Includes information about the history , land, climate, and peoples of the Middle East.

Includes index.

Chapter 1: People and places -- Where in the world? -- Land and climate -- Peoples and languages -- Holy lands -- Where civilisation began -- The passing of empires -- Magic carpet rides -- Merchants and bazaars -- Resources and work -- Hopes and fears -- Summary -- Chapter 2: Modern nations -- International cooperation -- Turkey and Cyprus -- Syria -- Lebanon -- Israel -- Palestinian territories -- Egypt -- Jordan -- Saudi Arabia -- Yemen and Oman -- Gulf states -- Iraq -- Iran -- Afghanistan -- Summary -- Reference -- Glossary -- Index.