The Physical Geography of North Africa, Southwest, and Central Asia Chapter 17, Section 1: The Land

Important Vocabulary Kum: dune-covered deserts; Southwest Asia. Alluvial Soil: a rich soil made up of sand and mud deposited by moving water. Nile River. Wadi: a streambed that remains dry until a heavy rain. Arid regions. Phosphate: a chemical used in fertilizers.

Important Vocabulary Oasis: a place in the desert where underground water surfaces. Pastoralism: the raising and grazing of livestock. Way of life for those who live in a steppe climate. Cereal: food grains such as barley, oats, and wheat. Grown without irrigation.

Physical Map of the Region(s) North Africa Southwest and Central Asia

Mountains Tectonic activity has shaped the landscape. Atlas Mountains: across Morocco and Algeria. In Southwest Asia: Hejaz and Asir ranges. Pontic and Taurus Mountains in Turkey.

Major Rivers Nile is world’s longest river Alluvial soil Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Ancient Mesopotamia. Fertile farm lands. Rainstorms create wadis in arid North Africa and Southwest Asia.

Water and Climate Desert covers almost 50% of the region. Sahara is world’s largest desert. Extreme weather: cold to mild winters and long, hot summers. Steppe climate region: semi- arid, some trees and grasses.

Mid-Latitude Regions Mid-latitude weather: cool, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. High exports of citrus, olives, fruits, and grapes. Favorable weather increases tourism. Coastal and highland areas receive the most rain.

Natural Resources Over 60% of the world’s oil reserves, and 50% of natural gas. Vast mineral resources – sulfur, sulphate, manganese, gold, chromium, lead, iron, copper, and zinc. Oil=black gold