Geography of the Middle East: Location, Climate, Natural Resources, & Population Density What is life like in the Middle East??

The Land The Middle East is often called the “crossroads of the world” because it lies at the intersection of 3 continents-Europe, Asia, and Africa. **The specific point of intersection is at the Suez Canal, which is the fastest way for American and European ships to cross over to the Indian Ocean.** Deserts are the most common landform and make up almost 66% of the Middle East.

Did you know??? Deserts…. Receive less than 10 inches of rain per year-that’s dry!! Is hot during the day but cool at night. Cactus can live to be up to 200 years old! The highest sand dune was found in the Sahara Desert and is 1410 feet high! The desert tortoise can live in temperatures of 140°!

Continued…. Deserts… Camels are called “ships of the desert.” They can go without water for 2 months! People who live near or visit a desert wear light colored clothes to reflect the sun and stay cool!!

Water There is a lack of water, which we will discuss, in detail, later. This is the cause of lots of controversies among countries in the Middle East.

Persian Gulf Western countries call this the Persian Gulf, but most Arab countries refer to this as the Arabian Gulf. Located between the Arabian Sea and Iran. This is an important physical feature because its holds some of the world’s most important oil fields. ($$)

Strait of Hormuz Narrow waterway near the Persian Gulf Important shipping canal Most of the world’s oil supply passes through this strait.

The Gaza Strip Small piece of land-only 146 square miles. Stretches along the Mediterranean Sea and borders Egypt and Israel. Mostly flat and sandy This piece of land has been fought over by Israel and Palestine (and other surrounding countries) for most of the 20th century (1900’s). Israel took control of the strip in 1967 but gave control to the Palestinians in 1994, who still have control. Today, the Gaza strip is run by the Palestine National Authority. Many Arabs live there.

Climate The climate varies. mostly arid with hot, dry summers and cool winters

Climate There are lots of mountains and deserts….so, how much does it rain the Middle East? IRAN In Northern Iran, along the Caspian Sea, you might get up to 80 inches of rain each year!!!! But, in the deserts, the people might not see rain for SEVERAL YEARS!! Saudi Arabia Moderate, mild temperatures with little rainfall

Afghanistan-Hot, dry summers and very cold winters Afghanistan-Hot, dry summers and very cold winters. There is a lot of snow in the mountains and no rain in deserts. Iraq- rains only in the Mountains (in the north), Hot, dry summers & short, cool winters Saudi Arabia- Hot & dry climate (remember-this is mostly a desert!!)

Population Dense populations around areas with OIL. People migrate to new places in order to get a good job in the oil industry. Iraq and Iran are the most populated countries in the Middle East because they are oil rich.

Continued… In Saudi Arabia, mostly nomads until the 1960’s. These nomads have no permanent home and move from place to place. They are called Bedouins. Today, only about 1% the population remains nomadic herders. Because of the booming oil industry, most (almost 95%) of the population lives in cities. HUGE stretches of desert in Saudi Arabia, so very few people live or are able to work in those areas-1 person/square mile.

Population Continued… Except in the regions with a lot of mountains, areas around water are very populated. This is because H2O is used to grow crops! In modern Iraq, fertile soil is found in the “Fertile Cresent.” This is the land located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Canals are built to use the river water for irrigation. This fertile area of land is home to many people!

Population Continued… Where are the people located in Afghanistan?? About 77% of the country is rural, but has little land to farm (most of the farming is done in valleys with irrigation from their small water supply). About 70% of the population works on small farms or raises livestock. Only 12% of the land here is arable (farmable). In 2002, almost 2 million refugees returned from Pakistan & Iran, causing major food & aid shortages

There is a large population in port cities, in every country with major port cities on the coast. This is because of employment opportunities in transportation, shipbuilding, and repair. Turkey has major ports along the Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea, and Black Sea. Most people live in urban areas. Saudi Arabia has major ports along the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.

Major Cities: Turkey connects Europe & Asia. 2.Istanbul- largest city Tehran is the capital and largest city in Iran. (over 65 million people live here!) Baghdad is the capital city of Iraq-one of the largest in Iraq! In Afghanistan, Kabul is the largest city! Turkey connects Europe & Asia. 1. Ankara- capital city 2.Istanbul- largest city

Kabul Baghdad Istanbul Mecca Tel Aviv Tehran

Major Cities: Israel: ½ of population lives near 3 largest cities: 1. Jerusalem: capital & largest city 2. Tel Aviv: economic & industrial center 3. Haifa: busy port & naval base Saudi Arabia: Riyadh is the capital city. Mecca & Medina: 2 holiest cities in Islam

Natural Resources Afghanistan is the World’s biggest producer of opium (a drug used to make another drug called Heroin). Natural gas, copper, iron, rubies & emeralds are other major natural resources found here. http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/11/17/afghan.opium/

Natural Resources Iran- Many shallow rivers used for irrigation & hydroelectricity (Energy generated/created from damns) Huge resources of oil- 45% of the country’s revenue comes from oil! natural gas & copper

Natural Resources Iraq: Oil 10% of all of the world’s oil reserves are here (In southeast and north-central regions)

Natural Resources Israel- Lack of natural resources & isolation from neighboring countries A small reserve of oil has recently been discovered.

Natural Resources Saudi Arabia- limestone, marble, clay & salt Contains ¼ of world’s petroleum (oil) World’s largest exporter!! NO H2O because there are no permanent rivers or lakes Wadis: temporary rivers created by rains

Natural Resources Turkey- Water from snow and aquifers used for agriculture and hydroelectricity Coal is biggest natural resource Although there is no oil here, Turkey has benefited from this natural resource in surrounding countries because they transport this oil to Europe.