Geography

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Arab Culture & Civilization

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Geography

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Geography of the Middle East

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!

Essays

What Is the Middle East?

The Middle East is the common term for a region consisting of countries in Southwest Asia and, usually, at least part of North Africa. It is a relatively new term now widespread both inside and outside the region. While this essay mainly focuses on geography, it also discusses some stereotypes and realities.

Middle Eastern Deserts

Think of the Middle East and the desert is likely one of the first images to spring to mind. While there is much more geographic diversity in the region than most people realize, the desert s of the Middle East truly are some of the largest and most awe-inspiring in the world. The Sahara is the largest desert in the world, the Rub al-Khali in Saudi Arabia has awesome dunes of sand, and Iran’s arid central plateau contains the Dasht-e Lut and Dasht-e Kavir.

Physical Geography of the Middle East

Water in the Middle East

Water security has always been an issue in the arid environment that characterizes most of the Middle East. Not until recently, however, has it been so serious. Although the Nile, Euphrates, Tigris and Jordan Rivers provide substantial agricultural, industrial and commercial support, the longevity of this scarce resource is being tested daily.

Water, Geography, and Peace in the Middle East

by Hussein A. Amery and Aaron T. Wolf From Water In the Middle East: A Geography of Peace

Activities

Comparing Maps of the Middle East

Time: 1 class period Level: Grades 6-12 Materials: internet connection and projector or prepared powerpoint with maps of the Middle East such as those below Outcomes: Students will be able to discuss the characteristics of a geographical region, and to list characteristics of the Middle East that define it as a region. Students will be able ...

Measuring the Modern: Demography and Human Development in the Middle East

In this activity, we will use the first Arab Human Development Report to examine not only the levels and measures of development in the Arab countries of the Middle East, but also to examine the act of measuring itself.