Anne 6C 2/2/13

The physical geography of the Middle East played the most significant role in its development because it is the crossroads between Asia, Europe, and Africa. This makes it an important place for the exchange of goods and ideas. Since many people travel through the Middle East, this was a center for trade of goods and knowledge. This brought wealth and prosperity to the region. In ancient times, merchants on the Silk Road brought silk from China and spices from India to Europe, unloading some of it in the Middle East. In modern times, most of the trade is done through the Suez Canal by ships carrying oil and other goods. However, spices and oil werent the only things being traded. Ideas were also being freely exchanged. Combined building techniques from faraway places led to the construction of great palaces and temples such as the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Agricultural ideas such as terrace farming were coming from the Far East. And the idea of moneylending and interest developed as a necessity of being a central trading place. As a consequence of its geography, the Middle East became a central place of trade, knowledge, and influence. Even today geography plays a vital role. The Middle East is on top of the worlds largest oil reserves. By controlling these reserves and organizations such as OPEC the Middle East continues to have influence over its trading partners. In ancient times geography turned the Middle East into the crossroads of the world. Goods were traded and knowledge was gathered. New ideas came from this knowledge and influenced architecture, farming, and the monetary system. Even today, geography defines the Middle Easts role.