The Middle East is considered the birthplace and spiritual center of these three major religions.

Christianity, Islam, and Judaism all believe in one GOD

This city is considered holy to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

the obligations that Muslims must follow throughout their lifetime

An extreme Islamic group who took control of Afghanistan's government in the 1990's

Turkey's government is completely separate from religious law making it this type of democracy

Iran follows the Islamic law, the sharia, so it is this type of government; government guided by religion

this organization sets the price oil on the world market

city in turkey that is in both Europe and Asia

Body of water between northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula

large saltwater lake in Israel

links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea

largest country on the Arabian Peninsula

dictator in Iraq who tried to take over Iran and Kuwait in order to gain the land and the resources (Persian Gulf War); also refused to let the UN into Iraq in order to check for weapons of mass destruction (Operation Iraqi Freedom).

The holy book of Islam

Islamic prophet that received messages from Allah through the angel Gabriel

Christian messiah who is the basis of salvation for Christians

formed after World War II for Jews seeking a homeland; only Middle Eastern country that is not majority Islamic

Founder of Al Qaeda, the terrorist network responsible for the attacks of September 11, 2001, and other attacks.

Middle Eastern country where the world's first civilization began (Mesopotamia) around the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

mountain chain that divides China from India

can be found between China and Mongolia

body of water SOUTH of India

also known as the Huang He, runs through northern China

China's longest river, also known as the Chang Jiang

This river begins in southwest China and flows south all the way through Vietnam

river in northern India considered holy by Hindus

peninsula divided into 2 countries (North and South)

mostly mountains and deserts

flat, fertile land, where most of China's people live

large archipelago in Southeast Asia

archipelago country east of the Koreas

If earthquakes occur below or close to the ocean, they may trigger a tidal wave

refers to seasonal winds in southern and eastern Asia

main food crop of South and East Asia

country created when Muslims separated from Hindus in India

a set of social groups that determined a person's occupation and his or her position in Indian society

A religion native to India, featuring a belief in many gods and reincarnation

Belief system that started in India. Enlightenment is achieved by believing in the 4 Noble Truths and following the 8-Fold path.

system of ethics, education, and citizenship developed in China that stresses respect for society, family, and ancestors.

political and economic theory where all property is publicly owned, governments often become corupt

Established China as the People's Republic of China and ruled from 1949 until 1976

a radical reform in China initiated by Mao Zedong in 1965 and carried out largely by the Red Guard

The strip of land that runs across the border of North and South Korea and acts as a buffer zone.

the power struggle between the Soviet Union and the United States after World War II

a democratic republic in the Korean Peninsula

Communist dictatorship ruled by Kim family leaders

Vietnamese communist who used guerrilla warfare to win the Vietnam War

Great revolutionary who led India to independence from Great Britain through passive resistance and civil disobedience

world's largest Democracy

A King or Queen is the official head of state but power is limited by a constitution.

major economy in Japan and South Korea

Expansion of the desert. The Sahara is expanding by about 30 miles a year, taking over surrounding Sahel.

caused by overpopulation in the rain forest areas of Africa

a severe lack of food causes starvation in some countries

this happens because many people in Africa are poor because their countries do not have the money or resources to educate children or train a workforce

system of race separation in South Africa

Originally a leader of the African National Congress; jailed by the South African government for 27 years; later elected president of South Africa.

Huge desert covers most of NORTHERN Africa

Mount Kilimanjaro, Lake Victoria, and the Serengeti can all be found in this one country

Where can you find the world's largest resources of platinum. It is also a source for diamonds, uranium, gold, and other minerals.

the only area in Northern Africa with a good amount of vegetation

95% of Nigeria's export comes from this resource

deepest river in the world, flows through the rain forests of Africa

This country is a desert except for the fertile land found around the Nile River Delta.

Dry area south of the Sahara Desert in danger of desertification

country in WESTERN Africa that is one of the poorest and unhealthiest in Africa

A policy in which a strong nation seeks to dominate other countries for political or economic gain

encouraged all African people to unite and end European rule in Africa

a country that lacks the resources/technology to meet the needs of its people (health, wealth, knowledge)

A country in EAST Africa that once belonged to Britian and is where the Green Belt Movement started.

Large desert in SOUTHERN Africa