Transcript Chapter 16: North Africa and Southwest Asia

Chapter 16: North Africa and
Southwest Asia Today
Section 2
Resources and Religion
The Importance of Oil
• Today, nearly half the world’s oil is found
mainly in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, and Iraq.
• Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oilproducing country, is also one of the largest
oil exporters to the United States.
• After world War II, many nations in the
region chose to nationalize, or have their
governments take over the running of, their
oil industries.
The Importance of Oil
Gaining Control
• In 1960, four countries – Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia,
and Kuwait – joined with Venezuela, an oil rich
country in South America, to form the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries,
or OPEC.
• OPEC decides the price and amount of oil
produced in each country each year.
• In, 1973 OPEC placed an embargo on the export
of oil to countries that supported Israel.
The Importance of Oil
Developing New Products
• Since the early 1900’s, oil has been the most
important primary product, or raw material.
• Many countries have also developed
secondary products, or goods manufactured
from primary products.
• Example: In Iraq, date palms are an
important primary product and they are used
to produce date syrup, paper and other
products
The Importance of Oil
Other Industries
• Oil rich countries also use the oil to make
secondary products.
• Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf countries
have been refining crude oil and natural gas.
• They also make petrochemicals from crude
and natural gas.
• Petrochemicals are used in the manufacture
of cosmetics, plastics, detergents, fertilizers
and other products.
Religion in the Region
• Islam is the dominate religion, but not the only
one.
• Islam influences every country in the region.
• It shows through the Five Pillars of Islam, which
are woven into the fabric of daily life.
• People stop and pray five times a day, no matter
what they are doing.
• Television and radio air programs devoted to
reading from the Qur`an many times a day
• All Muslim try to go on a haj, or pilgrimage to
Mecca, once in a lifetime.
Religion in the Region
• During Ramadan, the ninth month of the
Islamic year, Muslims fast from sunrise to
sunset.
• `Id al – Fitr, the Feast of Breaking the Fast,
ends Ramadan and lasts for several days.
• For Muslims, the calendar begins the year
Muhammad fled to Medina, A.D. 622
• Each Islamic year has 12 months of about 29
days each.
• Each day starts at sunset.
Westernization vs. Traditional Culture
• Many people in this region think western
nations have to much influence over their
culture.
• Fast food restaurants, T-shirts, television, and
rap music are examples of westernization.
• Some believe that westernization will give
them a higher standard of living and easier
life.
• Others believe the loss if their traditional
culture id too great a price to pay.
The Roles of Women
• In countries like Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, many
women are educated and hold important
positions in business, politics, and the military.
• In other countries, the roles of women are
limited based on religious beliefs.
• For example, Saudi Arabian women are not
allowed to attend gatherings with men and are
forbidden to drive cars.
• Very few Saudi women work outside the home.
Clothing and Culture
• The culture dictates what is worn in the
region.
• In Israel, some women and men dress in
fashionable Western clothing.
• Orthodox Jewish women wear a more modest
dress and men often were black suits and
hats and grow long hair from their ears.
• In some Islamic countries, women wear
chadors, floor length cloaks that cover
everything but the eyes.
Nomads
• Nomads are disappearing from the culture.
• Only 1% of the population is nomadic.
• Governments encourage nomads to settle
down and make it difficult for them to travel
across borders.