Physical Geography of the Middle East Why does it matter?! Who cares?! Who cares?! Hmmm….

This is your land to live on… …How would this change your life?

When was the last time you aspired to herd animals?!  Desert Region Example: Rub al Khali – “Empty Quarter” Southwest Asia/Middle East = Why does this matter? When was the last time you aspired to herd animals?!  Lack fresh water Limits work/economic activity Impacts where people live…near rivers, coastal areas

One of these is not like the others? Which one is it?! Euphrates 1 3 Jordan Euphrates Jordan Chattahoochee Shows contrast of rivers in dry regions versus non-dry regions 2 Chattahoochee

= Region that lacks fresh water Southwest Asia/Middle East Example: Saudi Arabia does not have a single permanent source of fresh water! Southwest Asia/Middle East = Why does this matter? Their 3 major rivers (Tigris, Euphrates, and Jordan Rivers) flow through several countries, so this creates tension about who gets how much water If anyone builds a dam, the others get upset.

Show students how the rivers flow through several countries.

= Region surrounded by salt water Southwest Asia/Middle East Why does this matter? Wealthy countries can turn salt water into fresh water through a process called desalination They can ship goods easily to other parts of the world

Point out all the salt water around the area

= Region rich in BLACK GOLD! (Petroleum) Southwest Asia/Middle East Why does this matter? Petroleum is valuable AND is a limited resource…only so many places have it BUT everyone needs it! Most of the world’s oil is found around the Persian Gulf region

Persian Gulf The countries that touch it have the oil! Emphasize that the countries that touch the Persian Gulf have the oil

Who has the oil??? Middle East Chaching!

Oil or Gas Fields & Refineries

Who uses the oil??? UniteStates

Knowing what we have already discussed, why do you think the Strait of Hormuz (the red arrow is pointing to it) would be considered an important waterway? Many oil tankers transport oil through it everyday. It is small passage, so some country could block it if they wanted to! Many oil tankers transport oil through it everyday. It is small passage, so some country could block it if they wanted to!

= Southwest Asia/Middle East Home to strategic (important) waterways What are they? Why do they matter? Strait of Hormuz (natural waterway) Suez Canal (man-made waterway) Oil is shipped out of the Persian Gulf through this narrow passage of water Makes trade of goods (like oil) faster because it connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea

= Southwest Asia/Middle East Strategic location in the world Why does this matter? Three continents come together here  Europe, Africa, and Asia Trade from around the world has and always will come through this region

Suez Canal – connects the Red to the Med Without the Suez, this would the be the shipping alternative! That would really stink!

So…Why include North Africa?! Almost entirely covered by DESERT LACKS FRESH WATER OIL is a major export Sahara Desert = World’s largest desert Nile River = Only major river in region

So…Why do we care about the geography of the Middle East??? They have more OIL than any other region of the world, AND we can’t go without it! Has a strategic location on the globe for TRADE Being dry and lacking fresh water could mean future conflict (war) between countries