Now in its sixth edition, Middle East Patterns continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative geographical study of the region. Colbert C. Held and John Thomas Cummings introduce the Middle East from a topical perspective and then provide in-depth country-by- country coverage. The sixth edition maintains the book's well-received framework and distinctive focus on a wide range of geographical patterns—ethnographic, economic, and political—while integrating updated comparative material on natural resources and human and social development. New sections on health issues, business environments, and the historical US presence in the region expand the book's ample coverage. Richly illustrated with more than 125 photos and 70 maps, this acclaimed book remains the best accessible resource for students and general readers who seek to understand the spatial dynamics of the Middle East.

Visit www.middleeastpatterns.com for historical timelines, archived content from the fifth edition, and updated material on current situations in the Middle East.