Deserts of the Middle East

GPS & E.Q. b. Describe how the deserts and rivers of the Middle East have affected population in terms of where people live, the type of work they do, and how they travel. E.Q. how do deserts affect population in terms of where people live, the type of work they do, and how they travel?

Saudi Arabia Deserts Arabian Desert Empty Quarter Al-Nafud Al-Dahna

Saudi Arabia Major Cities

Saudi Arabia Occupations Agriculture: 6.7% Industry: 21.4% Services: 71.9%

Arabian Desert 900,000 miles on the Arabian peninsula Made of Al-Dahna Desert: high red sand dunes - connects Empty Quarter and Al-Nefud Empty Quarter: 1 of largest continuous bodies of sand in the world Al-Nefud Desert: has sudden violent winds and large dunes.

Climate hyper arid (super dry) Temperatures Summer: 104–122 °F Winter: 41–59 °F (can go below 0°C)

Gazelles, oryx, sand cats, and spiny-tailed lizards live here. Has red dunes and deadly quicksand

Iran Major Cities

Iran Occupations Agriculture: 25% Industry: 31% Services: 45%

Iran Deserts Dasht-e Kavir Dasht-e Lut

Dasht-e Kavir or Great Salt Desert دشت كوير In central Iran Named after the salt marshes (kavirs) Climate: almost rainless Temperatures Summer: can reach 122 °F Winter: average is 71 °F. Rain usually falls in winter.

Dasht-e Kavir Extreme heat and storms cause erosion Almost uninhabited A few people live in the oases, breeding camels and sheep. For irrigation, use water-wells known as "Qanats."

Dasht-e Lut In SE Iran Large salt desert world's 25th largest desert. 300 mi. long & 200 mi. wide Hottest and driest place on earth.

Climate The highest temperature of Earth's surface in the years 2004 and 2005 was 159 degrees F. Temperatures Summer: night 104 Degrees F +, day 120 degrees F+.

Israel Major Cities

Israel Deserts Judean Negev

Israel Occupations Agriculture: 2.6% Industry: 32.4% Services: 65%

Judean Desert in eastern Israel & in the West Bank hills and canyons

Negev In S. Israel brown, rocky, dusty mountains, wadis, and deep craters receives little rain because it is east of the Sahara average rainfall total from June - October is 0

Deserts serve as a natural barrier against invasion. Deserts have also led to a way of life developed around surviving the harsh conditions People (Bedouins – desert nomads) have managed to live in the desert in tent camps and survive as sheep and camel herders. They trade animals and handmade goods with those who live in towns on the desert’s edge.

Many people in the ME practice subsistence agriculture (growing small amounts of crops to take care of local needs) Due to climate, agriculture strongly depends on irrigation Commercial agriculture (growing crops for industrial markets) exists, but is limited by lack of water

Desert Travel By car/ motorcycle –no roads, can run out of gas… By camel On foot Need water, food, GPS, compass, first aid kit