1. Landforms of The Middle East and North Africa

2. Deserts Sahara Desert World's hottest desert
World’s 3rd largest desert
At over 3,600,000 sq mi, it covers most of North Africa
Almost as large as China or the United States.

3. Deserts
Rub' al Khali
Covers the southern Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and UEA
Part of the larger Arabian Desert
Largest continuous body of sand in the world
Hyper-Arid: less than 1.2 in. of rain annually
Rich in oil fields
Some of the most extreme temperatures in the world: ranges from 32°-133°

4. Mountains Atlas Mountains
Northwestern Africa: Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia
Berber population
Rich in resources: iron ore, coal, etc.
Highest peak: Toubkal (13,671 ft.)

5. Mountains Zagros Mountains Largest range in Iraq and Iran
Natural division of different cultures
Persian and Ottoman Empires
Large petroleum reserves

6. Mountains
Hindu Kush
Divide Afghanistan and Pakistan
Al Qaeda presence

7. Rivers Nile Longest river in the world North flowing
Runs through 10 Countries- Egypt and Sudan

8. Rivers Tigris and Euphrates
Two major rivers in Iraq, Syria, and Turkey
Created the boundaries of ancient Mesopotamia
Fertile land

9. Bodies of Water Aral Sea Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
Used to be the 4th largest lake, shrinking since 1960
One of the planet’s worst environmental disasters
Heavily polluted

10. Bodies of Water Red Sea Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Sudan
Major trade area
Suez Canal
Important for desalination

11. Bodies of Water Persian Gulf
World's largest single source of crude oil

12. Bodies of Water Dead Sea 9.6 times saltier than the ocean
34% salinity
Jewish religious significance