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CHAPTER 18 & 19 North Africa, Southwest Asia & Central Asia Physical Geography
The broad ethnic diversity of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia stems from
several early civilizations and three major world religions that evolved in the region. Later
control by outside powers and the nationalistic movements that followed have strengthened
this diversity. As a result, the region experiences cultural and political challenges today.
North Africa North Africa has a European influence in the coastal regions, but the primary
influence of the region is a mix of indigenous and Arab culture. Water is scarce in the region,
so most people settle around sources of water such as seacoasts and rive deltas.
North Africa has been the center of many invasions from Europe and the Arabian Peninsula.
Arabs invaded in the seventh century. Europeans colonized the region in the mid 1800s.
Geometric boundaries caused conflict after independence. Most North Africans are Sunni
Muslims. Art is influenced by early Egyptian, and modern Islamic influences.
The Eastern Mediterranean Most of the people in this subregion are Arab, although the
nation of Israel is mostly Jewish. Most people live along coastal plains and the Euphrates
river valley. It is predominately urban.
The Eastern Mediterranean is the birthplace of three major religions: Judaism, Christianity,
and Islam. Europe colonized the region in the 1900s. The countries gained independence
around World War II. The U.N. divided Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state. Arab
opposition to the Jewish state of Israel led to a series of conflicts. The status of the
Palestinian Arabs has been left undecided during the conflicts. The culture of the region is
influence by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
The Northeast The people of the Northeast subregion come from Central Asia and the
Arabian Peninsula. Large cities and towns are common, but population density varies country
to country.
Mesopotamia is one of the world’s first culture hearths. It arose in the rich agricultural
region of the Fertile Crescent. The Sumerians, Phoenicians, Persian Empire, and Ottoman
Empire all developed in this area. Western Europe controlled much of the Northeast by the
late 1800s. After WWI colonization came to an end. After oil was discovered and production
capacities developed, the region gained a large amount of wealth. The countries are all
Islamic, but different branches are more common in different countries.
The Arabian Peninsula Most people in the subregion are Arabic, however, there are many
South Asians living in the Arabian Peninsula as temporary workers. The harsh desert and lush
coasts dictate where people live.
Because of the harsh climate of the subregion, large civilizations didn’t exist until the 1700s.
The Saudi’s fought off the Ottoman Empire and established itself as a kingdom in 1932.
Other nations looked to Great Britain for protection and was under its control until the
1960s. After independence standards of living varied dramatically based on whether the
nations had significant oil wealth. The subregion is home to the two holiest cities in Islam,
and all Muslims must make a pilgrimage to Makkah at least once. Islamic architecture and
Islamic art can be found throughout the region.
Central Asia This subregion is home to multiple ethnic groups. It sits on the crossroads of
Asia. Due to its mountainous terrain the population of Central Asia is spread out unevenly.
The Silk Road, passing from China to the Mediterranean passed through Central Asia, making
trading cities such as Samarqand wealthy. Various empires such as the Mongols, Alexander
the Great, Persians, Arabs, and Ottoman Turks have unified the region. Many Central Asian
countries were part of the Soviet Union, and declared their independence when it collapsed.
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. overthrew the government of
Afghanistan that sheltered Osama bin Laden. Most people in the region speak Turkic
languages. Islam is the predominate religion. There is a rich literary tradition in the region.
Agriculture provides the livelihood of most people in the region, but there has also been
significant industrial growth, especially related to petroleum. Lack of water and
environmental concerns pose challenges for the region.
The Economy Although only small parts of the region are suitable for farming, much of the
population works in agriculture. Some crops are grown for export, but many foods must be
imported Fishing. The region holds much of the world's oil and natural gas reserves. Countries
rich in these resources have developed industries that boost their economies including
service industries. Roads, railroads, and airlines connect various cities and countries.
Waterways and pipelines provide transport for oil and natural gas. New technologies are
being used to expand communications networks, strengthening the region's interdependence
and global trade relationships.
People and Their Environment The region's rivers, oases, and aquifers are used as sources
of water for people and for irrigation, but only a few countries have enough water for their
needs. Many countries have built desalination plants to provide needed water. The Great ManMade River- a system of two pipelines transports fresh water from underground aquifers to
farms near the mediterranean. Wars and new technologies have had a negative impact on the
environment. The Aswan High Dam blocks alluvial soil from fertilizing the Nile Valley. The ongoing Irag War and insurgencies in multiple nations continue to result in air and water
pollution. Pollution and overuse of water for irrigation also threaten the three large seas of
the region. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, contamination due to leaks of nuclear
waste and other pollutants became evident