Physical Geography of SWA & NA SSWG3a Describe the location of major physical features and their impact on North Africa/Southwest Asia.

General Information Southwest Asia is also called the “Middle East” The entire area is NOT desert. Mesopotamia or the “Fertile Crescent” is the ancient area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. North Africa is dramatically different from the areas south of the Sahara.

Mountains Mountains: Atlas, Zagros, Ahaggar Atlas Mountains are rich in minerals as well as petroleum Zagros form most of Iran’s southern border Ahaggar are made mostly from volcanic rock

Mountains Atlas Mts.Zagros Mts.

Rivers Rivers: Tigris, Euphrates, Jordan, Nile Most of these are the only real freshwater sources The areas around the rivers are fertile and allow farming—ex. Nile River Valley. Jordan River provides water and religious significance to people of the region Damming of the rivers in Turkey impact everyone down stream.

Rivers Tigris RiverEuphrates River

Additional Water Features Water features: – Seas: Red, Arabian, Dead – Gulf: Aden, Oman, Persian – Strait: Hormuz – Canals: Suez Suez Canal allowed for easier trade from the area. Provide water for the region, but must be desalinated Problem with pirates around the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz

Water Features Dead SeaSuez Canal

Deserts Deserts: Sahara, Rub al-Khali, Syrian, Negev Some deserts are sand, and others are salt. Sahara—largest desert on earth and about as big as the US Limited farming can be done with sophisticated irrigation systems (Negev) Rub al-Khali means “empty quarter” and the border is disputed

Deserts Sahara DesertRub al-Khali

Other Land features West Bank – Primarily Palestinian territory located on the Western Bank of the Jordan River – App 2270 square miles Gaza Strip – Primarily Palestinian territory located in Southwestern Israel – App 146 square miles Golan Heights – Primarily Israeli occupied plateau in Syria – Disputed area of land

Land Features West Bank & Gaza StripGolan Heights