Climate, Landforms, & Resources of Southwest Asia

Waterways The area includes the Red Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Persian Gulf. Goods, including oil, flow through these waterways to other parts of Asia and to the world.

Waterways – Suez Canal The Suez Canal was built to connect the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.

Waterways – Suez Canal Over time the canal was destroyed and rebuilt, destroyed and rebuilt. The modern canal was a project between France and Egypt and dug by poor Egyptians. Some of them were beaten to encourage them to keep digging. It was finished in 1868.

Rivers Tigris and Euphrates Through Turkey, Syria, and Iraq Supported ancient civilizations such as the Babylonians, Assyrians, Sumerians, and Chaldeans. Creates fertile river valleys ideal for agriculture.

Rivers Jordan River Natural body between Israel and Jordan. Important river in Christianity as the baptism site of Jesus Christ. 70-90% of the water is used for human purposes (drinking, irrigation, etc.)

The Nile River World’s longest river flowing more than 4,000 miles into Egypt. Provides water for field irrigation. More than 95% of Egyptians depend on the Nile as their water source.

The Dead Sea 2,300’ below sea level Highest salt content 33%

Seas: History of Shipping Mediterranean Sea 1/3 of world’s shipping goes through it, including 20% of world’s oil. Red Sea Known for diving and tourism. Persian Gulf Strait of Hormuz, between Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, ships another 20% of world’s oil and has caused tensions between the U.S. and Iran

Mountains & Plateaus

Mountains Isolates countries of Southwest Asia from each other. Afghanistan is isolated by the Hindu Kush. The Zagros Mountains and Elburz Mountains isolate Iran. The Taurus Mountains isolate Turkey.

Mountain Ranges in Southwest Asia Zagros Mtns, Iran Elburz Mtns, Iran Taurus Mtns, Turkey Lebanese Mtns

Climate A land of arid deserts Irrigation has made some areas suitable for agriculture. Native plants and animals survive on little water. Rub al-Khali desert, known as the Empty Quarter, covers most of the Arabian Peninsula. It is the size of Texas

Climate Semiarid lands and fertile Coastlands Semiarid land exists on the fringes of deserts. Enough rainfall to support grasses, shrubs, cotton, and wheat. Coastlands create a climate for growing fruits, olives, and vegetables.

Southwest Asia: Climate Regions

Southwest Asia: Population Density

Southwest Asia: Natural Vegetation

Southwest Asia: Natural Resources

World Oil Reserves

Persian Gulf Exports (2003)

Saudi Arabia Oil Export

Leading U.S. Oil Suppliers The U.S. imports 30% of its oil needs from Southwest Asia

Oil Reserves OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries)

Legacies of vulnerable landscape Lengthy human settlement has led to environmental problems. Deforestation & Overgrazing Human activities & natural conditions have reduced most of the forests to grass and scrub. Caused by overgrazing, fires. Salinization Buildup of toxic salts in the soil from centuries of irrigation; farmland degraded.

Desalination Plants