1. Physical Geography of SWA & NA
SSWG3a Describe the location of major physical features and their impact on North Africa/Southwest Asia.

3. General Information Southwest Asia is also called the “Middle East”
The entire area is NOT desert.
Mesopotamia or the “Fertile Crescent” is the ancient area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
North Africa is dramatically different from the areas south of the Sahara.

5. Mountains Mountains: Atlas, Zagros, Ahaggar
Atlas Mountains are rich in minerals as well as petroleum
Zagros form most of Iran’s southern border
Ahaggar are made mostly from volcanic rock

6. Mountains
Atlas Mts.
Zagros Mts.

7. Rivers Rivers: Tigris, Euphrates, Jordan, Nile
Most of these are the only real freshwater sources
The areas around the rivers are fertile and allow farming—ex. Nile River Valley.
Jordan River provides water and religious significance to people of the region
Damming of the rivers in Turkey impact everyone down stream.

8. Rivers
Tigris River
Euphrates River

9. Additional Water Features
Seas: Red, Arabian, Dead
Gulf: Aden, Oman, Persian
Strait: Hormuz
Canals: Suez
Suez Canal allowed for easier trade from the area.
Provide water for the region, but must be desalinated
Problem with pirates around the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz

10. Water Features
Dead Sea
Suez Canal

11. Deserts Deserts: Sahara, Rub al-Khali, Syrian, Negev
Some deserts are sand, and others are salt.
Sahara- largest desert on earth and about as big as the US
Limited farming can be done with sophisticated irrigation systems (Negev)
Rub al-Khali means “empty quarter” and the border is disputed

12. Deserts
Sahara Desert
Rub al-Khali

13. Other Land features West Bank Gaza Strip Golan Heights
Primarily Palestinian territory located on the Western Bank of the Jordan River
App 2270 square miles
Gaza Strip
Primarily Palestinian territory located in Southwestern Israel
App 146 square miles
Golan Heights
Primarily Israeli occupied plateau in Syria
Disputed area of land

14. Land Features
West Bank & Gaza Strip
Golan Heights