CHAPTER 17: Northeast middle east A focus on Turkey, Iraq, and Iran

MOUNTAINS (turkey) Several tectonic plates converge at the Anatolian Peninsula, AKA: Asia Minor North Anatolian Fault (Turkey)—one of the most active faults in the world Many volcanoes in Turkey Pontic Mountains in the northeast Mt. Ararat to the east of Pontic (16,945 ft.) Taurus Mountains in the southwest Anatolian Plateau in between

MOUNTAINS (IRAN) Elburz Mountains along northern border Tallest peak: Mt. Damavand (18,934 ft.)—Iran’s highest peak; volcano Zagros Mountains along southwestern border, into Iraq Tallest peak: Zard Kuh (14,921 ft.)

TURKISH STRAITS STRAIT: a narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water Creates border between Europe and Asia Consists of: Dardanelles The Sea of Marmara Bosporus Control of this area controls trade ($$$)

rivers Tigris (1,180 mi) and Euphrates (2,235 mi) Home of Mesopotamia—”land between rivers” Converge into Shatt al Arab (120 mi), then empties into Persian Gulf

CASPIAN SEA An important transportation link between Iran and other Asian countries Oil/natural gas Heavy fishing

Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf) Gulf of Oman OTHER WATER SYSTEMS Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf) Gulf of Oman Strait of Hormuz--- strategic outlet from the Persian Gulf to Indian Ocean

SECTION 2: HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

EARLY CIVILIZATION Tigris and Euphrates formed a natural boundary for Mesopotamia CULTURAL HEARTH: center in which cultures develop and from which they spread Neolithic Revolution---learn to farm/domesticate animals People become sedentary; have more time to think Develop new tools and systems of government Boom! Civilization!

MESOPOTAMIA Home to Sumer (c. 5000 years ago) Developed early writing system called CUNEIFORM: using wedge-shaped symbols pressed into clay tablets C. 1900 B.C.: Babylon emerges and dominates Mesopotamia

PERSIAN and ottoman EMPIREs Present-day Iran Brilliant engineers QANAT: underground canal--- reduce evaporation of water Ottomans ruled from Anatolia Empire extended across N. Africa, western Asia, and southeastern Europe Defeated in World War I

IRAQ Became independent in 1932 In turmoil ever since Iraq-Iran War 1980-1988 1st Persian Gulf War 1990-1991 Iraq War 2003-??? Leader was Saddam Hussein (dictator)---arrested, convicted, executed Parliamentary democracy Current leader: Fuad Masum

IRAN 1979: Shah Reza Pahlavi is overthrown Islamic scholars, mullahs, came to power Islamic Republic was formed Muslim clerics, ayatollahs, maintain political and religious influence Deep dislike of Western influence

Oil! 1908: Oil discovered in Persian Gulf 1911: 1st commercial oil well in Iran 1960: Iran and Iraq join w/other oil-producing countries to form the ORGANIZATION OF PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES (OPEC) They regulate oil prices

Ethnic diversity Vast majority are Muslim Major ethnic groups: Turks, Iranians, Arabs, and Kurds Majority in Iraq are Arab Kurds live in areas of Turkey, Iraq, and Iran Major cities: Istanbul, Tehran, Baghdad

THE ARTS Early civs created sculptures, metalwork, and large buildings ZIGGURAT: large temple built by Sumerians Literature is based on oral tradition, epics, and poetry Fine carpet weaving from ancient Persia

RESOURCES OIL!!!!!!!! Iran and Iraq are leading exporters