M IDDLE EAST (S OUTHWEST A SIA ): L ANDFORMS Chapter 21 – Section 1 Pages TEKS: 2A, 4A, 5C, 6B, 7B, 8B, 11B, 11C, 16A, 17A, 21A, 21C, 21D, 22B, 22C

L ANDFORMS D IVIDE THE R EGION Land here ranges from green coastal plains to snow- peaked mountains.

P LAINS AND H IGHLANDS Much of the Arabian Peninsula is covered by plains. Most land is barren except for some hills, ridges, and wadis. Much of the Anatolian Peninsula (Turkey) is a plateau, with some area for farming.

W ATER BODIES The whole region is almost completely surrounded by water. Tigris and Euphrates rivers helped support ancient civilizations. Jordan River flows in to the Dead Sea, a landlocked salt lake.

M OUNTAINS The Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan help keep it isolated from the outside world. The Taurus Mountains also help keep Turkey separated.

D ESERTS LIMIT MOVEMENT Most areas get less than 18 inches of rain a year. The vegetation and animals that live there survive on little water. The most famous desert in area is the Rub al-Khali, or the Empty Quarter.