Which scarce resource has most directly shaped southwest asia's history and settlement patterns? question 6 options: rich soil natural gas water forests the oldest religion of the middle east. its founder is abraham. the 2nd oldest religion of the middle east. its founder is jesus. the 3rd oldest religion of the middle east. its founder is muhammad the muslims believe their leader must be a direct descendant of muhammad. question 8 (1 point) question 8 unsaved

Answers: Water; Judaism; Christianity; Islam; Shia.

Southwest Asia is a term that defines an area that roughly overlaps with the Middle East, with the exception of North Africa and the inclusion of the Caucasus, although it has no "official" definition.

The area is mostly arid or semi-arid, and this relative lack of water has shaped much of the area's culture and history. However, some major water sources, such as the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, have been home to large population settlements. The area is likely to be one of the birthplaces of agriculture and civilization. It also saw the birth of most major monotheistic religions, such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam.