Name: ______________________
Date:_________________________
Southwest Asia: The People and Their Environment
Study Guide
1. How has the distribution of oil affected the development of Southwest Asia?
It has caused fighting amongst nations and pollution in the environment.
2. How have water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacted irrigation and drinking water in
Southwest Asia?
There is a lack of food (not enough water for crops); not enough clean water for people to drink; and
people may get sick and/or starve.
3. What is a religious group?
a group of people who choose to have the same belief about how the world was created, etc.
4. What is an ethnic group?
a group of people whose members identify with each other through a common heritage
5. The three predominant religions in Southwest Asia include:
Christianity, Judaism, Islam
6. The word “monotheism” means:
belief in one god
7. How are the three predominant religions in Southwest Asia alike?
based upon mothotheism; have a sacred book; beliefs; believers; etc.
8. What language does an Arab speak?
Arabic
9. What most common religion does an Arab practice?.
Islam
10. Where do most Persians live?
Iran
11. Where do the Kurdish people live?.
Middle East
12. What do the Shia Muslims believe?
Muslim leadership is a god-given birthright.
13. What do the Sunni Muslims believe?
A Muslim leader should be elected based upon ability to do the job.
Short Answer: Answer each with at least two COMPLETE sentences.
14. What is the difference between a religious and an ethnic group?
An ethnic group shares a common and distinctive culture, religion, language, race, origin, etc... A
religious group has a distinct identity based on common religious beliefs and practices.
15. How are the three predominant religions in Southwest Asia alike?
The religions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are alike because they all have their origins
(beginnings) in Southwest Asia. They all have a higher being or God that they worship (theology). All
three have a religious text that is used as a “guide for living.”
16. Why is there a division between Sunni and Shia Muslims?
The “Four Rightly Caliphs” ruled one after another after Muhammad’s death. After the “Four Rightly
Caliphs” died, the Sunni and Shia Muslims disagreed about who should lead the Muslim community
after Muhammad’s death.
17. Why does the literacy rate affect the standard of living in Southwest Asia?
The higher the literacy rate, the higher the standard of living. If people can read and write, they are
more likely to find jobs and support the needs of their families. More opportunities are available, when
people are educated.
Complete the Table
Who is Worshipped?
Founder?
When Founded?
JUDAISM
18. Yahweh
21. Abraham
2000 BC
CHRISTIANITY
19. God/Jesus
22. Jesus
8-4 BC
Where Founded?
24. Mesopotamia
25. Israel (Palestine)
27. Torah
30. Jews
28. Bible
31. Christians
Religious Text?
Believers?
Basic Beliefs?
God made a covenant with
Abraham that his descendants
would be as numerous as the
stars and that they would
always have the land of Canaan
Jesus is the Messiah or
Savior
ISLAM
20. Allah
23. Muhammad
About 600 AD
26. Mecca, Saudi
Arabia
29. Koran – Qur’an
32. Muslims
5 Pillars
1) Shahada- faith in one godAllah
2) Salat – prayer
3) Zakat- giving alms (giving to
the poor)
4) Ramadan – fasting (do not
eat or drink)
5) Hajj- pilgrimage (trip to
Mecca)