The Middle East can be divided into subregions which are the Arabian Peninsula which includes Saudi Arabia and the smaller peripheral countries; the Fertile Crescent which includes the Mediterranean countries eastward to the Tigris and Euphrates, and includes the countries of Lebanon, Syria , Israel, Jordan and Iraq; the non-Arab northern countries of Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan; and the Northern African countries of Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Sudan.
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The Arabian Peninsula: 
The Fertile Crescent 
The Non-Arab North 
North Africa
THE ARABIAN PENINSULA:
The eight nations flanking the Persian Gulf float on a pool of energy
wealth. More than half the world's known oil reserves and one-fifth of
the world's natural gas reserves are found here. These energy-rich
nations have low populations and little industry, therefore they are willing to
sell their resources to other countries. The first oil find in the Persian Gulf
came in 1908 (Held 116) and was then
developed by a British firm. After World War II, oil exploration by
western firms began to intensify as did their interest in the strategic
physical location of the region.
Disputes grew over the way the wealth from the area's oil was distributed. Governments gave too much to the foreign owned oil companies. Leaders began wanting to gain control over the production and pricing of their nations' resources. The Persian Gulf countries decided that they needed more bargaining power in dealing with the oil firms. In 1960, they formed OPEC- the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. The members of OPEC (along with Venezuela) compete with one another in furnishing oil for the world's buyers, however, they have a common interest in seeking high oil prices and controls over the production of oil. OPEC sets the prices per barrel of each grade of oil and the amount of barrels to be produced. In 1973, it became evident how important OPEC was when its Arab members cut off oil sales to the United States and other countries during the fourth Arab-Israeli War. In the United States, oil prices sharply rose and long lines of cars formed at filling stations. The boycott only lasted a few months, but the Arabs had shown to the world how important their resource was.
By the 1980s however, demand for oil had fallen as oil output had risen. Oil prices eventually began to fall and OPEC nations struggled to find ways to maintain their unity.
Historically, the Arabian Peninsula was a land of a few settled oases and many different nomadic tribes. Each Bedouin tribe had its own defined water wells and territories where they herded sheep and goats. Camels carried Bedouin belongings from camp to camp. In the 1700s a powerful and wealthy Bedouin family, the Saudi family, gained control of most of the peninsula. A century later, the Egyptians defeated the Saudis and drove them out. The Sauds returned in the early 1900s and conquered most of the peninsula. In 1932 their leader, King Ibn Saud, founded the present kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Oil was discovered in Saudi Arabia in 1936 and commercial production began during World War II. Saudi Arabia soon became one of the world's largest exporters of oil. The Saudis have spent their oil money on modernization projects. They have provided for basic economic needs such as roads, water, and electrical and telephone service. They also provide education for all children. Oil has changed the Saudi culture by bringing the Saudis into contact with many foreigners who come from other countries for work. Saudi Arabia has tried to modernize without westernization. They have tried to preserve their traditional family customs and conservative religious values.
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SAUDI ARABIA AT A GLANCE: * LAND: Occupies most of the Arabian peninsula. It is bordered by the Red Sea in the West. The western uplands slope as an arid barren desert to the Persian Gulf in the east. PEOPLE: 24,217,000 people inhabit Saudi Arabia; 84% of them live in cities: Riyadh the capital, Jeddah on the Red Sea and Mecca in the west. 90% are Arabs and the official language is Arabic. RELIGION: 100% Muslim (predominately Sunni) GOVERNMENT: An absolute monarchy with a council of ministers. There are no legislative or judicial branches as the laws and their punishments are in accordance to the Koran. King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz has been in office since 1982 ECONOMY: Main exports are oil and oil products. Chief crops are dates, wheat, and barley. According to 1996 estimates Saudi Arabia has 261.5 billion barrels of crude oil reserves. Its two leading trading partners are the United States and Japan. Labor force: 40% in government; 25% industries and oil; 30% services; 5% agriculture. GEOPOLITICAL ISSUES: Saudi Arabia's extensive coastline on the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf provide important shipping routes for their oil . Because Saudi tankers must travel through the Strait of Hormuz before they can reach the open sea, Saudi Arabia has developed strong armed forces. The Southern section of Saudi Arabia is made up mostly of a desert (Rub-al-Khali) the size of Texas. Therefore, large sections of Saudi Arabia's boundaries with Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, and with Qatar are not defined (1996 CIA World Factbook). Saudi Arabia is one of the few countries in the Middle East to have a good relationship with the United States. Saudi Arabia provides essential oil to the United States and it was a US led coalition that protected Saudi Arabia from Iraqi invasion during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Because of its wealth and religious role, Saudi Arabia is a major political power in the Arab world. Saudi Arabia was one of the founding members of the Arab League and has played an important role in OPEC King Fahd of Saudi Arabia statistics from the 2004 World Almanac
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The tiny country of
Kuwait has been independent from British protection since 1961. Its oil
reserves discovered in the 1930 are about one-fifth of the world's known oil
reserves.
