North Africa and Southwest Asia Political and Economic Characteristics

The region has great variation in standard of living. The region has some very poor, poverty-stricken countries. Economic activities are primary activities.

OIL

Agriculture/Farming

Some countries have a high standard of living and high per capita incomes. these countries tend to be the one with oil reserves. Economic Activity: Oil Drilling Example: United Arab Emirates

A majority of the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are located in the Middle East. What is OPEC? OPEC is an economic alliance of oil producing nations. Controls production and sale of oil.

Example: United Arab Emirates

SUEZ CANAL The region is a prime location of trade. Name a man-made feature that has enhanced shipping in the region. SUEZ CANAL

Suez Canal *The 101-mile waterway connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. The Suez Canal is used to transport goods to and from all three continents. Egypt controls the Suez Canal.

What is located on the Nile River in Egypt and controls the annual seasonal flooding of the Nile River?

ASWAN DAM on the Nile River The Dam was created in 1971 The Dam wall is 365 feet high Created artificial lake- Lake Nasser, which covers 300 miles

Positive effects of Dam Prevents flooding Controls irrigation Creates Hydroelectric power- supplies Egypt with 40% of its electricity

Negative Effects of Dam New layer of fertile soil no longer deposited by annual flood, must use fertilizers Very expensive Run off pollutes river, pollution kills fish New soil not added to Delta, which causes erosion Salt content has increased, which can ruin crops

Alexandria, Egypt Examples of site(actual location of city): HARBOR SITE: Alexandria, Egypt

Hilltop Site: Jerusalem, Israel

Istanbul, Turkey Land Bridge to Europe and command of Bosporus and Dardanelles Istanbul, Turkey

                                               Focal point of Pilgrimage (Islam) Mecca, Saudi Arabia

What am I?

Answer I am the tip of a camel’s nose and mouth! I am very important to the camel, because my nostrils can close up completely to keep out the sand. My mouth helps the camel get the most protein and energy out of poor-quality food in the desert. By swallowing and regurgitating all day, chewing and chewing and chewing with sideways grinding motions, my special mouth pulverizes food and sucks out every last bit of nutrition.

We are known as … ships of the desert!