EQ: How do the physical features of SWA affect the people who live there? (What they do for a living, and How they survive) M. Maragh 7th Grade SS 1314

Why do you think Southwest Asia is sometimes called the Middle East?

Southwest Asia Southwest Asia is sometimes called the Middle East because it lies in the “middle” of three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa. This has made it an important area for trade for thousands of years.

What physical feature do humans choose to live near the most?

Water, Agua, Eau, Woda… Water is the most important resource for life. Without water, people cannot survive. Most people live near fresh water (fertile soil and transportation) so on a map, the most densely populated areas are near rivers. For example: the Tigris and Euphrates River valleys have been populated since ancient times.

Water in Southwest Asia Fresh water is even more important in Southwest Asia because there is very little of it. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are about the only water supply for Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. The Jordan River is almost the only supply of water for Jordan, Israel, and Syria. Countries fight over the water and who may use it. Laws are created called water rights that decide which countries can use the water and for what.

What is it used for??? Most importantly, fresh water is used for drinking and irrigating crops. Dams are also built on rivers to control flooding and create hydroelectric power.

What happens to countries who share rivers when a dam is created?

Dams create unequal water distribution because it stops water from flowing downstream to other countries. (Ataturk Dam in Turkey, Aswan High Dam in Egypt). Israel controls the Jordan River, and therefore, uses their power to get their way politically in the region.

And……. Water is also used for transportation. The two most important water routes in Southwest Asia are the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal.

Strait of Hormuz This Strait is so important. It connects the oil rich Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. The majority of the world’s petroleum is transported through the Strait of Hormuz.

What happens if the Strait is Closed?

The Suez Canal The Suez Canal is a man-made waterway (remember the Panama Canal?), that connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. The Suez Canal allows ships to travel from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without going around Africa.

Petroleum…Oil that is… Black Gold, Texas Tea Southwest Asia may not have water, but they have the world’s largest supply of petroleum. The Persian Gulf is surrounded by oil fields. Fast fact: Saudi Arabia has the majority of the world’s oil reserves!

Saudi Arabia has lots of Petroleum, and lies along the Persian Gulf Saudi Arabia has lots of Petroleum, and lies along the Persian Gulf. How does this help them?

Saudi Arabia has lots of Petroleum, but very little fresh water Saudi Arabia has lots of Petroleum, but very little fresh water. What does this mean for their economy?

Do all Southwest Asian Countries have Petroleum? NO! The closer to the Persian Gulf, the more oil they have. Israel, Turkey, Jordan, and Afghanistan have no oil reserves.