Empires in Mesopotamia A time-series map. The region of Southwest Asia

EmpiresEmpiresinin

MesopotamiaMesopotamia

A time-series mapA time-series map

The region of Southwest AsiaThe region of Southwest Asia

adding mountainsadding mountains

and major riversand major rivers

and country bordersand country borders

It’s about the size of the U.S.It’s about the size of the U.S.

But it is closer to the Equator.But it is closer to the Equator.

coastal Turkey has a climatecoastal Turkey has a climate

much like San Franciscomuch like San Francisco

Israel is like southern California.Israel is like southern California.

The Arabian Desert is likeThe Arabian Desert is like

the Mojave Desert in Arizona.the Mojave Desert in Arizona.

Iraq is dry like West Texas, Iraq is dry like West Texas, but lower and hotter.but lower and hotter.

Coastal Pakistan is likeCoastal Pakistan is like

the southern tip of Florida.the southern tip of Florida.

But the world’s highest mountains But the world’s highest mountains do not have cities like DC and NY! do not have cities like DC and NY!

Because of those mountains, Because of those mountains, the Caspian Sea is not like Iowa.the Caspian Sea is not like Iowa.

It is more like the Great Salt Lake,It is more like the Great Salt Lake,in a desert surrounded by mountains.in a desert surrounded by mountains.

This region has a long history. This region has a long history.

Farming began in the hillsFarming began in the hills

about 8000 years ago. about 8000 years ago.

Babylon under Hammurabi, Babylon under Hammurabi, about 1750 BCE. about 1750 BCE.

Assyria under Ashurbanipal,Assyria under Ashurbanipal,

about 660 BCE. about 660 BCE.

Persia under Darius,Persia under Darius,

about 500 BCE. about 500 BCE.

Parthia about 100 CE. Parthia about 100 CE.

RomanRoman KushanKushan

ParthianParthian

Islam began near Mecca. Islam began near Mecca.

Mecca.Mecca.

by 632 CEby 632 CE

by 634 CEby 634 CE

by 645 CEby 645 CE

by 656 CEby 656 CE

by 750 CEby 750 CE

The country of IsraelThe country of Israel

was established in 1948. was established in 1948.

IsraelIsrael

And today, Iraq is in the news.And today, Iraq is in the news.

IraqIraq