Introduction to the Regions of Asia & the Middle East Geography Introduction to the Regions of Asia & the Middle East

Regions of Asia Middle East South Asia East Asia North Asia – Russia Turkey / Lebanon / Israel / Jordan / Afghanistan / Iran / Iraq / Syria / Saudia Arabia / Kuwait / Yemen / Oman / Qatar / UAE (United Arab Emirates) / Bahrain South Asia India / Pakistan / Nepal / Bhutan / Bangladesh / Sri Lanka / The Maldives East Asia China / Taiwan / North Korea / South Korea / Japan North Asia – Russia Central Asia – The “-Istans” South Eastern Asia – Vietnam / Laos / Kampuchea / Thailand / Myanmar / Indonesia / Malaysia / Philippines

The Middle East

Major Landforms : Mountains Mountains block rainfall & provide natural barriers for protection from attack. Mountains in the Middle East located in the North (Turkey) and North East (Iran / Afghanistan) Major Mt. Ranges: Taurus (Turkey) Mt. Ararat (North Eastern Turkey) Zagros (Iran, Iraq) Elbuzr (Iran) Asir (Saudi Arabia)

Major Landforms : Seas Seas - Provide trade routes to exchange products and ideas throughout Mid East (Note: A Sea is SALT water…) Major Seas: - Mediterranean (West) - Black & Caspian (North) - Arabian Sea (South) - Red Sea (South West) - Dead Sea (West)

Major Landforms: Rivers River - fresh water source provide trade routes / fertile soil / irrigation Flooding of rivers = chronic problem Major rivers: - Nile (Egypt) - Runs South to North - Tigris (Fertile Crescent) - Euphrates (Fertile Crescent)

Major Landforms : Deserts Deserts - Dry / Barren area of land without water or vegetation Major Deserts: - Rub al Khali - (empty quarter) Southern S.A. Peninsula - Arabian Desert -Arabian Peninsula - Sahara - Worlds largest Desert Northern Africa

Strategic Location The Importance of Water Commands major trade routes over land & seas - Trade Promotes the flow of wealth / knowledge / ideas - Rich Cities & Economic Advantages Makes the Middle East susceptible to attack The Importance of Water Water is scarce in the Middle East Majority of population lives near oasis / along rivers / near the coast Settlements are scattered - lead to the development of many separate nations

The Middle East: Cross Road of Peoples Diversity Connects 3 Continents  Asia / Africa / Europe 15 Countries 350 Million People Meeting ground for many cultures 7 Major Languages - Turkish - Arabic - Kurdish - Persian - Hebrew - Greek - Armenian 3 Major Religions - Judaism - Christianity - Islam

Lifestyles Bedouins = nomadic herders & farmers Tribal society Family is everything Protection Access to water Modern Bedouin Only 3% of the population New political boundaries have limited wandering Most jobs in cities / oil fields / army Even so…cultural connection to family / tribe is still strong

Living in the desert… Today modern cities can survive in the desert…if there is money to import the water (i.e. Kuwait) Older cities built to fit the environment… Protect against invasion and the sun Narrow streets / thick walls / inner open courtyards / awnings along streets to provide shade