World History
Middle East Unit
Name ______________________________
Period __________
North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia
Explore the Region
I. Culture
List the 3 major world religions originating in this region
1.
2.
3.
What was the Silk Road?
Noruz (define)
Video: “Nowus in Tehran” (Write at least two things that stand out to you from the video)
II. History
Ancient Kingdoms include Egypt and Persia
Makkah (Mecca) Why is this city important?
Arab Spring (Take notes from the PowerPoint and the Video “The Arab Spring – What is it?” in the
space provided)
III. Oil
How many of the world’s top producers are in the region?
Which country has the largest quantity of proven oil reserves?
What does OPEC stand for?
Video: “What is OPEC? – CNBC International” (Write at least two things that stand out to you from the
video)
IV. Deserts
Rub ‘al-Khali (The Empty Quarter) – the largest sand desert in the world
Covers parts of which 4 countries?
Video: “Sights and Sounds – The Empty Quarter” (Write at least two things that stand out to you from
each of the parts of the video)
“A Whole Lot of Sand”
“Taking to the Air”
“Surreal World”
“Drop-dead Beautiful”
V. The Sahara – the largest hot desert in the world and it’s growing =
How large is the Sahara?
Answer the following questions while watching the 4-part video:
Part 1: North Africa
How many countries in North Africa?
What is Africa’s largest country by area?
What is the largest city in the region?
What are 2 effects of Islam’s movement across North Africa?
Part 2: Sahara
What is the high temperature in the Sahara?
½ of all the land receives less than ________ inches of rain.
Where water rises to the surface is called __________________.
Nomadic Arab dwellers of the Sahara are called ________________________.
Part 3: The Nile River (the world’s largest river)
How long is the Nile?
What is the rich, well-watered farmland at the mouth of the Nile River called?
How was the Nile River used for transportation?
What is the name of the man-made canal that connects the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea?
Who built the canal and in what year?
Why is it such an important feature?
Part 4: The Atlas Mountains
How long is the mountain range?
What is the highest peak of the Atlas Mountains?
Who are the Berber People and how do they live?