One of the oldest continuously settled areas on earth, the Middle East is today a region in which overlapping but distinctive cultures and ancestral ways co-exist with modern technology. This fact-filled documentary introduces viewers to some of the diverse inhabitants and geographical contrasts that presently make up the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Revealing how the continuity of centuries-old traditions affects contemporary experience, it highlights the major customs, religious practices and patterns of conduct that guide the lives of the region's different populations. The video, which can be used to initiate units of study about the Middle East, is suitable for classroom instruction (grades seven and up) as well as for general audiences.