Welcome to the Middle East! An Introduction to the Region’s Geography

Where is the Middle East? Southwest and Central Asia are located between Africa, Europe, and the rest of Asia Southwest and Central Asia are located between Africa, Europe, and the rest of Asia Also called Southwest Asia Also called Southwest Asia

“The Middle East”???? This region got the name “Middle East” long ago because European rulers thought it was halfway to the Far East (places like China) This region got the name “Middle East” long ago because European rulers thought it was halfway to the Far East (places like China) The name stuck! This name is now the name used in news and in school more. We’ll use both names. The name stuck! This name is now the name used in news and in school more. We’ll use both names.

Plate Tectonics 3 different plates intersect in the Middle East: African, Eurasian, and Arabian 3 different plates intersect in the Middle East: African, Eurasian, and Arabian The result: rugged mountains, valleys, plateaus, gulfs, and seas have been created where the plates meet The result: rugged mountains, valleys, plateaus, gulfs, and seas have been created where the plates meet

Peninsulas and Plateaus Three Main Regions of SW Asia: Three Main Regions of SW Asia: –A: Arabian Peninsula: bordered by the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Persian Gulf; mostly desert (Rub al- Khali is the largest) –B: Anatolian Peninsula: (a.k.a., Anatolia, Asia Minor) home to most of Turkey, bordered by Black Sea (north) and Mediterranean Sea (south) –C: Plateau of Iran: bordered by Caspian Sea (north) and Persian Gulf (southwest) A B C

Deserts and Mountains  Dry Climate Mountains: prevent rain from reaching the area  dry climate Mountains: prevent rain from reaching the area  dry climate –A: Elburz Mountains –B: Zagros Mountains –C: Taurus Mountains Deserts: lots of them!  dry climate Deserts: lots of them!  dry climate Not JUST hot and dry. Overall, the climate varies. Not JUST hot and dry. Overall, the climate varies. –Winters: cold, this is when the rain they do get comes –Summers: rarely have rain –Varies by region—milder and more rain in areas along Mediterranean, very hot and little rain in Saudi desert A B C

So can they farm if it’s so dry? Yes, although it can be very challenging! Yes, although it can be very challenging! Water is scarce (limited) in the region Water is scarce (limited) in the region They have mostly subsistence agriculture, which means people grow food that their family will use (as opposed to growing it to sell) They have mostly subsistence agriculture, which means people grow food that their family will use (as opposed to growing it to sell) What do they grow? What do they grow? –Wheat, barley, citrus fruits, olives, figs, nuts, grapes, and livestock

How do they manage to farm? Irrigation began in the Middle East Irrigation began in the Middle East Irrigation: a way of supplying water to crops, often by digging canals from the region’s important rivers Irrigation: a way of supplying water to crops, often by digging canals from the region’s important rivers Ancient methods: Ancient methods: –Qanats: found source of water in higher land, built underground tunnel that sloped down to the village (began in Iran, spread throughout Middle East) Modern methods: Modern methods: –1950s: Israel built huge system of canals to bring water from Jordan River and Sea of Galilee to Negev Desert –Turkey has been building system of dams to create hydroelectric power and direct water to its farmlands –These methods often cause tension with neighboring countries, who want to use this same water

What other resources do they have? While water is scarce, they have plenty of oil! While water is scarce, they have plenty of oil! The Middle East has about 2/3 of the world’s oil reserves! The Middle East has about 2/3 of the world’s oil reserves! Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading oil holder, has 25%! It is followed by Canada, Iran, Iraq, the UAE, and Kuwait Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading oil holder, has 25%! It is followed by Canada, Iran, Iraq, the UAE, and Kuwait But besides oil, they have few other resources. But besides oil, they have few other resources. This can be good and bad— when oil prices are high, they are happy and their economies boom, but when oil prices fall, their economies suffer. This can be good and bad— when oil prices are high, they are happy and their economies boom, but when oil prices fall, their economies suffer. Only Israel is considered a “developed” country. Only Israel is considered a “developed” country.

Let’s Review Located at crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia Located at crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia Physical features = mountains, deserts, and rivers Physical features = mountains, deserts, and rivers Dry climate makes farming a challenge Dry climate makes farming a challenge Lack of water but lots of oil Lack of water but lots of oil