25 Questions
What is the significance of the Bosporus Strait for Turkey?
It divides Turkey between the continents of Asia and Europe.
Historically, what two empires ruled the land of modern-day Turkey?
The Byzantine Empire originally ruled by Constantine was the first empire until the Ottoman Empire took over in 1453.
Geographically (meaning the lay of the land), what distinguishes the Asian side of Turkey from the European side?
The Asian side is predominantly flat with tall mountains and plateaus.
Turkey is completely located in Asia.
False
The Tigris and Euphrates rivers start in western Turkey and flow into the Mediterranean Sea.
False
The majority of people in Turkey speak Kurdish as their primary language.
False
What was the impact of the Turkish military invasion of northern Cyprus in 1974?
It intensified the dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots
What is the status of the Republic of Cyprus according to the European Court of Human Rights?
It should be considered a puppet state under Turkish control
What languages are officially recognized in Cyprus?
English, Greek, and Turkish
The British leased Cyprus from the Ottomans Turks in 1878 and took it as their own in 1914 which lasted until 1960. Beginning in the 1950s, after World War II ended, and during the decline of the British rule, Turkey disagreed with Greece over control of the ______.
island
Initially, Turkey supported the creation of an independent government called the Republic of Cyprus as a legitimate ______.
state
The majority, Greek Cypriots, are mostly Eastern Orthodox Christians, while the minority, Turkish Cypriots, are ______.
Muslims
Syria was under French control after World War II.
False
Syria has been independent from France since 1945.
False
What type of Government does Syria have in place?
A Democracy
During the Crusades, who controlled some areas within Syria?
Christians
Which empires took turns ruling over Syria before the Roman conquest?
Assyrians, Babylonians, and Hittites
The majority of people in Iraq speak Arabic and are Arabs.
True
Baghdad was once the epicenter of the Muslim world during the Golden Age of Islam.
True
Iraq, Turkey, Iran, Syria, and Armenia are the countries that together have around 30 million Kurds living in a mountainous region.
True
Match the following historical events with the corresponding time period in Iraq's history:
Mongol invasion = 1258 AD British occupation of Baghdad = World War I Execution of Saddam Hussein = 2006 Capture of Mosul by ISIL = 2014
Match the following leaders with their significant actions in Iraq's history:
Alexander the Great = Conquest around 330 BC Saddam Hussein = Became president in 1979 British troops = Occupation leading to the conclusion of Ottoman rule United States and U.K. = Took over and captured Saddam Hussein in 2003
What is the main source of water for oasis areas in Iran?
Underground water
Which religion is followed by 90% of Iran's population?
Shi’ite Islam
What was the primary reason for the international community imposing sanctions on Iran in the 2000s?
It was believed that Iran was pursuing a nuclear weapons program
Study Notes
- Turkey is a country divided between Asia and Europe by the Bosporus Strait, shaped like a peninsula with Europe being Thrace and Asia as Anatolia.
- Historically, Turkey was home to two major empires: the Byzantine Empire (Christian) and the Ottoman Empire (Islamic).
- Asian side of Turkey has tall mountains and a plateau, while European side is flatter with important rivers like the Kizil, Tigris, and Euphrates.
- Turkey experiences frequent earthquakes, with over 60 recorded in the past 200 years.
- The population of Turkey consists mostly of Turks speaking Turkish with a significant Kurdish minority and over 90% following Islam.
- Today, most people live in cities with the largest being Istanbul, formerly Constantinople during the Byzantine Empire.
- Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, shaped like a gem, surrounded by water, and divided between Europe (Greek side) and Asia (Turkish side).
- Cyprus is known for its diverse climate, jagged coastline, sandy beaches, and abundant wildlife and migrating birds.
- Greek settlers arrived in Cyprus around 2000 BC, and it has been ruled by various empires including the British, Ottomans, and Greeks.
- The ongoing Cyprus Conflict between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots has led to the island being divided into two parts, each controlled by their respective communities.
- Syria, a Middle Eastern country, has a long history with a capital named Damascus and neighbors including Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel.
- Syria's weather is diverse, with cold winters and hot summers, and its landscape includes mountains, forests, deserts, and the Mediterranean Sea.
- The Syrian population consists mostly of Arabs with minorities including Bedouins, Kurds, Armenians, and Turks, who mainly speak Arabic and follow Islam with some Christians and Druze.
Explore the unique geographical features and historical significance of Turkey, a country that spans across two continents. Learn about the Bosporus Strait, the concept of a peninsula, and the country's role in major historical empires like Byzantine.
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