Chapter 20
The
Eastern
Mediterranean
SECTION 1 OBJECTIVE
Natural Environment
I.D. Landforms, rivers, climates,
& natural resources of Eastern
Mediterranean
List the countries & capitals
discussed in this chapter.
Europe
Asia
What 2 continents does this
region reside on?
What are the major water features
in this area?
 Jordan
River 
◦ Located in
Israel &
Lebanon
between the
Sea of Galilee
and Dead Sea
What are the major water features
in this area?

Dead Sea  located
1312ft below sea
level, its shores are
the lowest spot on
the earth’s surface, it
is extremely salty
(easy to float)
What are the major water features
in this area?

Tigris & Euphrates
Rivers  land
between is known as
Mesopotamia, both
flow together to
become the Shat al’
Arab.
Climate Zones
 Arid
 Semi-Arid
 Mediterranean
Causes
 Rain
Shadow
 Elevation
 Distance from
the sea
Name the 3 common climate zones & 3
common causes for these climate zones
What natural resources are found in
this area?
Fossil
Fuels  Oil/ Coal/
Natural Gas
Mineral  Copper/ Iron
Ore/ Potash/ Magnesium
SECTION 2
History and Culture
 1. I.D. various
empires 7 their
influence
 2. Analyze how modern Israel came
to be
 3. Describe cultures
Give facts about the following
empires:

Romans 
◦ 200-106 BCE
conquered area->
most Jews exiled
◦ 1st century AD ->
Christianity spreads
from here
Give facts about the following
empires:

Byzantine 
◦ 400’s AD after fall of
Roman Empire
◦ Christianity splits into
Eastern Orthodox &
Roman Catholic
◦ Capital was
Constantinople = now
Istanbul
Justinian= Emperor of
Byzantine Empire
Give facts about the following
empires:

Arab
◦ 600AD take over what
is now Israel
◦ Turkic Muslims invade
in 1077AD, forcing the
Pope to declare war
 would later be
known as the
Crusades 1095-1200’s
◦ Muslims would later
force Christians out
Give facts about the following
empires:

Ottoman
◦ 1300’sAD est. Empire
◦ 1453 est.
Constantinople as
capital
◦ Empire collapses after
WWI – only control
Turkey
Conflict in this region.
How did Palestine & Israel come to
be split?
1800’s Zionism – called for Jews to set up
homeland in Palestine
 WWI &WWII  Jews move out of Europe
 1947  UN splits Palestine into Arab &
Jewish state
 Wars between Arabs & Israelis occur from
1950’s-1982. Israel successful in picking up
West Bank, Gaza Strip, & Golan Heights
*In Israel today, most of the Jewish holidays are
recognized and practiced by everyone.
Businesses are usually closed on these
holidays.

Languages
Religions
 Islam*

Arabic*
Hebrew
Turkish
English
French
Russian
Kurdish

*Most Popular







 Christianity
 Judaism
*Most Popular
List the popular languages &
religions found in this area.
SECTION 3
 1. Describe
economic activities in
the area
 2. ID characteristics of cities
 3. Analyze challenges facing the
region
What unites people from different
ethnic groups in this region?
 Religious
traditions &
cultures, unites
people
regardless of
what group they
belong to.
What are some of the reasons economic
development has been so hard in this area?
Natural Hazards
 Political Problems
 Hostile Relationships b/t Countries
 Strained resources due to over
population
 Civil Wars (Lebanon & Cyprus)
 Weak Educational Systems

List the greatest hits for the
following:



Agriculture  Econs in this area rely heavily
on agriculture. Growth is due in part to the
irrigation receive from near by rivers.
Industry  Israel is the most technologically
advanced nation here, making money from
industry, diamonds, and chemicals
Tourism  Accounts for a majority of
money made in the region, but slows due to
civil unrest.
What are the urban areas like in
this region?
Old or ancient centers
with newer areas
outlying
 Roads are small and
winding
 Open air markets
 War has destroyed
many cities like Beirut,
Lebanon
*Damascus, Syria is
considered to be the
world’s oldest city

What are some important issues
the region is currently facing?
Political  status of West Bank & Gaza
Strip
 Civil Unrest due to unfair treatment by
government & moving to a more secure
government
 Drought limiting plant growth
