North Africa/Middle East Flashcards
(31 cards)
Arab Spring
Protests that occurred across North Africa and parts of the Middle East in Spring 2011
Desalinization
Process of converting saltwater to drinking water by removing salt
Fertile Crescent
Region arching across the northern part of the Syrian Desert and extending from the Nile Valley to the Mesopotamian Basin in the depression between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
Guest workers
Imported labor
Jihad
“to strive”, an inward struggle to attain perfect faith
Oasis
Fertile places in the desert where water pools
Occupied Territories
Arab countries in middle east region, as well as West Bank, Golan Heights, and Gaza Strip
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
Organization to coordinate the crude-oil policies of its members
Secularism
Nonreligious
Shari’a
Traditional body of law from Islamic teachings
What factors contribute to water scarcity in the region?
What are the significant sources of water in the region?
Economic conditions, as well as changes in global climate and overuse of freshwater resources
Why are there concerns about the sustainability of oil and natural gas as energy resources?
What environmental concerns are related to the use of oil and natural gas as energy sources?
We have used over half of the world’s oil reserves, and they won’t come back.
They end up in human/animal food chains, pollute rivers and oceans, etc.
Which countries in the region are considered to be oil states?
What challenges do they face and what are they doing about them?
Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar
Irrigation, fluctuations in demand for oil, etc. Some states are diversifying their economies via tourism, trade, etc.
How are Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, and Israel different from the oil states and from one another?
Their economies aren’t tied to oil. They have sizable middle classes growing agricultural economies, etc. Israel has a strong industrial base while the other countries are just starting to grow theirs. Lebanon has strong banking. Turkey has strong mineral wealth
Which countries make up the Maghreb region of North Africa. What are the characteristics of the Maghreb region?
Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, and Morocco.The scenery is beautiful, and its economy is based on oil and minerals, agriculture and tourism
Describe the situation of Kurds in the region
They face discrimination and repression and they want their own country
Explain the history of the Arab/Israeli conflict
It has its roots in the Jewish migration to Palestine, and worsened when Palestine was officially partitioned into Jewish and Palestine states.
What are the 5 pillars of Islam?
What is the difference between Sunni Muslims and Shi’a Muslims?
Repeating the profession of the faith, praying 5 times a day facing Mecca, giving alms, fasting from sup up until sundown during holy month of Ramadan,making at least one pilgrimage (hajj).
Difference is who should hold political leadership and what the religious dimensions of that leadership should be
Describe the variation in women’s roles/rights throughout the region
Some countries (Israel and Turkey) give women full political rights. Saudi Arabia is more restrictive. In countries like Bahrain, marital rape isn’t a thing for Shi’a women. In Egypt, you can’t marry a non-Muslim and be Muslim
Many of the refugees who fled from the violence of the Syrian Civil War are living in refugee camps. What are some of the challenges associate with living in a refugee camp?
Under-resourced, overcrowding, weather conditions
What factors draw people to the region? What factors push people out of the region?
Founding of Israel, oil economy, lack of opportunity in Africa.
Migration
Approximately how many people live in the Sahara Desert? How do they survive there?
2.5 million people
They survive because of oases.
What and where is the largest mountain range in Africa?
Atlas Mountains, in Northern Africa
What does the red dotted line around Western Sahara mean?
Territory is disputed
