1. N. Africa and SW Asia

2.  Summary:  Longest river in the world  Delta is 3% of Egypt’s area but home to 96% of its population  Changes in Society:  Past  Ancient Egyptians controlled the Nile with canals and dams  Present  Aswan High Dam controls the waters of the Nile

3.  Use of Technology/Effects of Technology  Dam gives farmers a regular supply of water; water used for irrigation  Political or Economics Conflicts  Expensive fertilizers are needed to keep soil nutrient rich.  Issues sharing water with surrounding countries

4.  Summary  With the growth of cars in the 1950s, need for oil grew. Middle East profited.  Changes in Society  Past  Barren desert, dependent on agriculture for economic survival  Present  High tech oil refining and processing plants are result of demand of oil

5.  Uses of Technology/Effects of Technology  Improvements in infrastructure  Improvements in agricultural techniques  Political or Economic Conflicts  Growth dependent on rise and fall of market prices  Unpredictable prices have made it difficult for steady economic progress

6.  Summary  World’s largest desert, extremely high temperatures and large sand dunes make travel risky  Stores of underground water (aquifers)  Changes in Society  Past  Nomadic ways of life adapting to a desert lifestyle such as using camels for travel  Present  People still practice nomadic lifestyle. Some urban areas near costal bodies to water

7.  Uses of Technology/Effects of Technology  Desalinization projects and locating and harvesting water from aquifers are necessary for the future  Political or Economic Conflicts  Conflict exist between political boundaries of countries and water rights

8.  Summary  Band of grasslands that lie south of the Sahara.  Land subject to deforestation due to overgrazing and poor agricultural techniques  Changes in Society  Past  Semi-nomadic ways of live and tribal living.  Agriculture was a major economic activity  Present  Semi-nomadic ways of life and tribal living

9.  Uses of Technology/Effects of Technology  Region is at risk of desertification and soil erosion  Heavily dependent on the rainy season  Political or Economic Conflicts  Drought are a major concern  Conflict between different farming populations