1. Physical Geography of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia Chapter 17

2. Overview Across two continents Spreads from Atlantic Ocean in west to border of China in east Landforms: mts, plateaus, and plains Climate is mainly dry with large deserts Home to 2 river valleys with rich soil that forms the basis for productive agriculture In most other parts of region, sparse rainfall makes farming difficult. Most important resource is the water that’s needed to survive and oil The region has more than half world’s oil reserves making it important to rest of world.

3. More Overview The Atlas Mts sit on far western edge of region and these receive rain making them much greener than the desert to the south. The Nile River flows north through Egypt into the Mediterranean Sea. It is the world’s longest river. The Rub’ al-Kahli (Empty Quarter) fills more than ¼ of Saudi Arabia and this vast desert holds the world’s largest oil field The Sahara –over 3 million square miles – goes through 11 countries – is world’s largest desert – is 25% sand –over two million people live there around the oasis –and there is a significant amount of plant and animal life.(413) #1 on map The Rub’ al-Kahli –is 250,000 square miles – covers 4 countries – is world’s largest area of uninterrupted sand (100%) –there are no permanent inhabitants and is very little plant and animals there.(413)#15 on map

4. The Land of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia Tectonic activity is responsible for shaping the area as four plates come together in this region As the plates move they build mts, shift landmasses, and cause earthquakes Earthquakes occur here regularly

5. Mountains Atlas Mts – Africa’s longest mountain range –Stretches across Morocco and Algeria –Enough precipitation falls on its northern side making them ideal for farming Two mountain ranges on the Arabian Peninsula –Hejaz –Asir are taller and receive more rainfall (19 inches a year) make it produce the most agriculture for the Arabian Peninsula Around Turkey you will find the Pontic Mts and the Tauras Mts and the Anatolian Plateau is located b/t them Tallest mountain is Mt Ararat B/t the Black(#14 on map) and Caspian Sea is the Caucasus Mts

6. Lowlands Some irrigated farmland is found in the Turan Lowland Fertile plains are found along –the Mediterranean Sea – the Caspian Sea –the Persian Gulf –these lush coastal plains stand out in a region dominated by deserts and mts

7. Deserts The Sahara –over 3 million square miles – goes through 11 countries – is world’s largest desert – is 25% sand –over two million people live there around the oasis –and there is a significant amount of plant and animal life.(413) #1 on map The Rub’ al-Kahli –is 250,000 square miles – covers 4 countries – is world’s largest area of uninterrupted sand (100%) –there are no permanent inhabitants and is very little plant and animals there.(413)#15 on map The deserts in the south are called the Kums (KOOMZ); – The black sand desert is the Kara-Kum –The red sand is the Kyzl Kum__.

8. Peninsulas This area is like a jigsaw puzzle of seas and peninsulas The Strait of Gibraltar is #9 on map and is a 20 mile span of water between northern Africa and southern Europe. Arabian Peninsula is surrounded by the Red Sea, the gulf of Aden, and the Persian Gulf The Anatolia Peninsula is surrounded by the Aegean and Black Seas as well as the Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosphorus

9. The Water of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia

10. Seas The Mediterranean Sea (#6 on map) separates the Africa and Europe. Black Sea Aegean Sea Gulf of Aden Persian Gulf 3 landlocked bodies of salt water east of the Med. Sea –Dead Sea (the smallest) is at mouth of Jordan River –Caspian Sea=largest inland body of water on Earth –Aral Sea=was 4th largest inland lake until 1960s; when SU diverted rivers that flowed into it for irrigation it began to dry up; in late 1980s it split into two N Aral Sea and S Aral Sea ; water in N has built up since 2006 after dams were built to ensure its flow

11. Nile River world’s longest river (4160 miles) Nile Delta and its fertile land around its banks gave birth to one of world’s earliest civilizations 90% of Egypt’s people live in the Delta or along the course of the river (only 3% of Egypt’s total land) The Aswan High Dam controls its flow –Reduces both flooding –Limits the deposits of alluvial soil (rich soil which made up of sand and mud that’s deposited by the moving river) –Also provides water for agriculture and hydroelectric power for the country

12. Tigris-Euphrates Rivers An early civilization also thrived here and was called Mesopotamia (land b/t two rivers) Located in southwest Asia Flow mainly thru Iraq A complex irrigation network was created which has watered the valley and supported farming there for 7000 years Irrigates: Turkey, Syria, and Iraq Eventually they join in southern Iraq and empty into the Persian Gulf Dams control the flow of both rivers and hydroelectric plants have been built along them to provide electricity (Euphrates is longer: 2335 Tigris: 1180)

