1. The Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan
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The Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan
Section 1: Physical Geography
Section 2: The Arabian Peninsula
Section 3: Iraq
Section 4: Iran and Afghanistan

2. Section 1 Physical Geography
Major physical features of the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan
The Arabian Peninsula—bordered by the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and the Persian Gulf
The plain of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers (Mesopotamia) lies between these exotic rivers.
Region of mountains and plateaus—Elburz Mountains, Kopet-Dag range, Hindu Kush, and the Zagros Mountains

3. Climates of the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan
Section 1 Physical Geography
Climates of the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan
Most of the region has a desert climate.
There are parts of the region with steppe climates.

4. Section 1 Physical Geography
Important resources of the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan
Water resources include wadis and fossil water.
Oil is the key mineral resource.
Iran has other metal deposits.

5. Section 1: Physical Geography
Holt People, Places, and Change
Section 1: Physical Geography
Persian Gulf
Red Sea
Arabian Sea
Tigris River
Euphrates River
Elburz Mts.
Zagros Mts.
Hindu Kush
Rub’ al-Khali
Arabian Peninsula X X X
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6. Holt People, Places, and Change
Physical Map (p.377)
The Zagros Mts. And Great Salt Desert make travel difficult in Iran.
The highest mountains are the Hindu Kush and they are found in Afghanistan.
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7. Holt People, Places, and Change
Main Idea
What is the region's climate?
The region’s climate is desert or steppe.
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8. Holt People, Places, and Change
Main Ideas
Mesopotamia was important in ancient times because it was a fertile and well watered area.
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9. Holt People, Places, and Change
Vocabulary
exotic rivers Rivers that begin in humid regions and then flow through dry areas
wadis Dry streambeds in Southeast Asia
fossil water Water that is not being replaced by rainfall
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10. NO NOTE: Resource Map (p.381)
Holt People, Places, and Change
NO NOTE: Resource Map (p.381)
A tanker traveling from Abadan to Mediterranean ports would go southeast through the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Omen to the Arabian Sea, southwest to the Gulf of Aden, northwest through the Red Sea, and through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea. x
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11. Holt People, Places, and Change
Why Study this region?
The world’s first urban civilization, Sumer, developed in what is now Iraq. The mighty Persian Empire ruled the area later. These civilizations have left behind great works of art, architecture, and literature.
This region contains most of the world’s known oil reserves.
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12. Holt People, Places, and Change
Why Study?
The U.S. military has been involved in the region. For example, U.S. personnel played a major role in Operation Desert Storm in
This region is the cradle of Islam, and home to many of its followers. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the U.S.
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13. Physical Geography of the Region
SECTION 1
Physical Geography
Physical Geography of the Region
Bodies of water
Rivers
Climate types
Tigris
Euphrates
Mountains
Persian Gulf
Red Sea
Arabian Sea
Deserts
desert
steppe
Elburz
Kopet-Dag
Zagros
Hindu Kush
Great Salt
Rubal-Khali
An Nafud

14. Objectives: Section 2 The Arabian Peninsula
What are Saudi Arabia’s history, government, and people like?
What kinds of government and economy do the other countries of the Arabian Peninsula have?

15. Saudi Arabia Section 2 The Arabian Peninsula
History—created in 1932 by the Saud family; closely linked to Islam
Government—a monarchy still ruled by the Saud family; most officials are members of the family; Islamic scholars influence policy
People—ethnic Arabs; 85 percent Sunni; Islam is reflected in dress, treatment of women, and daily prayer schedules

16. Other countries of the Arabian Peninsula
Section 2 The Arabian Peninsula
Other countries of the Arabian Peninsula
Other countries of the Arabian Peninsula are predominantly Islamic and have varying wealth from oil reserves. All but Yemen are monarchies.

17. (continued) Other countries of the Arabian Peninsula
Section 2 The Arabian Peninsula
(continued) Other countries of the Arabian Peninsula
Kuwait—invaded by Iraq in 1990 Gulf War; rich in oil
Bahrain and Qatar—Bahrain is a historic trade center; Qatar becoming more democratic
The United Arab Emirates—led by emirs; foreign workers outnumber citizens
Oman—attempting to create new industries besides oil
Yemen—elected government suffers from corruption; poorest in the region

18. Key events in Iraq’s history include:
Section 3 Iraq
Key events in Iraq’s history include:
A.D. 600—Arabs conquer Mesopotamia, Islam spreads, Baghdad thrives (until 1258).
1500s—Mesopotamia becomes part of the Ottoman Empire.
British take over during World War I; overthrown in the 1950s by the Iraqi army.

19. (continued) Key events in Iraq’s history include:
Section 3 Iraq
(continued) Key events in Iraq’s history include:
Ba’ath Party takes over in 1968 and Saddam Hussein becomes president in late 1970s.
1980—Iraq invades Iran; Iran-Iraq War is fought from 1980 to 1988.
1990—Iraq invades Kuwait, triggering Persian Gulf War.

20. Iraq’s government: Iraq’s economy: Section 3 Iraq
Was controlled by the Ba’ath Party and Saddam Hussein.
had built a large army and secret police force.
Iraq’s economy:
was limited by trade embargoes since the two wars.
also has mining, construction, and manufacturing industries.

21. Iraq’s population is: Section 3 Iraq 75 percent Arab nearly all Muslim
15-20 percent Kurds

22. Important events in Iran’s history include:
Section 4 Iran and Afghanistan
Important events in Iran’s history include:
500s B.C.—The Persian Empire was centered in the region.
300s B.C.—Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire.
A.D. 600s—Arabs invade and establish Islam.
1921—The Shah takes over and encourages reform; his son succeeds him in 1941.

23. Important events in Iran’s history include: (continued)
Section 4 Iran and Afghanistan
Important events in Iran’s history include: (continued)
1979—The Shah is overthrown and Iranian Republic is formed; American hostages are taken with approval from the government.
1980–1988—Iran-Iraq War is fought.

24. The People and Government of Iran
Section 4 Iran and Afghanistan
The People and Government of Iran
Iran is a theocracy—it is ruled by religious leaders.
The government has supported terrorism and the destruction of Israel.
Possible democratic reforms have been developing since the late 1990s.
The population is diverse, with ethnic Persians in the majority.
The Shia branch of Islam is the official religion.

25. Problems in Afghanistan
Holt People, Places, and Change
Section 4 Iran and Afghanistan
Problems in Afghanistan
Links to terrorism of September 11, 2001, placed Afghanistan at the center of the war on terror, led by the United States.
Afghanistan has an interim government after the ousting of the Taliban.
Years of war have hurt Afghanistan’s people, industry, trade, and transportation systems.
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