Central and Southwest Asia

Southwest Asia vs Middle East Formal and Perceptual Region

Physical Features: Central Asia Central Asia is mostly flat and stretches from the Caspian Sea to China. *“Stan” means country of the _____.

Physical Features: Caucasus Nations The Caucasus Nations stretch from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea. They are separated from Russia by the Caucasus Mountains. Physical Features: Caucasus Nations

Physical Features: Southwest Asia The Arabian Peninsula is dominated by deserts. Plateaus and mountains cover the North. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and Nile create the fertile crescent.

Rub al-Khali: “The Empty Quarter” size of Texas

Climate and Ecosystems Central Asia and Caucasus Nations C.A. is mostly arid or semi-arid (dry). The Caucasus nations are a bit milder. C.A. is dominated by deserts, while the Caucasus is mostly mixed forests.   Climate makes the regions rivers very important.

Climate and Ecosystems Southwest Asia Region is mostly arid or semi-arid expect for the areas around the Mediterranean and in the mountains.   The south is covered in deserts but the north has some grasslands and forests. Climate makes the regions rivers very important.

Arid & Semiarid Mediterranean Highland Most common Processes: dry wind currents & rain shadow effect Arid & Semiarid Milder & wetter along Mediterranean coasts Processes: bodies of water& wind currents Mediterranean Northern rugged mountains of SW Asia Processes: elevation Highland

Ecosystem Patterns Desert Grasslands Forests Most common (arid climate) Sahara & Rub al’Kahli Desert Northern SW Asia (semi-arid or Mediterranean climate) Best agricultural land (Fertile Crescent) Grasslands Mountains (highlands/ Mediterranean) River valleys Forests

Impacting Where People Live… What is the pattern of population density? What processes are involved? Prediction: How might population growth impact this?

Economics and Resources Central Asia and Caucasus Nations Includes Nomadic herding and commercial farming along rivers. Several natural resources including petroleum (oil and natural gas).

Economics and Resources Southwest Asia Nomadic herding dominates the South while farming is common in the North. Oil is the most important natural resource and is concentrated around the Persian Gulf.

World Oil Reserves

Current Issues Southwest Asia Environmental issues including desertification and pollution. Unrest among ethnic and religious groups. Uneven economic development. Unstable political systems.