ABSTRACT
Geographically, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) can be divided into three distinct regions: the plains of North Africa and Arabia, the Fertile Crescent, and the Northern Tier. MENA is an area of contrast, including some of the world's most famous deserts, mountain ranges, and rivers. This chapter discusses the aspects of governance, including Arab nationalism, the role of religion in politics, the state of democracy in the region, and the Middle East peace process. Oil is the most important natural resource of the region and continues to influence the economics and politics to a great extent. A scarcity of water limits agricultural development throughout most of MENA. The monotheistic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all developed in the Middle East. The Middle East is also the birthplace of the world's three great monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
