What is the Middle East?The Middle East is always in the news (see p. 6). But what is it? A country, a continent, or something else? The Middle East is actually a region--in this case, a group of countries that share several characteristics. For instance, much of the land in the Middle East is desert. Oil is found in many countries there. Most of the people in the area observe the Islamic Is·lam n. 1. A monotheistic religion characterized by the acceptance of the doctrine of submission to God and to Muhammad as the chief and last prophet of God. 2. a. religion, and more than three fourths are Arabs and speak Arabic. A region, then, is an area that has certain unifying characteristics, such as location, history, predominant pre·dom·i·nant adj. 1. Having greatest ascendancy, importance, influence, authority, or force. See Synonyms at dominant. 2. language, or religion. Regions can be mapped and studied, and are a convenient way of thinking about an area. Not all regions are groups of countries. In the U.S., the Great Plains make up a well-known region. The South is a region too. And so is the New York Metropolitan Area New York–Northern New Jersey–Long Island is the most populous metropolitan area in the United States and the third most populous in the world, after Tokyo and Mexico City. . The Middle East is an important region in the world. The countries highlighted in bright colors on these maps are usually included as part of the Middle East. (Some sources list additional countries.) Study the maps, then answer the questions. Questions 1. The Middle East covers parts of which three continents? 2. Most Middle Eastern countries are located on which continent? 3. Which large Middle Eastern country is located in Africa? 4. Which country in the Middle East is farthest south? 5. Palestinian Arabs have full or partial control of which two areas in Israel? 6. Which body of water is located between Egypt and Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (sä  `dē ərā`bēə, sou`–, sô–), officially Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, kingdom (2005 est. pop. ? 7. What is the capital of Oman Noun 1. capital of Oman - a port on the Gulf of Oman and capital of the sultanate of Oman Masqat, Muscat Muscat and Oman, Oman, Sultanate of Oman - a strategically located monarchy on the southern and eastern coasts of the Arabian Peninsula; the economy is ? 8. What capital city is located closest to 32[degrees]N, 34[degrees]E? 9. The Middle East has three major rivers. Name them: 10. Turkey is located on which two continents? 1. Africa, Asia, and Europe 2. Asia 3. Egypt 4. Yemen 5. West Bank, Gaza Strip Gaza Strip (gäz`ə), (2003 est. pop. 1,330,000) rectangular coastal area, c.140 sq mi (370 sq km), SW Asia, on the Mediterranean Sea adjoining Egypt and Israel, in what was formerly SW Palestine. 6. Red Sea 7. Muscat Muscat, Maskat, or Masqat (all: mŭs`kăt, mŭs`kət), city (1993 pop. 533,774), capital of Oman, SE Arabia, on the Gulf of Oman. It is flanked by rugged mountains. 8. Jerusalem (Israel) 9. Nile, Euphrates, Tigris 10. Asia, Europe |
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