1. Geography of the Middle East:
Location, Climate, Natural
Resources, & Population Density
What is life like in the Middle East??

2. The Land
The Middle East is often called the “crossroads of the world” because it lies at the intersection of 3 continents-Europe, Asia, and Africa.
**The specific point of intersection
is at the Suez Canal, which is the
fastest way for American and
European ships to cross over to the
Indian Ocean.**
Deserts are the most common
landform and make up almost
66% of the Middle East.

3. Did you know???
Deserts….
Receive less than 10 inches of rain per year-that’s dry!!
Is hot during the day but cool at night.
Cactus can live to be up to 200 years old!
The highest sand dune was found in the Sahara Desert and is 1410 feet high!
The desert tortoise can live in temperatures of 140°!

4. Continued….
Deserts…
Camels are called “ships of the desert.” They can go without water for 2 months!
People who live near or visit a desert wear light colored clothes to reflect the sun and stay cool!!

5. Water
There is a lack of water, which we will discuss, in detail, later. This is the cause of lots of controversies among countries in the Middle East.

6. Persian Gulf
Western countries call this the Persian Gulf, but most Arab countries refer to this as the Arabian Gulf.
Located between the Arabian Sea and Iran.
This is an important physical feature because its holds some of the world’s most important oil fields. ($$)

7. Strait of Hormuz Narrow waterway near the Persian Gulf
Important shipping canal
Most of the world’s oil supply passes through this strait.

8. The Gaza Strip Small piece of land-only 146 square miles.
Stretches along the Mediterranean Sea
and borders Egypt and Israel.
Mostly flat and sandy
This piece of land has been fought over
by Israel and Palestine (and other
surrounding countries) for most of the 20th
century (1900’s).
Israel took control of the strip in 1967
but gave control to the Palestinians in 1994,
who still have control.
Today, the Gaza strip is run by the Palestine National Authority. Many Arabs live there.

9. Climate The climate varies.
mostly arid with hot, dry summers and cool winters

10. Climate
There are lots of mountains and deserts….so, how much does it rain the Middle East?
IRAN
In Northern Iran, along the Caspian Sea, you might get up to 80 inches of rain each year!!!!
But, in the deserts, the people might not see rain for SEVERAL YEARS!!
Saudi Arabia
Moderate, mild temperatures with little rainfall

11. Afghanistan-Hot, dry summers and very cold winters
Afghanistan-Hot, dry summers and very cold winters. There is a lot of snow in the mountains and no rain in deserts.
Iraq- rains only in the
Mountains (in the north), Hot, dry summers & short, cool winters
Saudi Arabia- Hot & dry climate (remember-this is mostly a desert!!)

12. Population Dense populations around areas with OIL.
People migrate to new places in order to get a good job in the oil industry.
Iraq and Iran are the
most populated countries
in the Middle East because
they are oil rich.

13. Continued…
In Saudi Arabia, mostly nomads until the 1960’s. These nomads have no permanent home and move from place to place. They are called Bedouins. Today, only about 1% the population remains nomadic herders.
Because of the booming oil industry, most (almost 95%) of the population lives in cities.
HUGE stretches of desert in Saudi Arabia, so very few people live or are able to work in those areas-1 person/square mile.

14. Population Continued…
Except in the regions with a lot of mountains, areas around water are very populated. This is because H2O is used to grow crops!
In modern Iraq, fertile soil is found in the “Fertile Cresent.” This is the land located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Canals are built to use the river water for irrigation. This fertile area of land is home to many people!

15. Population Continued…
Where are the people located in Afghanistan??
About 77% of the country is rural, but has little land to farm (most of the farming is done in valleys with irrigation from their small water supply). About 70% of the population works on small farms or raises livestock. Only 12% of the land here is arable (farmable).
In 2002, almost 2 million
refugees returned from
Pakistan & Iran, causing major
food & aid shortages

16. There is a large population in port cities, in every country with major port cities on the coast. This is because of employment opportunities in transportation, shipbuilding, and repair.
Turkey has major ports along the Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea, and Black Sea. Most people live in urban areas.
Saudi Arabia has major
ports along the Red Sea
and Persian Gulf.

17. Major Cities: Turkey connects Europe & Asia. 2.Istanbul- largest city
Tehran is the capital and largest city in Iran. (over 65 million people live here!)
Baghdad is the capital city of Iraq-one of the largest in Iraq!
In Afghanistan, Kabul is the largest city!
Turkey connects Europe & Asia.
1. Ankara- capital city
2.Istanbul- largest city

18. Kabul
Baghdad
Istanbul
Mecca
Tel Aviv
Tehran

19. Major Cities: Israel: ½ of population lives near 3 largest cities:
1. Jerusalem: capital & largest city
2. Tel Aviv: economic & industrial center
3. Haifa: busy port & naval base
Saudi Arabia:
Riyadh is the capital city.
Mecca & Medina: 2 holiest cities in Islam

20. Natural Resources
Afghanistan is the World’s biggest producer of opium (a drug used to make another drug called Heroin).
Natural gas, copper, iron, rubies & emeralds are other major natural resources found here.

21. Natural Resources Iran-
Many shallow rivers used for irrigation & hydroelectricity (Energy generated/created from damns)
Huge resources of oil- 45% of the country’s revenue comes from oil!
natural gas & copper

22. Natural Resources Iraq: Oil
10% of all of the world’s oil reserves are here
(In southeast and north-central regions)

23. Natural Resources Israel-
Lack of natural resources & isolation from neighboring countries
A small reserve of oil has recently been discovered.

24. Natural Resources Saudi Arabia- limestone, marble, clay & salt
Contains ¼ of world’s petroleum (oil)
World’s largest exporter!!
NO H2O because there are no permanent rivers or lakes
Wadis: temporary rivers created by rains

25. Natural Resources
Turkey-
Water from snow and aquifers used for agriculture and hydroelectricity
Coal is biggest natural resource
Although there is no oil here, Turkey has benefited from this natural resource in surrounding countries because they transport this oil to Europe.