Main things to know about the Middle East
1. The Middle East is the southwest region of Asia.
2. This region’s name describes its location in relation to Europe, which is known as the West.
3. The Middle East is at the crossroads of three continents, Asia, Europe and Africa.
4. Because of its location and waterways, the Middle East has long been important to world trade.
5. The three major monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) started in the Middle East.
6. The world’s largest oil reserves are located in the Middle East, but many Middle Eastern countries
have little or no oil. Countries ranked by oil reserves:
1. Saudi Arabia
3. Iraq
5. UAE
7. Qatar
2. Iran
4. Kuwait
6. Libya
8. Algeria
7. The largest ethnicity is Arab and the most widely spoken language is Arabic. The Kurds are a large
minority group in Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran. Other exceptions:
Country
Ethnic Groups
Languages
Israel
Jewish & Arab
Hebrew & Arabic (English semi-official)
Turkey
Turks
Turkish
Iran
Persian
Persian/Farsi
8. The most widely practiced religion in the Middle East is Islam. People who follow this faith are called
Muslims. There are two main branches are Sunni and Shiite. Exceptions:
Israel is mostly Jewish.
Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria have significant numbers of Christians.
9. North Africa is often considered part of the Middle East because the two regions share the same
cultures.
10. Most of the governments are republics, but many are monarchies. Most are not democratic.
Exceptions are:
Israel is democratic.
Turkey is rather democratic.
Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia are somewhat democratic.
Global Studies
Name ______________________________________
Main things to know about the Middle East
1. The Middle East is the __________________________region of _______________.
2. This region’s name describes its location in relation to _________________, which is known as the West.
3. The Middle East is at the crossroads of three ______________________, __________________,
__________________, and ___________________.
4. Because of its _____________________ and _____________________, the Middle East has long been
important to world __________________.
5. The three major ___________________ religions (___________________, _______________________
and _____________________started in the Middle East.
6. The world’s largest _________ reserves are located in the Middle East, but many Middle Eastern countries
have ____________________________ oil. Countries ranked by oil reserves:
1. ______________
3. ______________
5. ______________
7. ______________
2. ______________
4. ______________
6. ______________
8. ______________
7. The largest ethnicity is ____________ and the most widely spoken language is ________________. The
______________ are a large ______________ group in Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran. Other exceptions:
Country
Ethnic Groups
Languages
Israel
___________& Arab ____________ & Arabic (___________ semi-official)
Turkey
___________
___________________
Iran
___________
___________________
8. The most widely practiced religion in the Middle East is ___________. People who follow this faith are
called ______________. There are ______ main branches are____________ and __________. Exceptions:
_______________ is mostly _________________.
________________________________________________ have significant numbers of Christians.
9. __________________________ is often considered part of the Middle East because the two regions share
the same cultures.
10. Most of the governments are republics, but many are monarchies. Most are _______________________.
Exceptions are:
Israel is _____________________.
Turkey is _________________ democratic.
Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia are __________________ democratic.