Southwest Asia and North Africa are known as the Middle East, but also as the "cradle of civilization." The geography of the region gave rise to the first civilizations, and people have impacted the land for thousands of years. From the pyramids of Egypt to the Arabian Desert, readers will love learning about the varied landscapes and cityscapes of this exciting region. Full-color photographs and maps help readers visualize complex topics, while fact-filled text provides a comprehensive tour of the physical and human geographic features of Southwest Asia and North Africa.