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KUWAIT AT A GLANCE * LAND: Kuwait is located at the northern edge of the Persian Gulf. It is bordered by Iraq in the north, and Saudi Arabia to the South. This small country is flat, arid, and extremely hot. PEOPLE: 2,521,000 people inhabit Kuwait. 80% Arab, 9% South Asian, and 4% Iranian. The official language is Arabic. RELIGION: 85% Muslim (mostly Sunni) GOVERNMENT: Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is Sheik Jabir al-Ahmad al-Jabir as-Sabah. He has been the ruling Emir since 1978. ECONOMY: Most of Kuwait's industries are centered around oil. 1996 estimates are that Kuwait has 96.5 billion barrels of oil reserves. GEOPOLITICAL ISSUES: Iraq and Kuwait have had a long-standing border dispute. In November of 1994, Iraq accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait. This formally ended Iraqi claims to Kuwait and to the Bubiyan and Warbah islands in the Persian Gulf belonging to Kuwait. Kuwait's geographic location is of strategic importance as it is at the head of the Persian Gulf. Jabir al-Ahmad
al-Jabir as-Sabah * statistics from the 2004 World Almanac |
Qatar was under Bahrain's control until the Ottoman Turks took power (1872-1915). In 1916 Qatar became a British protectorate, a status that lasted until 1971.
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QATAR AT A GLANCE * LAND: Qatar is a tiny country on the Arabian Peninsula. It is mostly flat with some limestone ridges. Vegetation is scarce. PEOPLE: The population of Qatar is 610,000. Almost 80% of that population is comprised of foreign oil workers. 40% are Arab, 18% Pakistani, 18% Indian, and 10% Iranian. The official language is Arabic but English is also spoken. RELIGION: 95% Muslim GOVERNMENT: Qatar is an absolute monarchy. Its current ruler is Hamad bin Khalifa ath-Thani who has been the Emir since June of 1995. ECONOMY: Oil and natural gas reserves gives Qatar one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. GEOPOLITICAL ISSUES: Qatar has had territorial disputes with Bahrain over the Hawar Islands and a maritime dispute with Bahrain. It is a strategically located country in the central Persian Gulf near important petroleum deposits. Hamad bin Khalifa ath-Thani
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Bahrain is a center of industry and banking. It comprises a group of islands in the Persian Gulf. Until the discovery of oil in the 1930s, Bahrainians lived mainly on income from pearls taken from Gulf oysters. A 15-mile highway carries traffic to the Saudi mainland. Independent from Britain since 1971, Bahrain is an emirate and has no parliament.
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BAHRAIN AT A GLANCE * LAND: Bahrain is an archipelago made up of 11 islands in the Persian Gulf. All of the islands are flat. The weather is hot and humid, with little rain. PEOPLE: The population of Bahrain is 724,000. 73% are Arab, 19% Asian, and 8% Iranian. The official language is Arabic but English, Farsi, and Urdu are also spoken. RELIGION: 70% are Shiite Muslims and 30% are Sunni. In 1996, violence by Shiite dissidents resulted in a crackdown by the Sunni-led government. GOVERNMENT: Bahrain is a traditional monarchy. The Head of State since 1999 is Emir Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. The Prime Minister is Kahlifa bin Sulman al-Khalifa ECONOMY: Industries include oil products and aluminum smelting. Fruit and vegetables are grown. 79% of the work force is employed in industry and commerce. GEOPOLITICAL ISSUES: Bahrain's strategic location in the Persian Gulf means that much of the Western world's petroleum must transit around Bahrain to reach open water. Bahrain has a territorial dispute with Qatar over ownership of the Hawar islands and also a maritime boundary dispute with Qatar. * Statistics from the 2004 World Almanac |
East of Qatar is a loose federation of seven city-states once known as the Trucial States. The seven ruler or emirs, signed a truce with Britain in the 1800s and placed their lands under British protection. Britain pulled out in 1971. Each state has kept its emir, and one of the seven emirs heads the central government.
Yemen's territory was once a prosperous part of the ancient kingdom of Sheba, and it served as a link between India and Africa. After years under Ottoman rule, it became independent in 1918. In 1939 Britain took over the southern area of Yemen to protect its sea route to India. South Yemen gained independence in 1967 from Britain. North Yemen has gained and retained its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1918. The two countries of North and South Yemen fought two wars in the 1970s. North Yemen was under military rule and had a close association with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. South Yemen was a communist state and had a close association with the Soviet Union. In 1990 North and South Yemen united as the Republic of Yemen.
Oman was originally called Muscat and Oman and was ruled by many different countries. By the early 19th century, Muscat and Oman was an important and influential country because of its strategic location. It also ruled Zanzibar (off the coast of the east African country of Tanzania) until 1861 when the monarchy split . From 1798 onwards Oman established close treaty ties with the British, and it retained strong links with Britain even after it ceased to be a British protectorate in 1951. In 1970 the Ibn Said deposed his father and the country gained full independence in 1971.
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OMAN AT A GLANCE * LAND: Oman is located on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula and it is bordered by Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates. Oman looks southeast across the Arabian Sea and northeast across the Gulf of Oman. The small enclave of Ru'usal-Jibal, at the tip of the Musandam peninsula (see map), guards the entrance to the Gulf. PEOPLE: population 2,851,000. Ethnic groups: Arab, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi). The official language is Arabic RELIGION: Islam is the official religion. GOVERNMENT: Oman is ruled by a sultan and is an absolute monarchy. Sultan Qabas bin Said has been the ruler since 1970 when he deposed his father. ECONOMY: Oman's oil reserves has been very important in building up the economy. The money from the sale of oil has gone to improving the welfare, health , and education. GEOPOLITICAL ISSUES Oman has no defined boundary with the UAE. Its enclave on the Musandam Peninsula controls the strategic Strait of Hormuz which connects the Gulf of Oman with the Persian Gulf. * Statistics from the 2004 World Almanac |
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The Fertile Crescent The Non-Arab North North Africa
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