Does this map look familiar? Can you identify anything on this map?

The Middle East Countries Georgia Performance Standards SS7G5a-b

Georgia Performance Standards Georgia Performance Standards SS7G5 The student will locate selected features in Southwestern Asia (Middle East). b. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map the nations of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

Where in the world is the Middle East?

What does it look like from space?

Map of Middle East

Country What to know about the country Physical Features Afghanistan Iran Iraq Saudi Arabia Israel Turkey

Where in the world is Afghanistan??

Afghanistan Afghanistan ► Capital: Kabul ► Landlocked ► Neighbors: Iran to the west, Pakistan to the east and south, the former U.S.S.R. to the north ► Geography-no major rivers, mountains (great place for terrorists to hide)

Doesn’t look like the Middle East does it??

The opium poppy, one of the most lucrative sources of income for many Afghanis. Opium is used to make the legal drugs like morphine and illegal drugs like heroin.

The small areas of steppes in northern Afghanistan and in southwestern Afghanistan are some of the most productive farming areas, although they are still reliant on season rains and melting snowfall from the mountains.

Do you recognize this picture??

Where in the world is Iran?

Iran Iran ► Tehran ► Capital: Tehran ► Neighbors: Iraq to the west, Afghanistan to the east ► Caspian Sea to the north and Persian Gulf to the south ► Second largest M.E. country ► Geography: Mountains, plains, and deserts ► ► Formerly called Persia

Lots of earthquakes

The country of Iran “looks down on” Iraq. Iran is much more mountainous and has a large central plateau region.

Example of Persian Architecture

Everybody loves motorcycles

Looks like the world’s biggest sand castle!

Skiing in the Middle East????

Where in the world is Iraq?

Iraq Iraq ► Capital: Baghdad ► Neighbors: Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south ► Geography: A few mountains, swamps (??), deserts, and rivers- Tigris and Euphrates Rivers (irrigation for farming) ► Lots of OIL!! Persian Gulf VERY important for trade

Marshlands in Iraq

Camels are the best way to travel in some areas

Army helicopters-a common sight to see Al Mansour Hotel in Baghdad Many areas are very “western”, that is if they haven’t been blown up

Along the Euphrates River

Where in the world is Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia ► Capital: Riyadh ► Largest M.E. country ► Neighbors: Iraq, to the north, Red Sea to the west, Persian Gulf to the east ► Almost completely desert ► OIL!!!!!

Oil and trade make Saudi Arabia one of the richest countries in the world

Home of the most sacred Muslim cities

Where in the world is Israel?

Israel Israel ► Capital: Jerusalem ► Neighbors: Egypt to the southwest, Mediterranean Sea to the west, Jordan to east, Lebanon to North ► Geography: Less desert than the other M.E. countries, milder climate ► More farmland, but less oil

Israel is bordered by Lebanon and Syria in the north, Jordan and the West Bank in the east, and Egypt and the Gaza Strip in the southwest. It covers an area slightly smaller than New Jersey.

Near the Sea of Galilee Mount Susita

Where in the world is Turkey?

Turkey Turkey ► Capital: Ankara ► Only country found on 2 continents-Europe and Asia ► Neighbors: Iraq to the southeast, Mediterranean Sea to the southwest, Syria to South ► Lots of different geography: mountains, plains, and coastal regions, very little desert ► Turkey and Israel are very similar geographically

Architecture combines the Middle East and Europe

Cool picture, huh??

Hint for remembering the countries ► ► In Arabic, you read from right to left ► ► Starting on the right, the 4 hardest countries to locate are alphabetical (Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia) ► ► Turkey and Israel are easy to identify

CountryWhat to know about the country Physical Features Jordan East of Israel Jordan River Kuwait Very small country on Persian Gulf Desert, Persian Gulf Syria Mediterranean Sea, South of Turkey, West of Iraq Euphrates River, Mediterranean Sea Lebanon Mediterranean Sea, SW of Syria, North of Israel Mediterranean Sea

Color your map Color each country a different color Put a bold border around Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Afghanistan These are the countries you need to know for your test