Land of the Middle East

Middle East Includes Southwest Asia and North Africa

Deserts, Mountains, Peninsulas, and Seas

Deserts

Most of the region is desert. Most of the desert is “desert pavement” Very little of the deserts contain sand dunes. The largest area of sand dunes is the Rubal Khali (Empty Quarter) in southern Saudi Arabia.

Mountains Atlas Mts. Asir Mts. Zagros Mts. Taurus Mts. Pontic Mts. Elburz Mts. Atlas - longest mountain chain in Africa

Mt. Ararat Theologians believe this was the resting place of Noah’s Ark.

Peninsulas Arabian Peninsula Anatolian Peninsula Sinai Peninsula Suez Canal

Seas

Black Sea Connected to the Mediterranean by the Turkish Straits system, which includes Bosporus Strait, Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles. The city of Istanbul (Byzantium, Constantinople) is split by the Bosporus Strait, making it the only city located on two continents.

Caspian Sea By definition, the Caspian Sea is actually a lake. It is the largest lake in the world. Rich in oil and natural gas.

Red Sea Inlet of the Indian Ocean Created by the Great Rift Valley.

Dead Sea Only major source of inflow is the Jordan River Lowest elevation on Earth. Saltiest body of water in the world. Part of the Great Rift Valley

Dead Sea

Nile Longest river in the world miles long. Formed by the confluence of the Blue and White Nile. Source is Lake Victoria.

Nile

Aswan Dam Creates Lake Nassar. Benefits - prevents flooding, hydroelectric power, recreation. Problems - prevents soil deposition, disease

Tigris

Euphrates

Mesopotamia Etymology Join to form the Shatt al Arab.

Wadi Rum

Cyprus

Petroleum