SW Asia An Overview

Global Intersection This region lies at the crossroads of 3 continents: Africa, Europe, & Asia All 3 meet at the Mediterranean Sea and have long been linked by trade

Physical Features

A. Arabian Peninsula The largest peninsula in the world More than 1 million square miles

B. Dead Sea Forms part of the border between Israel and Jordan

B. Dead Sea At 1,349 feet below sea level, it is the lowest place on dry land 9 times as salty as the ocean As a result, almost nothing can survive in its waters

C. Caspian Sea The world’s largest inland body of water

C. Caspian Sea It was once part of the ocean, so its waters are salty, but not as salty as the ocean due to freshwater inflow As a result, both freshwater and saltwater fish survive here

D. Tigris & Euphrates River Valley Originate only 50 miles from one another in Turkey. Join together in Iraq Empty into the Persian Gulf Noah’s Ark

D. Tigris & Euphrates River Valley One of the most fertile river valleys in the world.

Climate & Vegetation

E. Climate Almost entirely arid and semiarid climate

F. Vegetation Desert scrub covers the majority of the region

Human Geography

Economic Activity

G. Natural Resources Oil SW Asia has the world’s largest known oil reserves Countries here have grown rich with such great demand

Over 60% of the world’s oil reserves are found here.

G. Natural Resources Water Lacks water Limits commercial farming and livestock raising

Culture

H. Population 550 million 10% of world’s population Fast growing population

H. Population About 50-50 urban and rural

I. Religion 92% Islam 5% Christianity 1% Judaism 85-90% Sunni Muslim 10-15% Shi’ites 5% Christianity 1% Judaism

Early History

J. Mesopotamia Greek for “land between two rivers”

J. Mesopotamia Early civilization started here - often called “the cradle of civilization.” Some of the world’s first cities arose here. Farming began here some 7,000 years.

K. Religion Birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, Islam