Middle East Country Comparisons

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IranIsraelSaudi ArabiaTurkeyTheocracyAbsolute MonarchyParliamentary Democracy

Words to Know!

Two Main Questions for Government…

How does the Government distribute power?

How do the citizens participate in government?

Describe the ways governments distribute powerUnitary- a form of government in which power

is held by one central authority.

Confederation-voluntary associations of independent states that, to secure some common purpose, agree to certain limitations on their freedom of action and establish some joint machinery of consultation or deliberation.

Federal-a form of government in which power is divided between one central and several regional authorities.

Citizen participation in governmentAutocratic-government in which one person

possesses unlimited power and the citizen has little if any role in the government.

Oligarchic-Government by the few, sometimes a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes. The citizen has very limited role.

Democratic-Government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly.

Graphic Organizer Use this as an example for your notes on each country ---

Middle East Country Comparisons

Name of Country Type of GovernmentGDP

Religions Ethnic Groups Literacy Rate

Iran

Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and the shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts.

Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast Terrain: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts,

mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore,

lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur Land use: arable land: 9.78% permanent crops: 1.29% other: 88.93% (2005) Natural hazards: periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms;

earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution, especially in urban areas, from

vehicle emissions, refinery operations, deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization

Geography: Iran

Life expectancy at birth: 70.06 yearsEthnic groups: Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and

Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%

Religions: Muslim 98% (Shi'a 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2%

Languages: Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%

Literacy: 77%

People: Iran

Country name: Islamic Republic of Iran Government type: theocratic republic Capital: name: Tehran Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Supreme Leader of Iran is a religious leader and

has final say on all mattersAn elected president is head of government, but

can be removed at any time by the Supreme Leader

Legislative branch: unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly (290 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

Government: Iran

GDP - per capita (PPP): $10,600 (2010 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 30% industry: 25% services: 45%

(2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% according to the Iranian government (2007 est.) Agriculture – products: wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts,

cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, fertilizers, caustic soda, textiles,

cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), ferrous and non-ferrous metal fabrication, armaments

Exports –petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets

Exports – partners: Japan 14.1%, China 12.9%, Turkey 7.3%, Italy 6.3%, South Korea 5.7%, Netherlands 4.6%, Taiwan 4% (2006)

Imports –industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services, military supplies

Imports – partners: Germany 12.1%, China 10.6%, UAE 9.4%, South Korea 6.2%, France 5.6%, Italy 5.4%, Russia 4.5% (2006)

Economy: Iran

Describe the ways governments distribute powerUnitary- a form of government in which power is held

by one central authority.Confederation-voluntary associations of independent

states that, to secure some common purpose, agree to certain limitations on their freedom of action and establish some joint machinery of consultation or deliberation.

Federal-a form of government in which power is divided between one central and several regional authorities.

Interactive Notebook Question:Which is Iran today?

Citizen participation in governmentAutocratic-government in which one person

possesses unlimited power and the citizen has little if any role in the government.

Oligarchic-Government by a few, a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes. The citizen has very limited role.

Democratic-Government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly.

Interactive Notebook Question:Which is Iran today?

Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governmentsParliamentary-system of government having the

real executive power vested in a cabinet composed of members of the legislature who are individually and collectively responsible to the legislature. May have a Prime Minister elected by the legislature.

Presidential-a system of government in which the president is constitutionally independent of the legislature.

Do either of these apply to Iran? If yes, which one?

Graphic OrganizerMiddle East Country Comparisons

Name of Country Type of Government GDP

Iran

Unitary, Oligarchic, Theocratic Republic

$10,600 (2010 est.)

Religions Ethnic Groups Literacy Rate

Muslim 98% (Shi'a 89%, Sunni

9%)

Persian 51% 77%

• Much of Iran’s population lives in the western mountainous part of the country. Northern (rain forest) and eastern (desert) parts are not very populous.

Iran has a growing tourism industryIran has an oil-reliant economy with many

jobs in this sectorBiotechnology and the pharmaceuticals

industries have been growing in Iran

Iran– Living and Jobs

Think-Pair-Share

What does it mean when Shia Muslims make up 90%+ of the population in Iran? Would there be conflict in the society with the other 10%?

Interactive Notebook Question(Left Side)

Israel

Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides.

