Chapter Objectives

After reading and studying this chapter you should be able to:

1. Identify global choke points.

2. Explain why this region has a strategic location.

3. List the major religions and languages of this region.

4. Differentiate Shia Muslims from Sunni Muslims.

5. Understand movements and organizations that try to bring Arab countries and peoples together.

6. Describe the arid climate and its consequences.

7. Evaluate the impact of oil wealth on the economies and societies of the region.

8. Explain the effects of rapid population growth and urbanization, plus efforts to reduce fertility.

9. Examine efforts to be part of the world economy and to achieve greater economic diversification.

10. Know the early civilizations centered on river systems.

11. Understand the uneven distribution of oil and water and how these distributions affect economic development.

12. List examples of conflicts related to religion, water, oil, or territory.

13. Distinguish Israel from its neighbors.

14. Compare and contrast the characteristics of Turkey and Iran.

15. Examine the impacts and implications of the Gulf War of 1991.

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