SWA&NA Extra Credit 2023 with complete solutions and questions and answers

Where is Darfur located? Western Sudan How has desertification changed the relationship between farmers and nomads in Darfur? Nomads and farmers are now in conflict over limited agricultural land. What key factors are behind the conflict in Darfur? deforestation an increase in human population climate change an increase in animal population What is the Sudanese government's "scorched earth" policy? a policy of burning villages in an effort to combat rebellion How have rainfall patterns in Darfur changed over the past 50 years? Rainfall has greatly decreased, leading to a series of droughts. What is the best solution to address the problems caused by deforestation and desertification? provide natural gas fuel for homes What is the Sudanese Liberation Army's primary complaint? poor infrastructure Why is it difficult for farmers in Darfur to receive seeds? The farmers fear militia violence and looting. What does Darfur need more of in order to alleviate its crisis? peace In 1990, the country of Yemen was formed by a merger of __________. North Yemen and South Yemen What is the main problem with the international aid that was sent to Yemen in the 1990s? It was primarily based in urban areas. Based on the needs of remote rural areas, which of the following projects would be a primary focus of the Social Fund for Development in Yemen? building a girls' school in a rural village How did the Yemeni Social Fund for Development decide which projects to prioritize? by working with men and women in communities to identify key areas of need How would you characterize the physical geography of Yemen? by working with the Yemeni government How would you characterize the physical geography of Yemen? desert What is the basic means of income in most rural areas of Yemen? agriculture How are traditional roles changing in Yemen today? Women are becoming educated and are working as teachers. What percentage of Yemeni women cannot read or write? 75 percent Why does Yemen have such a high birthrate? Children are seen as a gift from God. What is one cultural problem for the microfinance system in Yemen? Traditionally, money cannot be borrowed from outsiders. Why are there several desalination plants in countries located on the Persian Gulf? The region is dominated by hot deserts, therefore there are few freshwater sources. Desalination plants account for approximately how much of the United Arab Emirate's drinking water? nearly all Why do asylum seekers from Libya often first go to Lampedusa? It is the European territory closest to Libya. Where was a summit aimed at reducing the flow of asylum seekers into Europe held? Valletta, Malta Dubai International Airport is the world's busiest airport when measured by: International passenger traffic Besides Dubai International Airport, what other international airport serves Dubai? Al Maktoum International What is the name of the huge residential, commercial, and logistics center being built in Dubai? Dubai World Central The Noor 1 solar power station is located nearest what Moroccan city? Ouarzazete When was the Noor 1 solar power system connected to the Moroccan power grid? 2016 Where does Morocco one day hope to export solar energy? Europe How has the number of Christians in Bethlehem changed in recent years? Once an overwhelmingly Christian town, Bethlehem is now less than 20 percent Christian. What is the significance to Christianity of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre? It is the purported site of the resurrection of Jesus. Submit Why did Israeli Ambassador to the United States Oren believe that Christians are leaving the West Bank? Christian communities are living under duress as a result of Islamic extremism. Why does journalist Ari Shavit believe that that Christians are leaving the West Bank? Christians have become "collateral damage" in clashes between Jews and Muslims. Submit Who controls the West Bank today? Israel During which war did the deaths of millions of Armenians occur? World War I How does the United Nations define genocide? the intent to destroy a racial, ethnic, national, or religious group What argument did the Turkish ambassador make against the use of the term genocide to describe the deaths of Armenians from 1915 to 1916? The deaths of Armenians from should not be considered genocide because they were not intentional. Which of the following accurately characterizes the relationship between the United States and Turkey today? Turkey is one of the United States' most important allies in southwest Asia. Which of the following descriptions best characterizes Qatar's capital city of Doha? Doha is a modern city whose skyline is dominated by glass-clad skyscrapers. How reliant on foreign labor is Qatar's construction boom? Qatar's construction boom relies on a labor force that overwhelmingly is foreign-born. How has Qatar been able to achieve one of the world's highest standards of living, providing free health care and education with no taxes? Qatar sits atop the world's third largest gas reserves. What is Al Jazeera? An Arab-language news channel broadcasting throughout Southwest Asia and Northern Africa. How did Qatar influence the geopolitics of Southwest Asia and Northern Africa during the period known as the Arab Spring? Qatar played a central role in forming a coalition with the United States, United Kingdom, and France to overthrow Muammar Gadaffi. What water features create the wetlands inhabited by the Marsh Arabs? The Tigris and Euphrates rivers in eastern Iraq What plant serves as the basis of the livelihoods of the Marsh Arabs? reeds What animal is of particular significance to the Marsh Arabs? buffalo What kind of structure is a mudhif? A large communal house used as a guest house and gathering place What impact did canal construction have on life for the Marsh Arabs? The canals have resulted in the wetlands being drained, which has driven many Marsh Arabs from the marshes. The Nomadic Bedouin have lived in the Negev for centuries, and they have laid claim to large tracks of southern Israel. Currently the Bedouin are in dispute with the government of Israel over land use. The Nomadic Bedouin claim the government of Israel wants to use the disputed land for what purpose? The Nomadic Bedouins claim their land is being appropriated to build housing for Jewish immigrants. What food is considered to be the staple of the Bedouin diet? Flatbread is the staple of the Bedouin diet. Bedouin culture dictates that male guests aren't invited into the Bedouin home. Why? Bedouin culture dictates that male visitors aren't invited into Bedouin homes so they don't mix with Bedouin women. What are "Unrecognized Villages?" "Unrecognized Villages" are home to the Nomadic Bedouin tribespeople who have not sold their lands to the Israeli government. What is an abaya? A black garment worn by Muslim women What location is a popular nighttime attraction for women in Saudi Arabia who are at home most of the day? Shopping mall Professor Reem Asaad has been promoting a campaign in Saudi Arabia to do what? Permit women to work in lingerie shops Why was the West Bank Barrier built? Israeli security, including protection of Israelis from Palestinian suicide bombers Why has the village of Bil'in been particularly badly affected by the construction of the barrier? When the barrier was constructed, it cut off 60 percent of the land used by Bil'in villagers. What is the current status of Israeli settlements in the West Bank? Under international law, Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal, something Israel refutes. In fact, Israeli settlements are continuing to expand in the West Bank. Approximately how many Kurdish marriages in Turkey are polygamous? One out of every five marriages Where in Turkey do the Kurds who practice polygamy live? Southeast Anatolia Why has polygamy continued to be practiced by some Kurds in Turkey? Polygamy is a symbol of power and prestige within a community. What does the Quran state about the permissibility of polygamy? The Quran allows for up to four wives. How long has polygamy been practiced in Kurdish areas in Turkey? It has been practiced for generations. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, what new nation-state was carved out of the region known as Mesopotamia? In 1923, Iraq was the new nation-state carved out of Mesopotamia. Two men determined the border between Iraq and Saudi Arabia: Sir Percy Cox and Ibn Saud, the king of Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, these two men disagreed over how this border would be defined and mapped. How did Sir Percy Cox and Ibn Saud differ in opinion over how this new border would be defined? Sir Percy Cox wanted to draw boundary lines straight through the desert but Ibn Saud wanted to keep the boundaries fluid and open. What was the major negative consequence of the boundary line drawn between Iraq and Saudi Arabia? Once the boundary line was defined and mapped between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, the animal economy collapsed.