Climate: temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas

Terrain: Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley

Natural resources: timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand

Natural hazards: sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes

Environment - current issues: limited arable land and natural fresh water resources; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides

Geography: Israel

Life expectancy at birth: 80.96 yearsEthnic groups: Jewish 76.4% (of which Israel-born

67.1%, Europe/America-born 22.6%, Africa-born 5.9%, Asia-born 4.2%), non-Jewish 23.6% (mostly Arab) (2004)

Religions: Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian 0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2004)

Languages: Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language

Literacy: 97.1%

People: Israel

Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Jerusalem Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Chief of State– A president is elected as a ceremonial

type leaderHead of Government– A prime minister is chosen by

the legislative branch (Knesset). The prime minister runs the day to day government matters.

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (justices appointed by Judicial Selection Committee - made up of all three branches of the government; mandatory retirement age is 70)

Government: Israel

Politics of Israel: parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Israel is the head of government, and of a multi-party system.

The economy of Israel is a diversified mixed economy with substantial state ownership and a rapidly developing high-tech sector. Poor in natural resources, Israel depends on imports of petroleum, coal, food, uncut diamonds, other production inputs, and military equipment.

The country's GDP per capita has been $29,800 (2010 est.). The major industrial sectors include metal products,

electronic and biomedical equipment, processed foods, chemicals, and transport equipment. Israel possesses a substantial service sector and the Israel diamond industry is one of the world's centers for diamond cutting and polishing. It is also a world leader in software development and is a major tourist destination.

Unemployment rate: 6.7% (2010 est)Agriculture – products: citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry,

dairy products Industries: high-technology projects (including aviation,

communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles, footwear

Exports – commodities: machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel

Exports – partners: US 38.4%, Belgium 6.5%, Hong Kong 5.9% (2006)

Imports: $47.8 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.) Imports – commodities: raw materials, military equipment,

investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods Imports – partners: US 12.4%, Belgium 8.2%, Germany 6.7%,

Switzerland 5.9%, UK 5.1%, China 5.1% (2006)

Economy: Israel

Graphic Organizer Use this as an example for your notes on each country ---

Middle East Country ComparisonsName of Country Type of Government GDP

Israel

Unitary, Parliamentary Democracy

$29,800 (2010 est.)

Religions Ethnic Groups Literacy Rate

Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%,

Arab Christians 1.7%

Jewish 76.4% 97.1%

Over 70% of Israel’s population lives along the western Mediterranean coast

Job diversity is greater in Israel than any other Middle Eastern country

Israel has a heavy tourism industry especially in the religion category

Many multi-tech, multi-national corporations are located within Israel providing high paying jobs for much of its population

Israel--- Living and Jobs

Think-Pair-Share

What does the Literacy Rate for Israel mean for their economy?

Interactive Notebook Question(Left Side)

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman AL SAUD after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula

Climate: harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremesTerrain: mostly uninhabited, sandy desert Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copperNatural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms Environment - current issues: desertification; depletion of

underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills

Geography: Saudi Arabia

Life expectancy at birth: 75 yearsEthnic groups: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%Religions: Muslim 100% Languages: Arabic Literacy: total population: 78.8%male: 84.7%female: 70.8% (2003 est.)

People: Saudi Arabia

Country name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Government type: monarchy Capital: name: Riyadh Suffrage: 21 years of age; maleExecutive branch: chief of state: King and

Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005)elections: none; the monarch is hereditary

Legislative branch: Consultative Council (150 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms).

Government: Saudi Arabia

The politics of Saudi Arabia takes place in a framework of an absolute monarchy whereby the King of Saudi Arabia is not only head of state, but also the head of government.

The Qur'an is the constitution of the country, which is governed on the basis of Islamic law (Shari'a).

Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government control over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia possesses 25% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC.

Saudi Arabia's economy is a centrally planned economy. However, there are some private companies in Saudi Arabia. They are strictly controlled and regulated by the Saudi Arabian government, though.

