The middle east shares many cultural characteristics with
a. northern africa
b. eastern asia
c. central america
d. western europe

The correct answer is A. The Middle East shares many cultural characteristics with NORTHERN AFRICA.

Both regions have great cultural similarities, due to the fact that most of their countries share in their majority the Islamic religion, the Arabic language and the export of oil and gas as the main source of income (both regions have vast oil and gas reserves According to the Oil and Gas Journal, these regions have 60% of the world's oil reserves and 45% of the world reserves of natural gas).

In fact, both regions are grouped in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa). The term covers an extensive region that extends from Morocco to Iran, including all the countries of the Middle East and the Maghreb.

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explanation: what are local authorities doing to fix the problem

it foreshadows the theme of the paragraph and hints the topic that will be discussed in the paragraph!