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Why should we think so hard about geography? Why does geography matter? In addition to the intrinsic interest of the physical structures of the earth, geography is the canvas on which history—the lives of people over years, centuries, millennia—is painted. The rivers, mountains, plains and valleys, oil deposits and rainfall patterns of the Middle East have shaped and will continue to shape the contours of peoples’ lifestyles, livelihoods, prosperity and/or poverty, war and/or peace.

Geography lets us explore how and why people move into and through the region, including migration patterns, nomadic economies, natural resources and their exploitation, and trade routes and commodities. We can look at some aspect of culture, like clothing or a particular food, and trace back through the application of geographic principles, the many vectors that come together to make that dish or robe or pot possible, and that make it exactly what it is.

Geography also lets us think about and play with maps and mapping. We often think of maps as neutral documents that give us an unmediated snapshot of political borders and cities, or terrain, or resources. However, maps are human documents, and they therefore reflect their creators’ point of view. How does a mapmaker decide what is worth including on a map, and how to represent some part of the reality of a complex world? New technologies like Google Earth also let us explore this diverse region in a much more intimate and interactive way. It is our hope that the materials and lessons in this unit will inspire you to create your own mental and physical maps of the Middle East!