Southwest Asia Climate and Resources

Water and Settlement of People in SW Asia Civilizations arose in river valleys –Ample supplies of water Agriculture thrives in moist areas along Mediterranean coast

Vegetation in SW Asia Deciduous Forest and Mixed Forest more fertile Receive more moisture from Mediterranean winds

Arid Climate and Affects on Farming Farming occurs along coast and along Tigris Euphrates rivers Turkey and Iran have widespread farming Most important food crop grown is grain

Arid Climate and Affects on Farming Region still must import food –Lack of enough fertile land and moisture Even land suitable for farming has to be irrigated often –Limits what farmers can grow –Farmers dig terraced fields, low flat fields, along lower slopes of mountains Easier to trap moisture crops need

Economic Impact of Oil on Global Economy Much of world’s supply comes SW Asia –Accounts for 60% of world’s supply Oil rich nations located in desert lands around Persian Gulf –Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Iran

Impact Oil on SW Asian Nations Oil rich nations are richer than those without oil –Able to build better cities –Able to offer people better services Education, transportation, medical care People in countries not oil rich take jobs in oil rich countries –Send money back home

Fresh Water: A Valuable Resource Scare resource found in arid environment Demand resource increase as population increases

Conflicts over Fresh Water Israel/Jordan over Jordan River –Only river Jordan has access to –Israel controls amount water Jordan receives Turkey/Iraq and Syria over Euphrates River –Turkey controls flow of river –Dammed river Iraq and Syria fear Turkey will use control to threaten them

Depletion of Natural Resources Forests, copper, gold, iron, zinc, lead have been depleted Deforestation has caused problems –Erosion and loss of soil No roots to hold soil Wind and water strips ground of fertile soil

SW Asia and Manufacturing Not a major manufacturing center Scattered resources hinder ability of industry to operate –Depletion of minerals Coal and Chrome important to industries –Turkey has source of coal and chrome

Key Vocabulary Deforestation: removal of forests by cutting down the trees Depletion/Depleted: exhausted, used up “Black gold”: oil

Key Vocabulary-cont. Aquifers: geological formations that hold water Wadis: dry streambeds found throughout desert regions –Water found few feet below surface Irrigation: series of canals, pumps, and pipes that carry water to a place that needs it