1. Physical Geography of Southwest Asia

2. Landforms Many people picture Southwest Asia as one huge desert. However, the lands of Southwest Asia actually range from green coastal plains to snow-peaked mountains. Many people picture Southwest Asia as one huge desert. However, the lands of Southwest Asia actually range from green coastal plains to snow-peaked mountains. Southwest Asia forms a land bridge connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. Southwest Asia forms a land bridge connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe.

3. Peninsulas The most distinctive landform in Southwest Asia is the Arabian Peninsula, which is separated from Africa by the Red Sea and is separated from Asia by the Persian Gulf. The most distinctive landform in Southwest Asia is the Arabian Peninsula, which is separated from Africa by the Red Sea and is separated from Asia by the Persian Gulf. Another important landform in the region is the Anatolian Peninsula, which is occupied by Turkey. It marks the beginning of Asia. Another important landform in the region is the Anatolian Peninsula, which is occupied by Turkey. It marks the beginning of Asia.

4. Strait of Hormuz Farther south is a narrow waterway leading from the Arabian Sea to the Persian Gulf called the Strait of Hormuz. Farther south is a narrow waterway leading from the Arabian Sea to the Persian Gulf called the Strait of Hormuz. Why is control over the Strait of Hormuz so significant? Why is control over the Strait of Hormuz so significant?

5. Plains Much of the Arabian Peninsula is covered by plains. Because of the dry, sandy, windy conditions, few activities using the land take place here. Much of the Arabian Peninsula is covered by plains. Because of the dry, sandy, windy conditions, few activities using the land take place here. Most of the land is barren with some low hills, ridges, and wadis. Most of the land is barren with some low hills, ridges, and wadis. Wadis are riverbeds that remain dry except during the rainy seasons. Wadis are riverbeds that remain dry except during the rainy seasons.

6. Mountains Rugged mountains divide the land and countries. Afghanistan is landlocked and mountainous, so contact with the outside world is difficult. Rugged mountains divide the land and countries. Afghanistan is landlocked and mountainous, so contact with the outside world is difficult. The Zagros Mountains on the western side of Iran isolate the country from the rest of Southwest Asia. The Zagros Mountains on the western side of Iran isolate the country from the rest of Southwest Asia. The Taurus Mountains separate Turkey from the rest of Southwest Asia. The Taurus Mountains separate Turkey from the rest of Southwest Asia. In spite of these physical barriers, people, goods, and ideas move through the entire region. One of the ways they move is by water. In spite of these physical barriers, people, goods, and ideas move through the entire region. One of the ways they move is by water.

7. Water Southwest Asia is almost completely surrounded by bodies of water. They provide vital avenues for trade and access to other parts of the region and the rest of the world. Southwest Asia is almost completely surrounded by bodies of water. They provide vital avenues for trade and access to other parts of the region and the rest of the world. However, because much of the region is arid, there are few rivers that flow the entire year. However, because much of the region is arid, there are few rivers that flow the entire year.

8. Tigris and Euphrates Two of the most important rivers are the Tigris and the Euphrates. Two of the most important rivers are the Tigris and the Euphrates. They supported several ancient valley civilizations in the Fertile Crescent. They included Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Chaldeans. They supported several ancient valley civilizations in the Fertile Crescent. They included Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Chaldeans. Today, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow through parts of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. Today, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow through parts of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. They flow for hundreds of miles before joining at a place called Shatt al Arab. They flow for hundreds of miles before joining at a place called Shatt al Arab.

9. Jordan River and Dead Sea The Jordan River is one of the most important sources of water for the region and serves as a natural boundary between Israel and Jordan. The Jordan River is one of the most important sources of water for the region and serves as a natural boundary between Israel and Jordan. The Jordan River flows into the salty waters of the Dead Sea, a landlocked salt lake. The Jordan River flows into the salty waters of the Dead Sea, a landlocked salt lake. The Dead Sea is so salty that only bacteria can live in the waters. It is 1,349 feet below sea level- the lowest place on the exposed crust of the earth. The Dead Sea is so salty that only bacteria can live in the waters. It is 1,349 feet below sea level- the lowest place on the exposed crust of the earth.

10. Resources The most abundant resource in Southwest Asia is oil. The most abundant resource in Southwest Asia is oil. Major oil fields are located in the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, and Iraq. Natural gas fields are also close by. Major oil fields are located in the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, and Iraq. Natural gas fields are also close by. Today, about ½ of the world’s oil reserves are found in Southwest Asia, along the coast of the Persian Gulf. Today, about ½ of the world’s oil reserves are found in Southwest Asia, along the coast of the Persian Gulf. The region is important because so many countries, including the U.S., depend on its oil. The region is important because so many countries, including the U.S., depend on its oil.