ABSTRACT
The exceedingly complex patterns of distribution of population and peoples in the Middle East are shaped by many interacting biophysical, cultural, and historical influences. Obviously highly correlated are the geographical patterns of population and precipitation and water supply; other factors have constantly been at work to shape unique patterns of peoples, languages, religions, and ethnic groups. Ethnic complexity, for example, often suggests that alternating mountains and valleys compartmentalize different groups of peoples or give refuge to weaker groups. Enumerating populations has been difficult in most Middle East countries, and quantifying religions and linguistic groups has been even more of a problem because it often has confronted sensitive issues. Middle East governments have made vast and admirable improvement since the 1960s and 1970s in gathering statistical data and making at least much of it available to the public. Statistics show a sharp decline over the twentieth century in crude death rates in developing countries.
