Preface ix Introduction xi Part I: Thematic Essays Origins and History 3 Geography 19 Political Systems and Parties 31 Religion 48 Conflicts and Issues 64 Social Organization and Family Life 82 Gender Roles 95 Housing and Settlements 105 Life and Work 118 Education 129 Language 141 Lit er a ture 163 Media 180 Food and Dress 190 Music 198 Cinema 208 Part II: Country Profiles France 219 Germany 225 Iran 231 Iraq 241 Israel 256 Lebanon 260 Russia and Transcaucasia 264 Sweden 271 Syria 275 Contents