Unit 2 Study Guide Helpful Hints
Hey kiddoes! I’ve put some help below—answers
to some questions, as well as a few test items.
<3 Kietzman
SSWG3 The student will describe the interaction of physical and human systems that have shaped
contemporary North Africa/Southwest Asia.
a. Describe the location of major physical features and their impact on North Africa/Southwest Asia.
b. Describe the major climates of North Africa/Southwest Asia and how they have affected the
development of North Africa/Southwest Asia.
c. Analyze the impact natural resources, especially oil, have on North Africa/Southwest Asia.
d. Analyze the impact of water supplies on the growth of population centers.
e. Explain the impact of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam on the development of the region’s culture.
f. Explain why this region contains areas on two different continents.
g. Describe the major ethnic and cultural groups in North Africa/Southwest Asia; include major customs
and traditions.
Yay! Unit 2 study guide! You have already taken one test and have learned how I format and ask questions. It
is not easy if you don’t study. I will be holding a study session starting at 7:45 the day of the test. I have an
extra orange map sheet for practice if you want it.
Here’s the guide:
1. Be able to locate the main physical features and countries.
a. I would definitely know Saudi Arabia, West Bank, Sahara, Suez Canal, Turkey, Kuwait and Atlas
Mountains. There will be more but these are a good start.
2. How do deserts affect where you live, what you wear and the work you do?
3. How do rivers affect where you live, what you wear and the work you do?
4. What are the main climates of Southwest Asia & North Africa?
a. Desert, semi-arid, Mediterranean
5. Why is water such a precious resource in the Middle East/North Africa?
6. What are the reasons that Southwest Asia & North Africa are grouped together in the same region?
(There are 5)
7. Be able to know how to read a climograph and make inferences from the graph.
a. I ended up omitting this so don’t waste your time studying.
8. How do water supplies impact where people live?
9. What are some of the water issues that people in Southwest Asia & North Africa face? Give 3
examples.
10. List some natural resources of Southwest Asia & North Africa.
a. Copper, phosphates, coal
11. What is the main resource of Southwest Asia & North Africa?
a. Oil of course!
12. Why is oil so important in Southwest Asia & North Africa?
13. How has oil impacted the standard of living in Southwest Asia & North Africa?
14. Who lives in Israel? Who lives in Palestine?
a. Jews live in Israel, Muslim Arabs live in areas for the Palestinians
15. What are the two main parts of Palestine?
a. West Bank & Gaza Strip
16. How did the creation of Israel come about?
17. What is Zionism?
a. Belief that there should be a Jewish homeland
18. Judaism
a. Founder
There are more but these are definitely on the assessment:
b. Major beliefs
 Believe that Abraham had a covenant with God
c. Important people
 Holy city of Mecca
d. Divisions
 Monotheistic
19. Christianity
 Believe that Jesus is the son of God
a. Founder
 Holiest day is Friday at noon
b. Major beliefs
 Holy city of Jerusalem
 Have a rule about food being Kosher
c. Important people
d. Divisions
20. Islam
a. Founder
There are more but these are definitely on the assessment:
b. Major beliefs
c. Important people
 Men and women are pretty equal and women do not have
to wear the veil
d. Divisions

Responsible for many inventions like algebra
21. Arabs
 Primary ethnic group of SWA & NA
a. Who are they?
 Want own homeland
b. What’s their religion?
c. Where do they live?
d. Describe their life.
22. Kurds
a. Who are they?
b. What’s their religion?
c. Where do they live?
d. Describe their life.
23. Berbers
a. Who are they?
b. What’s their religion?
c. Where do they live?
d. Describe their life.
24. Persians
a. Who are they?
b. What’s their religion?
c. Where do they live?
d. Describe their life.