Middle Eastern Geography

Different Names for the Same Thing Why are there so many names for the same place? Why are there so many names for the same place? Middle East Southwest Asia Cradle of Civilization Crossroads of the World What do the names mean? What do the names mean?

Middle East The “Middle East” links up three major continents and many different groups of people regard this area as an extremely important part of the world. The area received this name from the Europeans who referred to countries that were closer to Eastern Europe as the “Middle East” while countries that were further away were termed “Far East”.

Cradle of Civilization Most of the archeological research shows that the first civilizations started in this part of the world This is NOT where humans first appeared, but it is where they first built their civilizations.

Southwest Asia This term refers to the proper geographic region these countries fall into (they are literally located in SW Asia)

Crossroads of the World The use of this phrase comes from the fact the these countries link up three major continents (Asia, Europe and Africa) and many peoples passed through, settled and exchanged ideas here.

Eastern Mediterranean An area of mostly arid/desert climates with some areas that receive rain located mostly along the coast of the Mediterranean and Black Sea. 195&199

Turkey Turkey has two major mountain ranges, the Pontic Mountains in the north and the Taurus Mountains in the South.

Physical Features (Land) Turkey is located both in the continent of Europe and Asia (p. 195)

Physical Features (Land) contd. Syrian Desert: a desert that covers most of Syria and Jordan and is made up of mostly rock and gravel (p.106) Negev Desert: a desert that is located mostly in southern Israel (p.197)

Physical Features (Water) Bosporus: a waterway that connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea (see pg. 198). Very important for TRADE because many ships travel through here. Jordan River: begins in Syria and flows south through Israel and Jordan where it empties into the Dead Sea. (p. 195)

The Jordan River System: Israel & Jordan--A Fight Over Water Rights?

Dead Sea: a large lake located on the border of Israel and Jordan that is extremely salty only allowing bacteria to grow there and it’s the lowest point on earth. (see pg. 197)

Dead Sea: Lowest Point on Earth 2,300’ below sea level Highest Salt Content (33%)

Arabian Peninsula, Iraq and Iran A region dominated by deserts with some areas receiving rainfall near Mountain ranges and coastlines. (p.221) Climate can be very hot and very cold because the desert experiences extreme temperatures since it has little moisture to moderate the temperature. (p. 222)

Physical Features (Land) Rub al-Khali (a.k.a. “Empty Quarter”): a desert located mostly in southern Saudi Arabia and is the largest all-sand desert in the world. (p.106) Fertile Crescent: a region that stretches from the Mediterranean sea and stretches to the Persian Gulf including most of the area between and around the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. (p.231)

Rub al-Khali: “The Empty Quarter”

Desert Bedouins

Fertile Crescent

The Fertile Crescent

Physical Features (Land) Iran is one of the most mountainous countries in the world. (p. 221) West: Zagros Mtns. North: Elburz Mtns. Most of Iran is desert but the mountains and portions of the desert do have trees. (p. 221)

Mountain Ranges in Mid-East Elburz Mts., Iran Zagros Mts., Iran Pontic Mts., Turkey Taurus Mts., Turkey

Mountains & Plateaus Caucasus Mts. Elburz Mts. Anatolian Plateau Taurus Mts. Iranian Plateau Zagros Mts. Atlas Mts. Hejaz Mts.

Physical Features (Water) Persian Gulf: large body of water borders by Saudi Arabia to the West, Kuwait/Iraq to the North and Iran to the East. (p.221) Many important ports are located along this body of water because a lot of the world’s oil is shipped out from here.

Tigris and Euphrates Rivers: Rivers that mostly run through what is modern day Iraq. The land between the two rivers is very rich and fertile and gave rise to some of the first civilizations in the world. (Q#9) Red Sea: major body of water located West of the Arabian Peninsula (Q#8)

The Tigris & Euphrates River System Mesopotamia: ”Land Between the Two Rivers” Marsh Arabs, So. Iraq

Dust Storms Along the Tigris-Euphrates Flood Plains

Suez Canal Suez Canal: body of water located in Egypt that “connects” the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. (p.106) Very important for trade because many of the goods from Europe and the Far East travel through here Makes a lot of money for the Egyptians because they charge fees to pass through.

Suez Canal Completed by the British in 1869

Bodies of Water Caspian Sea Black Sea Dardanelles Strait Atlantic Ocean Tigris River Mediterranean Sea Euphrates River Jordan River Suez Canal Strait of Hormuz Persian Gulf Nile River Gulf of Oman Red Sea Arabian Sea Gulf of Aden Indian Ocean

The Middle East Today: Political Map 2 4 5 1 6--> 7 <--8 3

Deserts Negev Desert Sinai Desert Libyan Desert Arabian Desert Rub al-Khali Sahara Desert

Completed Map Caucasus Mts. Black Sea Caspian Sea Dardanelles Strait Anatolian Plateau Elburz Mts. Atlantic Ocean Mediterranean Sea Tigris River Euphrates River Taurus Mts. Iranian Plateau Jordan River Zagros Mts. Atlas Mts. Negev Desert Sinai Desert Suez Canal Strait of Hormuz Arabian Desert Persian Gulf Libyan Desert Nile River Gulf of Oman Rub al-Khali Red Sea Hejaz Mts. Sahara Desert Arabian Sea Gulf of Aden Indian Ocean

The Middle East vs. the U. S. Latitude Lines

Middle East: Climate Regions

Middle East: Population Density

The Middle East: Natural Vegetation

The Natural Resources of the Middle East

Middle East Resources The two most important resources in the Middle East are WATER and OIL.

Resources: Water Water: There is little of this resource in this arid climate and it is vital to one’s survival. (drink, grow food) Irrigation: to supply an area of land with water by means of ditches, canals, pipes or some man made method.

Wadis – Instant Springs

Desert Oases: Water at a Premium!

Fresh Groundwater Sources

Irrigation

Desalinization Plants

Resources: Oil Oil: There is a lot of this resource throughout the region making many Middle Eastern countries very wealthy. However, there are some countries that do not have a lot of oil reserves and they are either Poor OR Successful because they have developed another part of their economy. (I.E.) Israel: leader in the diamond cutting industry and other technology businesses.

Resource Oil (Contd.) KEY CONCEPT STATEMENT: More Oil  More $  More Buildings (i.e. schools, hospitals, police, fire, roads)  Better education, health, trade/economy  Better standard of living (life)

World Oil Reserves

Persian Gulf Oil Exports (2003)

Saudi Oil Fields & Refineries

Kuwait: An Island Floating on a Sea of Oil Kuwait City

Leading U. S. Oil Suppliers The U. S. imports 30% of its oil needs from the Middle East.