GDP - per capita (PPP): $24,200 (2010 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 12% industry: 25% services: 63%

(1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 13% among Saudi males only (local bank estimate;

some estimates range as high as 25%) (2004 est.) Agriculture – products: wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus;

mutton, chickens, eggs, milk Industries: crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic

petrochemicals; ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics; metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction

Exports – commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 90% Exports – partners: Japan 17.6%, US 15.8%, South Korea 9.6%, China

7.2%, Singapore 4.4%, Taiwan 4.4% (2006) Imports – commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals,

motor vehicles, textiles Imports – partners: US 12.2%, Germany 8.5%, China 7.9%, Japan 7.2%,

UK 4.8%, Italy 4.8% (2006)

Economy: Saudi Arabia

In many extended areas (especially the Rub’ al-Khali and Arabian Desert) there is almost no population

Much of Saudi Arabia’s population is located along the west coast– this is due to the proximity to the Red Sea

Saudi Arabia draws a large portion of their labor force from other nations

Many low-skilled workers are employed in the oil industry

Skilled experts in baking and other services are also very common in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia– Living and Jobs

Graphic OrganizerMiddle East Country Comparisons

Name of Country Type of Government GDP

Saudi Arabia

Unitary, Autocratic, Absolute

Monarchy

$24,200 (2010)

Command/Mixed

Religions Ethnic Groups Literacy Rate

Islam

: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian

10% 78.8

Is Saudi Arabia an oligarchy or monarchy?

How would their natural resources impact their economy?

Interactive Notebook Question(Left Side)

Turkey

Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks.”

Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior

Natural resources: coal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold, barite, borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone, magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable land, hydropower

Natural hazards: severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van Environment

current issues: water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic

Geography

Population: 78,785,548 (July 2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.5 years Turkish Ethnic groups: Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 18%, other minorities 7-12% (2008 est.)

Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Dimli (or Zaza), Azeri, Kabardian Literacy: definition: 87.4%

People

Country name: Republic of Turkey Government type: republican parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Ankara Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdullah GUL

(since 28 August 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 14 March 2003)

Legislative branch: unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

Government   

Turkey's economy is a complex mix of traditional craftsmanship and modern industries, increasingly dominated by the latter.

Turkey has a strong and rapidly growing private sector, and the state is beginning to play a smaller role in industry, banking, transport, and communications. In recent years, an aggressive privatization program has reduced state involvement in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication, and an emerging cadre of middle-class entrepreneurs is adding dynamism to the economy.

Turkey is a secular parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Turkey is the head of government, and of a multi-party system.

GDP - per capita (PPP): $12,300 (2010 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 9.6%

industry: 26.6% services: 63.8%Unemployment rate: 12% (2010)Population below poverty line: 17.11% (2008)Agriculture – products: tobacco, cotton, grain,

olives, sugar beets, pulse, citrus; livestockIndustries: textiles, food processing, autos,

electronics, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper

Economy - overview: Turkey

A larger proportion of Turkey’s population lives in the smaller European section

The Asian portion of Turkey is rather mountainous

Turkey’s jobs are focused in the service sector

Turkey– Living and Jobs

Graphic Organizer Use this as an example for your notes on each country ---

Middle East Country ComparisonsName of Country Type of Government GDP

Turkey

Unitary, Parliamenta

ry Democracy $12,300

Religions Ethnic Groups Literacy Rate

Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni)

Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish

18% 87.4

3-2-1

List three countries that have Parliamentary Governments

List the two highest GDP countriesWhich country is led by king.

Interactive Notebook Question(Left Side)

Draw an Economic Continuum line on the Left Side of your Notebook with Market on one side and Command on the other:

MarketCommand

For each of the following questions, name the type of Economy and place the name of the Country on your Economic Continuum

Name the Type of Economy

1. Israel has a mixed economy that is also technologically advanced.  The Israeli government and private Israeli companies own and control the economy equally…

2. Saudi Arabia also has a mixed economy.  The government largely controls the main export oil.  Oil accounts for well over half of the country’s economy.

3. Since the late 1980s, Turkey has gradually moved from a government directed economy to more private enterprise.

Name the Type of Economy…

Economic Continuum line

MarketCommand

Israel Turkey Saudi Arabia /Iran

1. Israel=Mixed/Market (closer to mixed)

2. Saudi Arabia/Iran=Mixed/Command3. Turkey=Mixed/Market (closer to

mixed)

Name the Type of Economy

Summarizing Activity (Left hand side)Choose one of the following to draw:

An example of how Israel’s citizen participate in government.

How people work in this area: Saudi Arabia-Types of Industry? Cities?

Type of economy for Turkey: Mixed? Market? Command?

Central Intelligence Agency, World Fact Book. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html 092707

Maps 101. Nystrom. Retrieved from http://www.maps101.com/ 121208

Bibliography