The document provides definitions and information about various geographic and religious terms: - The Jordan River forms the boundary between Israel and Jordan and flows into the Dead Sea. The Euphrates River flows through parts of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. - Crude oil is unprocessed petroleum. The Rub al-Khali desert in Saudi Arabia is one of the largest sand deserts. - The five pillars of Islam are the Shahadah, prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca. Important religious figures mentioned include Muhammad and Zionism. - Other terms defined include salt flats, drip irrigation, refineries, The Kurds, OPEC, the D

1. Unit 7 Notes Mr. Allen World Geography Test over this on Thursday 3/12.

2. Jordan River Forms the natural boundary between Israel and Jordan. It is considered to be one of the world's most sacred rivers; flows into the Dead Sea.

3. Crude Oil Another name for petroleum that has not been processed.

4. Rub al-Khali Most famous desert in the region, also known as the Empty Quarter. One of the largest sand deserts in the world, encompassing most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula

5. Euphrates River The western of the two great rivers that define Mesopotamia (the other being the Tigris) which flows from Anatolia. River flows through parts of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.

6. Dead Sea A landlocked salt lake between Israel and the West Bank to the west, and Jordan to the east.

7. Salt flat An area of desert in which the moisture has evaporated and salt chemicals remain.

8. Drip irrigation a practice of using small pipes that slowly drip water above ground to conserve water use for crops.

9. Refinery A place where crude oil is converted into products such as gasoline and heating oil.

10. The Kurds A group of people living in areas of Turkey,Iraq, and Iran for the past 1,000 years. Has tried unsuccessfully to establish a nation since the breakup of the Ottoman Empire after World War I

11. Muhammad The prophet who is considered the founder of Islam; regarded by Muslims as a messenger and prophet of God.

12. Zionism A movement to create and support a Jewish homeland in Palestine

13. Mecca Located in Saudi Arabia, the holy city to which all Muslims hope to make a pilgrimage ; it is the holiest city in Islam and plays an important role in the faith.

14. Followers of Islam religious duties of the followers of Islam prayer charity fasting

15. ' Five Pillars ' of Islam Shahadah - Islamic proclamation that "There is no true God except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."

16. ' Five Pillars ' of Islam Prayer (Salat) - Prayer is performed five times a day. The first prayer is at dawn and the last at sunset.

17. ' Five Pillars ' of Islam Fasting (Saum) - The month of Ramadan is the month of fasting in Islam. It is an act of worship where the faithful follower denies his own needs and seeks Allah.

18. ' Five Pillars ' of Islam Charity (Zakat) - Charity given to the poor. It benefits the poor and it helps the giver by moving him towards more holiness and submission to Allah.

19. ' Five Pillars ' of Islam Pilgrimage (Hajj) - This is the pilgrimage to Mecca. All Muslims, if they are able, are to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. It involves financial sacrifice and is an act of worship.

20. OPEC O rganization of the P etroleum E xporting C ountries; controlling worldwide oil prices .

21. Dome of the Rock Marks the spot where Muslims believe Muhammad rose up to heaven.

22. Western Wall The holiest Jewish site in Jerusalem.

23. Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Formed to regain land currently under Israeli control for Palestinian Arabs.

24. Taliban The Taliban gained power in Afghanistan. are suspected of supporting terrorists. imposed strict rules on the behavior of people.

25. Strategic commodity a resource that is so valuable that nations will go to war to ensure its steady supply

26. Human resources Human resources - name given to the skills and talents of the people of a nation Guest workers - name given to unskilled laborers who come from other countries to fill job vacancies

27. Foreign Workers in SW Asia Working Experience misunderstandings over customs living in special districts receiving late wages or no wages at all

28. Stateless nation a nation of people without land to legally occupy

29. Palestinians Have considered themselves a stateless nation since the nation of Israel was created. Palestinians believe they should retain the right to return in any agreement to end conflicts with Israel over control of Jerusalem. 1948 Arab-Israeli war caused Palestinians to begin to flee what is now known as Israel

30. West Bank Name is given to the strip of land on the west side of the Jordan River.