ruled by the SaudGovernment—a monarchy still ruled by the Saud
family; most officials are members of the family;family; most officials are members of the family;
Islamic scholars influence policyIslamic scholars influence policy
 People—ethnic Arabs; 85 percent Sunni; Islam isPeople—ethnic Arabs; 85 percent Sunni; Islam is
reflected in dress, treatment of women, and dailyreflected in dress, treatment of women, and daily
prayer schedulesprayer schedules
Section 2Section 2
The Arabian PeninsulaThe Arabian Peninsula

8. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON8
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Other countries of the Arabian PeninsulaOther countries of the Arabian Peninsula
Other countries of the Arabian Peninsula areOther countries of the Arabian Peninsula are
predominantly Islamic and have varying wealth from oilpredominantly Islamic and have varying wealth from oil
reserves. All but Yemen are monarchies.reserves. All but Yemen are monarchies.
Section 2Section 2
The Arabian PeninsulaThe Arabian Peninsula

9. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON9
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
(continued)
Other countries of the Arabian PeninsulaOther countries of the Arabian Peninsula
 Kuwait—invaded by Iraq in 1990 Gulf War; rich in oilKuwait—invaded by Iraq in 1990 Gulf War; rich in oil
 Bahrain and Qatar—Bahrain is a historic trade center;Bahrain and Qatar—Bahrain is a historic trade center;
Qatar becoming more democraticQatar becoming more democratic
 The United Arab Emirates—led byThe United Arab Emirates—led by emirsemirs; foreign workers; foreign workers
outnumber citizensoutnumber citizens
 Oman—attempting to create new industries besides oilOman—attempting to create new industries besides oil
 Yemen—elected government suffers from corruption;Yemen—elected government suffers from corruption;
poorest in the regionpoorest in the region
Section 2Section 2
The Arabian PeninsulaThe Arabian Peninsula

10. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON10
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Objectives:Objectives:
 What were the key events in Iraq’s history?What were the key events in Iraq’s history?
 What are Iraq’s government and economy like?What are Iraq’s government and economy like?
 What is the makeup of Iraq’s population?What is the makeup of Iraq’s population?
Section 3Section 3
IraqIraq

11. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON11
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Key events in Iraq’s history include:Key events in Iraq’s history include:
 A.D. 600—Arabs conquer Mesopotamia, IslamA.D. 600—Arabs conquer Mesopotamia, Islam
spreads, Baghdad thrives (until 1258).spreads, Baghdad thrives (until 1258).
 1500s—Mesopotamia becomes part of the Ottoman1500s—Mesopotamia becomes part of the Ottoman
Empire.Empire.
 British take over during World War I; overthrown inBritish take over during World War I; overthrown in
the 1950s by the Iraqi army.the 1950s by the Iraqi army.
Section 3Section 3
IraqIraq

12. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON12
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
(continued)
Key events in Iraq’s history include:Key events in Iraq’s history include:
 Ba’ath Party takes over in 1968 and Saddam HusseinBa’ath Party takes over in 1968 and Saddam Hussein
becomes president in late 1970s.becomes president in late 1970s.
 1980—Iraq invades Iran; Iran-Iraq War is fought1980—Iraq invades Iran; Iran-Iraq War is fought
from 1980 to 1988.from 1980 to 1988.
 1990—Iraq invades Kuwait, triggering Persian Gulf1990—Iraq invades Kuwait, triggering Persian Gulf
War.War.
 2000’s Operation Iraqi freedom.2000’s Operation Iraqi freedom.
Section 3Section 3
IraqIraq

13. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON13
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Iraq’s government:Iraq’s government:
 Was controlled by the Ba’ath Party and SaddamWas controlled by the Ba’ath Party and Saddam
Hussein.Hussein.
 Today Iraq is trying to develop a DemocraticToday Iraq is trying to develop a Democratic
Government.Government.
Iraq’s economy:Iraq’s economy:
 Was limited by tradeWas limited by trade embargoesembargoes since the two wars.since the two wars.
 Is rebuilding its petroleum, mining, construction, andIs rebuilding its petroleum, mining, construction, and
manufacturing industries.manufacturing industries.
Section 3Section 3
IraqIraq

14. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON14
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Iraq’s population is:Iraq’s population is:
 75 percent Arab75 percent Arab
 nearly all Muslimnearly all Muslim
 15-20 percent Kurds15-20 percent Kurds
Section 3Section 3
IraqIraq

15. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON15
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Objectives:Objectives:
 What were some important events in Iran’s history?What were some important events in Iran’s history?
 What are Iran’s government and people like?What are Iran’s government and people like?
 What problems does Afghanistan face today?What problems does Afghanistan face today?
Section 4Section 4
Iran and AfghanistanIran and Afghanistan

16. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON16
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Important events in Iran’s historyImportant events in Iran’s history
include:include:
 500s B.C.—The Persian Empire was centered in the500s B.C.—The Persian Empire was centered in the
region.region.
 300s B.C.—Alexander the Great conquered the300s B.C.—Alexander the Great conquered the
Persian Empire.Persian Empire.
 A.D. 600s—Arabs invade and establish Islam.A.D. 600s—Arabs invade and establish Islam.
 1921—The1921—The ShahShah takes over and encourages reform;takes over and encourages reform;
his son succeeds him in 1941.his son succeeds him in 1941.
Section 4Section 4
Iran and AfghanistanIran and Afghanistan

17. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON17
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Important events in Iran’s historyImportant events in Iran’s history
include:include: (continued)
 1979—The Shah is overthrown and Iranian Republic1979—The Shah is overthrown and Iranian Republic
is formed; American hostages are taken with approvalis formed; American hostages are taken with approval
from the government.from the government.
 1980–1988—Iran-Iraq War is fought.1980–1988—Iran-Iraq War is fought.
Section 4Section 4
Iran and AfghanistanIran and Afghanistan

18. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON18
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
The People and Government of IranThe People and Government of Iran
 Iran is aIran is a theocracytheocracy—it is ruled by religious leaders.—it is ruled by religious leaders.
 The government has supported terrorism and theThe government has supported terrorism and the
destruction of Israel.destruction of Israel.
 Possible democratic reforms have been developingPossible democratic reforms have been developing
since the late 1990s.since the late 1990s.
 The population is diverse, with ethnic Persians in theThe population is diverse, with ethnic Persians in the
majority.majority.
 The Shia branch of Islam is the official religion.The Shia branch of Islam is the official religion.
Section 4Section 4
Iran and AfghanistanIran and Afghanistan

19. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON19
People, Places,People, Places,
and Changeand Change
HOLTHOLT
Problems in AfghanistanProblems in Afghanistan
 Links to terrorism of September 11, 2001, placedLinks to terrorism of September 11, 2001, placed
Afghanistan at the center of the war on terror, led byAfghanistan at the center of the war on terror, led by
the United States.the United States.
 Afghanistan has an interim government after theAfghanistan has an interim government after the
ousting of the Taliban.ousting of the Taliban.
 Years of war have hurt Afghanistan’s people,Years of war have hurt Afghanistan’s people,
industry, trade, and transportation systems.industry, trade, and transportation systems.
Section 4Section 4
Iran and AfghanistanIran and Afghanistan