This document provides information about several Middle Eastern countries and regions, including their HDI rankings, major cities, economies, religions, governments, and physical features. It notes that most countries in the region rely on oil economies and have governments based on Islamic religious teachings. The dominant religions are Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, with Israel being the only country not over 90% Muslim. It provides brief overviews of the key aspects of these three major religions.

1. COUNTRIES IN THIS REGION AND HDI RANK (out of 170
countries)
• Turkey - #83
• Syria - #111
• Lebanon - #
• Jordan - #82
• Israel - #15
• Saudi Arabia - #55
• Oman - #
• Yemen - #133
• Iraq - #
• Iran - #70
• Afghanistan - #155
PERSIAN GULF COUNTRIES
• Kuwait -#47
• Bahrain - #39
• Qatar - #38
• United Arab Emirates - #32
MAJOR CITIES
• Istanbul
• Jerusalem
• Baghdad
• Tehran
• Kabul
• Mecca
OIL
• Economy of most countries is based off oil.
• Boosts standard of living in many countries.
• Saudi Arabia produces 64% of world’s oil.
• OPEC – controls supply and price of oil
• U.S. is #1 consumer of oil in the world

2. RELIGION
• Monotheism (one) vs. Polytheism (man)
• Most people in the region are Muslim – they follow the religion of Islam
• Israel is the only country that is not over 90% Muslim. Rather, they follow
Judaism.
Islam
• 569 CE
• Muslims
• Allah
• Muhammed
• Koran
• Mosque
• Islam means “surrender” to the will of Allah. Muhammad is the last and greatest
prophet of Islam à Following Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Believers go to an
eternal paradise.
• Follow the Five Pillars of Faith à Belief, Prayer, Charity, Fasting, and
Pilgrimage
Christianity
• 4 BCE
• Christians
• God
• Jesus Christ
• Bible
• Church
• Jesus is the Son of God sent to Earth to save humanity. Belivers receive eternal
life.
• 10 Commandments
Judaism
• 1900 BCE
• Jews
• Yahweh
• Abraham
• Torah
• Synagogue
• Follow God’s laws and they will be at peace with God and each other. Believe
they were God’s “chosen people.”
• Believe in Old Testament.

3. GOVERNMENTS
• Many dictatorships – very few democratic based governments.
• Most governments and laws are based on religious teachings.
• Women have very few rights.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
• Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
• Turkey lies in Asia and Europe
• Rub ‘al Khali Desert
• Hindu Kush Mountains
• Arabian Peninsula
• Persian Gulf