MIDDLE

EAST ASIA
 01
Introductio
n
 Introduction
The Middle East, or West
Asia, is also known as the
Crossroads of the World as
it is the place where Asia,
Africa, and Europe meet.
West Asia encompasses
the Arabian Peninsula.
This region has many
countries (most of which
are Arab), the
biggest being Saudi
 02
Physical
features
 Physical
features
The Middle East, a transcontinental
region bringing Asia and Africa, shows
many striking physical features.
Dominated by vast deserts like the
Arabian and Syrian, the landscape
showcases sand dunes and rocky
expanses. Mountain ranges such as
the Zagros and Taurus add elevation,
while the fertile valleys of the Tigris
and Euphrates rivers which helped the
ancient civilisations grow. The Dead
Sea, Earth's lowest point on land, lies
bordered by Jordan and Israel. The
region also features the iconic Persian
Gulf, connecting to the Arabian Sea
 03
Weather &
Climate
 Weather and
Climate
The climate of the Middle East is generally
hot and dry. Much of the Middle East is
desert. Daytime temperatures can reach
over 50 degrees. At night, the deserts cool
quickly, sometimes to below 0°C. In Saudi
Arabia, the summer temperatures range
from 27 degrees to 43 degrees in inland
areas. It's slightly cooler in coastal areas at
this time of the year. For winter, the
temperature varies between 8 to 20
degrees in inland areas. The rains are very
scarce and are usually concentrated from
November to April. However, in the
southwest, there is a mountainous area
that receives some rain from June to
 04
04
Flora & Fauna
 Flora &
Fauna
The Middle East shows a diverse flora and
fauna, adapted to the region's dry climate.
Plants include the iconic date palm, olive trees,
and acacias, thriving in the challenging
conditions. Desert flora like the resilient desert
thorn and medicinal herbs, such as sage and
thyme, also find a home. Fauna in the Middle
East includes the Arabian oryx, known for its
long horns, and the Nubian ibex, navigating
mountainous terrains. Various bird species, like
falcons and hoopoes, inhabit the skies, while
reptiles such as the sand boa and Arabian toad
 05
Economy
 Economy
The Middle East shows a diverse economic
landscape shaped by oil production, trade, and
industries. Rich oil reserves in countries like
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iraq contribute
significantly to the region's economic strength,
fueling government revenues and
infrastructure development. Beyond oil, the
Gulf states have have gone into sectors like
tourism, finance, and real estate. Nations like
Israel and Turkey have advanced tech sectors,
fostering innovation and economic growth.
However, tensions and conflicts, coupled with
water scarcity, pose challenges. Efforts to
diversify economies, invest in education, and
promote sustainable practices reflect ongoing
initiatives aimed at ensuring long-term
economic stability in the Middle East.
 Economy too
Oil and Gas Sector: Historically, the UAE's economy has been heavily dependent on oil
and natural gas exports. The country possesses significant oil reserves, and the oil
sector has played a crucial role in the country's economic development.
Diversification: The UAE has implemented various economic diversification initiatives to
reduce its reliance on oil. This diversification has led to the growth of non-oil sectors
such as tourism, real estate, aviation, and financial services.
Tourism: The UAE, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has become a major tourist
destination. The country has invested heavily in tourism infrastructure, including
luxury hotels, entertainment facilities, and shopping malls.
Real Estate: The real estate sector, especially in Dubai, has been a key driver of economic
activity. The construction of iconic structures and luxury developments has attracted
international investors.
 06
Tourism
 Tourism
Tourism significantly increased when the countries of the
Middle East began exploiting their oil in the ground and when
commercial flights were made cheaper and available to all. The
Middle East is the birthplace of Islam and the major cause of
tourism is pilgrimage, most commonly Hajj . The Middle East
has a lot of historical monuments ranging from the Caliphate to
the Ottoman Empire. There are many places with such
monuments like Mecca, Medina, Istanbul, and with Jerusalem
being the most important of them all as it is a common holy city
for the Abrahamic religions. Many famous tourist attractions
are Sheikh Syed Mosque (Abu Dhabi), Petra (Jordan), Dome of
the Rock (Jerusalem), and more. With the boom in the economy
due to oil exports, cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh,
Sharjah etc. have developed massively. Tourist attractions like
the Burj Khalifa, Museum of the Future, Ferrari World, WD
 07
People
07
People
689,121
,570
And Counting!
 People
The people of the Middle East are majority Muslim and the rest are
mainly Christians and Jewish. Other faiths like Bahai faith,
Zoroastrianism are also practiced in a small amount. The natives
originate from different tribes in pre-Muslim Arabia and places
around like Israel, Türkiye, Egypt, Iran and Iraq. The original
population was mostly nomadic or in a tribe, with its leader, the
Sheikh. After Prophet Muhammad united the tribes under one
religion, the natives became Muslim and its culture spread
throughout the Middle East as the Caliphate grew. More people
entered the Arabian peninsula and brought about newer
ethnicities like the Azerbaijanis, Armenians, Copts etc.