1. CHAPTER 17: Northeast middle east
A focus on Turkey, Iraq, and Iran

2. MOUNTAINS (turkey)
Several tectonic plates converge at the Anatolian Peninsula, AKA: Asia Minor
North Anatolian Fault (Turkey)—one of the most active faults in the world
Many volcanoes in Turkey
Pontic Mountains in the northeast
Mt. Ararat to the east of Pontic (16,945 ft.)
Taurus Mountains in the southwest
Anatolian Plateau in between

4. MOUNTAINS (IRAN) Elburz Mountains along northern border
Tallest peak: Mt. Damavand (18,934 ft.)—Iran’s highest peak; volcano
Zagros Mountains along southwestern border, into Iraq
Tallest peak: Zard Kuh (14,921 ft.)

5. TURKISH STRAITS
STRAIT: a narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water
Creates border between Europe and Asia
Consists of:
Dardanelles
The Sea of Marmara
Bosporus
Control of this area controls trade ($$$)

6. rivers
Tigris (1,180 mi) and Euphrates (2,235 mi)
Home of Mesopotamia—”land between rivers”
Converge into Shatt al Arab (120 mi), then empties into Persian Gulf

7. CASPIAN SEA
An important transportation link between Iran and other Asian countries
Oil/natural gas
Heavy fishing

8. Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf) Gulf of Oman
OTHER WATER SYSTEMS
Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf)
Gulf of Oman
Strait of Hormuz--- strategic outlet from the Persian Gulf to Indian Ocean

9. SECTION 2: HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

10. EARLY CIVILIZATION
Tigris and Euphrates formed a natural boundary for Mesopotamia
CULTURAL HEARTH: center in which cultures develop and from which they spread
Neolithic Revolution---learn to farm/domesticate animals
People become sedentary; have more time to think
Develop new tools and systems of government
Boom! Civilization!

11. MESOPOTAMIA Home to Sumer (c. 5000 years ago)
Developed early writing system called CUNEIFORM: using wedge-shaped symbols pressed into clay tablets
C B.C.: Babylon emerges and dominates Mesopotamia

12. PERSIAN and ottoman EMPIREs
Present-day Iran
Brilliant engineers
QANAT: underground canal--- reduce evaporation of water
Ottomans ruled from Anatolia
Empire extended across N. Africa, western Asia, and southeastern Europe
Defeated in World War I

13. IRAQ Became independent in 1932 In turmoil ever since
Iraq-Iran War
1st Persian Gulf War
Iraq War 2003-???
Leader was Saddam Hussein (dictator)---arrested, convicted, executed
Parliamentary democracy
Current leader: Fuad Masum

14. IRAN 1979: Shah Reza Pahlavi is overthrown
Islamic scholars, mullahs, came to power
Islamic Republic was formed
Muslim clerics, ayatollahs, maintain political and religious influence
Deep dislike of Western influence

15. Oil! 1908: Oil discovered in Persian Gulf
1911: 1st commercial oil well in Iran
1960: Iran and Iraq join w/other oil-producing countries to form the ORGANIZATION OF PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES (OPEC)
They regulate oil prices

16. Ethnic diversity Vast majority are Muslim
Major ethnic groups: Turks, Iranians, Arabs, and Kurds
Majority in Iraq are Arab
Kurds live in areas of Turkey, Iraq, and Iran
Major cities: Istanbul, Tehran, Baghdad

17. THE ARTS Early civs created sculptures, metalwork, and large buildings
ZIGGURAT: large temple built by Sumerians
Literature is based on oral tradition, epics, and poetry
Fine carpet weaving from ancient Persia

18. RESOURCES
OIL!!!!!!!!
Iran and Iraq are leading exporters