The Middle East, the western subcontinent of Asia is the dryest of the worlds major regions. More than 75% of the area gets less than 250mm (10") of rain per year, and is covered by deserts, semidesert or mountain steppe, yet 60% of it's people rely on farming for a living. Economically oil dominates the region, having half of the world's proven reserves, producing 30% of the world's crude oil.