Natural Environments Ch 19, Ch 20 Middle East Natural Environments Ch 19, Ch 20

Ch 19 Persian Gulf & Interior Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait

Landforms & Bodies of Water Tectonic forces Coastal plains Arabian Peninsula NORTH An Nafud Desert Elburz Mountains EAST Persian Gulf Plains (Mesopotamia) Tigris River (exotic river) Euphrates River (exotic river) Zagros Mountains High plateaus Tectonic forces African, Eurasian, Arabian plates collide to create mountains, upland plateaus & valleys; narrow gulfs and seas **Red Sea becoming wider as African & Arabian plates move apart Mountains give water to valleys below Exotic river= rivers that begin in humid regions and then flow across dry areas

Landforms & Bodies of Water SOUTH Gulf of Aden Arabian Sea Indian Ocean Rub al-Khali Desert (means “Empty Quarter”) WEST Red Sea Hindu Kush Mountains (part of the Himalayas) Lowlands in Saudi Arabia (one of hottest places in world) Himalayas are highest mountains in the world Lowlands in Saudi Arabia (one of hottest places in world) Little summer rain, but high humidity b/c next to sea

Climates, Biomes, & Natural Resources Hot, dry climates Climates influenced by: High pressure = dry, little water Orographic effect = humidity, rain & trees on mountains Winds = westerlies, winter rain, cyclonic storms Elevation = cool temp in highlands, skiing in Iran

Climates, Biomes, & Natural Resources PLANTS grasses, shrubs ANIMALS Hyenas, leopards, tigers, lions, donkeys, camels Wide dry plains covered by shrubs & grasses Plants adapt to periods w/out rain Larger wild animals have problems hunting b/c of human & domestic animal competition = lg animals become rare, restricted to game reserves—camels & donkeys become domesticated

Climates, Biomes, & Natural Resources Oil & Water OIL WATER

Ch 20 Eastern Mediterranean Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan

Landforms & Bodies of Water Faults, folds, earthquakes NORTH Pontic Mountains Dead Sea was once part of the Mediterranean Sea, but no longer has an outlet; so salty people float in it

Landforms & Bodies of Water Faults Folds Earthquakes EAST Plateaus, hills, valleys Tigris River Euphrates River rift valley (Syria) Dead Sea was once part of the Mediterranean Sea, but no longer has an outlet; so salty people float in it

Landforms & Bodies of Water WEST Coastal plain Mediterranean Sea Taurus Mountains Jordan River (irrigation) Dead Sea (lowest land on Earth, once part of Med. Sea) Dead Sea was once part of the Mediterranean Sea, but no longer has an outlet; so salty people float in it

Landforms & Bodies of Water NORTHWEST Plains Hills Dardanelles Bosporus Strait Sea of Marmara Balkan Peninsula (has Turkey) Dead Sea was once part of the Mediterranean Sea, but no longer has an outlet; so salty people float in it

Climates, Biomes, & Natural Resources CLIMATES Arid Semi-arid Mediterranean

Climates, Biomes, & Natural Resources PLANTS Forests-cedar, cyprus, pine ANIMALS Jackals, lizards, snakes, sheep, goats Wide dry plains covered by shrubs & grasses Plants adapt to periods w/out rain Larger wild animals have problems hunting b/c of human & domestic animal competition = lg animals become rare, restricted to game reserves—camels & donkeys become domesticated

Climates, Biomes, & Natural Resources Coal, copper, iron ore, oil, natural gas, magnesium COPPER OIL MAGNESIUM COAL