Geography of Arab and Islamic Regions

Study Notes

The region is often referred to as "Arab Countries," "Islamic World," "Near East," "Middle East," "Levant," "Maghreb-Mashreq," "Southwestern Asia," and "North Africa."
"Arab countries" are not inclusive of minorities or non-Arab countries.
"Islamic World" excludes non-Muslim minorities and other parts of the Muslim world.
"Near East," "Middle East," and "Levant" are Eurocentric terms.
"Southwestern Asia" and "North Africa" aim to be more geographically descriptive and eliminate Eurocentric bias.
"Great Middle East" encompasses former Soviet Republics with Muslim populations.

Broader definition: From Morocco's Atlantic coast to Pakistan.
Narrower definition: Arab countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey, Israel, and Iran.
Other variations: Egypt, Israel, the countries of the Fertile Crescent, and the Arabian Peninsula.
Some definitions exclude the Maghreb (North Africa) due to its non-Arab status.
Turkey is often excluded because it is not Arab.

Includes Muslim-majority countries of Iran and Turkey to the northeast.
Arab States of Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq.
Israel and the Occupied Territories.
The Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates.
North African States: Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Mauritania, and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.

Aridity and lack of water are prominent features.
Vast deserts including the Sahara, Libyan, and Arabian Desert.
Important mountain ranges: Atlas Mountains, Zagros mountains, and Taurus mountains.
Significant historical rivers: Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates.
Region is characterized by contrasting landscapes: deserts and forests, fertile plains and arid mountains, temperate coasts and hot inlands.

Region is located at the crossroads of three continents, making it important for historical empires.
Once known as "Bread basket of Europe" for its agricultural potential.
While predominantly arid, it has fertile areas due to its Mediterranean climate: Nile Valley, Fertile Crescent, Mediterranean coasts, Black Sea, and Caspian Sea.
Major crops: wheat, rice, lentils, barley, citrus, grapes, olives, figs, dates, nuts, apples, peaches, apricots, watermelons, and melons.
Industrial crops: Egyptian, Syrian, and Sudanese cotton; linen, hemp from the Fertile Crescent; Yemen coffee and tea from Iran and Turkey.
Fish consumption is low, but Caspian Sea caviar, Black Sea tuna, and Persian Gulf sardines are famous.
Net importers of food.

Western Sahara holds 25% of the world's phosphate reserves.
Rich in natural gas, zinc, coal, copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and lead.
Significant oil reserves found in: Southeastern and Northeastern Iran, Northern Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States, Northeastern Egypt, Sahara, and Libyan deserts.
Underdeveloped economies make them vulnerable to international commodity market fluctuations.

Predominantly young populations with historically high fertility rates, which have declined in recent decades.
Some countries have labor surpluses, leading to migration to regions like the Gulf States and Europe, primarily skilled or semi-skilled workers.

Crossroads among three continents with important land and sea communication routes, linking it to the world.
Historical routes for the movement of people, ideas, and commerce.
Important straits: Bosphorus and Dardanelles, Suez Canal, Bab el Mandeb Strait, Strait of Hormuz.
Region has been a stage for geopolitical competition: Russian expansionism towards the south and east during the 17th and 19th centuries, Cold War confrontation, growing need of industrialized countries for resources, establishment of military bases, refugee crisis and migration, and containment zones for Europe.