1. Major Physical Features of Southwest Asia
By Mr. Washington

2. Physical Features Jordan River
                                           
Physical Features
Jordan River
Rising in Syria and flowing about (200 mi) south to the northern end of the Dead Sea.
Tigris River
Originates in the Taurus Mountains at Lake Hazar and flows 1,180 mi SE through Turkey and past Baghdad to unite with the Euphrates
Euphrates River
SW Asia river flowing about (1,700 mi) from central Turkey through Syria and into Iraq.

3. Physical Features Golan Heights
In wars with its Arab neighbors, Israel occupied and unilaterally annexed (added to its country) this territory
West Bank
Controlled by Israel (taken in a war with its Arab neighbors), parts administered by the Palestinian authority
Gaza Strip
Controlled by Israel, but parts of it run by the PLO (Palestinian authority)
Suez Canal
Dug in 1869, it connects the Mediterranean and Red Seas

4. More Physical Features
Strait of Hormuz
A narrow waterway that allows ships to pass from the Arabian Sea to the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
Important trade route since ancient times; gained added importance after the discovery of oil in the Gulf States.
Black Sea
A large inland sea, area 163,400 square miles

5. SW Asia Physical Features
Red Sea
A body of water that lies between Arabia and NE Africa, 1200 miles long, 180 miles wide
Arabian Sea
The NW part of the Indian Ocean between Arabia and western India.
Caspian Sea
Inland salt lake between Europe and Asia, bordering Russia and Iran.