Middle East Geography Alluvial Plain area built up

Middle East Geography

Alluvial Plain -area built up by rich fertile soil left by river floods Silt - small particles of rich soil

Sedimentary Rock- type of rock formed when layer of sediment, or dirt from the ocean floor, are compressed together and harden Refineries- facilities that turn petroleum into gasoline and other products

Wadi- dry riverbed that fills with water when rare rain falls in a desert Steppe - partly dry grassland often found on the edges of a desert.

Nomad - person who lives by moving from place to follow herds of migrating animals that they hunt or to lead herds of grazing animals to fresh pasture

Dry Farming - agriculture that conserves water and uses crops and growing methods suited to semiarid environments Irrigation - process of collecting water and distributing it to crops

Aquifer - underground layer of rock through which water flows Rationing - making a resource available in limited amounts

Desalinization - process of treating seawater to remove salts and minerals and make it drinkable

Polytheism - belief in more than one god Monotheism - belief in one god

Theocracy - form of government in which the leader claims to rule on behalf of a god

Covenant agreement Prophet messenger of God

Anti-Semitism - hostility or discrimination against Jews because of their religion or race Caliphs - successor to Muhammad

Terrorism - violence used against the people or government in the hopes of winning political goals