13. Lakes Lake Nasser –A human made reservoir –Created when the Aswan High Dam was built –Stores water and helps regulate the Nile –Used to bring additional land under irrigation and also helped coverted flood land into farmland –Electricity is provided by generators powered by the Dam

14. Streams Many flow in the region here and there appearing and then disappearing suddenly Wadis –Runoff from infrequent rainfalls create these in desert regions –irregular rainstorms produce flash flooding –these fill with so much sediment that they can rapidly become mud flows or moving masses of wet soil –are a danger to humans and animals

15. The Natural Resources of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia

16. Oil and Natural Gas Over 60% of world’s known oil reserves are found here. About 50% of world’s known natural gas reserves are found here. Unmeasured reserves are found in the Gaza Strip, in Egypt, and under the Caspian Sea Petroleum exports have enriched the region but heavy reliance on this is risky because when prices go up or down the region’s economies can suffer. Factors that influence the change in oil prices include growing global demand, conflict in countries like Iraq, and uncertainties in the region__.

17. MINERALS: The world’s largest sulfur deposits are found in Turkmenistan and the largest deposits of sulfate which is used in paperboard, glass, and detergents. Morocco is one of leading producers of phosphate a chemical used in fertilizers. Deposits of chromium, gold, lead, manganese, and zinc also are sprinkled across the region. Discoveries of iron ore and copper deposits indicate that the region may contain up to 10% of world’s iron ore reserves.

18. Economies Some countries in the region are diversifying their economies to decrease their reliance on oil and mineral exports The United Arab Emirates is an example which is investing oil earnings in banking, information technology, and tourism Another example is Libya which relies on oil for 95% of its export income is investing in infrastructure, agriculture, and fisheries

19. Climate and Vegetation of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia Lack of water affects –Climate – natural vegetation –human activities In Northern Africa there are now vast stretches of sand with the occasional watering hole but cave paintings show that the areas was once wet and green

20. Desert One in which precipitation averages 10 inches or less per year This makes up 50% of the region. relatively cold winters summers are long and hot The Sahara –largest –Covers most of North Africa –Recently its expanding because of decades of drought like conditions –REGS: are stony plains covered with rocky gravel are common –Occasionally you’ll find a HAMADA: flat sandstone plateau –Sand covers less than 10% of the area –Desert pavement, mts, and barren rock cover the rest –Small scale farming is possible around its many oasis: place in desert where underground water surfaces); – villages, towns, and cities have developed there The Rub’al-Kahli (Empty Quarter) __has the largest area of sand in the region (100%) –ERGS: sandy dunes covered areas) are not seen much –It is one of several deserts found on the Arabian Peninsula –It covers the southern part of the peninsula –Mostly barren (grasses,rodents, insects and a few migratory birds)

21. Steppe SECOND largest climate region here Borders the Sahara to the north and south; also found across Turkey to eastern Kazakhstan Averages less than 14 inches annually Short grasses provides pastures for sheep, goats, and camels Also shrubs and some trees grow here Pastoralism: –Raising and grazing of livestock –Way of life for people who live in this climate

22. Mediterranean Winters cool and rainy Summers hot and dry Tigris-Euphrates river valley, in highland areas, and on coastal plains of Med, Black, and Caspian Seas Morrocco, Tunisia, Syria, and other countries with this climate –Export citrus fruits, olives and grapes to Europe and North America –Some also benefit from tourism because its warmer there then some northern parts of Europe

23. highland Like in the Caucasus Mts Generally wetter and colder than other climates in the region Climate varies with elevation and exposure to the sun Along with coastal areas these climates receive the most rainfall in the region

24. humid subtropical Found along the coasts Receive the most rainfall as warm air is driven off the sea by prevailing winds NEAR Atlas Mts on North African coast get 30 inches of rain each year which supports lush forests and pastures On coast of Oman, MONSOONS arrive in August creating lush forests and pastures More than 60 inches of rain falls each year at foot of the Elburz Mts in northern Iraq Batumi, in the Republic of Georgia, is one of regions wettest places receiving more than 100 inches of rain a year In areas where more than 14 inches of rain fall yearly farms can raise cereals: food grains such as barely oats and wheat

25. Essay Questions Why is it important that countries of this region to not be dependent only on exporting oil?(3 pts) What else are some nations trying to do instead to make money besides exporting oil?(2 pts) What natural resources make this region an important part of global trade?(3 pts) What might the countries of this region need to purchase from other countries outside this region?? (2 pts)